Most Expensive Vacation to date:

Sunday Aug 9th I was driving along I-40 in Tennessee when my 2009 Subaru Legacy with a mere 72,000 miles died. The engine made this noise like metal clanging around and it stopped accelerating. In the blink of an eye everything changed.

I was on vacation. I didn't let it ruin the time I had planned but it did change it. Here is my story:

On Saturday I drove to Nashville and enjoyed the sights there. On Sunday the plan - drive to Gatlinburg to spend Sun, Mon, and Tuesday with some friends/co-workers for a girls vacation, my first ever grown-up girls vacation. We had a cabin rented.

I was driving I-40 at around 10:00am (central time) near Crossville, TN. This stretch is a lot of hills. Not much traffic on a Sunday morning so I had my cruise control set most of the time and was munching on pretzels. I had 1/2 a tank of gas and was going to get there an hour or so early give me time to pick up donuts to surprise the ladies and get the lay of the land. A truck hauling a camper moved over in front of me to pass slower traffic. I pulled out of cruise control and for a bit slowed down, he moved over once passing the line of traffic and I sped up. It was uphill and my my car sounded like it was struggling. I passed him and moved over continuing up the hill and increasing speed going from about 50 – 70. Noticing my car didn't like to accelerate uphill I moved over and let others pass. I thought “wow my car doesn't like these hills at all” but I continued on. Eventually it goes down hill again and I put on cruise control I was going about 75mph went up/down a few smaller hills. The car seemed to be struggling to keep speed uphill I turned the AC off and the car temp gauge was fine uphill Something was wrong but what. I recall thinking “this could be serious how far should I go. I found out the next steep hill. The car started to vibrate a little I took it out of cruise control and tested acceleration. It was revving a lot when I'd depress the gas pedal and it sounded weird so I moved over to the right lane and put my hazards on cresting the hill. The car started shaking and a horrible sound was heard I pulled off the road just before the check engine light came on. It was about 10:45am (central).

Knowing near nothing about cars I got my bearings (ie called Bastian) and called for a tow. The AAA phone guy was a pleasant guy with an English accent, from Birmingham, England. Between getting my nfo and such we talked about London and traveling the US and such. He wished me luck and I waited for the tow guy. In the interim I called Bastian and had me look up a place to tow the car within my 100 mile limit he found a Subaru dealer in Knoxville. 11:21 pm (central) - The tow guy Rob Jr was a transplant from Florida who has three children the oldest of which was starting kindergarten the next day (Monday). We talked about TN and towing cars. I learned all wheel drive vehicles have to be towed on flat beds. He gave me a water bottle, the tow was 60 miles it was uneventful. We couldn't drop my car in the Subaru lot directly so he put it off on a lesser used side trip just outside the lot. I was in Knoxville at about 1:30pm (Eastern).

Grayson Subaru of Knoxville was closed. It was TN on a Sunday a lot of things were closed. Including the closest car rental places which I tried calling. I packed up my car knowing I'd likely not be bringing it home. The TN summer heat was starting to build and I was running low on water I knew I need to find AC and food, my friends weren't going to get there for at least another hour or so. My phone said there was a walgreens nearby. I just happened to have brought a lightweight backpack so I packed it up with a book and the water bottle. I put on my ipod and headed towards what I hoped would be open and air conditioned. I started my walk and an older gentleman with a veteran hat walked past I asked him about open food he said there was a big area with food not too far away. It was like being back on the Camino complete with someone passing me up :). I walked about a mile and was dripping in sweat by the time I made it to Jason's Deli at about 3pm. I thought might as well complete this adventure with a proper Camino meal – sandwiches! This place is awesome! I hope to find more of them, Flush toilets, air conditioning, a full salad bar, delicious sandwiches, and complimentary soft serve ice cream. As I ate I called Bastian, told him about wanting to get a rental car but nowhere being open. He searched and found an Enterprise that closed at 4pm. It was 3:30pm. As I planned for the Enterprise pick up my friends messaged me “almost there” I responded with “I'm renting a car will meet you there.” This was for the best I had to come back Monday to deal with the car.

Walking to AC

Selfie with Bonnie who was glad to be out walking again

 Delicious 'Camino' meal

I'm waiting outside when a truck pulls up fast with a well dressed guy behind the wheel. I stand up and walk to him reaching for the door before he can even get out. I get in as he is asking “how did you know who I was?” My response “Well you looked on a mission and well dressed.” I suppose he could have been anyone but who else would swing up in front of a place and not park? I told him my story he was originally from Nashville so I told him about my recent trip there. He then asked “I'm just curious are you an artist?” I laughed “not really, at least not professionally” He seemed to think since I traveled a lot and visited capitol buildings it made me artistic. I responded with I blog a little and dabble in photography. He was very nice (and cute). Before I left the car he gave me the best compliment - “You are the most amazing and interesting person I've ever met. Good luck” I got my car, a Chrysler 200 with a slight cigarette smell, keyless entry and remote start the PRNDL shift was a dial, talk about an adventure. I started the trek to the cabin. Arriving around 5:30pm

The winding road up to the cabin was nerve racking but my GPS got me through it and I was only about 20 minutes behind the rest of the group. The cabin was beautiful, tucked away in the woods all wood inside. We got settled and I drove us all into the Gatlinburg strip for dinner. We opted for Mexican and margaritas. Great food, great conversation and a needed break from the thoughts of the car. We laughed and I learned why people getaway and have trips like this. We soaked in the hot tub afterward and at around 1am we all went to sleep. I set an alarm for 7am to call the car place I didn't think to look for a key drop with how closed up the yard was. I should have gone up to the service area and then I would have seen the over night key drop but I didn't so I had to drive back there (about 1.5 hour drive one way) to deliver my key. My mind was going a million miles and I never thought “hey I should leave a key” I left a note in my locked car window. I couldn't really sleep I was worried about Monday and playing out all my options. So I was wide awake and ready to go at 7:15am long before anyone stirred.

Margarita Sunday!

I arrived at Subaru around 8:30am exhausted and hopeful for good news. Patrick my service guy was a bit rude. I know he was busy but he was totally not personable. He sent me to a lounge. I napped a little and mentally went over my options.

1 – Repair the car I decided that my car was worth about $5-6K to repair the trade in value was around $9000 and it would depend on how long to repair it because really I'd have to find a way back to TN to pick it up.

2 – Leave it there see if they will give me any cash for it a – drive a rental home or b- stay until Wed and go home with the other ladies I was suppose to work wed but I was exhausted and watching my trip slip away from me hour by hour and regardless I still had a 5 ½ hour trip home to make. Buy a new car in Dayton

3 – Buy a new car in TN get a trade-in for my old baby. A few months ago I had considered this and was looking and researching outbacks and Foresters. I had decided to wait another year or two save up for it.

I found out around 10:30 that the estimated repair bill would be $5,950 they didn't know what was wrong either a rod broke, or a seal just something in the engine. Which was really a “duh I could hear it rattling around there”. I think I took it well I didn't cry yet and Patrick in his flat toned voice said “it is never easy to tell people this” and I thought well you don't sound like you are having a problem. He explained it would take at least a week, they would need to get a used motor for the parts and find out what is wrong. The cost could go up or down some the number was 'just an estimate'. I asked him how this could happen in a 6 year old Subaru with only 72K miles. He didn't really have an answer his thoughts were maybe you didn’t get the oil changed enough, or serviced enough. But I got regular 6K mile oil changes (as per the manual) I serviced it at Subaru but of course they can't get that data, It was just in for brakes and an oil change a month ago. In any case I knew option one was off the table I couldn't spend the time not knowing and the cost was already on the upper end of my limit. At this point I wanted closure. Patrick connected me to the sales people and I test drove some cars on the lot. Jennifer was nice. It isn't easy to deal with someone that is intermittently crying. I tried to keep it together but It was an overwhelming time. She told me about the outbacks and Foresters they had on the lot and I test drove some. Ultimately I chose the Forester. It is a small SUV and I liked the sitting up higher. It also has an odd feature it is called X-Mode and is a button you can push that takes control of the engine, transmission, AWD, brakes, etc to safely navigate slippery terrain I.e helps you get up/down icy hills which I live at the top of. It was just after 1pm when I made my decision and stepped back. I told them I was going to get lunch and come back to finish the sale. I needed food, sleep and a break. I got food and took a breath and made my decision. I returned the rental car and was dropped off back at Subaru.

There wasn't much else left to do just paper work. I was doing great I was even a bit excited until Jennifer brought in my old plates and the personalized frame “Squirrel -Vixen cute and Cuddly” at that moment the finance guy came in and I was crying uncontrollably. My poor baby, my first new car at just over 6year was really truly gone. They were giving me a mere $2,500 for a trade-in (which with $6000 repair bill is the same as I would have gotten for a regular trade-in) and told me they were going to send it to auction like that makes me feel better. Just before this I was moved over to the finance guy John, a bigger black man. Initially he was thrown I told him to just give me his talk because I had to go forward and get this done. He handed me Fast food napkins from his drawer and explained to me the extended warranty options as I sobbed. The base warranty is 3 yr, 36K miles the extended s 6 yr, 80K mile covers oil changes and first service and the engine and power train (which my car was just over 6 yr though I didn't have the extended warranty). Partway through he started crying saying “I'm sorry I'm a sympathetic crier” it gave me a laugh and smile. I composed myself enough to ask say I couldn't make anymore big decisions today I needed time. He understood and didn't push it. He was very nice, very straight forward it was refreshing. He was from south Mississippi originally. We finished up Patrick came back and told me I could go to my car. IT was like visiting a sick relative in the hospital “Legacy is ready for vistors now, I'll take you to her” I walked up and put my hand over the route 66 stickers in the back window and said my goodbye as I pulled off the paw magnets and packed up the last items: jumper cables, my CD's, stuffed squirrel, garage door opener, the bag I had put together Sunday. It wasn't until Tuesday I realized I forgot my tag for work, oh well I'll get a new one. I went to my new car arms full, heart heavy. I'd like to say I didn't look back but I did and wiped a tear. Jennifer handed me some 'gifts' a little cooler (perfect for Bastian to use as a lunch bag for work) a pocketknife with knife; scissors; tweezers;nail file; and toothpick, and pens I whole lot of pens because well I love pens (I gave some to all the gals at the cabin). It was 4pm and I was done.

New car with the old one in the background. it is a fair bit bigger

I have a new car with 14 miles on it. It wasn't purchased under the best of circumstances but it is shiny and has all these fun gadgets like bluetooth phone answering, rear camera for backup assist, USB ports, 35 presets for radio, on star, Reclining back seats, and all the cup holders!! It is so comfortable and I was able to put 400 miles on it. I LOVE it but it is a bittersweet love. I enjoyed making calls and testing stuff out while driving back to Gatlinburg. The gals were about to go to dinner so I met them at the brew house around 5:30pm it was raining and my new baby got her first bath and handled great. Dinner was delicious and I got to drive everyone to the other car. It made me feel good to get the ooh's and aah's from everyone. We went back to the cabin had a game night drank fancy frozen drinks with little umbrellas. Laughed and the whole day of stress and tears just melted away. I faded fast and slept great.

I had a dilemma on Tuesday. I called off Wednesday thinking I wouldn't make it in with all the vacation stress. On one hand - I had a way home now and didn't need to go car shopping. On the other hand – I didn't really get to do most of the stuff I wanted to in Gatlinburg. So I opted to stay and enjoy the last day of the trip and the gals. We shopped, did some moonshine tasting and I went up the space needle to see the view. It was all very perfect. We got back to the cabin around 7pm and I was feeling good so I decided I would leave so I could get home and go to work Wednesday. I had my car and I felt guilty making my boss cover for me. I got everything I felt I needed a great day of fun with friends and home in time to work.

Space needle 400 feet up to the observation deck

 The strip

I am so fortunate to have met so many amazing people on this adventure. It was because of the people I met and had around me that I was able to deal with this tragedy and move forward. Everyone was so supportive and so great helping me focus on what is important (moonshine and good friends) and not the details. 

Chima!