A trip to see grandma...

[hex0rz]

I just got home from an 18 hour drive. Way too tired to explain, but going to get this thread started. When i get some rest, I'll go into details. 

 

To summarize quickly though, if it weren't for MIKE, this trip would have never happened! The hand of God literally guided us to and fro!

 

It was an exciting time and i hope i will convey it properly to help fully grasp what happened...

[Mopar1973Man]

Patiently waiting to see the post... 

[dripley]

I have been waiting to hear the rest of the story myself. I am sure you will do it just fine.

[hex0rz]

Very sorry! I slept for many hours after getting home. I was beat! I'm still really tired from it all. 

 

It's my bday today so we have been a bit lazy..

 

Unfortunately, my bday money gets to go towards fixing the truck. :/

 

I'll do the story after eating dinner, lol. Getting home at 3am last night put me right back on my work schedule. Guess i don't get to skip a beat!

[hex0rz]

So without further ado, here it goes!

 

I haven't seen my grandmother in about 15 years or more. I know that she wasn't getting any younger. Throughout my childhood, she was about the only positive thing i had in my life. A love one could only receive from a grandmother. But i also feel she helped mold me into a certain way to this day. With an impressionable mind of a child, what is said to them at a young age leaves a lasting mark. 

 

My grandmother is 84 years old and i wanted to say i was able to express my love for her at least one last time before she may pass. I much rather would see her when she is alive than to regret having to tell her i love her while she lay in a coffin. 

 

So we aimed high, me and the wife. We wanted to hit the Oregon Coast and see grandma too. But with only a weeks time and vast distances to cover on a limited budget, family came first. 

 

The day finally came to make the long trek to reno Nevada. It wasn't the most leisure of trips, but there was necessities. I got off work at 1130pm and made haste home to try and get some sleep. Unfortunately, with everything i only managed at best 4 hours of sleep i think. One last to do before the trip was to do a pre trip walk around of the truck. 

 

The last thing i had to check was what caused me great sorrow. The dipstick told me that i was extremely high on my fill level. I knew right then and there that my fuel related problem was the injectors. With the expectation to be on the road within 30 minutes and all packed for the trip, there was no way i was going to make the trip. I had no other alternatives to make the trip. So i broke the news to the wife and she was not happy. 

 

But my last call in desperation was to Mike. I knew what i was looking at, but with a more knowledgeable person, i felt more comforted with someone in agreement. What i didn't realize though is that Mike had more in store for me than i had thought. As directed, i drained enough oil from the crankcase out to replace it with some fresh oil i had. In total i would say i drained about 6 to 8 quarts!

 

With the agreement made, i hurried to Mike's house. Getting there at approximately 7pm with consideration to the change in time zones. That put me at being on the road for already 8 hours. Before i knew it Mike was tearing into the truck to replace my injectors with the old set that came off of his truck. While he was in the midst of it i did an oil change. The oil was diluted down quite a bit and flowed like water. 

 

In 90 minutes or less, Mike had all 6 of my injectors swapped out for his and i was back on the road! I have to stop here for a moment. Before i left home, i thought that all my best efforts were in vain. I knew that with my situation getting injectors to replace mine or getting mine fixed would only eat me alive financially or put me far behind on time. 

 

But Mike, very generous man, that demanded nothing from me and wanted no compensation for anything, really did save my rear! Mike, i don't think i could express how grateful we are for you to step up like you did for us. Not only did you enable me to carry out a goal that i have longed for, but you also helped in fixing the truck and preventing any further damage. It may have seemed like nothing for Mike, but when you are given such a gift to do what you can do, it sometimes if difficult to appreciate it. The job would have taken me hours to carry out. 

 

Mike had us back on the road and we were off to continue our travels. We actually didn't make it much further and went to McCall for food. We hit lardos for an excellent meal. A very nice large burger that reminded me of home. Afterwards we took a nap in the truck got a couple hours only to hit the road again at 2am.

 

Before we arrived in Winnemucca, their was a rest stop that we used to stretch our legs. Upon shutting down,i noticed copious amounts of fuel leaking on the ground! Popped the hood and fuel everywhere! Called Mike, and we determined it was a loose line. Iwent back through and tightened them. Turns out to be injector 2 that was loose. 

 

We arrived in Winnemucca at about 8am after passing through the valley of nothing. Once again, had to nap and got a couple more hours sleep. By the time we were in reno at my grandma's house it was noon. 

 

With over 15 years of catching up to do, my grandmother wasted no time in talking my head off. But after a while she took pity on me and let us take a nap again. After eating dinner, she took us out to see reno at night. A very interesting night life in downtown reno. Nothing i would care to be mixed in. 

 

The trip wasn't about anything else except to spend as much of my waking moments with her. I never knew how much of a talker she was! Whew!

 

84 years old and i dunno how she does it! She hardly slept hardly ate and yet she can go on forever. Running circles around me! Woman was able to wear me out! Ultimately i had seen most of my extended family and was able to quickly see who mattered and who didn't. 

 

Part of my trip was to go to my grandfather's grave. He died when my dad was 10. He was a ww2 veteran and doing the math he must have lied and joined when he was only 16. Obviously i never met him but wanted to see his grave personally. Maybe for a moment even feel like i had known him. An emotional moment it was, to listen to my grandma tell me who he was. 

 

He was in an accident that broke his neck. It didn't kill him, but debilitated him. He was suppose to go in for surgery but somehow suffered from a heart attack that took his life instead. 

 

This trip was one that helped me uncover my family history of what i came from. To know the deeper things about my grandmother then i ever would have before. Without a doubt i think she is the toughest woman i have ever known! I have many stories to pass down to my kids if they should never have the opportunity of hearing from great grandmother.

 

Unfortunately in all things there is an end. And it was a bitter sweet goodbye. I insisted that it wasn't goodbye, but see you later! She was the same loving and tender hearted woman that i remember her as when i was just a little one. She may have been older and shorter, but i knew through her love she was still grandma!

 

Oh how i wish i could have brought her home!! I wouldn't hesitate to ever take care of her if the need arose. 

 

We made way home leaving reno at 830 am or so. By the time we got to Winnemucca again, it was time for a potty break. When i got back in the freeway, i didn't realize that i was heading the wrong direction. We ended up 51 miles east instead of North. While this infuriated me that i made such a bone head move, the reason for my mistake was made apparent to me. Because i lost 100 miles and 90 minutes of driving once i made it back to Winnemucca, i had to top off the tank to make it to my next fueling opportunity. Upon a walk around during fueling, i discovered the rear driver side tire was missing tread at the centerline. Enough to expose the belt!

 

So i called Mike and asked about it,he confirmed my thoughts. Fix it! So i called les Schwab and asked about some used tires. The manager heard my story and favored me. He just so happened to have 2 used tires of the same kind for me. Turned out the rear tires were both illegal and had worn out past the wear bars. 

 

He gave me a discount on the tires and didn't charge me for the mount and balance! This demands a high review from me!

 

With 2 good tires, i was back on the road and going in the right direction. I made it to ontario oregon at 8pm and pit stopped again. No sleep though, gotta get home!

 

We took the oregon route home which was quicker than 95 through idaho. We were also hoping to see some new scenery. But by the time we hit ontario it was dark and raining. 

 

We finally got home at 3am. 18 hours on the road! The trip down, was 24 hours. I can't tell you all how happy i am to be home. Maybe the trip would have been better if i didn't drive. But regardless, i got to accomplish everything i wanted while being down there. 

 

It's apparant to me though. I think to myself, imagine if i went 50 some odd miles or more in the right direction towards home. I could have been stranded in the middle of nowhere because i would have never known about my tires. I checked them before leaving reno. Never saw anything wrong!

 

So despite the 90 minute inconvenience it caused me going the wrong way, it was a way for God to reveal to me a danger i need addressed. 

 

Any other day and the injector or tire problem would have been a much larger hassle. But these problems were taken care of even before i knew of them. This is how i knew it was so apparant that God was working this out. 

 

While this trip was needed and i needed to do this for my and my grandma's sake, our next vacation is going to be the ocean! Wife has never seen the coast and last i saw it was when i was 9. I think it'll be much better than seeing nothing and sagebrush for miles on end!

[IBMobile]

What a trip, what a story!  Love, kindness and good fortune was around every corner.  Thank you for sharing.    

[Mopar1973Man]

I still wear the burns in my left index finger from those hot injectors. I knew time was short for him so without waiting for the engine to cool I was tearing it apart. I admit in push hard and fast I did forget to tighten the #2 line up. After he calledI started thinking about it and then  (D'Oh!) Well I human I do make mistakes when I tired. At least @hex0rz can send his back in for repair and then mail back mine when he's got his fixed or replaced.

Edited September 23, 2016 by Mopar1973Man

[BBHD]

What a great story! I'm glad everything worked the way it was supposed to...FAVOR is always there for who trust in the Lord 

[Hawkez]

You have a great perspective on life.  Many people would have looked at that trip and only say the misfortune and bad luck.  I think good can be found in most situations if you look for it.  Being positive and happy is a personal choice and thanks for sharing your story. 

[notlimah]

Thanks for sharing your story! Glad you took away what was important from the trip and didn't focus on the negative. It's perspective like this that lacks popularity now a days!

[Wild and Free]

[GSP7]

Mike sounds like a good man and great friend

 

 

.

[dripley]

Quite the story. Good to see that setbacks turned out so well and you kept up your spirits thru it all.Having good friends like Mike helps. I like you grew up with my mom's mom, Bubby is what we all called her. She lived with us right into high school. Being born in 1880, she had a different perspective of looking at things than I. I do sorely wish I could make the journey you did and see Bubby again.   

[hex0rz]

12 hours ago, IBMobile said:

What a trip, what a story!  Love, kindness and good fortune was around every corner.  Thank you for sharing.    

 

Your most welcome!

12 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

I still wear the burns in my left index finger from those hot injectors. I knew time was short for him so without waiting for the engine to cool I was tearing it apart. I admit in push hard and fast I did forget to tighten the #2 line up. After he calledI started thinking about it and then  (D'Oh!) Well I human I do make mistakes when I tired. At least @hex0rz can send his back in for repair and then mail back mine when he's got his fixed or replaced.

 I thought you had it in th bag! But to be honest i don't even hardly remember showing up. If you didn't have me their distracting you the whole time..

 

I will admit i was impressed that you got that puppy running again and the truck was still hot after getting finished!

 

Once i get my new set of tires on and my injectors bench tested, i will get yours back to you asap!

12 hours ago, BBHD said:

What a great story! I'm glad everything worked the way it was supposed to...FAVOR is always there for who trust in the Lord 

 

I need moments in my life where i can see God working. And as usual he knows when that is. It seems as though the older i get the more seemingly mature i get. It's nice knowing that even despite my best efforts, when i feel like all is lost and there is nothing left in me that can do anything, the helper is there to step in and show me that he is still interested in my life. 

12 hours ago, Hawkez said:

You have a great perspective on life.  Many people would have looked at that trip and only say the misfortune and bad luck.  I think good can be found in most situations if you look for it.  Being positive and happy is a personal choice and thanks for sharing your story. 

 

While i tried to stay positive, and mostly did, i think maybe i painted myself in too good of a light. I'm usually prone to being negative.  LOL 

 

The only grace i had was that the overall picture was revealed to me. 

11 hours ago, notlimah said:

Thanks for sharing your story! Glad you took away what was important from the trip and didn't focus on the negative. It's perspective like this that lacks popularity now a days!

 

I agree. It truly was just too good of a time to be anything but!

6 hours ago, GSP7 said:

Mike sounds like a good man and great friend

 

 

.

 

I certainly think so as well! I can only hope that he considers me a friend! I know i call him friend! I just hope he doesn't think i was using him. ;)

6 hours ago, dripley said:

Quite the story. Good to see that setbacks turned out so well and you kept up your spirits thru it all.Having good friends like Mike helps. I like you grew up with my mom's mom, Bubby is what we all called her. She lived with us right into high school. Being born in 1880, she had a different perspective of looking at things than I. I do sorely wish I could make the journey you did and see Bubby again.   

 

I can bet she lived one very interesting life. She would have seen so many events of history! Much wisdom to impart on the world, whomever that was willing to listen. 

 

 

Im glad everyone got to enjoy my story! I will add that when leaving Mike's and until i noticed the loose line, i lost a 100 mile potential to my tank. I think that was about 6 gallons of fuel. Crazy!

 

Here is a couple pictures:

 

 

[01cummins4ever]

Nice story, @hex0rz I bet granddad was watching over you too.

[KATOOM]

Great story.....  Today its terribly common for families to separate due to many reasons and end up at opposite ends of the earth.  Sad too because family is everything.  But nonetheless, I'm glad you guys got there OK and back home safely too.  Now take that little wife to the coast and build more memories.