The Jeep Saga

I know this isn't entirely about nature, but it definitely affects my plans for the summer!  I haven't written anything for a while because I've been busy and sleepy and looking for a way to work for the past two weeks.  I went to Ken's Lake for a walk--it's one mile around the lake and it's beautiful and relaxing and I watched Canada geese swimming around.  I was on my way home, turning left at an intersection when my Jeep stalled.  I got it started after several tries, long enough to pull out of the intersection, and called a tow truck.  The shop had the Jeep for three days before they called me saying I needed a new engine.  I called the Jeep dealership in Grand Junction.  They said they would do it for $7,000.  I replied that I would not be doing that.  Luckily my brother-in-law is a mechanic and is going to look at it sometime in the future (months probably).

If I'd worked in town it wouldn't have been much of a problem.  I work 35 miles outside of town!  I borrowed a friend's car on Saturday, my old roommate drove me to the park on Sunday morning, my boyfriend picked me up Sunday evening.  Monday and Tuesday I rode to work with a co-worker in the water truck.  A friend of a friend drove me to Price on Wednesday, I met my sister and she drove me to Vernal so I could borrow my mom's car.  I had my mom's car all last week to get to work and back while I was researching and looking online for vehicles.  A friend and I drove to Grand Junction Thursday.  I found a good car--a Toyota Corolla--13,000 miles on it and 2007.  More than I'd planned to spend but I think it will be worth it.  It does get great gas mileage!  Since I drive 70 miles a day for work, it's a good thing.

So I will miss my Jeep, it's served me well and has over 150,00 miles on it.  I'm going to have to remember to be nice to my car and not take it on too many dirt roads!  Most places I'd planned to visit this summer around Moab I can visit by mountain bike or hiking so it's only a slight change of plans!