An Anniversary and Reunion

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

We returned to Marcotte Ford in Holyoke, MA, a little before noon today and about six weeks after our first previous ill-fated visit. We eyed Jane’s Ford Focus in the back of the parking lot when we parked the RV. As we entered the all too familiar service department, Anna, our designated service associate, greeted us with a smile. Although the insurance company still needed to send an adjuster to approve the last payment, we could take possession of our toad. We signed the necessary forms and paid a huge amount for the bulk of the repairs via credit card. A check from our insurance company for this total (minus the $500 deductible) awaits us at home. After everything is paid by our insurance company, Anna will mail us a copy of the details of all the repairs which now is approaching a couple of inches in thickness. 

Elated to be reunited with our car, we once again had lunch at the LugNutz Cafe, a much more pleasant experience than previously, and began planning our trip for the day. We had learned a few days ago that Jane’s cousin, Jim Tuhovak, had passed away and that a memorial service for him will be held in Buffalo tomorrow. We had hesitated to commit to attending this service due to uncertainty about our car’s availability, but now we identified a campground about 45 minutes outside of Buffalo and made reservations to stay there tonight and tomorrow night. 

Jane wanted to drive the Focus today to check out the repairs. Our route was to get on I-90 and travel west the remainder of Massachusetts and most of New York before exiting for our campground just shy of Buffalo. Sounds simple, but as I followed Jane entering the interstate, I watched her miss the correct entrance ramp and drive on as I followed our intended route. Later, I received a voice message that she was back on track but then, she didn’t receive my text that I had stopped for diesel and passed me. So, until Jane had to stop to use the restroom and we cleaned bugs off the windshields, we travelled about 4-5 miles apart from each other. After stopping, we continued the rest of the seven-hour trip together with Jane leading. The skies were sunny and as the traffic eventually thinned out, we witnessed a nice sunset.

We arrived at Sleepy Hollow Lake Camp, Akron, NY, and setup just before dark. Jane & I had spent the day celebrating our 26 years together mostly apart. So, we broke out a bottle of wine and toasted our anniversary over a late dinner before turning in for the evening.