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04/09/03; Day 2; Benson, AZ
Up early, had a quick meal in our rooms and packed the cars ready to hit the road by 0730. The wind was pretty fierce as we wended our way east through the mountains. Surprisingly, we topped out at 4100 ft.! I thought I was having some problem with my engine. It was running smoothly, but I could only induce 45 MPH out of the car in on the level! I tried adjusting the mixture on the choke shaft, to no avail. I called Dennis on the CB and explained my predicament. He said it was the head wind. I had considered that and had tried to observe the effects of wind on the scrub brush, but it didn’t seem that bad. Finally, we had to shift down to third and then full throttle would only give slightly more than 45 MPH. Once we reached the I-10 at Casa Grande, the wind subsided and we were able to cruise at 50 to 55 in overdrive, except for climbing some of the hills. We made 277 miles today and I estimate that I used 18 gallons of gasoline (we didn’t refuel this evening since we were only down a couple of gallons from the service in Tucson). This would give me 15.3 MPG – a direct result of the stiff head winds. Olsons are getting better gas mileage than we are with their higher compression head, but they are running on hi-test. On a dollar per mile, I figure that we are getting the better part of it!
The day was clear and the temperature at departure was about 65 degrees. When we arrived at Benson at 1530 it was 95 with a refreshing breeze. We stopped twice for gasoline and once for a running board picnic lunch in the shade of an orchard. Dennis guessed that they were pistachio nut trees. I don’t know – I had never seen this tree before.
In Benson, we checked into what appears to be a brand new Motel 6. I saw that they advertised “dataports” and thought, “Ah-ha, I’ll get on the Internet tonight.” Not so, my dial access number is a Tucson number and they won’t let me make a long distance call! I called a local computer store. They didn’t offer any access, but suggested the library. I called the library. They did have access, but wouldn’t let me bring my Word disc in to upload it, so I am still frustrated. It will be at least another day before I can get these letters out to Pat Burbank. In the meanwhile, we will have to use the cell phone to call the family. I’ll have to be patient.
Regards to all,
Keith, Joann, Dennis and Joan