HRPT - Day 4 - Grand Prairie, Texas

We woke to another beautiful, sunny, hot day in Austin, TX.  Honestly, the heat was more desirable than the rain so we were thankful.  We discovered our friends driving the 1972 Cutlass, Jerry and Stephen, were in the hotel next to ours so we decided to travel with them on this day.  This was to be their last leg of the Power Tour.  They were headed back to New Orleans, LA to celebrate a family birthday and couldn't go all the way.  Kenneth and I were going to stop somewhere quick for breakfast and they said they'd love to join us.  They said to pick wherever we wanted and they would eat anything.  They were kind of surprised when we pulled into Taco Bell!  I told Jerry, the grandfather, "Hey.  You said you'd eat anywhere!" and he agreed.  It was his first time EVER eating at a Taco Bell, which I found hard to believe given the fact he had eight grandchildren, Stephen being one of them.  At any rate, they both agreed it was a good stop and both ate all of their food so I assume they enjoyed it.  Jerry insisted on paying because of all the help Kenneth had provided the day before.  Turns out, that wasn't all the help they needed!  Their car died a few more times so Kenneth took a look under the hood and they all came to the conclusion that the fan clutch wasn't working properly so in we pulled to an Auto Zone where Jerry purchased the part and Kenneth installed it for them.  Stephen was pretty handy with tools but I'm not sure he would've figured it out without Kenneth's help.  So thankful that not only is he knowledgeable, but also so willing to help anyone in need.  He's such a good guy...:) 

True definition of a "shade tree mechanic"...the first thing he told Stephen was to pull his car into the shade!

Jerry supervising...

Kenneth showing him the bad part

Stephen learning

Back on the road.  Look at this old El Camino!

We also discovered that no matter what gas station we stopped at, there was also a mini car show going on!  It was a nice surprise for other customers who took time to walk around, look at cars and take pictures.  It was fun for us, too!

Stephen and Jerry rode with us all day and we kept an eye on them.

People would park their classics on the road where they were sitting so we could admire their cars, too!

Even the police parked and waved...and maybe waited for a burnout!

I can't tell you how many beautiful little churches we passed in these small towns.  I loved them all but only got a picture of this one. 

Making lunch on the road.  Saved us a lot of money not having to eat in restaurants every meal!

Black Dodge Dakota RT just like the one we used to have.  They were part of our eight car group the day before.

Getting shaved ice to cool us off at Traders Village in Grand Prairie, TX

Anywhere you looked you might see someone working on a car!

Stephen and Jerry

Chevrolet was the sponsor of this year's Power Tour and they brought out their mechanics to travel to each venue.  They would set up a tent and were known as the "Motor Medics".  Any make or model vehicle that had trouble or needed work would come by their tent and the mechanics would help.  Auto Zone had a booth, too and had some parts on hand for people to purchase but some had to go to a local store to buy what they needed and the mechanic would help fix the car.  We stopped in Traders Village because Kenneth said the carburetor needed adjusting.  Well, they fiddled with it and he seemed happy enough although he still doesn't think it's quite right.

Kenneth and the mechanic under the hood.

Looking for just the right tool

Back in another Power Tour traffic jam!

Instead of booking a hotel room for this night, we drove up to Curt and Lisa's house to spend the night.  What a welcome halfway point to stop at - it was exactly what I needed!  We met Sharon, Dawn and Doug at La Hacienda Mexican restaurant for some fabulous food, Sharon's homemade chocolate red wine cupcakes and lots of laughs.

Tableside guacamole that was the best I've ever had - no lie!  Sharon supervising. The waiter was too young to have a cupcake!

Curt and Lisa

Dawn and Doug

Stopped by Mash'd for an after dinner drink but I was too worn out to try any moonshine this trip.  I'll have to get by there one day soon and get that sampler they have!

I'm thinking he was a bit worn out, too.