It’s been 3 days on the road and already we have relaxed into a sense of peace. There is something incredible about allowing yourself the time and space to do whatever feels right in each moment. This, of course, doesn’t mean that everything plays out according to plans.
Yesterday, we left Iowa City pointed in the direction of Shawnee National Forest in Illinois. Although it was hard to say goodbye to our brother, we were excited to put some miles on. We stopped in Muscatine, IA for a few groceries along with firewood for our anticipated campsite. The weather was easy and there was a blooming park that encouraged us to stop for a quick bite. We left the remainder of our food on the picnic table while taking Mogli for a walk around the small pond. We planned on grabbing it before heading back to the car, but when we made it back around, we found that a city worker had thrown it away. We pulled off slightly jaded, but were quickly distracted by a concerning noise coming from the truck’s driver side. We had heard it on our way to Iowa City, but nothing like what we were now hearing. We had done some research and had a pretty good idea of what we needed to replace. Fortunately, we were within a few miles of a Ford dealership where we stopped and purchased a new IWE actuator. The mechanics made it sound like we’d be able to replace it without much trouble. To our dismay, we spent the next 6 hours in a nearby parking lot with many moments of disappointing doubt. Had it not been for the kindness of strangers, we would have spent the night in that very parking lot. I walked to an auto shop where the owner gifted us a can of penetrating oil. This helped break down the rust that was keeping us from releasing the necessary areas. Not long after, a man named Anthony stopped with his work truck and offered us his tools and assistance. He was called away on work, but left us his number so we could reach him if we had further issues. Getting everything back together was somehow more frustrating than taking it apart. I texted Anthony with no reply and contacted the local police to ask permission to sleep there for the night. A kind police sergeant gave us the okay to post up until morning, which allowed us the relief of knowing we wouldn’t be ticketed. Within fifteen minutes Anthony returned and was able to muscle apart a bolt that we had been working on for the past hour. He then helped us troubleshoot a new plan which proved to be successful.
We drove out of that parking lot high on the generosity of others. We had both thrown our hands up and prepared ourselves to surrender to our limitations. We have Chico and Anthony to thank for the miles we were able to put behind us last night. We promise to find a way to pay it forward. Onward and upward!
Next destination (hopefully): Shawnee National Forest, IL
Kommentare