Friday, June 13
I push the cart of groceries across the parking lot to the Perfect Tow Vehicle where the crew waits.
What a pleasant grocery. Has a good selection. Meat department is kind of small, but I got what I wanted for the crew. They’re gonna’ love the beef short ribs. Two in a package . . .
I didn’t expect a grocery that big in this size town . . . .
You know how thoughts are running through your mind and you don’t realize what you’re looking at?
I unlock the back door of the PTV to load the groceries.
Wait a minute . . . . What’s going on over there? Hmm . . . A six-bay garage . . . doing a good business. . . . cars, trucks, farm equipment. That looks like a place that does wheel bearings. Right here in the heart of Good Family Values City. I’m gonna’ go over there and check them out!
“Hello. May I help you?”
I’m greeted by a slender man about fifty (give or take) sitting on a stool behind the counter. A woman sits on a stool on the customer side, although she seems like a friend or wife, not a customer.
“I don’t know. I hope so, ” I respond, as I walk up to the counter. “I have a 2011 17-foot travel trailer and the wheels need to be serviced. It has about 20,000 miles on it.”
“Yeah, it’s time,” he remarks with a nod. “We can take care of that.”
“What kind of grease do you use? It’s a Dexter axle and I read online that it’s important to use the right kind of grease.”
“We always use high quality grease,” the man replies.
(He tells me the name of the grease but I forget it by the time I leave the place.)
Not wanting to offend the guy, I add, “The reason I ask is I LIVE in this travel trailer. It means an awful lot to me and I . . . .”
“The grease we use,” he says during my pause, “is . . . ” He rattles off a list of specs on the grease regarding temperature, viscosity, blah, blah. I’m half-listening as I’m also running my intuition on his appearance, his manner, his voice.
Honest face, direct way of speaking, answers with authority, no male bluster covering up a lack of knowledge or experience. . . I like this guy.
I refocus on what the man is saying.
“I know Dexter axles. I’ve worked on them for 33 years right here in this same location. I’m the only one who does bearings here. I don’t let anyone else in the shop do it.”
“Oh,” I say, my eyebrows raising. I do like this guy. Has a vested interest in the place. Nice to know I won’t have a twenty-year old dreaming of Saturday night while working on the BLT.
“So that’s YOU out front in big letters,” I add, smiling.
“Yes, I’m Trent Harmon.”
I give him my name and ask when he could do the work.
“Well, not until next week. I don’t know if you’ll be around that long or maybe you could stop in on your way back through here.”
“What day next week?” I ask.
He swivels on the stool to the whiteboard on the wall behind him.
“I can do it Tuesday.”
“Tuesday? That’d be great!”
“You can stay that long?”
“Yes, I can. It’s a bit of an inconvenience, ” I say, just for the fun of it, “but I’ll wait . . . for YOU.”
His face softens with friendliness at my remark.
“Okay, what time?” he asks, marker poised to write in Tuesday’s square.
“Whatever is convenient for you.” Oh, this is so good. He knows Dexter axles. Thirty-three years! And he runs the place . . . . Has a reputation to keep.
“Is eight in the morning too early for you? Can you get it here at that hour?”
“Well,” I pause. “How about this? Would it be okay if I bring the trailer down to your lot on Monday after you’re closed? Park here and then we’ll be ready for Tuesday morning.”
“Sure,” Trent replies without hesitation. “You can plug into the electric if you want.”
“Oh, no, thank you. That won’t be necessary. I have solar power.”
Business taken care of, we chat a bit.
Trent asks me where I’m from and I explain the selling of my house in Georgia three years ago and how I’ve lived since then.
“Travelin’ around, seeing the country, right? Isn’t Utah a great state? We have everything here,” he remarks proudly.
“You certainly do. I had no idea! I’m camped on the Nebo Loop Road right now. It’s beautiful up there.”
The woman sits quietly, listening.
I smile at them both as I pick up my purse to leave.
“Okay then. I’ll see ya’ Tuesday morning at eight!”
rvsue
I LOVE RVSUE SHOPPERS!
Thanks for going to Amazon from my blog.
The fishing hole we pass on our way back to camp, Route 132, Nephi, Utah
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
First! YAH!
Congratulations, Patricia!
Me first.
Darn
2nd not so bad.
That’s the spirit, JEFF!
It is so nice to find friendly people who know their business. Definitely sounds like the kind of place you can trust. Can’t wait to visit Utah when we get going.
I know you will enjoy Utah, Lisa. Like Trent said … Utah has everything.
Except warm winters! But Utah is our favorite state also!
Forgot to add where I was from. I was too excited to get the number one slot!!
Sounds like a very good place to get those bearings done. It is on my to do list for my camper too. It is such a pleasure to come across someone who does a job well. Seems as if this person fits the description.
Have not heard anything from Desert Ginger on her knee surgery. Hope all is well with her.
Hello again . . Thanks for adding your location. I appreciate that and I think readers do, too.
Ginger is probably on pain meds and not ready to go online and post a comment.
Sue, I have wanted to ask…did you order your Casita with an oven? Microwave? Thinking you may have mentioned it in old blogs (only up to 04/2012 right now)..but was curious & your reasoning for your choices. Thanks in advance..Susan
Hi, Susan,
No, I didn’t order a microwave. Two reasons… It would take up a cabinet in the kitchen area, space that is very much needed. The other reason is I don’t need or want one. It’s not like I have to rush off to work and don’t have time to heat something up to drink or eat.
Casitas don’t come with an oven. If it were an option, I wouldn’t have chosen to have one.
Susan, just another thought. Don’t order the built in microwave. if you decide later that you want one, the cabinet is already wired with a plug and it’s easy to pick up an inexpensive microwave at Walmart. A “stand alone” microwave is cheaper and gives you more options. We originally didn’t have one and then decided that since we camp with electricity more than not, we liked the convenience of a microwave. I think we paid $35.
Good advice, Reine.
Hi Sue,
Serendipity strikes again…you were led to the right place and person when needed. I love when that happens. I am glad you are getting your bearings serviced. Now you’ll be able to check that off your to-do list.
Thanks for sharing your blog with us. Hope you and the Crew enjoy the rest of the day!
Happy Father’s Day to all! I miss my Dad terribly. I will be toasting in his memory with some smooth bourbon tonight – a drink we used to enjoy together.
Hi, Denise,
I’m glad you have those pleasant memories of moments shared with your father.
Good job Sue, You wont regret getting it done but you would regret NOT getting it done,being forced to camp in the ditch along the highway is ………..im taking it, is NOT one of your choice camp areas……..lol..enjoy!
Yes, I am very relieved to have found someone trustworthy and experienced to do the work. My whole world is wrapped up in the Best Little Trailer!
Oh, good! We’ll be able to chat (comment) and you can reply easier. I miss you when you and the crew are out-of-pocket, Sue.
Gonna try your chicken/parmesan cheese recipe tomorrow, Sue. Recipe sounds good.
Hugs to the fur balls.
Cat Lady
I hope you enjoy the parmesan chicken, Cat Lady. I tend to go light on the flour, heavy on the cheese. 🙂
I’ve missed chatting with y’all in the evenings. I’ll be back online tonight while we’re camped in the parking lot of the shop. I guess that’s call “shopdocking.” 🙂
Well I daresay,a man working in Americana itself , who hears a woman say “it means an awful lot to me” immediately knows what he has to do.Giving you anything less than his best ‘d squash his hopes for a happy afterlife as quick as stealing a lollipop from Shirley Temple.
You do appreciate the utter charm in that entire post,don’t you?Back in the day the studios would have vied for the chance at that script…
-as quickly as stealing a lollipop from Shirley Temple would .-is what I meant to say,which completely changes the meaning!
Good catch, although I read it with the “would” implied :-). ST was my hero as a child. And now there’s Sue!
The PTV’s other name is The Good Ship Lollipop. 🙂
Good morning Sue,
Busy part of an afternoon coming up today for you I guess.Putting the awning back in place, added to your packing out routine, as you ready to be at Trent’s lot later on – seems as though this wee move will still go easily, since you won’t be looking for a place to set up for tonight.
Hope you keep your new spare tire cover handy, since Trent could get that on in no time flat, given his experience.
Also hope you and the crew have an especially nice time with the creek somewhere in your day…
Once again you amaze me, weather. I was thinking the same thing about the spare tire cover!
I have to share this! You know how I love birds, right? I’m here in the PTV parked at the edge of the lot next to a tree and bushes. A tiny yellow bird (a goldfinch? warbler?) sees it’s reflection in the passenger side mirror. This little bird that looks like it hopped out of an Easter basket sits on the side mirror and flies at it repeatedly.
Then it comes over to the driver’s side mirror and sits on it. The bird is two feet away from my face! Again he/she tries to strike up a friendship with the reflection. What a treat to see this pretty bird up close!
I put my hand in the camera case and… oh no, I left the camera back at camp! Oh well…. a sweet moment in time …
I’m looking forward to camping in Harmon Tire’s lot because I can be online tonight!
You made my morning with the yellow bird !Again,to me,providence making sure we’re led to those we resonate with… sigh 🙂
I made a point the last 3 trips I traveled west to explore Utah, its a splendid state…my sister says and I quote, “There are 2 things a woman must have, a good hairdresser and a good mechanic,” looks like you found one!
Hi, Sondra,
I feel totally at ease letting this man work on the BLT’s wheels. Now I know why I put the BLT through a car wash and then drove to Nephi.
Yep Karma was leading the way that day!
Sounds like ya got the right man, who knows what he’s doing and has pride in his company!
Small business owners have to be reputable or they would stay in business for very long!
Yay….check that one off your to do list!
Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there!
His business wouldn’t have survived in a small town if he didn’t go quality work. Farmers bringing their equipment there … most likely local folk… is a good sign, too.
Wonderful story as usual! I just got big bertha my ’97 F150 worked on by my mechanic…I’ve used him for 14 years now and what a jewel he is. We call him the “woman’s mechanic” because all the woman up here use him because he’s honest and fair. Now all the hubbies have caught on and use him too…LOL A good and reliable mechanic are rare and so glad you found one!
Hi, MK,
I went to a mechanic like that when I lived in Athens, Georgia. Lots of young women from the University took their cars there. He did excellent work, explained everything, and didn’t do work that wasn’t necessary.
I don’t know about you, but I was ripped off more than once when I was young and at the mercy of mechanics (pre-internet days.) .
Ohhh yah, I can’t count the times I’ve been had, but now I know to ask local woman for mechanic references. I think the trick is to stay away from the chain places like Pep Boys etc. Unless your going for tires. Big Bertha has wallyworld tires right now and they are ok. What I wouldn’t give to be back in Les Schwab country!
I think the internet has made the sleazy mechanics more honest. Garages are reviewed online. . .
I was so lucky that my dad built race cars as a hobby, so I grew up with car parts lying about… and constant talk of the process. I have had the chance to put many sleazy car places in their place by pointing out that I knew what they were up to…
Trail magic!
Love it when that happens – stumbling upon a service that you need but aren’t actively looking for. Some kinda good karma there.
Hi, Kim. . . Many times I’ve found that a “problem” — in this case, finding the right mechanic — is best given time and patience. Eventually a solution appears. Can’t always do that, of course, but, whenever I can step back and wait rather than forcing a solution, that’s what I try to do.
Intuition: 100% ON!
Sue, you are an inspiration!
Diann
You know what?
Intuition and following those “mind prompts” are so integral to survival. Another lesson in living on less and enjoying life more (alone with two nutcakes).
Hi, Diann. . .
Oh yeah. I rely on intuition a lot. Knowledge and reason will only take you so far. Both are important, but sometimes they fail and that’s when intuition saves the day!
It also helped that reader Ed (The Peregrinating Greybeard blog) suggested I find a place that works on farm equipment (reason and knowledge!) as they would know Dexter axles. 🙂
Doncha’ love it when things work out!
Yes! I didn’t realize it was a weight on my mind until after I made the appointment and felt very relieved.
There are some honest repairmen around…he sounds like a good man! Hope it all comes out very well!!
Hi, Elizabeth . . . You know I’ll give a report!
Great post, Sue! I just love how things seem to fall right into place for you and the crew! Safe and happy travels! Please give Spike and Bridget a nice pet for me. 🙂
Hi, Chaunte,
We’re in the PTV in the Wendy’s parking lot again so I can be online. Spike is asleep and Bridget is sitting in the passenger seat, staring at me. She’s so weird. Every morning the same thing as I type on my laptop… sits and stares.
As I’ve said before “You get back what you put out there.” You have so much good Karma in the bank that honest service providers are already lined up along your path just waiting to be there when needed. Trent will take good care of you, and you’ve already given him free national advertising.
The quiet lady at the counter is so envious of your freedom :-).
Hi, Jodee,
Trent will receive more advertising when I write the post about the work he does on the BLT. I plan to tell him about this blog so he can see for himself.
MESSAGE TO READERS:
Can you see the PTV in this post? heh-heh
That photo of you taking your photo was what started my envisioning Hollywood’s involvement-like when Hitchcock would hide clues in plain sight or would others would hide themselves in a cameo appearance.
In this case the lady traveling with her whole little world,at place to make sure that doesn’t break apart
–
-place’s window shown large- as it’s “holding” her -excitedly seeing herself with hope in the entire scene about to play out just through that window. Too cute.
YUP!
I see it reflected in Harmons window!!
Hey,
Do I get a prize??
I know what I would like it to be. A trip out of this horrible hot, humid Texas weather.
We have gotten lots of rain (almost 8 inches for us, more in the neighboring towns) in the past 3 weeks with tornadoes flying around at 1 a.m. in the morning and weather stations and cell phone weather apps constantly alerting keeping us from sleep. Finally unplugged the weather station and turned off the cell phone. I would dearly love to leave, but this year we hang around Texas. Next year, a trip to South Dakota and hopefully, Dinosaur Natl. park in Utah. Lots of research needed, but I got time.
Love your posts, RV Sue!
Sounds like you’ve already received the prize… rain in Texas!
South Dakota… what fun! The crew and I had a great time there . . .