Heavenly hiccups, adventures in Kansas

Headed out of Englewood onto the infamous Highway 70.
It lived up to its reputation.

The plan was to stop in Junction City, Kansas on a quick overnight to my next stop. I wanted to stop in Abilene, KS but my sight-seeing destination (Eisenhower’s birthplace and museum) was shut for COVID. So I was just blasting through Kansas.

Just outside of Junction City, the “check engine” light came on. On the advice of my friend Danielle, I googled O’Reilly’s Auto and went there to hook up a hand-held diagnostic thingy-majiggy. I never knew.

CAMSHAFT is NEVER a word you want to see. I admit I felt a very faint and distant inkling of panic. It was dark and I had been on the road for more than 7 hours. I was in unknown territory (in several ways).

So, I got a room and had a meal.

Cornstalk screen saver on the TV.

Two beef sliders, a salad and a glass of decent cab. I could get used to these prices.

I was fortified by nutrition and the safety of my hotel room. I knew if I couldn’t find a mechanic (or part) I could be stuck until Monday morning. I was prepared to conjure some playful curiosity about Halloween in good ol’ JC.

I prayed, “God, I have NO IDEA what you’re doing here. But I reckon I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

I snuggled into bed, grateful that I was safe and comfortable.

The next morning, I called Jim Clark Auto Center and they got me in first thing. The mechanic found the problem quickly (bad camshaft sensor) and set to repair it without delay. It was covered under warranty but they were closed on Saturday. The cost of repair was $279. My deductible is $300. I had him throw in an oil change.

It all lined up so beautifully and it was such a minor blip. I was on my way east again by 11:00 AM.

Only God. Thank you God.