3 July << 2001 >> 5 July


4 July, 2001


"Check Engine"

The night before, at the gas station in Newton where I had phoned the elders, I got it in my head to observe the coming holiday. Shoe polish in hand, I adorned the rear of the car with stars and the observation "USA." Adding my age to 200, the bicentennial baby that I am thought to elaborate with "225 Years" across the hatch back of my car. I thought I might drive a touch aggressively the next day, and what better story for a vigilant highway patrol than that I was pushing to Chicago from California to spend the Independance Day with family.

Somewhere along I-55 along some construction I suddenly had the "check engine" light come on. Not Good! Pull Over! I pulled over at an emergency pull-off and consulted the Owner's Manual. The Check Engine light is not serious. Not like overheating and having steam or smoke pouring from your engine compartment. If it is still alight after a few trips you should take it to the dealer to check. Well, the car drove just fine ...

Well, I pulled up to Sue's house soon after the BBQ had started. A pleasant surprise. Lotsa folks were there including Shigleys come up from Florida! Cool! We gathered at the lake front and saw what fireworks were to see that evening. I made it to the end of a pier with other Chicagoans, and saw fireworks from Navy Pier and on up North to Evanston, and everything in between, notably the stuff that folks were shooting off from the beaches surrounding our pier. Now this is a way to appreciate the Fourth - the red glare of many a rocket, and the sound of illicit fireworks bursting in the air. Oh say, what a spectacle to see!


3 July << 2001 >> 5 July
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This document last modified Wednesday, 19-Nov-2003 23:24:54 UTC <dannyman@toldme.com>