My six day vacation started out great… Heather, Brittany, and I went to Six Flags and I think we all had one of the best trips ever. It was my first time going back since purchasing the Season Pass, and Heather got in FREE with one of my Season Pass coupons. Also, for this trip, we picked up a Flash Pass that ended up being around $20 per person. This basically got us on each ride as soon as we walked up to it. No lines makes for a wonderful day! Since I have a Season Pass, I will insist on a Flash Pass from now on. It really made the day so much more enjoyable.
On Friday, Heather came over and we headed to Wal-Mart for last minute camping supplies and food. We then spent all morning preparing what I call Foiled Nom Noms. These are also known as Ratatouilles by her dad, and Silver Turtles by most Boy Scouts. I also made guacamole and fruit kabobs which both turned out phenomenal! At the end of all this food preparation, I had a very sharp and dirty knife that decided to nearly bite my finger print off while I was cleaning it. With a very bloody napkin, I informed Justin that he needed to drive me to the ER. So we spent a good 2 hours sitting in the ER waiting room when we should have been heading to the camp site! The doctor glued my flesh back down and gave me a tetanus shot as a parting gift. Ultimately, Heather, James, Justin and I all spent the night at our place and in the morning packed up for the camp site instead of heading out that night.
Saturday, we woke up bright and early. The weather was great and we were heading to Heather’s dad’s camp site. The first time I took my truck down this path, my newly installed fog lights were ripped off by the trail as an offering to the river goddess… not by my choosing. This time around I had hoped that my sacrifice (cut finger) would be enough to sustain her, but since that happened at home it must not have counted. At one point going down the trail, she claimed my passenger side mirror and added a little dent to the metal frame on the passenger side front corner.
All in all, it was another great time camping with family and friends and nature was somewhat kind to us too. The weather was good for swimming in the river on Saturday. Some of us got a little banged up on the rocks, but we all survived. It felt great to be in the water and at play. Sunday night it did start raining heavily and I found out that my tent doesn’t keep the rain out very well. I think it is time to upgrade the tent to something more serious.
Monday morning we had to pack up and get out quick because Heather’s family was having a picnic in the afternoon. We all made it out, truck included, but not without one more sacrifice. During the drive home, the Check Engine light came on… We got back to my place and unloaded everything, then I sprayed the mud from my truck as best as a normal garden hose can. In the end the Check Engine warning light never just went off by itself like I was hoping.
Tuesday, Hall County was closed for the Holiday so I was off work, and thank goodness for that because my truck needed immediate attention. In the morning I drove her to the Chevy Dealer for another service call. I definitely needed an alignment and my engine was as speckled as the exterior with mud so it needed cleaning as well. The Check Engine light ended up being something like an emission valve was clogged with mud and needed to be replaced… $400 (they were kind and included the cleaning of the engine in this cost). The alignment was $75. This work took the entire day to repair. At least I got to spend some time with Dwayne and have lunch with him and Sareena. She was having a stressful day and really appreciated the company. Thank you Dwayne from saving me!
After I got my truck back with a sparkling engine, no more shimmy when I broke 55 mph, and no more Check Engine warning, it was time to thoroughly clean the outside of the truck. $10 later, clean truck. In the end, I realize that my truck is not made for rough terrain. I will not be forcing her down that trail ever again… for her and for my sanity. It is a great place to camp, but not worth the headache or the damage…
 |
 |
 |
 |
