Fifty five hours into our vacation, and we've had quite the ride. The first phone call we got from the dealership about the car was reasonably good news. The electrical issues we were having was caused by the alternator. Tony had just replaced it Friday before we left. He bought it from a local auto store, so it not being the best quality was understandable. All they had to do was replace the alternator and that was fixed. They started diagnosing the other issues from there.
Around 4:30 we got the call. In Tony's discussion with the guy that called, Tony asked him how he was doing. They guy answered "Better than your truck". We knew it wasn't going to be a pleasant call. The list of necessary repairs was long, but worse yet, was going to take a considerable amount of time to fix. The head gasket is blown, the turbo is out, and the pinion seal is leaking. It will take anywhere between 10 days to two weeks to repair.
We purchased a warranty on the truck a while back that had a mileage cap on it. At the end of this trip, that mileage cap would have been met. Since we had this issue now, the costs associated with the large majority of the repairs will be covered. That's about the only good news to come out of all these challenges. Tony will be driving a nearly brand new truck home when it all gets done.
We will be renting a car for the next phase of the vacation. We were supposed to leave at 8 in the morning for Salt Lake. That won't be happening. The repairs have to be validated with the warranty company before they'll approve the repairs and our rental car. Not entirely sure when that will take place. We're hoping it's tomorrow, but then again with the way these things seem to go, it could take longer. It's a good thing we love spending time with the Aunts!
The interesting piece of this whole nightmare is that before we left Friday, I looked at Tony and said, "Ok, you replaced all this stuff and added in all this new things, so what could possibly go wrong with it?" Never, and I mean NEVER, ask those sorts of stupid questions. The answers are sure to follow.
While the gas issue I had didn't have anything to do with these problems we're having now, I think it served a great purpose. When I was the one to cause the gas issue, everyone in the car said a prayer of thanks that it wasn't them that did it. I have a fairly fiery temper and sharp tongue to go with it. I truly believe that God was teaching me to hold my temper because shit happens and many times there is nothing that can be done about it. It's not anyone in particular's fault or responsibility. The gas issue was just the calm before the storm. I learned my lesson and have held it together fairly well through these mechanical issues.
I'm about to start looking at the plan to start developing plan B. The entire trip we'll have the looming question of when the truck will be ready. Cassidi starts back to school August 19th. She has to be back by then. If all else fails, she'll catch a plane back. Jennifer and I are supposed to be back for work on the 18th. I guess if worse comes to worse, we can create some wiggle room there. I told Tony that we'd three catch a plane back and he could drive back when it's ready. He didn't like that plan. The only thing I can think to do is just let go of the "what ifs" and do our best to enjoy the "right now". This trip sure has put my stress management and yoga skills to the test. Deep breaths... One foot in front of the other... Find the happy place...
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