Getting the band back together

Shortly after we left the campground this morning I started scanning for local radio stations. Country, of course. The first one that came in strong was classic Country, my favorite genre, and a young Hank Williams Jr. crooned,

If heaven ain’t a lot like Dixie
I don’t want to go
If heaven ain’t a lot like Dixie
I’d just as soon stay home

Just send me to hell or New York City
It would be about the same to me

The purpose of this trip to The Mountain — other than simply to be there — was to put Mercy back on the road. Regular readers may remember that we left our trusty Wrangler in the hands of Deb’s cousin while we took care of business in Ohio. A couple of weeks ago he reported that the four-year-old battery wasn’t taking a charge and probably needed to be replaced.

This morning we detoured to the O’Reilly Auto Parts in Flippin and picked up a proper battery — AGM, 760 CCA, 875 CA, 120-minute reserve capacity. Once on The Mountain we confirmed that Mercy was, indeed, dead as a doornail, and it took a jump-start from Deb’s cousin’s truck to start the Jeep’s engine and move it into his garage.

The simple task of swapping batteries proceeded at a most leisurely pace, without urgency. Deb and her cousin helped hold the wiring clear while I lifted the old one out and lowered the new one into place. Connections made, we verified that the alternator was doing its job. Thanks to borrowed tools and expertise, the deed was done.

I drove the Silverado back to the campground, followed by Deb in the Wrangler. This evening the entire fleet is present on our site — Ernie, Mercy and Artie.

It was an easy day and a productive one. Tomorrow, I think, we’ll chill right here.

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Two years ago today we began our “maiden voyage” in the Bumper Bunker. We couldn’t’ve imagined then where we’d be now, but that weekend was the first step toward a new American Life for Deb and me.

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Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.

#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath

#LetsGoBrandon #FJB

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