a present up-to-date - date....the destruction of the Subaru's internals.

I will have to go back in time to finish up the 3 blog series ... but for now i thought i'd update you as to my being.

I left the Gavins in Rapid City South Dakota about 2pm Sunday afternoon. On my way towards Colorado thru the Black Mountain Hills of Dakota, I stopped to see the big Crazy Horse monument. That's one crazy massive horse monument. It will be the biggest statue/monument in the world when it's done.. but it's not nearly done. The guy who started on the project believes in free enterprise so they are not using government funds to pay for this project. I like that. They even turned down two 10 million dollar offers to from the mothership.

it's going to look like this little thing.

this should give you an idea of the size.

Anyhow. I cruised a sweet ride from there towards CO.

At one point after this beautiful sunsetting, I passed up a big big truck. i think this is the problem. I was passing him going up a hill. I shifted to 4th gear. and then up to 5th while passing him.... but then I felt something odd briefly in the car.. like stutter..then i noticed it was in THIRD friggin gear. I was red lining it.. it was briefly though. I changed to 5th pretty quick. I took it easy for the next few miles giving a feel to see if anything was wrong with it. It seemed fine. Then i came to a van to pass. Here is the break down situation. I passed this van up in 5th gear. I was flooring it. It didn't seem like it had much power, but i blew it off as it just being that I'm cruising up a hill. So I pass the guy up....there is a train about 75 ft to our left. It's loud. I have my head phones on cuz there was no radio stations. I pass this guy up and get in front of him and then I feel as though i have no power at all. Nothing. I'm going slower and slower.. so i put on my emergency flashers. the van i just passed up I imagine is like, "what's up with this fool?" He passes me up as i'm pulling to the side as much as i can. there is no shoulder. it's pitch black outside. There is nothing......wait a minute... as i'm coming to a stop from my 75 mile speed. i see a house up ahead. There was about 20 miles of nothing since the last town of Lusk. Isn't it amazing that my car stops right in front of the only house for miles.. (actually I saw one other house on the ride back to Lusk, but i think they woulda shot me)...some might say this is God's provision towards me. =P I think it's still open to interpretation. I just do want to say that I'm very happy that it turned out that way. Others don't have the same fortune. Is that god's lack of kindness to them? anyhow...

I looked under the hood....as though I knew what i was looking for. It didn't stink. No smoke. not overheated. It just wouldn't start again. I had fuel.

So the walk to the house across the street. That's always scary. People out in places like this have guns and signs on their porch that say "trespassers will be shot". He just had one that said "private property.

So I walked up to the door and knocked and walked back away as to not startle whomever would open the door. His name was Thurman Thomas. He had guns alright. and dead animals all over the house. It was great. He was kind enough to show me where i could get some phone reception. It was in a 1 sq ft area by a post out by his truck. I made a call to Mark, my only mechanic friend for advice. (i just left his house in Rapid City). Thurman got dressed and we drove out to my car to check it out.
Thurmans girlfriend showed up as we were driving out the street to my car. This guy was soooo nice. the car started.. but it was making a loud pinging noise and i didn't like running it.
We got back to the house and I made a call to the local tow people. I spent some time chatting with Thurman and his girlfriend Rayleena. aka Ray. Interesting name.

Anyhow, the tow guy came and drove me back to Lusk, Wyoming, 20 miles back. He took me to the first hotel. The guy at the desk was so nice and told me there was a cheaper room at the next Hotel called Raw Hide Hotel....he even called and checked their availability and checked if they had wifi. So i was thankful and went the the Raw Hide where I stayed the night.

thurman and his chick Ray. dangit. her eyes are closed.

Thurman couldn't take a steady photo. but this elk head is massive!!! just above the couch. =)

It's presently monday morning. I called not too long ago to the Tow people. My engine is shot. It sounds like I threw a rod or something. So this is big bucks. I'm waiting for a call back to see what it will take.

Twists and Spins. We shall see what comes of it.

Options:
1. fix the car. big bucks are required and lots of time. we are in the middle of nowhere. Mark told me they'll come pick me up and let me stay at their house while the car is being fixed.

2. ditch the car. um. not really an option.

3. Start working in Lusk. Fat chance. =)

Just staying as optimistic as I can. I'm not too worried about it. Trying to go with the flow and not be overwhelmed with worry or anything.

So we'll see. If any of you own a private jet. pick me up. i'll pay for gas. =P












307-334-3560

rods are rattling in it. bottom end. jim.