The Jeep broke down today. I think the words that Andy used were “catastrophic failure”. First, the lower portion of the raidiator hose ruptured. We had just driven to lunch, walked in the door and heard a person behind us say, “Does anyone here own a black Jeep?”. We looked out the window to see our Jeep with green coolant flooded underneath it.

After lunch Andy was inspecting the problem when some really nice people came out and offered us a ride to a nearby auto parts store. He bought the hose, clamps, a screwdriver and pliers. I was pretty impressed. To fix a car with only a screwdriver and pliers is pretty sexy in my book. As he was laying halfway underneath the car two more nice people came by and gave us a flattened cardboard box from their trunk to lay on the ground so Andy wouldn’t get any dirtier.

He fixed the problem and we went on our way to Comp USA to return the Cantenna. The Cantenna worked fine, but it costs fifty bucks, looks a little silly, and you can make your own out of a can and some wire.

We drove a half a mile and started to hear a banging noise. By the time we were pulling over the engine cut out and would not re start.

Fortunately, there was a Pep Boys across the street. We walked over and told them what happened. They said they could tow it for around fifty bucks. It was less than half a block away. We would have pushed it over without hesitating but it was two busy streets at a major intersection. We decided to take the risk and push it. It was exciting and nerve racking. The whole procedure only got one angry honk. When the light was turning green and Andy started to push, another really nice person just walking down the street ran over and helped. Once we got through the intersection, it was pretty much downhill. I steered the coasting Jeep into the parking space easily while Andy rode on the bumper.

Vlad picked us up. Andy got his hockey gear and they went to play a pick up game. I opted to stay here and do some laundry, clean up and listen to bad Sunday night radio. We think that is doubtful that Pep Boys can fix this. But at least tomorrow we’ll know what we’re dealing with.