I don't know exactly where to start, but I have *must see* photos.
http://aemoo30.spaces.live.com/photos/
"My CS adventure"
I must say that even with these complications, this has been the greatest adventure of my life. I would do it again. To experience the kindness of (not anymore) strangers from my CS family after the wild ride we've had during the last 2 days, I would do it again. The trust and kindness I've received has been overwhelming.
This story may come in pieces. I must say I'm eternally gratefull for Paul (my hero), Ron and his wife (such great hospitality), and the humor that we found because we had to. And to Jenn, my best friend since we were 6 yrs old, who doesn't even like Mustangs, who offered to come with me and drive my car home from California. You see, we chose this adventure for my 35th birthday/I passed the nursing boards/got my RN job.
I have a lot to say, but it will come in pieces, as I'm still overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of my CS family.
I bought this car sight unseen because I was told it was in good enough condition for the trip to Seattle from El Segundo. It is fully optioned with AC and power brakes/steering. The AC had to be disabled due to a heater leak issue, so we rode with the windows open, fans were inoperable.
This car did NOT and would NOT leave California. One issue after another. It only started after 3 attempts. I was afraid to stop the car except for gas, so we took turns at the rest stop for fear of being stuck there. Drive thru Starbucks only. The power steering only worked when it wanted to work, sometimes off and on during a turn.
The first night I prayed we'd reach Paul, who found us a place to stay. We intended to get to Redding, after 6 hours, the car was thinking of ways to stay. Just tried to get the car to Paul, who was waiting with bags full of car parts and magic tricks. I was reversing into the hotel parking lot at 10pm when the dash lights went out and the car came to a stop. Paul worked miracles and got it going again after it bit him. Paul's blood has marked the engine. What he didn't realize is that he'd adopted me and my car on that first day, and that we'd never be able to leave Paul. See the pictures.
The next morning we thought we'd won the battle and were on our way to Eugene to stop for the night. Oh no, not happening- because this car had other plans only 20 minutes into day 2 (my bday). The smoke started, the noise started, and it DIED on my way over to the side of I-5 somewhere by Yolo (by Arbuckle) right after the (closed) rest stop. Braking at 55 mph without power brakes!! Trying not to go into the ditch. Worried the car was on fire due to all the smoke- all the sudden the gages showed no oil pressure, and the temp went to high.
We exited the car, grabbed the fire extinguisher, got Paul on the line. Opened the hood and smoke poured out. Did I mention there was a dead something alongside the road? Great place to die, next to that smell, in 90+ sun.
Check this out: We're on the side of I-5. I'm standing there with my phone in my ear, the extinguisher in my hand, the hood up, smoke/steam everywhere. This man pulls over to the side in front of us, walks over to us...
... and asks us if we are close to some town because he's lost.
Um, no, we are from SEATTLE and our car visually is SMOKING. So he gets back onto the road without comment on our situation.
*******
Bottom line: Paul to the rescue AGAIN. AAA towed us to Ron in Sacramento. See the photos. Priceless. Ron will drive this car (are you sure, Ron?) up to Seattle, where he was planning to be next weekend for another reason. They put Jenn and I onto the plane, and "Satan" is staying in Sacramento for now, surely plotting against the next adventure with Ron trying to drive it out of California.
