Off We Go [Sir Jury!]

[Cinder & Smoke]

Wyoming can be an expensive state to drive through ...
even when you're sitting in OHIO!

After spending almost 5 HOURS on Gina's Car ... poor "Mike" was getting a lil
"tense" about SOMEone needing to decide WHAT to do!

I spent 30 minutes *attempting* to converse with Gina via "Relay" ---
(the Operator was an A$$ and VERY hard to understand - Fast-Talkin was his specialty ...
And if I asked HIM to repeat what he SAID, he made Gina repeat what she Typed! )

I called Mike at Kar Kraft in Wyoming, and asked what the situation was.
1) Car towed in - complaint: Overheating ... engine was cold
2) Radiator to Expansion Tank HOSE was OFF - at tank end; Tank EMPTY
3) Gina said she added fluid "at least once, maybe more times"
4) They cut bad end of hose, re-attached to tank: added coolant to fill.
5) Ran Car - checked for Head Gasket symptoms, water/oil mixes = nuffin found
6) Test Drive - ran good except ran COLD - too cold to be normal
7) Suspect Thermostat = $80.00 to replace + $80.00 diagnostic & collant so far.
8) Gina didn't want to change thermostat unless it "HAD to be replaced".

Mike's prolly gonna want an Extra Beer with dinner tonight!

Guess who owns Thunder's New Thermostat??

Hope "we" get to California soon ... trip's gettin expensive!

/s/ Phred

[sandragonfly]

sigh.

first of all, THANKYOU phred for making things clear and easier! I knew who to call, and I hope you did a right thing by paying extra of what was "needed". and thanks a lot for pup prayers/being an updater for the day!

what I'm most happy now is we all are BACK ONTO THE ROAD!! I definitely don't feel like hashing all of this up - today was awful so I'll try to make it short...

first, of course our day didn't started off good - my car had to be stopped, boiling - overheated. out of nowhere, but thank god I just barely got into a coverage, just for a call! or emails. I mumbled all day in prayers that it won't become too hot because we couldn't use AC at all yesterday, and window blowings weren't very helpful.. my dear cat, eclypse had nearly passed out. I forced some water into her throat, she's okay now.

second, when I got to the shop.. mike (the owner) said I'd have to wait until after lunch and gave me a smirk .. it wasn't even 10:30 yet and made it two hours lunch?? I don't understand.. all they, mike, his wife and a mechanic were doing was chatting in the office until noon then left. I thought it was time to feed my ark anyway.

third, they finally took my car in at >>3:30<< -- after asking numreous of time if they'd prefer to have me take the cats out at a later or sooner time, I saw the mechanic guy got mad once opened the door, threw his arms in air then went into my car anyway and shooing cats harshly with his hand then pushed one of my cat away with his flithy BOOT.. I walked up immediately to him, signed GET OUT. I shut my door and took carriers out the trunk, put cats in, nodded to him, "go ahead" ... goodness.

fourth, mike and mechanic starting to lite their cigerattes right next to my carriers... small sheltered shop as there's no shade out there - I asked please them to not.. for me too. they chuckled and went ahead anyway. I then got a bad headache for that. lovely.

fifth, mechanic came back with my thunder, with trunk totally out of order, even few papers out of my dashboard and with litterbox flipped half way .. that was one good 14 miles "drive test".. another hour of organizing while waiting...

then lastly, charging me too much for nearly NO labor and just a few gallons of coolant fluids.. what?? I called phred for advice, and wonderful relay was making it worse - while phred suggested me he'd call the shop, I went outside and cuddled with crayola in tears (they even argue about letting service dog in and I didn't had a bit energy for that even though I could sue them for thousands).

poor crayola (who had experienced flatbed cruising this morning) was still nervous wondering if it was a ghost driving! we've been on the road since 6PM (an hour and half), all my furkids seem are back to normal! I love them, understandingable furtravellers also!

we'll be entering utah tomorrow morning after staying in rock springs, w-w-wyoming tonight.. or should I get out of this bad luck state asap??

time to go - again, ((((thankyou)))) all!

[Taz_Zoee]

Gina, it's good to hear from you. Thanks to Phred for keeping us updated.
Are you going to be able to meet us on Saturday, in Berkeley? Or are you now off schedule? I hope we get to see you and the furkids. If not, we will totally understand. Your trip has been quite the adventure so far.
I will keep you in my thoughts for a safe trip.

[phesina]

Oh my God... Gina.. how HORRIBLE, your experience in Wyoming. And like it wasn't bad enough what was wrong with the car, but for you and your animals to be treated like that. I am outraged and horrified. How can anyone be so cruel when you are totally at their mercy?

(Perhaps you should keep in the back of your mind the idea of suing the pants off that jerk later on when you have some time and energy to consider it!)

I am SO GLAD the Ark is running and you are on the road again! You are getting farther and farther away from that awful place and those awful sub-humans.

Meanwhile, you know that there are loads of other, much better people who love you and Crayola and all your beautiful kitties dearly! We on PT are all sending you love and warmth and softness and healing. Soon you will be home with many more dear friends around you.

Love, hugs, and purrs,
Pat, Peony, Sydney, Poppy, Elmer, and Priscilla Angel.. all of whom were so happy and so honored to meet you all on Saturday!

[Twisterdog]

Wow, I wish I would have read this earlier. It's 10:00 pm on Tuesday night. I live in Rock Springs! If you read this, PM me!

[sandragonfly]

twisterdog! we slept right next to you?? drats.. ever if I knew. we're leaving for utah now. now that I know where you are, I will PM you!

oh taz zoee, is that, the date even on? haven't seen that thread bumped up since.. but that and because of thunder trouble yesterday, we are about 8 hours late so we'll see! what time though?

phesina, thank you for your dear post, means a lot. now I don't think I can think of yesterday ever again!

off we go back onto road for utah! thunder did great all the way to rock springs last night.

[sirrahbed]

gina you are brave and adventurous!! The car trouble sounds so frustrating but is over now and you are on the way. I am keeping up and wonder about you each day. Have a fun and safe trip

[DJFyrewolf36]

Gina...I'm glad your car is ok and you are back on the road! I got your texts...just let me know what time you plan on arriving so I can plan my sleep schedule

[Donnaj4962]

WOW Gina.... what an adventure you and your ark are having! I have been watching this thread, and staying abreast of where you are.

Thank you Phred for your help with the mechanics! **As much as I hate to admit it, women CAN be taken advantage of by male dominated professions. I am sorry it happened to you.

I am sorry we weren't able to meet while you were in the Midwest. Maybe another trip! I would love to meet you, Crayola, and your kitties! Such wonderful travelers!

Stay well, travel safely... and prayers from me and the girls that you will arrive safe and sound at your destination!

[sandragonfly]

thank you debbie and donna. and see you in few hours, krista!

we had fun yesterday in utah even though it was a hot day! .. guess who crayola got to see??

wow, we're next to california! we've been on the road for 8 days and did a lot already .. am I tired yet? entering california doesn't mean we'll be stopping this adventure.. our journey will continue south after through southern states back to school. since california was the state I grew up in until last year, we have a zillion of destinations to stop at, from top to bottom! especially in center, I heard my hometown has been rebuilt. so many things there are different I hear too. I surely miss my coastal home anyway!

we'll be "home" in two days, yay. visiting friends across states with four different time zones can be so confusing!

[Taz_Zoee]

Gina, I have bumped our meeting thread. So hopefully others will post to confirm.
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...8&page=1&pp=15
Hope to see you Saturday!!
(oh, and thanks for the PM. I am going to PM you with my cell phone # so you can text me if you need/want to when you get to CA. )

[luvofallhorses]

thank you debbie and donna. and see you in few hours, krista!

who, me?

[k9krazee]

who, me?

Think she was talking about DJFyrewolf36

[DJFyrewolf36]

Yup, me Gina left a few hours ago. She really enjoyed meeting the kitties and they were quite enjoying the attention! I had a blast meeting the ark, most of them wanted pets and attention (a couple were content to hide out in the car)

Gina, you must stop by again!! Im looking forward to getting some kitty pix (gina was nice enough to get some good shots of my gang, incuding the banana rat)

[chocolatepuppy]

Ok Gina, please check in.