Prost Mike

I drove up to Helen today. I saw Betty, and canceled the cabin for Christmas.

Then I went to the Cafe International and had a Reuben and an Erdinger.

Mike's favorite place in Helen on the river. We went last year as soon as we got back.

Blue Angel

I took the Jeep in to Troncalli on Monday. The ticking sound that I had heard just before I left in June had gotten louder.

Everyone who listened to it (Tony, Gene, Lyle, Chuck) said it sounds like lifters,  keep checking the oil and don't worry. 

That, and all the lights and "Service Shifter" message. 

Diagnosis: 1. Replace gear shift wiring $675.  2. Lifters and rockers have fallen into cam shafts, to replace all 4 is $7200.  3. Rear brake pads and rotors need replaced  $775.

😳😖

I'm lucky I made it home without any issues!

So....after reviewing with Lyle and Sally, they agreed that to fix it would cost more than the car is worth.

Yesterday,  I bought a new 2022 Cherokee.  It's not a Trailhawk so it can't be towed behind a motorhome,  but it's brand new and has an extended warranty,  so I won't have to worry in my travels. It's only a 4 cylinder,  but has a turbo,  so it's still peppy.

So now, travel and stay in hotels, and I'll look at getting a small trailer to keep at Hart Ranch.

What next?

Salida to Starkville

 I said goodbye to Claudia and Chuck on the 6th and headed to Amarillo.  It was a beautiful drive on back roads over to I-25, and then through the Raton Pass.  Then I headed southeast on US87 - and the wind was blowing so hard it was very dusty.

Amarillo:

I'm in Amarillo for two nights.  My hotel is right next door to the Big Texan restaurant - home of the 72 ounce steak. (If you eat the whole dinner, it's free).  It makes me ill just to look at it and think about eating that much.  One woman (124 pounds) ate THREE of those dinners in under an hour!

Mike and I had stopped here to eat once when we drove I-40 from Las Vegas to Atlanta.  

I went to the Cadillac Ranch, and drove down Route 66.  All the times we drove through Amarillo, I can't believe we didn't stop to take pictures!  (well, yes I can, he never wanted to stop....)

They sell spray paint if you want to add any graffiti

Mineola, TX

I stopped to see Roy and Janet Friend. They have a beautiful home, and we spent time reminiscing about Mike and Hart Ranch. They treated me to dinner, and had me spend the night.  It was great spending time together!

Coffee on the deck:

Natchez,  MS 

Today I toured the Rosalie mansion,  built in 1823 and named after the fort. The tour guide was great. 

Starkville 

Today I drove to Starkville,  part of the way along the Natchez Trace Parkway. It brought back memories of when Mike and I made the trip in 2020. It's a beautiful drive.

Ella and I went out for supper.  It was so good to see her and hug her. I know she's been struggling being homesick,  so I'm glad I'm here. I love hearing about her life and plans. She's going to transfer to UGA next year,  to be with friends and closer to home.

Tomorrow I'm going to explore the campus, and we'll have dinner again. 

Today I walked all over campus.  It's really a nice campus. I stopped in the bookstore and found a great shirt:

I got to see Ella's dorm room:

I didn't take a picture of the room - three college girls living together!  Reminds me of Mary Jo!! (And me)

I also saw the Ulysses S Grant Presidential Library.  Amazingly, it is here on the MSU campus in the library.  I couldn't believe it when I saw that it was here.  Evidently, a man who had all of the documents, pictures, and history, had everything in Illinois.  When he passed away, his family wanted to give it to someone.  They found a man who was an expert on Sherman, and asked him if he would take all of the documents.  He did, and they sat in the basement of the library for years until he got funding from Congress to build the wing for the Grant library.  The woman at the desk said that they are building a new, separate building to house the library - with its own parking. (I had to get a parking permit, drove around for an hour trying to find a place to park - and then walk a mile to the library!!)  It will be much more general public friendly!

Tonight Ella and I (and maybe her roommates) are going to have dinner.  

Tomorrow I head home. I'm kind of dreading it - being back there alone.

I'm home! Pam and I are having wine on the porch. 

Salida

I left Hart Ranch and came back to Salida to see Claudia and Chuck for a couple of days before heading back to Georgia. 

Claudia and I had a great girls day in Aspen.  Beautiful drive and a good day together ❤️ 

Lunch!

View from the narrow,  winding road...no guardrails!

This morning we golfed 9 holes in Buena Vista (really fun!!), and then Claudia and I helped Chuck change the oil in the Ranger.

Then, we had margaritas and fried green tomatoes (thanks to Susan's garden in Rapid City).