Well, this is it. The Cooper America Tour is nearing launch time. We have been getting ready for this trip across America for 30 years, or so it seems. It's time for our children, and us, to see this great country of ours, and they are old enough now to appreciate and remember what we see and experience--good and bad.
A few notes about "getting ready." Sherry is the detail person of the family, to a fault. She has left no stone unturned in getting all of our 29 hotel nights booked, getting a national parks pass, arranging for a Williamsburg pass, getting Opry tickets, etc. Personally, I am not such a planner, but I get the benefit of all Sherry's diligence, and support her efforts.
My domain is getting things ready outside for a month away. These include things like the watering system, knocking down grass and weeds, fertilizing the lawn, edging, spraying 3 gallons of roundup on the road and in the back woods, washing cars, and fixing up the riding lawnmower so Ted can mow for us. Sherry's parents have graciously agreed to housesit for the month we are gone. Here is a little more about the lawnmower.
Adventures in Mowing
It's a Troybilt, and was given to us by a friend, Roy, who had burned out the engine mowing his field. It's a very nice machine, and I was determined to make it work again. $1500 later it does work--sort of. But this year, it has challenged me.
After sharpening the blade, the first problem was the battery--wouldn't charge, wouldn't start, I finally bought a new one.
Next, there was the belt. Jeremy was mowing for the first time on the riding mower when suddenly white smoke appeared at the front...much to Jeremy's relief--he doesn't really like the riding mower. Apparently, my belt is not a common size, and certainly there is no manufacturer belt in Eugene (Troybilt is now an MTD brand). After much searching, I wound up buying a Poulan belt and adjusted the pulley tension so it worked.
There are also various parts laying around, which apparently aren't necessary for the operation of the mower.
