Broken down

Tuesday June 29, 2004

The day has been an interesting one.  Stopping at many out of the way places. The car has not been traveling well, so staying on old Route 66 is best.  She is most happy traveling at 45-50.  We went through Saint. Louis, stopped at the Arch. It was very impressive. St. Louis is where we left the National Pike Route 40 and joined historic Route 66.  Then on to Ted Drew's Famous custard.  We would like to stay at the famous Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba Mo tonight so back on the road.  It's getting late and the car is not able to keep up the speed on the main highway, she has been smelling of gas every since we left the Tri- County Grill in Pacific, Mo. So, back on the old road, to let her drive more slowly.  But wait it's a dead-end. OH NO!!! Matilda has just decided to quit.  It's ten thirty at night.  On an abandoned road in the middle of nowhere and we are dead.  Well, lets take a look.  We look and see nothing. Rick fiddles with stuff then she starts right up.  One minor problem.  The car is spraying gas everywhere. Something is definitely wrong.  Rick jumps out looks at the steady stream of gas.  He makes a quick assessment.  Looks like a gasket on the fuel pump is leaking.  So he takes it apart puts it back and presto it is fixed.  Now back for gas.  BUT the only gas station just closed for the night. A little old lady tells us through the door that we will need to go back six miles.  After a very pathetic pleading she says she will turn on one pump for us as long as we usea credit card.  18 gallons.  The car had gone through 18 gallons of gas in 70 miles.  Thank god for the kindness of strangers.  We were back on the road and heading west.  The car runs better now than she has the whole trip. Wow! What a night that was.  But as we said in the beginning ?Life is an Adventure.?