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04/12/03; Day 5; Sonora, TX

Hello Again!

We are finally settling into a routine. If you have read our accounts to date, you will see the pattern: up early to get on the road before it gets too hot; fuel up a couple of times per day; find a nice spot for a picnic lunch; stop early in the p.m. after finding a motel (we don’t make advanced reservations – we don’t think we need them this time of the year and we can use discount coupons if we are “walk-ins”); shop for a few items at a grocery store for next day’s lunch; cover the cars for the night.

If we have any minor maintenance to perform, we generally do it in the afternoon after the sun is low and the engines have cooled off. Each morning, we check for oil, water, air, etc. before departing. This morning Dennis adjusted Clara’s carburetor and it ran very well today. We both noticed a collection of sediment in the gas bowls and cleaned them. Yesterday, we parked in the shade of some cypress trees and today we noticed lots of fine drops of sap all over both cars. This afternoon was spent getting it off. It wasn’t too much of a job as we had some Armor-all car wipes and the sap came off easily, but it did take time. The bugs are bad and the front car surfaces show it and need cleaning constantly.

Keith has set up a computer spreadsheet program to automatically calculate a number of tour parameters, such as time driven, fuel consumed, MPH, GPM, $/Mile, etc. Each evening he puts in the day’s values and enjoys comparing the tour’s progress. Some choice statistics to date are: Daily Driving Time – 6:39; Average MPH – 35.49; Average Cost of Gasoline per Gallon -- $1.58; Average Cost for Lodging -- $37.45. This last figure results by our seeking out motels giving discounts for “roomsaver.com” coupons, the state of the economy, the geographical area and season. We do not expect this condition to exist later in our tour or in the vacation resort areas. 

Stay Tuned – More to come –

Keith, Joann, Dennis & Joan

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