Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Memphis breakdown
The day began with promise enough, stopping by my daughter Sherianne and son-in-law Casey's house to have breakfast with Sherianne before hitting the road. 

Two of my favorite dogs greeted me. Rufus, left, and Gertrude, right, were all over me. We often bring Sadie with us for Christmas. The three dogs play continuously the week we are there. It takes all three dogs several days to rest up after the visit. Sadie sleeps most of the 15-hour trip trip back to Richmond.

Gertie begs Sherianne to go with us as we head out the door for ...

... Barksdale's, site of one of the best breakfasts in America. William Least Heat Moon would call it a legendary three-calendar cafe. Yes, all that food in front of Sherianne is hers. In her defense, she didn't have dinner last night and left much of it behind.

My journey home lasted only 394 feet. I drove the Jeep from one daughter's house to the other's— same street, same side of the street, six houses apart — and when I tried to restart it, the key wouldn't turn in the ignition. It was a good thing the breakdown happened here. The route I had planned would have taken me through country on little traveled roads with minimal mobile phone service. I spent most of the day with Mike, center, originally from Rapid City, S.D. He moved to Memphis and started in the towing business as a young man, spent 15 years in it, followed by 15 years as a long haul trucker. He's now been back in towing for another 15 years. Five hours later — after visiting three shops before finding one that could could fix the Jeep — we finally said goodbye.

2 comments:

Neisha said...

Boy...am I glad you were in a "save-able" place. :) Roadside vacations tend to be zero fun. I've had my share...most were in Colorado with my dad. One time we did make light of it and laughed the whole time, I think we were delirious. :) Thanks so much for sharing your trip...love the snapshots of life...

Beverly said...

I love how you get to know everyone on your journey. I wish I could do that...oh, I could ask questions, but the words do not flow easily and they would probably think I was a nut case or maybe it is my nursing technique of asking questions....