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What a week.
Had a unique trip, if not the most relaxing one at times.
We headed out of Baltimore at around 9:00 am, and drove like a bat out of hell. Stopped for food (Cracker Barrel is my bitch, yo.) and continued until we saw a sign for the Living Treasures Animal Park.
Understand, this is an old time park, where you can still feed all the animals. It was deeply cool, despite the heat, we petted a lot of animals, had llama spit all over my hands--ew. But it was a cute little thing, about 6" shorter than I am, with black fluffy fur. It kept sneaking up on me and sticking it's head in the feed pail. So cute!
Then, we continued on to just outside of Toledo, Oh, where we finally conked out for the night. Found a room at a Baymont motel. While there, we decided to treat ourselves, and got a movie off their pay channel. Watched LotR, TTT for the 9th time, which was cool. Translates to the small screen surprisingly well, and yes, I still got chills when the elves showed up, and when they rode out to meet the Uruk-Hai.
The next day started out wonderfully. We wandered off the beaten path halfway through Indiana, and had lunch at a wonderful Amish-style restaurant. Fried chicken was amazing, as was the sweet corn, stuffing, and noodles that came with it. Wandered around the grounds and enjoyed the gift shops muchly.
Then, we went onwards to Mishewaka, where there was a Japanese gardens. Outside the Town Hall, the car sputtered and died. No advance warning, no lights on the dash, just put-put, croak. Restarted it, and got another 100 feet before it did the same thing.
Went into town hall, where the kind women in the Controler's office lent us a phone book, and offered suggestions on who we should call for assistance. We called a few places, but didn't find anyone who could help until we stumbled across Bill's City-Wide Towing and Service center.
They took a look, but weren't able to resolve it before their closing time. So, they kindly called the local Days Inn, and gave us a ride over. At this point, I'm freaking out. I have a warranty on the car, but I didn't have the card with me, so I would be responsible for any repairs. At this point, I'm fearing that it's the alternator, or maybe worse. Also, rural Indiana is not the place you really want to break down with a gay pride sticker on your car, in my opinion.
Fortunately, the first Harry Potter movie was on HBO, which soothed our nerves.
The next morning, we called the garage, and were told that they were going to change the spark plugs and fuel filter and see if that helped, but they didn't know when it would be ready.
After some debate, we decided to say screw it, and rent a car, so we could head for Chicago. The rental car place picked us up, and we were in the process of signing for the car when my cell phone chirped. It was the garage, saying that they couldn't find anything else, so we should take it, and if there was further problems, we should stop at a Ford dealership.
I felt so bad for the rental guy. Here, he'd sent someone to pick us up, and we weren't taking the car. I was about to ask him for the number of the cab company when the guy suggested that we take the rental to pick up my car, so if there was a problem with it, we wouldn't have to fill out the form again. He said that as long as we had it back in an hour, he wouldn't charge us. Talk about small-town courtesy.
So, we got back on the road an hour later, and headed for Chicago.
Had two lovely days with the in-laws, both of whom were very sweet to us. On the down side, was sleeping solo for both days, but that's okay, I can deal. Kitties were cute, city is lovely as ever. I'm just sorry I didn't get to spend more time there, as I really do enjoy it.
Friday, we took the car to the Ford dealership to be looked at, but they couldn't find anything either, so we left and went downtown to the museum of Natural History.
I am such a geek when it comes to stuff like that. We wandered around for a few hours, until we both were pooped, then it was back to the parents to freshen up for dinner.
Ate at a place called "Flat Top," where you can pick what you want in your stir fry, and what sauce you want. Had Korean barbecue with a hint of garlic and peanut. It was tasty. *grin*
Saturday, we headed home, praying that the car would behave. It did. Thankfully.
So, now we're home again, and I'm back at work, being bored. Yay me.
*sigh* It might not sound like it, but it was a fun adventure, and a good lesson on loosening the hell up for me. *nod*
I'm finding myself wondering what I can get into on my day off now. Want more adventure, dammit.
Here's hoping everyone's having a good Monday!
Had a unique trip, if not the most relaxing one at times.
We headed out of Baltimore at around 9:00 am, and drove like a bat out of hell. Stopped for food (Cracker Barrel is my bitch, yo.) and continued until we saw a sign for the Living Treasures Animal Park.
Understand, this is an old time park, where you can still feed all the animals. It was deeply cool, despite the heat, we petted a lot of animals, had llama spit all over my hands--ew. But it was a cute little thing, about 6" shorter than I am, with black fluffy fur. It kept sneaking up on me and sticking it's head in the feed pail. So cute!
Then, we continued on to just outside of Toledo, Oh, where we finally conked out for the night. Found a room at a Baymont motel. While there, we decided to treat ourselves, and got a movie off their pay channel. Watched LotR, TTT for the 9th time, which was cool. Translates to the small screen surprisingly well, and yes, I still got chills when the elves showed up, and when they rode out to meet the Uruk-Hai.
The next day started out wonderfully. We wandered off the beaten path halfway through Indiana, and had lunch at a wonderful Amish-style restaurant. Fried chicken was amazing, as was the sweet corn, stuffing, and noodles that came with it. Wandered around the grounds and enjoyed the gift shops muchly.
Then, we went onwards to Mishewaka, where there was a Japanese gardens. Outside the Town Hall, the car sputtered and died. No advance warning, no lights on the dash, just put-put, croak. Restarted it, and got another 100 feet before it did the same thing.
Went into town hall, where the kind women in the Controler's office lent us a phone book, and offered suggestions on who we should call for assistance. We called a few places, but didn't find anyone who could help until we stumbled across Bill's City-Wide Towing and Service center.
They took a look, but weren't able to resolve it before their closing time. So, they kindly called the local Days Inn, and gave us a ride over. At this point, I'm freaking out. I have a warranty on the car, but I didn't have the card with me, so I would be responsible for any repairs. At this point, I'm fearing that it's the alternator, or maybe worse. Also, rural Indiana is not the place you really want to break down with a gay pride sticker on your car, in my opinion.
Fortunately, the first Harry Potter movie was on HBO, which soothed our nerves.
The next morning, we called the garage, and were told that they were going to change the spark plugs and fuel filter and see if that helped, but they didn't know when it would be ready.
After some debate, we decided to say screw it, and rent a car, so we could head for Chicago. The rental car place picked us up, and we were in the process of signing for the car when my cell phone chirped. It was the garage, saying that they couldn't find anything else, so we should take it, and if there was further problems, we should stop at a Ford dealership.
I felt so bad for the rental guy. Here, he'd sent someone to pick us up, and we weren't taking the car. I was about to ask him for the number of the cab company when the guy suggested that we take the rental to pick up my car, so if there was a problem with it, we wouldn't have to fill out the form again. He said that as long as we had it back in an hour, he wouldn't charge us. Talk about small-town courtesy.
So, we got back on the road an hour later, and headed for Chicago.
Had two lovely days with the in-laws, both of whom were very sweet to us. On the down side, was sleeping solo for both days, but that's okay, I can deal. Kitties were cute, city is lovely as ever. I'm just sorry I didn't get to spend more time there, as I really do enjoy it.
Friday, we took the car to the Ford dealership to be looked at, but they couldn't find anything either, so we left and went downtown to the museum of Natural History.
I am such a geek when it comes to stuff like that. We wandered around for a few hours, until we both were pooped, then it was back to the parents to freshen up for dinner.
Ate at a place called "Flat Top," where you can pick what you want in your stir fry, and what sauce you want. Had Korean barbecue with a hint of garlic and peanut. It was tasty. *grin*
Saturday, we headed home, praying that the car would behave. It did. Thankfully.
So, now we're home again, and I'm back at work, being bored. Yay me.
*sigh* It might not sound like it, but it was a fun adventure, and a good lesson on loosening the hell up for me. *nod*
I'm finding myself wondering what I can get into on my day off now. Want more adventure, dammit.
Here's hoping everyone's having a good Monday!
