We made it out of oakland safe and sound. We were down by the docks but did not have to pickup there this time. We were not downtown so we didnt see anything there. We were on the freeway that was shown on the news. Good thing we were in and out in the morning.
The whole time I kept thinking of Reginald Denny, the truck driver that was pulled out of his truck during a riot in LA. And nearly beaten to death. It was so long ago, in the 90's I think, I dont think it was in the 80's. The whole thing was caught on tape by a news-chopper. Im so glad nothing like that happened in Oakland.
There have been a couple of times, Will has told me to get in the back. (sleeper), delivering to a very bad neighborhood. Guys walking up and down the middle of the street. Looking in cars as if to find an easy one to car jack. One business we really had to rush to get to before they closed because they lock the gate and the guard doesnt let anyone in. And that was one area you do not want to be left out on the street. I remember the lot inside was full of trucks. Most were there 12 hours early just so they could be locked inside safe for the night.
There have been times while driving that Will, wakes me up, and tells me to sit up front. He thinks the front seat and seat belt is safer than the safety net in the sleeper.
The truck is in the shop. Again. This time its for the starter, shocks, airbags and to figure out why the check engine light is on. Yes I made sure the gas cap was on tight. Silly. The starter went out fast, not a lot of warning. We had a hard time starting it once in Salt Lake City. Will told me not to turn the truck off, and we'd get it checked later. After we left Oakland, we stopped in Livermore at Jack in the Box and I shut the truck off. It would not start.
Will looked at it but where it is he couldnt get to it. We called swift and asked if they can come and give us a pull start. Of course you knew that cant push start and tractor-trailer. Swift said they dont have the equipment. We thought we had 1 free tow available from international, so we called them and they had no idea what we were talking about.. $$ OUCH. $$ We were on the phone ordering a tow when the starter and it started. I didnt mind cashing in karma points for that.
didnt need the tow truck
We went to the swift shop in Lathrop and told them the issues and they said they could fix it, most of it would be warranty work, Cool Beans.
So hear we sit at the hotel. Will sleeping. Me with nothing to do. No book. I finished, Cleopatra’s Daughter. Very good. And I am out of yarn so I cant work on the sweater. The last 3 walmarts did not have the yarn. I have more at the house, but that doesnt do me any good here does it.
Got the truck back from Swift/Lathrop. They said all was fixed. We looked at the paper work and they did not fix the starter because it started. They did fix something with the check engine light, even though that light came on 20 miles down the road.
Next stop International in Springfield Oregon. Put the truck in there, same problems, same results. They can't get the starter to fail so they cant fix it under warrenty.
They did spend a lot time and fixed they real problem with the check engine light. Guess we will see about that down the road. We told them to replace the starter and we'll pay out of pocket. We cant have it only fail on us. As soon as they heard we were going to fork over $1000 they get right on it.
Our son is down in San Diego for some magic card show/tournament, he loves it.
Says it is differentially on his list of places to live.
We were just glad to hear that we are not the only place on his list.
Love and miss you all,
