Enjoying the Ellemaker House
The horse and buggy makes a quick stop
We woke up the next morning, ate some breakfast, and with map in hand, the insider scoop from our B&B innkeeper, and a positive outlook - as it was still raining and didn't look like it was going to stop any time soon - we made our way to our car (which is actually a small truck). We hopped in the truck, and just like we've done for the past 3+ years, depressed the brake, fastened our seat belt, and activated the ignition. But the truck didn't respond like it has done for the past 3+ years, the engine would turn over but nothing would catch. At that time, we did what everyone else in our shoes would do, we just kept turning the key, hoping, that somehow, turning that key several times and in longer intervals was exactly what the car needed. It wasn't. Needless to say, after talking with several people about the problem - one of which was my dad, who, living out west, correctly diagnosed the problem by listening to my explanation and the engine over the phone - we knew we had to take it into a mechanic. It seems that all mechanics in Gap, Pennsylvania close at noon, and if they don't, they don't answer their phone, so you have to walk over to their building, enter the garage, then ask to see the boss. This boss said that Steve could check out our truck, and boy, are we thankful to 18-year-old Steve. He was our pal for a good portion of Saturday. He taught us a lot about car engines and didn't mind standing out in the rain while he diagnosed the problem. "How old's this truck?" he asked, "'Cause these spark plug wires need to be replaced. They have difficulty running in this humidity." The truck was fixed at 3pm and we headed home. While driving home, filled with the relief that we weren't going to be stuck in Pennsylvania until Monday, we reiterated the two points that had kept us semi-positive throughout the ordeal: 1) at least we had seen some horse and buggies on Friday night, and 2) thank goodness our B&B happened to be on the same street as an auto parts shop and three mechanics, one of which was open after 12noon on Saturday.
Sitting in the lobby of Anderson's Truck & Car Repair
The truck is fixed and we're ready to go home
8 comments:
Did you go to the outlets while you were up there?! They are the best. Who needs cultural experiences when you got outlets, outlets, outlets!
Finally! I can read your blog! I'm so happy that you finally made it to Amish country but what a sad experience. I hope you get to go again sometime and actually enjoy it...
so you didn't get to churn butter or make your own clothes? i don't know about all this...
the cucumber!
nature knew one of it's own was about to come under some stress and started crying for him.
i want to go to amish country.
It's funny how cars are always good until the weather turns...but I am glad you guys made it home safely and was able to see the Horse Buggy. This past winter, yes, winter we went to Hershey PA to visit some college friends of Abbey's and did not see any horse buggies. I was a little disappointed, however the ironic thing was that we were suppose to go up there to visit them but we end up going to Hershey to rescue them because their car died midway along a major highway in the middle of nowhere. So I called a friend and thanksfully we had signal, using their gps coordination and route numbers, we were able to locate them. Gladly our van can haul everyone, took them home (PA/NJ border) and stayed the night and came back home to MD. Man if there were any troubles for our car, its going to be one heck of a problem!! So like you guys, count our blessings....one by one!
I think that very same weekend we had a car repair of our own (price tag: $477). You are not alone on the "old car - money pit" boat.
Man, so sad that you didn't get to experience the fullness of Amish country! I'm glad you went though, and glad we didn't have to come get you! How was the B&B? Would you recommend it?
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