Blue Ridge Parkway

August 26, 2009
This morning I took the truck to an alternator shop (basically the only one in town). I pulled up to the place and wasn't sure what to expect. It was on a small side street and the building didn't look like much. I started looking around and noticed a lot of alternators lying around which is a good sign. I met the owner and he was really nice and smart, I love talking to smart people. They make me feel like I'm not speaking a foreign language. We discussed the truck and had the typical "what does this thing do" conversation. He said “lets take a look under the hood” and I said “OK, but you aren’t going to like it”. Taking out 3 alternators from a diesel engine and testing them and then reinstalling them is no small task. I would not want to be the one to do it. After about 30 minutes he ended up giving me a ride back to the hotel so I didn’t have to wait for a cab, which was appreciated. The car conversation was about all of my travel and how much I’m home, or not, how long I’ve been doing this job and how old I was. I just laughed. I told him my age and he said “oh, I would have guessed younger” I said “yeah, that is what most people say”. I got out of the car and said “I’d tell you to have fun but I know you won’t so good luck” he laughed. I’m glad the truck is out of my hair for a couple of days and I hope the guy can fix the truck by Monday/Tuesday morning. He said that sounded like a reasonable date to have it done so we’ll see.

I am flying back to Denver tomorrow and will be there for the weekend. I hope to be back out here on Monday or Tuesday next week and then the truck will be working so I can finish Blue Ridge Parkway!