So somewhere south of Fayetteville, Arkansas my navigator Thor (not pictured) informed me that we had lost the heater core in the van. Being not as mechanically savvy as I wished, I inquired "how do you know?" He just pointed down to the floor board beneath the dash at a gushing waterfall of steaming green liquid he dangled his feet above.
My first reaction was a conjuration of words so profane a long shore-men would have been stunned, after which I knew the trip was about to come to an abrupt end.
After a moment of silence Thor simply said " ah man give me about two hours."
Thor blessed with a mechanical genus he claims that "20 years of owning piece of Sh!T cars" had the van up and running after a heater core bypass that looped the coolant back to the radiator intake. Repairs total cost: $11.64
The Van still wasn't done with us. I realize that the van is probably older than some of my readers, but every time we go out we end up with a repair bill larger than the actual fuel cost. Thor joking has christened her "Scott's Fat Little Princess." Only because I talk to it for encouragement.
Between Conway and Little Rock she had another tantrum. $500 latter she had new tires and was quite happy with her new shoes.