Shop Hop: Day 3

The ladies arose early and prepared for the day. After a preliminary stop for cash, coffee and car snacks they were headed north once more. Just prior to reaching the Capitol again, Ruby was alarmed because the car began strangely quake. Just then Marigold calmly said “I am going to have to pull over, the front tire just blew. “Daisy” and Ruby’s knuckles were white from hanging on as Marigold expertly maneuvered the car to the side of the road. The tire was severely damaged, in fact sincerely gone to the rim!

While Ruby and “Daisy” were contemplating their options. (“Do you suppose we could quilt it together?” said “Daisy”. “Hmmm probably not ,” replied Ruby”) Marigold set herself to work replacing the tire with the spare with great skill and tenacity. She wasted no time and energy crying or cussing. Ruby and “Daisy” were positively gobsmacked! This was a side to Marigold that had not yet been revealed to them. . They remembered their conversation with Ollie Dandyshoe over dinner the night before regarding flat tires and driving on spares. “Daisy” gave him a call and he directed the ladies to an appropriate tire store. Within the hour the spare was on, they had driven the tire store, and they were back on the shop-hop trek with two brand new tires.

The remainder of the trip that day was spent driving up along the canal, stopping at quaint shop after quaint shop, picking up their quilt blocks in each. Each shop seemed to have their own little party going on. They had snacks and door prize drawings. Some had games to play and others had free gifts in addition to the quilt block. One shop offered free hugs from “Trevor” upon request. Ruby and “Daisy” made their request and were accommodated. They met lots and lots of fellow quilters, and almost everyone was in a good mood. The day passed happily and quickly. They had a break when they boarded a ferry for a 45 minute ride across the canal. They rushed to the final three shops of the day, and finally had their dinner in a fancy Italian restaurant.

While eating their supper, Marigold made phone calls looking for a place for the ladies to bunk for the night. It was not as easy as one might think, but after several calls Marigold obtained a room. They had to settle for something ultra,a Jacuzzi suite, but they made do somehow. Upon entering the hotel Marigold noted some sparks smoldering in the bark dust outside the hotel. She reported it to the management and saved everybody's life for the second time that day! Ruby rapidly fell asleep that night on the cushy king-size bed, and she never awoke until the alarm rang the next morning.