The guys at Austin VeeDub were great. We met a bunch of the staff... they came out to see the car.... including the owner and Mechanic Mike. They dropped what they were doing and pulled the car into the garage. Of course, it was starting like a charm; and it is difficult to diagnose a non-existent problem. But they tried. Turns out that the electrical system is pretty good. The battery is fine - plenty of charge in it and getting to it. Mike cleaned some connections and performed several tests. Mike asked some questions and offered some explanations on what might be happening - but it wasn't worth doing anything until we could recreate the problem. He also showed us his split-window Beetle with a highly modified engine (2300cc versus our 1600cc) and explained how our Ghia still has its original generator and regulator - most have been replaced by an alternator by now.
Given that the car is so easy to push start, we decided just to head out. And the charge from Austin VeeDub? Absolutely nothing. Just a handshake and a "have a great trip".
We headed out of Austin with a goal of Lubbock. Along the way, we stopped at a huge Texas store called H-E-B - and this one was an H-E-B Plus. The picture below doesn't do it justice. It was easily the largest grocery sore I've ever seen. Angela and I believe that every single grocery store in Bermuda would fit inside this one store. It is so big and the ceilings are so tall, that it has its own climate. It had everything. Even a doctor's office and a pizzeria.
We got these Mexican breakfast pastries called Kolache. I don't think Kolaches are originally Mexican... but the Mexicans perfected it. It was covered in melted cheese and had a hot dog in the middle. Perhaps the most delicious non-PopTart breakfast food I've ever had. We also got gas (for the car) at the H-E-B... for $1.65 per gallon. It cost less to fill up my car than it cost to fill up my scooter in Bermuda.
We headed northwest out of Austin toward Abilene. We were finally on roads that I had imagined. Beautiful scenery with minimal traffic. In the beginning, we were in hill country. Gradually, we reached the mesas and saw hundreds of the huge wind turbines. Next we reached the true plains where you can see all the way into the next county in all directions.
It was mainly US84 today. As an even-numbered highway, it predominantly runs east-west. This highway actually runs through my university back in Valdosta GA. Out here, it is four-lanes in some sections, and then down to town lanes in others. When it drops to two lanes, there are huge lane-wide shoulders. If a fast car or truck comes up on a slower vehicle, the slower vehicle drives in the emergency lane for a bit while the faster car or truck passes. I saw this practice while bicycling across the Texas panhandle in 2010. It only seems to happen up in this part of Texas. It is very efficient mainly because everyone seems to be very courteous.
We went through Briggs Texas (very small), but what is really interesting is that Harold's Used Cars & Parts is in the background of the city limit sign. Of course, my son is named "Briggs"... but just as interesting is that my father and grandfather were named "Harold Briggs".
We skirted Abilene and went through just a part of Lubbock (the home of Buddy Holly). We wanted to make up some ground, so we travelled a little further west to Littlefield TX (half way between Lubbock and New Mexico). We had one hiccup with the car; at one fillup, the starter didn't want to work again. I pushed it and Angela got it started. Based on some hints from Mechanic Mike, we have a bit of an idea of what may be happening (i.e., the starter may be getting overheated from extended driving). But otherwise, the car started like a dream every time.
Littlefield is a quaint little town. However.... it is apparently a cattle town. You can smell it the minute you step outside. I've been in a cattle feed town before (Dalhart, which is a bit north of here) and it is intense. Locals say it smells like money. I say it smells like manure covered in ammonia with spritz of methane. Don't get me wrong - the people here have been nothing but very friendly. But... WHOA... it will take you're breath away when you are walking down the street.
Weather has been perfect. Just a little cool first thing in the morning, but warming to 70 in the afternoon. Tomorrow is expected to be somewhat similar, but we'll be a bit further north.
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