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Friday, 05/02/03; Ormond Beach, Florida

 

The story continues….

 

Day of rest for all but Dennis. We slept a bit late this morning. The garage wasn’t supposed to open until 0800 and we were not positive it would then!  Joann was scheduled for a blood test. (Her doctor had changed her prescription just before we left and wanted a blood check in a few weeks.) There was a hospital a few miles from the garage, so Joann sat among the tubs in the Victoria and Keith dropped her off at the hospital at 0745 and then took Dennis to the garage. It was open, but “Gomer” wasn’t there! Then Dennis discovered that he had made a tactical error. Gomer had asked Dennis for a cash advance the night before, saying that the garage hadn’t paid him for a while and he needed to get some food. Apparently his food was high in alcoholic content and he was sleeping off its effects! The boss went out to see if he could revive his errant employee. He finally came back and said that Gomer would arrive shortly. Dennis was worried by this time, since the garage would be closed for the weekend. If he didn’t finish the job today, we would be stuck until Tuesday! Keith left Dennis at the garage and brought the Olson’s dirty clothing back to the motel for Joanie to wash.

 

The cars were overdue for an oil change, so Keith took the Victoria to a lube place. Of course they didn’t have single viscosity oil, or the correct filter. Keith provided all that and the bill still came to over $22! However, the needed service was provided and the various grease fittings greased. By then it was lunchtime, so Joann and Keith walked to a nearby convenience store and bought ingredients for a picnic lunch with Joanie in her room.

 

Later, Joanie took the cash she had acquired from the ATM and with Keith went back to the garage to see how Dennis was making out. Progress was being made; the rear end and drive line was back under the car and all the various attachments were being bolted up. Dennis needed a cold drink, so Keith and Joanie went to a nearby grocery store, stocked up on food for the next few days and brought drinks (non-alcoholic) for Dennis and Gomer. By this time, the car was almost finished, so Joanie paid the bill – all $600 she had received from the ATM. The finishing touches were made on the car and Keith recorded the “backing out ceremony” on tape for posterity. Then we were off for the motel.

 

After a shower and nap, Dennis was ready for some food. Before we could do that, he had to adjust the brakes. Then we piled into the cars and drove around in the cooler evening air until we found a restaurant. On the drive back to the motel after dinner, Dennis tested the overdrive and all seemed to be in good working order. So, it is on to Savannah tomorrow!

 

Regards,

 

The Dauntless Four

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