Diary
of the Adventure with Dad 7/12/02 7/16/02 7/25/02 Dad is 70 years old, looks 60 and is grumpy as an 80 year old. You never know how many more chances you have to share some special time with your Mom and Dad. We hunted together all through my childhood and up until my marriage in 1987. We have gone hunting back in Texas about 10 times in the last 15 years. All through my childhood and up until my kids were about 5 I never understood why my Dad would stand beside me when we bird hunted. I often made the comment, "If you moved down some you would get more shots." He didn't have much interest in moving away unless I was running low on ammo or needed a drink and then he would head off to the truck. Whenever I would offer to run back to the truck for something, he would say "No, you stay here and hunt, I'll get it." I finally figured it out about 8 years ago when I took my daughter fishing for the first time. I had to bait her hook, cast for her, get the line un-snagged, take off the fish and clean up everything. I really didn't have much time to fish myself and you know what, I loved it. The joy of seeing my daughters face with a fish on the line was far more exciting and satisfying than catching all the fish in the sea. For a Dad the joy of hunting, fishing, playing catch, golf or whatever is not in the activity it's in the joy of his child. The next morning Dad went out to hit the road, the truck wouldn't start, dead battery. He jumped the truck and went to a local parts store where they tested the batteries. They told him the batteries were good but they thought he needed an alternator. He found a shop that specialized in alternators and by 11AM they had it in a bay. They asked him if he wanted a diagnostic before replacing the alternator and he agreed it would be a good idea. Guess what? The passengers side battery was bad and had a thermal runaway, the alternator was fine. They disconnected the battery and after waiting an hour for it to cool they replaced the battery and he was on his way. Learning point: I had the same thing happen to me on my gas Suburban 6 months ago. I had the battery tested and they said it was good, I put on a new starter and the truck still didn't crank. I then called a friend/customer that buys 5 cars a year from me and he said..."I haven't seen the truck but I would bet you a dollar to a donut that you have a bad battery despite the test." I bought a new battery and just like my Dad, I was on my way. My Dad made it to Fort Collins the second day and to Butte Montana the third day. He delivered the truck on the forth day to an eager Mr. Wise. My Dad stayed with the Wise's that night and was treated to a tour of the surroundings. He has commented to me several times on how nice Mr. and Mrs. Wise treated him and on how beautiful it is up in Montana. During the trip he saw, Deer, Antelope, rabbits and an abundance of birds. He commented that other than some high winds in the mountains it was a great drive and beautiful country. Trip Photos 7/29/02
8/1/02 8/5/02
End of part one
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