5.14.15 Troubleshooting

22 years ago my husband won the state troubleshooting competition. He and his teammate Randy were the first from Vale to achieve this success, they went on to win the National competition. From that accomplishment they both received tool boxes and tools and skills that led them to their current occupations. Since that time Vale has won 6 national titles one by younger brother Matt. Well this year the team was strikingly familiar with Greg's youngest brother Jay and Randy's stepson Morgan making up the team.
I'm always looking for ways to get Greg out of Vale so I thought this might have enough pull to drag him away. We ended up traveling the 6 hours all of us in the Van on a very pretty Thursday night. It was a blessing that we were traveling with the sun and during daylight savings time. we were able to view the majestic and beautiful diversity of Oregon. From rugged desert to high plains to beautiful forest and the tranquil Columbia river it was quite the trip.

We stayed in a hotel for roughly 9 hours. The kids really enjoyed the pool and the waffles. I wish we could have slept more but I'm always begging for sleep and they are wailing at that request.

Comfy beds for the 5 hour we used them. Always fun to sleep on a hideaway!

The next day was sunny and gorgeous. We headed to the competition.

Teams of two are given 1.5 hours to find any number of "bugs" or problems with a car. The teams all work on their individual identical cars at the same time. The contestants are given a work order with a few listed complaints but there may or may not be more problems. This year they found 5 bugs. They were the first team to close their hood and go for a test drive with their judge.

 The boys did not have the same wide confident grins that Matt and his partner did 4 years ago when they won. But Jay and Morgan had no other leads so they turned in their car. Then the waiting began.

This is the first time Randy, Greg and the instructor had a chance to talk to Jay and Morgan. The boys knew what they had missed at this point. We all had to wait to find out how the other teams did in comparison.  It was a LONG wait. Jay began talking to each of the other teams comparing what they had found and how they had played in the competition. I was surprised to see Jay be so outgoing. I guess I still think of him as a shy kid. But he is a smart man easily talking to all the contestants and mentally figuring out where they might stand in the rankings. Finally the host served the BBQ lunch and we ate while we waited. Some speeches by college dignitaries took up some more time and then they began announcing the award placements. Vale took 1st in the test taking (a traditional win). With each placement I breathed a small sigh of relief. I had faith in their skill and training. This is Vale's contest these boys are no strangers to this and knew what had to be done. This was theirs to loose...Finally the #2 team. They had been the second finishers and the ones with the demerit for no seat belt on test drive. Whoa!
Yeah team Vale!

Tradition and carrying the torch.

Mom's finally breathing after many tense days of worry and praying. Notice how the boys are much more relaxed by their mom's?

It was a nice time to stand in the shade of the pine trees and watch the fruition of years of hard work and practice. These skills will last a life time no matter how they are applied.

It's an interesting full circle. Mr. Saunders (no relation) was a pesky kid who was my dad's close neighbor and friend growing up. He always wanted a job but my grandfather said no for quite a while before giving in. When he did he demanded that Mr. Saunders do things his way. Keeping things orderly, clean, cared for, respecting the machines, and paying attention to details. These very traits are what made Mr.Saunders a different teacher. This contest and the hope of all car customers is that their mechanic will care, know, and be able to do or fix the problem. So Dick Corn taught Mr. Saunders, Mr. Saunders taught Greg and Mr. Barnes and they taught (by example and instruction) Jay. You never know where your legacy will reach.