Not Getting Away From It All

The reason there was no Curbside Classic last Tuesday was this: our camping trip to the coast was unexpectedly extended. We take our ’77 Dodge Chinook on deserted US Forest Service roads, and find hidden camping spots miles away from the nearest person, camp ground, and cell phone coverage. Depending on the mood, we can enjoy the dead quiet, or play the Dead as loud as we like. There is a certain risk to these back road jaunts, and I always calculate how many miles I would have to walk in case Old Faithful died unexpectedly. Folks perish regularly on these back roads, mainly in the winter. On Tuesday morning, having spent a serene night at the Cummins Creek trailhead, the “Hamtramck Hummingbird” starter sang and sang, but there wasn’t even the faintest sign of an explosion. Had be an ignition problem; the 360 always starts instantly, even if it doesn’t always keep running on a cool morning. Fortunately, this time we were a short jaunt from the highway. “I’ll just hitch hike to Florence, pick up an electronic ignition module, and be back in a jiffy”. My wife said “call a tow truck”. You already know who was right.

But luck seemed to be on my side at first. A young couple picked me up, took me to the NAPA, and even drove me right back to the camper. I was back in time for lunch! And the NAPA counter guys were all sure it had to be the ignition module ($73), but I decided to grab a coil ($22) just to play it safe. I slapped them both in, and…nothing.

For the second time, I made the three mile trek to the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center where there was cell coverage and a phone book (the first time to confirm the parts were available). This time it was for a tow. It was no joke getting the camper on the truck in the little parking area; we had to push the Chinook back so the truck could get in front of it. And then he had to turn around. Half way to town he remembered the tunnel on HW1, and began to panic whether we would clear it (he was new on the job). He pulled over while I ran ahead to the tunnel entrance and spotted him.

Arrived at the shop ten minutes to five. The mechanic says something about a little ceramic piece that goes on the old Dodges, but it will have to wait until the morning. It was a pleasant night in his parking lot.

After breakfast, the mechanic shows up, but can’t find what he’s looking for. Runs to get an old-timer who shows him where it’s well hidden in the very crowded firewall, right behind the master cylinder. A hunk of ceramic with a coiled wire in the back of it, that looks like it came out of a hundred year-old appliance: the ballast resistor ($11). The good old seventies, where early high-tech meets steam punk. I’m going to buy and carry an extra, to go along with the ignition module and coil that I yanked out. Be prepared! Of course, the next time it’ll be something different. Total towing and repair bill: $164. Campground fees: $0.