“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”
- Dr. Seuss
After a week at the shop and a variety of codes, the mechanic has stated that the Jetta will not get through inspection and may not be worth saving. Actually he said that I could try to find a throttle box at the junk yard, but there was no guarantee that would save her.
Needless to say I have not had a great few days. After living with my parents for a week I am itching for some kind of freedom. I haven't even been to the bank to deposit my paycheck from last Friday because I don't have the ability to drive anywhere. Every day I woke up thinking that maybe that was the day that Jetta would come home and every afternoon I would jump into my father's truck looking for news that there was a brand new inspection sticker waiting for me.
What really blows is that with one phone call I've lost my home and my transportation. One or the other might be manageable, but both is a lot to handle. Now the question becomes how to get out of my parent's house. I found a last minute room for rent a town over from where I work and on the bus route. The room is $600/month instead of the $250 I would be paying with my roommates come September, but I need a place now.
The next step will be finding a new set of wheels. On a related note; after years traveling around Montana and Colorado as an awesome ski bum, my little sister (27, so not really so little) is looking for a motor home and joining the community of rubber tramps/mobile nomads. She's not really sure where to start so if you have some good suggestions for a good vehicle let me know and I'll pass them along.
I have a super cool mini van that will be up for sale on November 1st! You have your choice of a bed or 4 seats in the back!
ReplyDeleteSounds great! If only I lived a little further west... Are you getting winter housing?
DeleteI'm really not sure. I'm thinking about spending the holidays back home in Ohio, staying with one friend for a week and switching will keep me there through the beginning of Feb.
DeleteWhen it gets warmer I want to do a long term kayak trip down the Mississippi, camping along the shore as I go.
Amtrak runs through our town and can take me all over the country. There is also hitchhiking as a possibility. All of this makes it seem like I'm paying too much for car insurance.
Westfalia ... Vanagon ... do it!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking! Maybe this is the push I needed to make the switch.
DeleteJust my personal opinion, but I think if a lot of travelling and moving around, I would go for a van, but if you were planning on spending some time at various places and less driving, then maybe a smaller motor home or truck and trailer. Truck and trailer, if the truck breaks down and needs to go in for repair, you still have your home to live in while it's getting repaired. lol. Could happen.
ReplyDeleteA truck with a bed camper would be great, it's just that initial expense that's holding me back
DeleteSorry to hear about the jetta going kerplunk. That is really hard especially when it's your home. At least now you get to maybe upgrade to something a bit bigger.
ReplyDeletecheck out tosimplify.net and look at his motor home. Perfect size
ReplyDeleteI would kills for Glen's motor home. I also want his cat...
DeleteHi, Just found your blog today and I love it. Cant wait to see what your going to be up to next.
ReplyDeleteJeff