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A group from SCMTA had scheduled a trip to Yosemite, the goal was to climb Half Dome. That mission was accomplished but another adventure, unbeknownst to the travelers was yet to come. Sunday morning, all is well, not too many aches or pains, we are packed and ready for brunch at the Ahwahnee. The car was working fine earlier but now, nothing, we read the manual, tried all we could but to no avail. The tow truck was called and the car taken to the garage on the valley floor. We took the bus to the Ahwahnee and enjoyed a wonderful brunch. Back to the garage ready to be on the road again. NOT! The mechanics weren't sure what was wrong," come back in an hour." OK, we perused the museum, shops, etc. and were back for the car. They still didn't know what the problem was, " one guy that might know what is wrong is at lunch, come back in an hour." All right, back again, they can't fix it. We need to have the car towed to Merced so the car can be dropped off at the dealership and be repaired. A tow truck was called, one with enough room for four people and the car. It arrived, a flat bed for the car a back seat for three and one rode in the front with the driver, we are on our way! Meanwhile we had made arrangements to take the train from Merced to San Jose. The car dealership was closed on Sunday and no rental cars available. The tow truck driver, an amiable 19 year old, knew where the train station was and would drop us off there. He helped us fill out the paperwork for the car and would take us directly to the train and then drop off the car. We pulled into the station, the train was there and people were boarding. It was a mad scramble to get the things we needed from the car and purchase tickets. Nobody at the ticket window! they were helping with luggage. We talked with the conductor to see if we could board, one of us would purchase the tickets the others got on board, all was well again, we were on our way home. However, the train would take us as far as Stockton, from there we would take the bus to San Jose. The train conductor was another amiable person, he would sing out each stop and say something humorous about the towns. The train was crowded with interesting folk and the ride was most pleasant. In Stockton we transferred to a bus and lo and behold, another amiable person, our good fortune. He played some nice tunes and didn't seem to mind, when, POP! a bottle of wine was opened. Somehow, we had managed to salvage a bottle of wine, glasses and an opener. So, on the way to San Jose, in the dark and quiet, we laughed and reminisced about our adventure home from Yosemite. Friends and family met us at the train station, the bus dropped us there,and all was well again. In about a week Carolyn's car was repaired, a computer problem, covered by warranty, and her rental car, to pick up her car in Merced, was covered also. Another good time with the SCMTA. |