To the editor:

Our trip began Friday, Nov. 15 about 11 a.m. with our vehicle of choice (for Nov. 1 to May 1): a 23-year-old Dodge Dakota. Our plans were to eat at the Farmhouse Tea & Cafe, which was wonderful. We continued toward our night’s lodging at Creekside Retreat when we experienced some problems coming to a stop and/or slowing down on the Brown County hills. Upon reaching Creekside, we opened the hood to look for leaks, etc., and noticed our brake fluid was low. While doing this, the retreat’s manager came out, checking our dilemma. She suggested going over to NAPA Auto Parts just down the road within a quarter-mile.

We got to NAPA and the clerk came out and looked around the truck and saw a leak in the brake line in the rear left side. He told us to go around the building to Brown County Tire & Auto Service. It was about 3 to 3:30 p.m. by now and my husband had to pick up his packet for the “Oh Hill Yes” race on Nov. 16.

After Brown Co. Tire & Auto checked out our brake line, they told us that the part we needed was not available and may not be the next day. That not only made our immediate concern of picking up the packet, but getting home after the race on Saturday in question.

Brown County Tire & Auto teamed up and loaned us their pickup so we could pick up the race packet. While we were picking up the packet, Brown County Tire & Auto’s mechanic put a temporary block on the rear brake line. This would allow us to have front wheel brakes for our return trip home.

So, after having a very nice evening stay at Creekide Retreat, participating at the Oh Hill Yes race put on by the Brown County YMCA (excellent efforts by Kim Robinson and crew), we were able to return to our home last Saturday with the many blessings of the above individuals and their businesses.

We will return for the Fifth Hilly Half Marathon next year and hope all of you will come out and take part in this wonderful, community-supported event.

Thank you, Nashville, Indiana.

Floyd and Linda Stinchcomb, Kokomo

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