Thursday, December 8, 2011

JULES IS BACK, STARTING UP EVERY TIME

Was there ever a more convenient auto breakdown?  Jules is back and, thanks to Classic Auto Works, now starts every time. 

We got a call late Tuesday afternoon that Curt had pinpointed the source of our problems: a defunct starter.  If we wanted to give him the green light, he could order it before 5 pm and install it by mid-morning the next day.  We said “do it”!

Along the Bob Jones Trail in AvilaSandy called around 10:30 am on Wednesday; the work was complete, so we walked the mile to Classic Auto Works.  The work was completed in less than a day (THANK YOU, Curt, for fitting us in); the bill was very reasonable (only 1 hour charged for labor); and the starter has a lifetime warranty.  It couldn’t have been easier, and we were barely inconvenienced. 

After we picked up Jules, we did a little sightseeing drive combined with a pleasant walk in Avila, a very small town a few miles north of Oceano.  I had read a bit about the Bob Jones Bike Trail in Avila, and knew it would appeal to Odel as it winds along a golf course.  Our weather continues to be wonderful (particularly when compared with much of the country), and we wandered the trail without jackets, watching golfers attempt to best what looked like a difficult course.  The scenery was purely “old” southern California: rolling hills covered with huge oaks and giant, scented eucalyptus.  Birds flitted in the brush and trees; waterfowl floated the stream that challenged the golfers. 

Tough golf holeHeading home, we made one more stop – the small farmer’s market near the Pismo Beach pier.  Though there were scarcely a dozen booths, we came away fully laden: fresh eggs; guacamole and ceviche; cream cheese/garlic spread and cream cheese/chipotle spread (which I melted onto our spaghetti squash at dinnertime); fresh fennel, carrots, a small head of bright white cauliflower, a bag of freshly picked mixed salad greens and a ripe persimmon (to go in the salad).   All snapping fresh, beautiful bright colors…hurray for locally grown!

Whenever we have repairs made, we try to stay in the area for at least 24 hours.  Since we aren’t on a schedule, we decided to extend our stay here at the Oceano Elks Lodge (click here to read our review) for another day.  As soon as the sun warms things up – which will be late morning, as it was 28 degrees here last night – we’re heading off for a day at Morro Bay.  It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the big rock!

12 comments:

  1. Sure glad Jules is feeling better..and it didn't hurt the pocketbook a whole lot.
    I wish I could find a farmer's market here, I must ask at the front desk if there is one. Nothing like fresh veggies.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice to hear Jules is up and running again. Enjoy your day in Morro Bay.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Welcome to my neighborhood. If you want a great farmers market go to San Luis Obispo tonight and walk around Higuera Street! You might also enjoy walking around Cambria.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So glad you have your meals back. Enjoy your extended stay.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Don't ya just love it when a plan comes together?..Like the great "fix" for Jules in a reasonable and timely manner?...That area looks beautiful. It was 28 degrees here in TX last nite too, but the high today is only 50 degrees...I want warmer!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm just amazed that I guessed starter than that's what it turned out to be. So glad you found such a good place to take care of it.

    Your trip to the market description made my mouth water.

    ReplyDelete
  7. good to hear the repairs were fast and not too hard on the wallet...and a lifetime warranty doesn't get any better than that...glad its up and running again...:) enjoy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yay!! I do have to say that being raised in Southern California those coastal towns like Pismo Beach were always Up North to me. Classic southern California?? More like chaparral on San Gabriel Canyon and yuccas blooming in the rocky washes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Glad the car fix was no hassle !!

    Really love farmer's markets and all the fresh goodies... I think I would love to travel the country following the fresh produce trail;o))

    ReplyDelete
  10. So glad Jules is all better and ready to go

    ReplyDelete
  11. To me there a Farmer's Market is the best no matter where you are. New York has some fantastic markets, and of course California with it's incredible growing season and selection is great. But I've found wonderful produce all across the US, northm, south, and central. I don't think it is any more costly and wonder why everyone doesn't take advantage of it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yeah for Jules. It's always a relief to find a competent service center.

    Enjoy the nice weather!

    ReplyDelete