Go West, Young Man!¶
background color: when thou are ready: #fcba03 ("All the Western Suns")
Note: I was experimenting with a new format—and was unable to enter the background color I wanted (above). It was motivated, by the . . . feel of the book "All the Western Suns." (. . .)
10/24/2020 Saturday
Major trip—from ~Harrisburg, PA, to Rochester . . . Minnesota. (!! (!!))
I had put the Impreza up—that was actually, quite sad. . . . :( :(
I took out my sonic screwdriver—I mean, one needs one's essential tools, on a trip like this. :) :) I also tried to take out my "Doctor Who sounds" keychain. It was lodged on something, and when I pulled on it—the keychain broke. :( :( And the batteries, were flat—all those winters, outside. . . .
So . . . I had to fix up "Herr Cougar"—and get it ready to go. . . .
Here is a video, of a "cold start" of Herr Cougar—the first one, in three years:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7TLv9QEXek
Moving out of the motel, I couldn't fit ONE thing, into the Cougar. It was the "good chair," from the set, I bought off of Yuko—the set from the table, that I had the first home cooked breakfast from/on, in 28 years.
So, I had to go BACK, with the Impreza (after putting her up)—and get the chair, all the time (well) over, my checkout time, at the room. Quite stressful. "Oh, here I am–taking furniture out of your hotel–WELL after checkout time. . . .)
They couldn't've been more cool about it.
:) :)
Then, Dad and I just sat there—no emergencies, no deadlines, no crises (for once :p ;) ). . . .
I realize there's some glare (which makes it difficult to see)—but here is Herr Cougar, packed and readdy to go:
Not today, Satan!¶
Later that day (after getting underway—obviously), I came to a light, in Brooksville (PA). The car muttered, more and more—and then . . . stopped. Breakdown. And even I, was not strong enough, to both steer, brake, and push that Cougar. (I mean, I could move it, but. . . .)
I think I actually said "Not today, Satan!"—and out loud. At this point, I felt like I was experiencing spiritual resistance—to getting out there. And I was bound and determined so to do.
Some "good ol' boys," stopped by—and got me over, into the parking lot.
The top of the fuel system, was empty. I found a leak. Here, part of the rubber tubing, just prior to the fuel pump, was worn through. This was causing both fuel to leak out—and the pump to draw air.
Now get this—while the breakdown, seemed from Satan, the location . . . perhaps Providential—I was in walking distance of one of three shops, that would have the part—in 75+ miles of Western Pennsylvania road. So, I went over to "the shop," for big trucks—weaving among them (both moving and stationary), the whole way. Fortunately, I look like an articulated lorry driver, and was able to get the part, without incident or difficulty.
However . . . installing it . . . ALL my straight slot screwdrivers (which I had had, since 10th grade (!)) had . . . disappeared. Not today, Satan! I made do—with a tool, I believe, made exlusively for bikes. . . .
The Cougar still wouldn't start. I then realized, it was "vapor locked"—and bought a gas can, and $2 worth of high test gas. I poured it into the carburetor—and she started (and then, eventually, stalled). When I went to pour more high test in–she smoked so alarmingly–that I actually put the air cleaner element top, back on. (I rarely–if ever–do that—however, if a carburetor fire does start, with that on, it'll all just be drawn (harmlessly) into the engine.)
She fired right up—and ran all the way, to my Uncle's and Cousin's (only faltering, a little bit, at one point).
Not today, Satan.
There, my Uncle, knowing I was coming—put "The Addams Family," on the television. Ah—how my family knows me. :) ;)
Later, Jason (my Cousin) and I were watching this WEIRD Pulansky flick—about vampire hunters. . . .
10/25/2020 Sunday
Jason was exclaiming, "The hood's as long as the bed [of my truck]!" And so it is.
:) :)
Saying goodbye to my Uncle and Cousin (I only see them, very rarely.), I got underway. . . .
I ended up on a toll section, of [Interstate] 80 (in Ohio). Turns out, I could gone across (for free) on 76—live and learn. . . . (Note that this is exactly, the opposite case, of that, in Pennsylvania. . . .)
A picture at a rest stop. I was so taken with it, I took a pic:
The Cougar, flipped over 70,000 (more like 170,000, I'm sure) on [Interstate] 71 south.
Wow.
On [Interstate] 270, I first realized—if I get this job, I'll be living near a childhood friend of mine. (. . .)
Speaking of said. . . .
I had a DEVIL of a time—finding his place. I mean, even with a 'Web search. . . . I used bad words.
Finally . . . are you Benjamin? His son—all grown up, at 17. (!!) Benjamin is, quite possibly, THE most intelligent person, I have ever met. In fifth grade, 't'was like talkin', to a college sophomore. . . .
And when I finally saw my friend, he hugged me—he was so glad to see me. During a pandemic, he hugged me. High praise indeed.
:) :)
Benjamin, and his friends, made (on my friend's (his Father)'s property), this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw98X8wew9w
:) :) :) :)
They tried to go trick or treating on (the previous) Halloween, in the main prop—but there were 30 mile per hour winds. . . .
It did not go well.
:) ;)
Then, we watched a film–not my bowl of soup (private expression :) :) )–but INCREDIBLY good. . . .
'T'was called "Heat." I had been meaning to watch it, for some time. . . . A link on such:
10/26/2020 Monday
And here is a picture of. . . .
. . . "Love RHINO!!". (I love how my taking the picture, is reflected in. . . .) "Love RHINO" is a song by Spiny Head/Black List.
:) :) :) :)
A LOT of art in the family. The conversion of Paul, on the Damascus Road:
(This was done by my friend's wife's Father—sadly, no longer with us.)
:( :(
Wow. Where to begin?
This morning's faith lesson.
This morning, my buddy, was trying to convince me—to just turn around, and head back, to my Dad's place. And although continuing with the trip, was, well . . . crazy (It took more faith, than anything I have ever done in my entire life.), I just got in the car, turned the key, and went. . . .
Towards the tail end of Indiana, by some gigantic dam, the Cougar went "Vrrp! Vrrp!". Here we go again. . . .
It got worse in Illinois.
I talked with some (surprisingly helpful) truck stop - Dudes, and they put me onto Danville.
I had a DEVIL of a time, finding the place (ANY place)—the exit put me off, in this midwestern town with . . . nothing. And there was no direct access, to the "main drag"—one had to drive through back ways, behind pizza places (or, at least, I did :p :P ). I used bad words.
Then, magically—I found an auto (f)arts (sic :) ;) ) store. Both of the filters, for that beast—were out of stock. So, I just got one, that "looked right." I put it on, and tightened the new lower line (mentioned earlier), watched the fuel (healthily) pump up in the clear filter—and she just purred.
A picture of the (old—obviously) fuel filter:
I actually took this, for the guy behind the counter—but it turns out it makes, a great picture, for this 'Web page.
:) :)
During the day, traveling west (or is it) north on 74, in Illinois, I saw my first snow (of the season). . . .
Seeing the first snow of the season, is a . . . profound experience for me. (And I think I remember . . . every single one.) I thank God, for being granted another one—and this only added to the . . . "magic" . . . "destiny" (?) of this trip. (. . .)
After this, I just made a continuous run for it. I learned of wonderfully-sounding new places, like "Wisconsin Dells," and "Onalaska."
Wait—was that the MISSISSIPPI RIVER??!! –Time change. (!!)
:) :)
Then, I couldn't find the place (in Rochester). Then, I had trouble getting the room ([because I had] cash). . . .
This is new. Room keys, in disinfectant—because of Covid-19. . . .
Then, shortly after midnight, I was in the room, in the bed. . . .
Wow.
However briefly, the paddle found a new home. . . .
And one of the most important things—I found a Trader Joes. (!!) :) :) An incredibly cute doggy, at said:
