Around the US in 40 Days

[DonnaR57]

DAY 11 -- TRUCKLESS!

We packed up our stuff, said goodbye to our daughter, granddaughter, daughter's MIL (who is residing with them), and son-in-law, and headed for Columbia, MO -- an hour and a half away up US-54 and US-63. Both are interstate quality, four-lane divided highways with very minimum numbers of traffic lights. We had only one problem with the truck bucking -- it feels like it is trying to get enough fuel but can't. That happened right after we got on US-54, then didn't happen again.

Crossing the Missouri River on US-54, just before the US-63 exit.
photo(28) by jeanniesisters, on Flickr

Arriving at my SIL's home, we dropped our stuff and she escorted us over to Machens Ford. Two years ago, they repaired a major "ding", changed the alternator and did an oil change for us. This time, it isn't such an easy issue. Since the truck "check engine" light did not come on, no other lights were coming on, and the problem is intermittent, they may have a struggle to find the problem. They will throw it on the diagnostic machine, but the older Ford powerstroke diesels aren't as good with the diagnostics as the newer ones (or so says the Machens guy). I told him that I'd checked a Powerstroke forum and another guy with the similar problem had reported that his was a clogged fuel filter, which the service manager took in his stride. (We've found that forum to be full of good info.) Anyway, throw in another oil change too, we told them. They will have the truck at least until tomorrow, possibly Saturday or even Monday. My SIL has an extra vehicle sitting here so if we really need to go somewhere, we can. (My BIL was trying to get me to go to Six Flags Mid-America: no thanks, I am a big chicken and would be a waste of money to pay all that money to sit and not ride the rides thee!)

The five of us went out to Rocheport to a winery, Les Bourgeois. They have a picnic area right next to an A-Frame where they sell wine, beer, and soft drinks. You are allowed to bring in your own food, just not your own liquor of any sort. My SIL packed lunch, and we bought two bottles of wine to share.

photo(30)

The views of the Missouri River are excellent, and there was a lovely breeze making a picnic more pleasant. Look up the river to see a trestle bridge; that's I-70. Yup, it was that close.
photo(31)

Looking down the river, in the direction that Lewis and Clark went, about 110 years ago.
photo(32)

After a nice afternoon, we all came back, snoozed a little, visited, and had
a nice dinner together. My BIL grilled outside, despite a brief rainstorm that threatened to change that plan.



Donna