Week Two, Second Go’Round

We have come a long way since you last heard from us. Along our journey to Firestone, CO, we threw the tread on the same spot as the tire we blew last July. Houston, we have a problem… We had already had the axle replaced, a new tire put on and two brand new side panels changed out. The damage this time was not as extensive but one new panel needs to be replaced again and we replaced three tires and we used the best of those as the spare. It was in Utah that our tread came off. We had not known this until we stopped at a rest area to make some lunch. As we were waiting for the tow truck to arrive, a tourist bus drove up and I noticed a few people from the bus looking our way and talking among themselves. Pretty soon, several ventured towards us, cameras in hand. As they drew closer, I realized they were speaking French.

Along the Way

Come to find out, they told me they do not have large RVs in Europe so we became the photo stop. The video cams and other cameras all came out so we opened up the door to the back and showed them the Smart car. They got all excited and one woman began to tell me – all in French – about the Smart car logo and what it means. I told them I wished I had my daughter who speaks French with me. I then opened up the slides and invited them in and even held one man’s cigarette as he toured the RV! What a trip! We all had a ball! They were so intrigued! I told Dave we could have charged admission! They soon left and the tow truck arrived. We passed the time while the driver fixed the tire by talking with the truck drivers who all had to throw in their two-cents’ worth.

Once again, we were awed by the beauty of the countryside as we drove. It is all so unique and varied. If we stopped every time I wanted to take pictures, we would never arrive at our destination so I shoot as we go. The pictures don’t come out very well but as I look them over, it reminds me of the pictures I have in my Brain Photo Album and I am content.

We arrived in Colorado last Saturday and drove to Johnstown and stayed at the world-famous “Johnson’s Corner” on I-25. We used “Smartie” to drive into Firestone to visit my friend, Carol Valdez and all the rest of the family. We had a great time with them and ate WAY too much food (as usual).

We had a lovely, uneventful drive through Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin. We brought the California “June Gloom” with us, however. We had two beautiful thunderstorms with lots of rain, hail, lightning and thunder. I love that! It is so exhilarating to me. All that power which reminds us of God’s greatness!

As those of you who are on Facebook may have noticed, we joined a Mid-West group of Smart Car owners for a rally in Wisconsin Dells. We had a ball as we, along with 72 other Smart Cars and their owners toured the countryside, eating

Just a portion of our group as we toured Wisconsin Dells

food, ice cream, riding the ferry (4 trips to get us all across!), and photo shoots by the “official” photographer as well as gawking drivers and bystanders who stopped to “shoot” us also. And everywhere we go, we are stopped and questioned about our little baby. The two most-asked questions are, “Does it go on the freeway?” and, “Is it electric?” asked, by the way, while one is standing at the gas pump filling it up with all eight gallons of premium gas!

Monday morning we head out to Goshen, Indiana where we will attend a Heartland Owners Rally. We are pleased that we received a call from the company who supplies the axles, springs and frames for our RV. They have promised to “take care” of us and replace the axles and springs as needed and to take no thought for the cost. That is a direct answer to prayer for “favor” and we thank God for that!

We are looking forward to many activities in Goshen and surrounding areas. We are going to be attending the play “The Confession” based on a book by Beverly Lewis, who writes about Amish life. The restaurant serves Amish and Mennonite food. Dave will definitely enjoy the food and I will enjoy the musical!

We’ll see you again after a day of travel and who knows how many more “stories”!

And how could I forget the highlight for me of the Smart Car Rally??? I drove the car on the Wisconsin Dells racetrack as we all got to drive during the “half-time” or whatever they call it! We, along with about 15 Corvettes, drove around the track again and again while the announcer prattled on and on… I believe I scared Dave’s socks off. I told him to be quiet as in my third life I was a race car driver! Oooh, I had fun!!

Silver 'Vette, Silver Smartie

Yellow 'Vette, Yellow Smartie at Wisconsin Dells Racetrack

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