The Beauty Around Us

Today is the final day of our 13-day vacation. We are traveling home from the VROC Reunion Rally, which was held in Eureka Springs, AR.

We departed Mount Vernon OH around 8:00 am, en route home.  Approximately 2 hours later we were stuck in Canton, OH without power steering. I am thankful that the power steering went out where it did. We were approaching I-77, when I lost the power steering. I was able to safely make my way into a CVS parking lot. I am thankful I didn’t lose the power steering, while on the Interstate! I am thankful, too, for Triple A. There is a commercial about State Farm that says “like a good neighbor State Farm is there”. I can say the same thing about Triple A. Within 45 minutes after my call to Triple A, my car was on a flatbed truck en route Hills & Dales AutoCare.

Canton, OH
Triple A is loading my car onto a flatbed trailer at the CVS parking lot.
(Photo by Bob)

Canton, OH
My car on the flatbed truck at the CVS parking lot
(Photo by Bob)

Canton, OH
Unloading my car from flatbed trailer at the Hills & Dales Full Service Auto Center

We have Basic AAA coverage. The first 3 miles was free towing. Each mile thereafter was $4.25/mile. The auto repair facility was located only 6 miles from where we were stranded. The work order indicated that we were towed in to Hills & Dales at 11:30 am. We were back on the road again at 12:51 pm. The cause, as explained to Bob by the technician at Hills & Dales, was that the plastic idler pulley that was attached to the bearing broke apart, resulting in the belt slipping off. The belt was replaced along with the pulley.  Hills & Dales is a courteous, professional top notch full service auto center.  They got us quickly on the road again with a difficult repair job that Bob couldn’t have done himself.  Thanks guys!!!

Bob discovered, while waiting for the car to be repaired, that he was missing his Discover card. We determined that Bob had to have left the card behind at WineStein, in Mount Vernon OH, at dinner last night.  After a few calls, Bob was able to make contact with someone in the restaurant. Yes, his Discover card was there. The restaurant mailed the card to Bob by certified mail.

We had no other problems on the way home.

Pennsylvania Welcome Center
Middlesex, PA
I was happy, when we crossed the Ohio-Pennsylvania border into Pennsylvania.

We returned home around 5:15 pm. I drove approximately 250 miles today.

Today’s route:

All total, I drove a total of 2,440.3 miles since Friday, September 11.  Feeling extremely fatigued, I went to bed at 7:30 pm.

This blog post marks the end of our 13-day vacation.  I hope that you have enjoyed the journey!