You Ain't Goin' Nowhere

 

Clouds so swift

The rain won't lift

My gate won't close

My gears all froze

You Ain't goin' nowhere.

I've been sentenced to 18 days in solitary confinement. 

I'm a condemned man, I took the rap, served my time despite my innocence. Life isn't always fair.

It seems like half an eternity ago, but it was May 18th, the 45th anniversary of Mount St. Helens eruption...

Give me a mountain that blows

and truck that goes,

Oh no, You ain't goin' nowhere.

...I was motoring into Stanwood when I came to that hill that I always climb - no matter how steep, should've bought a jeep, before I get to town. And she just whined and didn't have the power to scoot on up. Something was not right.

Ooh, wee, Ride me high...

You ain't goin' nowhere.

I pulled over, the 'check engine' light flashed on, I knew I was in trouble. 

Ooh, wee,

You ain't goin' nowhere.

I got a lift back to my place, leaving the 4Runner on a Stanwood side street. I got back to town Monday morning and had her towed to a shop with a good reputation. I left my name and number at the counter with the ignition key. They said they were backed up with work and they would have a look as soon as they could. What could I do? I ain't goin' nowhere any how.

A couple of days later I hear from the shop; "Your transmission drain plug is missing. All of your tranny fluid drained out, you don't have the use of all your gears - it's unsafe to drive. Your transmission is damaged, we just don't know how bad."

I'm told that they don't rebuild transmissions, but they could take it out and look at it. Then they could order a rebuilt transmission and get it back to me by June 6 and it would cost me a little north of $9 grand. They recommend that I have JT's Transmission take a look at it.

I call the local Toyota dealership. They quote me labor and parts for a bit more than $5,000 - but they can not give me a date as to when they could get those parts in. Maybe a week, maybe a month - who knows? 

I call JT. He tells me around $5500 for a rebuild and he can have it done before the end of May. I get the 4Runner towed a second time, delivered to JT's shop.

***

It's now June 3, 2025. Things have not gone so swift, the clouds won't lift, I haven't gone anywhere. I haven't been off of my place for 18 days. I'm in solitary confinement. Fortunately I went to Costco the day before my drain plug rattled out and fried my transmission. I'm well enough stocked for food. But no face-to-face company. No contact with the locals. 

I kill time during this house arrest, by landscaping. I cut fallen alders for firewood, I trim the long, tall grass springing up around me covering my field, I tend my flower bed and realize I'm just raising fodder for the multitude of slugs. 

Then I realize that May 24th is Bob Dylan's birthday. I listen to Dylan. I relate to his tune, 'You Ain't Goin' Nowhere'.

I'll need to get my 4Runner back before June 18th when...

Ooh wee, that's the day my bride's gonna come,

Ooh wee, are we going to fly

Down into the easy chair!

If I got my transmission with all it gears, I'll drive down to the Seattle airport to pick up my bride. Ooh wee, ride me high!

Then on June 22nd, Grant, Kaileen and her parents will a come for a visit. I'm excited to show them around these parts.

Buy me some gears that grind

Hopin' for waterfalls and beaches to find

Ooh wee, Ride me High!

Now we're goin' somewhere!