Truck Repairs Don't Sound So Bad When Bullets Are The Alternative

Earlier this week while on our way to Shipshewana, Indiana, we passed through Columbus, Ohio, where we stopped to get my coveted cottage cheese.  The next morning when Ed popped the hood to do a little check underneath as part of his pre-trip inspection, he discovered oil in the air filter. He suspected it had to do with the turbo, so we took the truck to the shop and the mechanic confirmed that the turbo seals were shot. It needed to be replaced.

Ed likes to get as much life as possible out of the truck components and although we like to get the big things done at our shop at home, the mechanic strongly advised against driving the truck any further. The turbo has 780,000 miles on it, so it had a good run.

I got all our stuff together for a multi-day hotel stay, and we brought our bikes since we had no plans to rent a car. That changed this morning when the shop told us the truck wasn't going to be ready today as they had initially planned, but instead they would have it done by Tuesday. Ugh.

Now we have our bikes in the hotel room, most of the contents of our fridge, several days worth of clothes, and a bag of laundry - I love when hotels have guest laundries. The room is great - a Hilton property that was renovated just over a year ago - close to stores, restaurants, Starbucks, and a great mall.

Today we had Skyline Chili for lunch upon the recommendation from a friend. It was the first time for both of us.  Ed had a classic 3-Way (not as exciting as it sounds) and I had my 3-Way on a potato (also not as exciting as it sounds). We also both had a Cheese Coney, which were smaller than a regular hot dog, kinda like a baby-dog. It was good, but I wasn't sold. I did detect either nutmeg or cinnamon in the chili, which isn't uncommon, but it wasn't good enough for me to go back.

So we're going into our second week off and after the turbo is done, we'll be heading up to Shipshewana next week to get our air-conditioning fixed. I'm okay with all of this because I really don't mind time off.  Ed gets a little antsy, but he'll deal. And the weather here is pretty nice.  We went for a walk tonight to take some pictures of the city and I didn't get overheated once. Big plus.

And it could be worse.  We could be in Phoenix dodging bullets.



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2014: Giant Three-Armed Spiny Monster
2013: Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'
2012: A Beautiful Iranian Mind
2011: Clowning Around
2010: Smolder
2009: Comrades In Driving
2008: Black, White, And Tan
2007: If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Fart At The Speed Of Light
2006: Draped In Sarcasm
2005: Feast Your Eyes