So I crashed into the deepest depression in years.. only to rise out of it again with camera in hand capturing some amazing images of Tucson from above. As I rose out of the city I found my perspective changing literally as I realized I just don't like cities and being surrounded by concrete. I don't know if I can or will ever go back long term to any urban landscape.

After leaving Sentinal Peak feeling energized I began to race across town to Mt. Lemmon to capture the sunset in all it's glory. I quickly realized that although my soul was filled back up, my van was running on empty. So racing against the sun I pulled into a gas station where I saw a green pump signifying diesel.

I ran into the store, gave the guy 40$ for pump #4 diesel he replied thank you, in broken english.. and upon filling up off I went!

It was only two blocks later in the middle of a rush hour intersection that my dear sweet veronica went dead. After trying to start her a few times while thinking, 'this is really not happening'... I jumped out and made the she's dead sign to the guys behind me.

Thank god for good people, who rather than speed off around me swearing, jumped out of their cars laughing and smiling and helped push me into the grocery store parking lot nearby. There I sat, staring at my steering wheel, trying my starter, thinking in short... OH NO...

I called my brother who tells me it sounds like either a fuel pump or bad fuel... I unscrew my gas cap... smells like gas (Veronica is a diesel).. I call the gas station repeatedly until someone with broken english picks up. "Do you ever have problems with people getting gas out of your diesel pump..?".. "What sir?" I repeat myself being as clear and polite as possible... "Sir, we don't have diesel...."

Oh SHIT!

So I spend the next 4hrs into the night laughing and siphoning fuel out of my tank into water jugs from the grocery store... Some guy who works at the store comes by out of nowhere, right as I'm about to suck back on the hose using my mouth, and lends me an actual siphon (I ended up giving him all the gas) for his truck. There I sleep overnight, Moses and I inundated by gas fumes. The next morning I woke up a bit high, bought a cup of coffee, and went back to work.

I spent another 4-6hrs draining my fuel pump, fuel lines and filter. halfway through this process I have to remove my battery and carry it to the nearby garage to have it charged while I walk the dog. I almost kill the battery again while purging the system, and when I've reassembled it it still doesnt' crank over... it's just about dead... when even though I'm not at all religious, I say out loud, "Help me Jesus!"

Vrooooom! she fires instantly the next try...

Someone is trying to make me a believer ;-)

peace,d