Wilson Price Hunt Trail (‘Astorians’) 1811 — 1812

Day 25: September 6th, 2006 Boise (Mechanic)

Close to the Outback Steakhouse is also a Cracker Barrel, where I have breakfast today. The breakfast is again very good and my server is pretty smart: She had noted nothing of my order, but everything was served correctly. Also the service is really okay.

Precision Automotive, Boise, ID

Around half past nine I leave for the first mechanic. One of the two garages is really close. Therefore I start my search at Precision Automotive. There I meet Dodie, the owner of the garage. She tries to call all possible companies for my transfer case. Just to be sure she has the exact data, they put my truck on a lift and unmounted the skid plate. But all this search is in vain. No one has such a transfer case in stock. The only chance is to get a rebuild and she tries to reach Economy Transmission. If I drop my car right now, they can have my transfer case ready by tomorrow!

I cannot believe my luck and ask her, what I owe her for all her work — all in all she has called around for almost an hour. But she wants nothing and sends me with an exact way description to the other mechanic.

At Economy Transmission they are able to start immediately with the job. But for the motel I would need a ride and also a location. The motel is not a problem: The Budget Host Inn has a room left, which is just 10 minutes walking time. However, no one in the garage is available to give me a ride.

Therefore I drive to the motel, check in and put my stuff into the room. The motel is pretty much booked and I am lucky, that I was able to receive a room. Unfortunately that room faces the Interstate. According to that, it is really noisy. But the main thing is to have a room!

Then I drive back to Economy Transmission and drop my car. I ask about video taping. But the owner says, that he cannot have someone in his garage due to insurance issues. But when everything is taken apart I am allowed top stop by and video tape the defective parts. That sounds like a good offer!

I walk back to my motel and check all my video taping, which I have not been able to complete the last couple of days. Around half past one I receive their call, that they have taken a brief look at my transfer case and the chain is not been torn apart! But because something must be wrong I order a complete rework of the transfer case.

Around 6pm I receive their call: Everything is taken apart and they figured out the necessary parts. All in all it will cost $1220. They will be finished by tomorrow. I shall stop by around half past nine for video taping. I say thank you and completely forget to ask for a shuttle service. Seems like I have to do this tomorrow morning.

Due to all the spare time I was eventually able to go through all my recently bought CDs and to write all my picture post cards. Now I only need a post office tomorrow. Around half past seven I leave for the Outback Steakhouse, which is even closer than the garage. It is pretty unfamiliar to walk in there without having a car parked outside. Around 9pm I pay and walk back. The Interstate is still pretty noisy. Let’s see, if I am able to sleep…