2020, Day 8: Redeemed

It's FriYAY and the end to a Laborious week. Mom and Dad's car has been resuscitated and, despite all of the setbacks, dad's been able to silver-lining the heck out of this cloud. Among many other winds (hurricane-, firestorm-, snow-, change-, and head-) dad has survived the winds of misfortune and barreled on through. Maybe the Yoopers were right about the southern peninsula being "Hell," but in the true and perseverent nature of Chumbawamba, Nothin's Gonna Keep [Dad] Down.

I mean, just look at that grin.

One wonders what drives a man to become a small-town Michigan mechanic, but thank goodness Steve did, and that not too many people needed him today, because he sure saved the trip. Him, and Richard, the tow truck guy. And AAA. And dad's well-prepped emergency fund. And who knows? Maybe the extra few hours prevented another accident that would have butterfly-effected into the end of the world. Instead, it was a $600 alternator and a few lost hours, which dad promptly made up with a day of steady riding.

While dad's making like Jack Kerouac, mom's rounded up Book #4 (don't worry, she has lots more!) and "landed herself her own corner" (mom's getting in on the puns today) to put her feet up while she waits for dad to work hard all day. It's a tough life. Never underestimate the sheer brutal force of boredom.

From Dad:

September 11, 2020 Happy Patriot’s Day! Today’s Best Laid Plans finally worked out!

We redeemed the car from the repair shop late morning. The only problem was, in fact, the alternator, so we were good to start out again. By the time we got back to Stanton and were ready to go, it was 1:30. I didn’t want Mom to stop at Family Dollar, but she pressed our luck and it turned out okay. I’m not superstitious, no, not at all!

So a little different today, riding in the afternoon. Also a little different: it was sunny and warm. Temperatures were in the mid-60’s all afternoon. There was a slight headwind, which slowed me a little bit, but not significantly.

Traffic was very heavy today, and much of the time the shoulders were very narrow. The town of Ionia is in a deep valley. Riding down the hill into town, there was a decent shoulder, but in town, the double lanes went right up to the curb. Where I could, I rode on the sidewalk. But the steep hill out of town had no shoulder, and no sidewalk. It was pretty sketchy. But the heavy traffic gave me some space, and I made it out alive.

There were fewer hills today, and those that we encountered were less pronounced. 15 of the last 20 miles were nearly flat. Then I had a couple of nice long hills to finish off the day. Finished in Nashville, which was the goal, at 5:25. So 48.1 miles in 3:55.

My only remaining question is... why did mom need to go back to the Family Dollar?