
The road from Pismo, or should I say the Road from Hell?!? Half way home, the bago is starting to sound a little wonky; like the engine is not happy with the amount of starting fluid we have to give it on a regular basis. The low power on the uphills and the top speed of 60 is telling me this could be a long stressful trip home. I'm trying not to show fear to April, but we're only an hour into our 3 and a half hour trip home and our backup is still in Pismo.
Potty breaks are forbidden as I grip the steering wheel with sweaty hands and an unblinking gaze. Whats that you say, the dogs need to pee? Not on my watch, slap a diaper on those butts; we're not stopping. April can sense my tension and Logan is snoozing so far. If we can make it to a gas station I tell myself, then I at least have access to resources.

De-greased Carter Carb circa 1973 |
Even has an electric choke |
Like to wear American Flag jump suits, run stop signs and jump curbs in a 10,000 pound apartment on wheels? Then you've come to the right place. The prayers are about to pay off; we're not stopping unless they're in the crosswalk or the the law is within sight. We're slowing for yellows a mile out and coasting until the last second. Several lights I am able to time just right and my refusal to let the bago die coincides with green lights. I use this technique all the way through Bakersfield, Porterville and to the main streets of Springville. My parent's drive way is a 90 degree turn off of highway 190, which requires a slow and cautious turn and ascension. Not this Evil Kenevil; not when I've risked the lives of my family and two wiener dogs. We're gonna gun a 90 degree turn at a 35 degree incline. I steer wide right and make a hard left, full throttle. The rest is a blur because all I can think about is the bago dying and rolling helplessly backwards into highway 190. Some how we make it to the top of the hill and after talking myself into it, parking it back on the landing half way back down the hill. It's time for some serious engine work. Stay turned for the next episode....