Aw, a new day! We're up at 5:30, John to go start "the beast" to make sure it's still working (guess what... it's not not NOT - it starts but is not charging correctly). Patty is watching the weather channel (not good on that front either - looks like we may be heading into ice). Oh well, things have to look better after breakfast. On the cheerful side we're NOT still at home in NY where 2 feet of snow is expected AND we're NOT in Lousiana where tornados have just gone through. John calls Cousin John to get his take on the situation. We decide to be at the Dodge dealer in Scranton when they open.
Load stuff into "the beast" and (probably because it feels threatened) "the beast" starts and runs perfectly. We decide to take our chances and head south. Stop at rest stop for John (who, in his stewing on the problem, has consumed FAR too much coffee for traveling any distance without stopping). John starts "the beast" and it once again decides to turn beastly. Patty decides to use the rest stop too (perhaps John & "the beast" just need some quiet moments together). When she returns "the beast" starts and works fine. Cousin John & Judy call (aren't cell phones GREAT?) saying the roads are icing where we're headed - suggest we come their way instead. (NJ sounds like HEAVEN to me!!!)
We're now in New Jersey with what looks like the full crew from Red's Body Shop (John & Judy's business) at work on the problem. New alternator definitely needed (the crew is VERY polite & don't mention all the other stuff that's probably needed as well - I think they're all amazed "the beast" is running at all!). Part ordered but won't come until tomorrow. Ice & high winds will be here tomorrow as well so will probably enjoy NJ hospitality for a couple of days.
Judy thinks perhaps we should consider taking the "street rod" in the back work room. As she so tactfully put it - the guy who owns it has probably put more money just in the tires than what we have in "the beast" (and, although she refrained from saying this, it's probably going to be a WHOLE lot more reliable!)
