Clarence Coyote and Project Courier - Part 35 - Close Call by moyomongoose < Submission

Keywords male 1172255, female 1062389, cub 268262, coyote 11848, cars 514, new mexico 297, highway 285, year 1960 284, railroad 203, tracks 127, trains 127, close call 25, cub drivers 2, back roads 1

______________________________
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6th, 1960
When everyone got up that morning, the cubs were thrilled to see it was starting out to be a windy day. That air flow weather system the meteorologist on KSWS TV reported two days earlier had arrived during the predawn hours that morning.
"Yippyyyy! We can fly our kites today", Rex cheered as he noticed from the bedroom window the wind blowing outside.
"And Ryan made my Christmas kite just in time", Donna proclaimed as she went to get her kite that Ryan Lynx made for her the day before.
Donna Coyote called it a Christmas kite because Ryan Lynx had made it from some hobby basswood and gift wrapping paper left over from last Christmas. Ryan then used a length of small gauge rope for the kite tail.
"Wow, it is windy this morning", Clarence said, then commented to Donna. "I bet yours will be the most colourful kite out there today".
"Just don't let a tree eat it this time", Jed advised Donna.
"Yea, I know", Donna replied. "That pookey ole tree's not gettin' this one".
"That's why your mom and I tell you cubs to take your kites beyond the edge of town where you have open space to fly them", Al called to the cubs from the hallway.
"And where you're away from power lines too", Marge added.
"That's right", Al affirmed to the cubs.
Ironically, the home of Al and Marge Coyote and cubs are among the homes that are on the west edge of Duran where open desert begins just beyond the back of their property acreage. A walk of only a couple of hundred feet or so from the Coyote Family's house will get you out to the edge of the open desert.

Desert Beyond the West Edge of Duran by moyomongoose

Desert Beyond the West Edge of Duran [Page 2] by moyomongoose

However, back in spring a few months ago was when the cubs didn't listen and flew their kites from the street, resulting in that time Donna's original kite getting caught in a tree. That kite remained stuck in that tree day and night for nearly two months with both frame sticks broken from attempts to pull it down. Shortly before school let out for summer vacation, an evening thunderstorm blew it loose from the tree.

Al turned on the TV to Station KSWS for news and weather as Marge prepared breakfast.
"Hey, look atthis! More on that storm", Jed called out, followed by the cubs gathering around the TV as KSWS News was giving an update on the aftermath of an Atlantic tropical storm a week earlier.
The news announcer began the report with;

One week after Tropical Storm Brenda ravaged north Florida and the Atlantic coast, clean up still continues after flooding in the hardest hit areas. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as it could have been as Brenda never reached hurricane status. Despite Brenda being only a tropical storm, property damage is estimated to be at five million dollars...

"Wow, that road got a big gully washed out of it!", Rex pointed out as the KSWS TV showed an image of a highway washout.
"And look at that house!", Donna said as it showed a water front property home sitting in a river.
"It's a houseboat now", Rex added.
"I'm sure glad I wasn't in that car", Clarence said about a 1959 Dodge Coronet that had been wrapped around a tree by the force of flood waters.
"I just hope no one was in that car", Marge said as she stepped away from preparing breakfast long enough to see some of the news footage.
Clarence then mentioned, "That car will never be a vintage collectible in my day and time after that happened to it".
"That's for sure", Al agreed. "That's a '59 Dodge. It only made it to being a one year old car".
Marge mentioned, "It's hard to believe that these modern cars we have today will someday be vintage cars".
"Yea, like we deem cars like the Model T now days", Al replied, then went on to say, "But from what Clarence told us what cars will be like in the 21st Century, I can see why".
"Yea, new cars where I'm from are nothing like these cars are", Clarence added.
By the time breakfast was ready, the news coverage of the aftermath and clean up from Tropical Storm Brenda was already over, thus the cubs didn't miss anything by coming to the dining room to eat breakfast.
During Breakfast, Marge asked Al about that replacement part being replicated for the time machine, which of course was the osculation fluctuator. Al mentioned that a few snags were encountered Friday with back-engineering that part, and that Jamar Mongoose was considering employing the assistance of Professor Nickolas Fox from out at Area 51 in Nevada.
"That must be complicated part", Marge mentioned.
"It is", Al affirmed. "And besides that, it's something like we've never seen before".
Al then mentioned that Gaylord Serval offered some input on it, which the other scientists had doubts about until Woodrow Raccoon realized that Gaylord had hit onto something that was of help in back-engineering the original failed part.
"Exactly what is that part", Rex asked.
"That machine is classified as top secret. Remember?", Al reminded Rex, then mentioned, "Even though we all, including almost everyone in this neighborhood, already know about the machine anyway".
"Oh, I guess I forgot about that", Rex replied.
As everyone continued having breakfast, the conversation geared toward flying kites that day. Marge even mentioned about getting the camera and taking pictures of the cubs flying their kites, which would be more pictures for Clarence to take back to 2018 with him.
Of course, after the news, weather and sports program was over, the Saturday morning cartoons came on the TV. The TV in the living room can be seen from the dinning room, so the cubs were able to watch cartoons as they ate breakfast.
As soon as everyone finished breakfast, the cubs hurried to their bedrooms to get their kites as Al went to the garage to get some spools of twine to use as kite string. And the TV was turned off...The cubs were more interested in flying kites that day than sitting inside watching cartoons all morning.
This day being a Saturday meant Al didn't have to go into work that day, thus he had the whole day he could spend with Marge and the cubs.
As the wind blew, the cubs headed out to the edge of the open desert with their kites, accompanied by Al with the spools of twine, and Marge with the camera.
Once out onto the open desert land, the wind was more gusty being there were no trees and buildings to block the wind...which made for even better kite flying weather.
"Hold the kites edgewise to the wind while I string them", Al reminded the cubs, which was so the wind doesn't bump the kites around as Al is rigging the twine on them.
Once each of the kites were tethered to a spool of twine, Marge focused the camera, and called to the cubs, "Look this way and wave before you launch your kites".
As the cubs looked and waved, Marge got a few photos, then the cubs launches their kites.
However, the kite that Ryan Lynx made for Donna didn't seem to want to fly. Al soon seen the reason why. Ryan Lynx had put too long of a rope tail on the kite which was weighing it down. Luckily, Al had a pocket knife with him which he was able to cut some of the kite tail off. After that, Donna's kite flew beautifully like the kites did the boys were flying.
The cubs had lots of fun flying their kites as Marge took more photos of the cubs and their kites...Marge had to set the zoom as far as it can go to get photos of the kites.
The spools of twine that Al had tethered the kites to were 1,000 foot spools (almost a quarter mile of twine). And it wasn't long before Jed and Rex got to the end of their spools...Their kites were now 1,000 feet up, minus the factor in that the kites were out at an angle which a vector was to be considered.
"I'm all the way up", Rex proclaimed.
"So am I", Jed added. "It's way up there".
"They look pretty small up there", Al said.
"I can barely get a picture of them now", Marge added.
Soon after, the kites that Clarence and Donna were flying got high enough to where their spools of twine reached the end...1,000 feet up, minus the angle vector.
"If I had more string, I bet my kite can go to the moon", Donna proclaimed.
Rex then replied to Donna, "Yea, but your kite would have to go around millions and millions and millions of miles 'n' hour because of the Earth spinning for day and night".
"So...It would still go there if I had enough string", Donna retorted.
"No way. Millions of miles per hour would tear up a kite", Rex replied.
"A kite can't fly that high anyway", Al intervened. "There's no air in outer space to fly a kite. Plus the moon is two hundred thousand miles from Earth...I doubt you could get your paws on that much line anyway".
With that said, that debunked Donna Coyote's theory that you could fly a kite to the moon.
Clarence then told about the Apollo 11 mission to the moon that he learned about in history class in 2018...Clarence had never mentioned anything about that future event since he arrived to 1960 on the morning of February 9th.
  "Wow! They'll actually walk on the moon someday!", , Jed exclaimed.
Clarence replied as he counted on his fingers, "In...uh, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68...eight from now. Yea, there will be Earth animals walking on the moon".
"Is that even possible, Dad", Rex asked Al.
"It can be done", Al replied to Rex. "Yes, it is possible".
Marge, Jed, Rex and Donna were certainly intrigued by what Clarence had now shared with them...Al and Clarence found it to be no surprise though. Al, being a scientist knew it can be done, and figured someday they will land animals on the moon....And Clarence already knew of the future event from what he learned in school in 2018.
Later in the morning while the cubs were flying their kites, Marge walked back to the house to make some grape flavoured Kool-Aid to bring out for everyone...After all, it was August which was in the heat of summer.
Even though the edge of the desert everyone was in was only a few hundred feet from the lush grass, bushes and trees of Duran, it was still hot and dry out there on the desert area, and everyone appreciated the ice cold Kool-Aid that Marge had brought out. That windy Saturday morning turned out to be a great day of flying kites, and with ice cold Kool-Aid as a thirst quenching treat.
At around 11:25, Marge went back to the house to prepare lunch. Everyone had an enjoyable morning as the cubs flew their kites. And at five minutes after noon time, Marge came out and announced that lunch was ready. With that said, the cubs wound their kites back down...One good thing was, that the twine was on metal spools with large flanges, thus it was easy to wind the twine back on without it going all over everywhere. Once all the kites were brought back down, Al and the cubs headed back to the house where Marge already had lunch prepared.
For lunch, Marge had prepared shrimp and rice gumbo with okra, peppers and beans, and it was really good. For beverage was ice water for everyone, plus more grape Kool-Aid for the cubs, and Wilkins brand coffee for Al and Marge (their favorite brand).
Of course, cubs being cubs, Jed, Rex, Clarence and Donna carried their kites into the dining room with them.
Just before serving out the food, Marge advised the cubs, "How about putting your kites in the living room so they don't get broken".
Al intervened, "If the cubs want to go out driving after we have lunch, they can go and put their kites away".
"Oh cool", Jed proclaimed as the cubs went to put their kites back in their bedrooms. "We havent done that in a long time".
"We were out just last Monday when we took pictures", Clarence said, thinking he was correcting Jed.
"No. We're driving", Rex corrected Clarence as they were putting their kites away.
"What?", Clarence asked.
"We get to drive the cars today", Donna said to Clarence after she overheard the convesation in the boy's bedroom.
"We?...Us?", Clarence asked Donna.
"Why not?", Rex replied to Clarence as the cubs made their way back to the dining room.
"But I never heard of cubs being allowed to drive cars before", Clarence replied just before they sat back at the table.
"We go out to the Indian service roads out past Albuquerque to do that", Jed told Clarence, then went on to say, "The last time we drove was when Dad and Mom first got the Chrysler 300".
Al said to Clarence, "That was back in December when the 1960 models first came out. It was before you came to us in this day and time".
"You all actually drove the Chrysler?", Clarence asked the other cubs in amazement.
"We sure did", Jed answered.
"But won'tcha get in trouble?", Clarence asked.
"It's back on the Indian service roads", Al assured Clarence. "A lot of it is in the jurisdiction of American indigenous species animals like our selves".
"They don't bother anyone there for it anyway", Marge further assured Clarence. "They don't even bother non-indigenous species animals letting their cubs drive cars there".
The coyotes, including Clarence, are native American indigenous species animals being they are coyotes...In fact, Al, Marge and their biological cubs are Cochiti tribe coyotes. Clarence and his original family in the 21st Century are Tesuque tribe coyotes.
"There's never any cubs who's allowed to drive cars in the future where I'm from", Clarence informed everyone.
"From what you said, I take it things will get more strict 50 years from now", Al said to Clarence.
"Where it doesn't need to be strict so it seems", Marge mentioned as she served out the food. "But yet they will not be teaching the Pledge of Allegiance 50 years from now".
"Yea, tell me about it", Al added. "I remember we had to teach that to Clarence after we enrolled him in school".
Clarence then asked, "Can I drive a car too?...Does that include me?".
"While you're in this day and time, you're a member of this family, aren't you?", Al reasoned with Clarence.
"Yea. I know I am", answered.
"Then yes. That includes you too. You can drive", Al assured Clarence.
"Oh wow, cool!", Clarence said with much enthusiasm, then mention, "But I don't know how to drive a car though".
"It's easy once you know how", Jed said to Clarence. "There's nothing to it".
"I can teach you how", Al assured Clarence.
"It will be my first time ever driving a car", Clarence exclaimed.
"It will be an experience you can share with everyone when you get back to your day and time", Marge assured Clarence, then added, "And I can bring the movie camera along so you can have some movies to show everyone in 2018".
"I bet my friends in school...in 2018 that is...will bubble over with envy when I play those movies for them on my new movie projector you got for me", Clarence proclaimed.
"I have no doubts about that", Al agreed.
After everyone enjoyed the shrimp and rice gumbo, for desert it was cherry flavoured Jello with whip cream...Jello with whip cream has always been a treat and a winner for the cubs, as well as for Al and Marge also.
After everyone finished lunch, and the dishes were placed in the sink of soapy water to soak, Marge got the Revere 8mm movie camera as everyone headed out to the cars. Marge also took along a couple of sofa cushions for Donna to sit on, being she was only age 6 and wasn't old enough to see over the wheel without the cushions to sit on.
"This is the first time we're driving since you been with us", Rex said to Clarence upon walking out to the cars.
"I got the Chrysler!", Clarence proclaimed as he opened the driver's door and got in behind the wheel.
"Hold on there, Son", Al retorted to Clarence. "Your mom and I are driving the cars out to the Indian service roads. And from there you can drive".
"Oh", Clarence replied as he stepped back out of the Chrysler 300.
"Yea, we're still too young to drive on the main highways", Jed said to Clarence.
With that little misunderstanding out of the way, Al was to drive the Chrysler 300 out to the Indian service roads with Clarence and Rex riding along. And Marge was to drive the Plymouth Fury station wagon, following behind, with Jed and Donna riding along. Then once out at the Indian service roads, the cubs can take turns driving.

Al and Marge Coyote's 1960 Chrysler 300 [Page 2] by moyomongoose

It was agreed by Al and Marge that instead of running the A/C in the cars, it would be nice to let the windows down. The cubs were enthralled with excitement as everyone headed out of the neighborhood on their way to the Indian service roads west of Albuquerque...Especially so for Clarence being he had never driven a car before, and this would be his first time. Clarence was certianly looking forward to it.
As they turned west to go north on State Route 3, Al turned on the radio on in the Chrysler 300 for some music on the way.

Larry Hall- Sandy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXuqdSAHhXM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATbpKcfaKhY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS3pYcvHOVo

Not far along Route 3, Marge also turned the radio on in the Plymouth station wagon. Al and Marge had the same favorite radio station, thus the radios in both cars were tuned in to the same radio station.

Endlessly - Brook Benton 1959
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx1INcBL8cA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta-3z_WiHZU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2PzYHCHaeo

At Encino, they took Highway 285 on their way to Clines Corners. Along 285, there were more songs on the car radios.

Jimmy Jones "Handyman"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVyBRdBVCiU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcDO_sfpzO4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmFYyCHzz5o

The cubs in both cars got a kick out this next song. In fact, in the Plymouth station wagon, Marge and Donna sang along with the song while Rex tapped along with the rhythm.

1959 HITS ARCHIVE: Pink Shoe Laces - Dodie Stevens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p89otwEjdTk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puuoCF9XjG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW0a3sR0Usw
As they passed by the rural residence of Rufus and Laura Opossum and their five cubs, Rex, who was sitting on the right rear seat in the Chrysler, remarked, "Their mini bike can't beat driving a real car. Ain't that right, Dad?".
"That is right, Son", Al replied, then corrected Rex, "You do know ain't is not a word".
"Gee, I guess I forgot", Rex said. "Isn't that right, Dad?".
Then once they arrived to Clines Corners, it was west on Route 66 along where Interstate 40 was almost complete. Then through Moriarty, and along the completed part of I-40 to Albuquerque.
As they arrived to where I-40 ends onto the old Route 66 where the Tri-Star Plaza is with Ted Badger's Hobby Shop, Clarence, who was sitting up front next to Al in the Chrysler 300, mentioned, "It's not slotcars today. This time, it's the real deal".
"The real deal", Rex mentioned about Clarence's remark. "I like that".
"This will be your first time driving a real car", Al added as Clarence was still excited with anticipation of driving a real car for the first time.
In the Plymouth wagon, Jed who was sitting up front next to Marge, gleefully mentioned, "Not Ted Badger's track today".
"We're the drivers today", Donna added. "And we might spot some mummies to chase".
"Not with real cars you don't", Marge informed Donna.
"I was only kidding", Donna replied.
"Fantasy and reality are two different things when you're driving a real car", Rex reminded Donna.
"Your brother is right", Marge said to Donna. "Save that mummy chasing for the slotcar track".
Once they got through Albuquerque, it was Route 66 the rest of the way to the Indian service roads. Interstate 40 didn't pick up again until at Cubero, which was further beyond than where they were going. Along the way, there were some good songs being played by the radio station the coyotes were listening to.

Money To Burn , George Jones , 1959
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3rau8MlA-A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RkajLx13Yc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3zErDizO7E

If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time (Lefty Frizzell)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2x0fMszj58
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvrOl6JbjKM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfsFmtcqnQM

George Jones Seasons of my Heart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRAZxj_1Ze8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUoLYv2JYZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOtGrWZHtH0

Shortly after they past Correo, there was Indian Service Route 544 on the left off of Route 66. Clarence could feel the adrenaline of excitement as Al turned off onto ISR 544, followed by Marge in the Plymouth Fury station wagon. Both Al and Marge drove a short way down ISR 544 then pulled over.
"This is where we're driving?", Clarence asked with much anticipation as Al put the Chrysler in neutral and set the parking brake ("Park" wasn't one of the selections back in those days).
"This is the place", Al replied as he opened the driver's door and stepped out of the car.
Upon Al stepping out, Marge also stepped out of the Plymouth wagon.
"Being this is Clarence's first time driving, we need to go over the rules with him", Al said to Marge.
"I was thinking the same thing myself", Marge replied. "And it wouldn't be a bad idea for the other cubs to listen in also".
With that said, Al called Rex and Clarence from the Chrysler, and Marge called Jed and Donna from the Plymouth wagon.
Once the cubs gathered around, Marge said to them, "Your dad is going to go over the rules for Clarence before we get started, and I still want the rest of you to listen up".
"This is Clarence's first time driving out here. So I'm going over the rules for everybody", Al told the cubs, then said to Clarence, "And Clarence, you need to listen up especially being this is your first time".
Al then went over the rules for the cubs, "First off, you follow instructions as your mother and I tell you. Most importantly, if one of us grabs the steering wheel, you let go of it and take your feet off the petals and let us have control of the car. I take it that's clearly understood".
The cubs gave a yes nod to acknowledge as such.
Marge added, "And remember, no stunts and grandstanding. These care are not toys".
"That's right", Al affirmed. "Jed, Rex, Donna, you already know any of you who start pulling stunt driving charades won't be allowed behind the wheel of these cars again. And Clarence, that goes equally for you as well".
"And be alert, and watch the road ahead", Marge said to the cubs.
"And remember. These cars are not those slotcars we race out at Ted Badger's Hobby Shop", Al added. "These cars are real. And real things happen when you don't respect them".
With the pep talk out of the way, Al and Marge decided on a rendezvous point that would be at the intersection of ISR 544 and ISR 546 which was further down 544, and meeting there would be at 30 minute intervals...After all, this was the first time they owned two cars when taking the cubs driving. Car radios were also turned off as not to distract the cubs who are driving.
Al allowed Clarence to have first dibs at driving the Chrysler 300 as Jed came over from the Plymouth and rode in the right rear seat with the 8mm movie camera to film footage of Clarence driving. Among the cubs, Jed was the most proficient with a camera. Rex went over from the Chrysler 300 and was given first dibs at driving the Plymouth Fury wagon, being the first time that station wagon was ever driven by a cub.
Clarence could feel his heart pounding with a rush of excitement as he got in behind the wheel of that powerful 375 horse power Chrysler 300 with the engine still running...Clarence being age 8 could barely see over the steering wheel, and could reach the petals only with the driver's seat adjusted in it's most forward position. Clarence could hear the clicking hum of the Revere 8 mm movie camera as Jed filmed some footage of him surveying the instrument panel.
First off, Al, who was sitting up front beside Clarence (Parents always sat up front to grab the wheel in case anything went wrong), noticed Clarence eying over the 140 mph spedometer, then mentioned to him, "Now Clarence, don't get any ideas of driving  140 miles per hour out here. These service  roads aren't designed for it, and this is your first time driving".
"Okay", Clarence acknowledged.
Meanwhile, in the Plymouth Fury wagon, Rex, being age 9, was barely able to see over the wheel, though that did not proove to be awkward to him as he had driven cars numerous times before.
"Can I go around them, Mom", Rex asked.
"Yea, there's enough room to get by", Donna added.
"Just wait up, Son", Marge said to Rex. "I want to see how Clarence does with his first time driving".
In the Chrysler, Al was telling Clarence about the controls and what they do.
"That long petal on the right is the accelerator", Al instructed Clarence. "The more you push it down, the faster the car goes...Just tap it with your foot one time. Not hard".
Clarence gave the accelerator a tap as the car's powerful dual-quad engine let out a robust >Vroommm<.
"Wow!", Clarence exclaimed, then mentioned, "But the car didn't go anywhere".
"It won't now", Al replied. "It's in neutral".
"Oh, these buttons", Clarence said, referring to the select-o-matic transmission buttons on the dash.
"Don't push them yet until I'm ready to tell you to do so", Al told Clarence.
Al then instructed Clarence where the brake petal is, which of course is very important. Al also explained how the parking brake works, and explained the functions of the drive, neutral and reverse select-o-matic buttons.
"These buttons that have one and two. What are they for", Clarence asked.
"They're for load and trailer towing situations", Al answered Clarence. "You don't have to be concerned with those. I hardly ever use them myself".
Al then instructed Clarence as Jed began filming, "Okay, with your right foot on the brake petal, release the parking brake and push the button for drive".
Clarence did so and noticed ever so subtle nudge as the transmission engaged after pushing the button.
Al then instructed Clarence, "Now take your foot off the brake, and gently press the accelerator as you steer onto the road".
Clarence did as he was instructed, except he pressed the accelerator a little too much.
With the sound of hot rod power, that powerful Chrysler smoked and squalled the rear tires as it began to spin a doughnut before Al grabbed the wheel...Al grabbing the wheel was Clarence's cue to let go of the wheel and get his foot off the gas.
In the Plymouth wagon, Marge exclaimed, "Oh my gosh".
The Chrysler stopped sitting sideways across ISR 544.
"Wow! Hot rod Clarence laid some rubber on the road", said Rex.
"I'd say he did", Marge replied.
In the Chrysler, Al said to Clarence, "You have to press the accelerator way more gentle than that".
"I didn't know it was gonna do that", Clarence exclaimed.
"I got it all on film", Jed said as he, Al and even Clarence laughed.
Al then instructed Clarence how to back up and get the car straightened out, but also instructed Clarence not to press the accelerator and let the car move under an idle. After the car was straightened out, Marge got out of the station wagon and walked up to the Chrysler to see if everything was okay.
"We're good", Al informed to Marge, then said, "You all might as well go on ahead. I'm going to have to take some time to let Clarence get use to the car".
"I have to say, that was quite a peel-out", Marge commented.
"That it was", Al replied with a chuckle.
Marge then went back to the station wagon, got in next to Rex, and they were then off and going.
After Marge, Rex and Donna left, Al had Clarence practice getting the feel of the accelerator as Jed took more movie footage.
"Hold the brake and put it in drive, then let off the brake and press the accelerator easier this time", Al said to Clarence.
This time, Clarence pressed the accelerator easier, but still not easy enough. The Chrysler lurched forward chirping the rear tires, then Clarence would back off the accelerator, then he would press it again making the car lurch forward chirping the rear tires again.
As Clarence had the car going >varoom chirp, vroom chirp, varoom chirp<, Al said to Clarence, "Hold it. Hold it. Hold it, Clarence".
Once Clarence had stopped, Al then told him to only touch the accelerator. Upon doing so, Clarence was then able to get the car moving slowly.
"Hey, I did it!", Clarence said as he got the Chrysler going at 7 mph.
"Barely press it just a little more", Al instructed Clarence.
When Clarence pressed the accelerator a little more, that powerful Chrysler did jolt forward some. But overall, Clarence was able to gradually accelerate the car in a fairly controlled manner.
"I think you getting a grasp on it", Al complimented Clarence as the Chrysler 300 gradually approached 17 mph and the automatic transmission shifted from 1st to 2nd.
"There's the shift to 2nd", Al told Clarence.
As the Chrysler got up to 23 mph, the transmission shifted into drive.
"How fast can I drive it, Dad?", Clarence asked with much enthusiasm after he got the cat up to 30 mph.
"Thirty is fast enough right now", Al replied.
"That's all?", Clarence asked in disappointment.
"This is your first time driving", Al said to Clarence. "I want you to get use to the car before I let you drive any faster".
It wasn't long before they were approaching the intersection where Indian Service Route 546 crosses.

Cruising the Back Roads [Page 2] by moyomongoose

"You might want to brace yourself, Jed. And hold on to that camera", Al said, and then placed his arm in front of Clarence to hold him back.
Al then instructed Clarence, "Stop for this intersection up here".
When Clarence pressed those power brakes at 35 mph, he unwittingly slammed on the brakes hard enough to lock up all four wheels with the tires screaming against the pavement.
"This is you first introduction to power brakes", Al affirmed with a smile to Clarence.
"I was wondering why you put your arm in front of me, Dad", Clarence said to Al. "I think I know why now".
"It was to hold you back from going against the steering wheel when you hit the brakes", Al affirmed.
"Gee, Dad. When you told me to brace myself and hold on to the camera, I knew what was coming", Jed said to Al as all three in the car got a good laugh.
Once it was confirmed there were no cars approaching on ISR 546, Al instructed Clarence to continue to proceed along ISR 544.
As Clarence accelerated the car, considerably better this time than he did last time, Al assured Clarence, "You're getting better at it, Son".
Once past ISR 546, Al had Clarence practice on controlling those power brakes. Clarence did lock up the brakes a few times at first, but it wasn't long before he finally got the use of the brakes down pat.
Meanwhile in the Plymouth Fury station wagon, Marge let Rex drive onto Route 66 where he was allowed to get the station wagon up to 60 mph. For a nine year old cub who can barely see over the steering wheel, Rex was a very good driver. Before Clarence arrived to the year 1960, Rex along with Jed and Donna had driven the 1960 Chrysler 300 after Al and Marge had purchased it in December of '59. Rex Jed and Donna had also on many occasions driven the old 1954 Chrysler that Al and Marge owned before purchasing the Chrysler 300 they have now.
It was getting to be 30 minutes since the cubs began driving, thus it was getting time to meet up with Al and the other cubs at the rendezvous point at the intersection of ISR 544 and ISR 546.
Shortly before reaching El Rito on Route 66, Marge said to Rex, "It's getting time to meet up with the others at the rendezvous point. Turn on this service route up ahead".
"The one right up here, right?", Rex asked as they were approaching ISR 522.
"That's the one", Marge affirmed.
"Won't Route 66 get us back to the other road easier?", Donna asked.
"We'll take the other service routes to get there", Marge answered Donna.
"I remember the way there from here, Mom", Rex assured Marge as he slowed down and made the turn onto 522 as safely and gracefully as any adult driver could do.
After Rex had driven the Plymouth Station Wagon along a virtual meandering maze of Indian service roads, Marge, Rex and Donna finally arrived at the rendezvous point at the intersection of ISR 544 and ISR 546 only minutes after Al, Jed and Clarence arrived and were waiting on them.
Upon everyone getting out of the cars, Marge asked Al, "How did Clarence do on his first day of driving?"
"He actually improved quite remarkably", Al assured Marge.
"I'll be a good driver yet before you know it", Clarence boasted.
"Oh, Mom. Did you bring an extra roll of movie film?", Jed asked.
"Jed ran out of film", Al added.
"I have two extra rolls of film in the station wagon", Marge replied to Jed, then instructed Rex to go bring a canister of movie film.
As Jed changed out the film in the movie camera, it was agreed to now let Jed take a turn at driving the Chrysler 300, and let Donna take a turn at driving the Plymouth station wagon.
Of course, being Donna is only six years old, she can't reach the petals with her feet and see over the dash at the same time...That's why Marge brought the two sofa cushions along. This way, Donna can sit high up on the cushions as Marge reaches a foot over the floor hump to operate the accelerator and brakes for Donna, while Donna does the steering. Of course for Donna, taking a drive out into Route 66 like Rex did would be out of the question.
After conversing for a few minutes, Marge Rex and Donna then went back out riding in the Plymouth station wagon, with Marge controlling the gas and brakes, and Donna steering. Being that Donna's driving still requires a dual effort with someone else at the petals, Marge keeps the speed down to 25 mph where the roads wind and turn, and speeds between 35 and 40 mph on long straight aways. Even though Donna only does the steering, and at slower speeds, she still gets a thrill from driving the car while Mama works the petals.
When Al, Jed and Clarence went back out riding in the Chrysler 300, Jed was now driving, and could drive like a pro. Jed being an older cub could see well above the steering wheel. On those Indian service roads, Jed could safely reach speeds up to 45 to 50 mph on some the straight aways. And Al was confident with allowing Jed to "give it the gas" to rapidly accelerate from zero to 50 in a few seconds at places where they came to a stop.
"Gee, I wish I was that good", Clarence said of Jed's driving skills.
"Well, it's going to take some time and practice", Al assured Clarence.
After cruising around on the Indian service roads for a bit, Al allowed Jed to take ISR 544 back out to Route 66.
Just before Jed made the left onto 66 headed in the direction of El Rito, he asked Al, "Dad, can I floor it one time?".
"After you straighten out on the highway, you can", Al answered. "And no speeds around 100 mph. Remember, you're still a cub".
"Awright", Jed gleefully proclaimed as he made sure there was no oncoming traffic, then made the turn onto 66.
When Jed punched the gas of that Chrysler 300, it took off like a scolded bat out of Hell, and was in practically no time at all up to 80 mph.
"Ohhhh Yea", Jed exclaimed with satisfaction.
Al glanced over at the speedometer, then advised Jed, "You need to slow it down just a little".
Once Jed slowed the car down to 70 mph, Al said, "This is fast enough for you. Seventy is fine".
"Wow, I can hardly wait until I can do that", Clarence exclaimed.
"It comes with time", Al assured Clarence. "None of us get this good at it in one day".
Shortly before El Rito, Al instructed Jed to pull over and turn the car around to head back to ISR 544. It was getting time to rendezvous with Marge and the other cubs again at the intersection of ISR 544 and ISR 546.
Upon meeting at the rendezvous point, Al and Marge exchanged stories of how the last drives went.
"I got up to 50 mph", Donna proclaimed.
"I gave Donna 50 mph on 546 for a brief moment", Marge said to Al. "I could see she wasn't comfortable with 50, so I backed it to 45".
"She did okay at 45?", Al asked Marge.
"She steered well at 45", Marge replied.
"But I still went 50 though", Donna boasted.
"You certainly did", Marge proudly agreed with Donna.
"Our little speed demon Jed here got up to 80 mph out on 66", Al said to Marge with a smile.
"Oh?", Marge replied with a smile.
"I had him back it to 70 though", Al assured Marge.
"Yea, 80 might still be a little too fast yet for the cubs", Marge affirmed.
"I did 60 on 66 before Donna drove", Rex bragged.
"Shuckens", Clarence retorted. "I wish I could drive faster than pookey ole 30".
"Clarence. You've just started driving", Marge replied. "You have to walk before you can run".
"The time before this, I noticed Clarence had made some notable improvements", Al said to Marge.
"Are you going to allow Clarence a faster speed this time?", Marge asked Al.
"If I see he can handle it, I will", Al answered.
"Oh boy! Really?!", Clarence rejoiced with delight.
"Let's see how you do this time", Al assured Clarence.
"You bet", Clarence replied.
"Just be sure Clarence can handle that car before you let him go any faster", Marge said to Al.
"I will", Al promised.
This time around, it was back to Rex's turn driving the Plymouth Fury station wagon, and it was Clarence's turn to drive the Chrysler 300.
As everyone went back to cruising the Indian service roads, Clarence did make quite a bit of progress toward mastering that powerful Chrysler 300, which Al had taken notice of.
"You feel up to trying it at 45 mph", Al asked Clarence.
"Sure do!", Clarence cheerfully replied.
"There's a good stretch of straight road near Correo on service road 54", Al said to Clarence. "I'll tell you how to get there".
Al then instructed Clarence how to get to ISR 54 as Clarence drove, and before long they were at the straight away on ISR 54.
"Can I floor it like Jed did on 66?", Clarence asked Al.
"Not now", Al replied to Clarence, "Lets take this one step at a time...Okay?"
"Okay", Clarence acknowledged as he began gently accelerating on ISR 54.
When Clarence finally had the car going at 45 mph...actually 47 mph...he was enraptured with excitement.
"Wow, I'm really driving for real", Clarence exclaimed, as that was the very first day Clarence ever drove a car, and now at 47 mph.
"We're nearing the end of the straight away, Clarence", Al mentioned, "Start braking".
This time, Clarence was able to apply the brakes to slow down in a well controlled manner.
"Well done, Clarence", Al complemented Clarence.
"I got it on film too, Dad", Jed said.
"I can hardly wait to see the looks my friends have when I show them that movie in 2018", Clarence boasted.
"I can hardly wait too", Al said. "But I'll have to wait until I'm an elderly coyote to see the looks they'll give".
"Bet they'll be envious", Jed added.
The north end of that straight away on ISR 54 runs past the west edge of Correo before intersecting with Route 66, thus Al instructed Clarence to turn the car around to head back south to the other Indian service roads.
"Can I take it out on Route 66?", Clarence asked.
"I've been debating that, but not yet", Al replied to Clarence.
On the way back south on that straight away, Al did allow Clarence to accelerate the Chrysler a little quicker, but still no jack rabbit take off. As Clarence accelerated the Chrysler a little quicker then he did before, he noticed it was at higher speeds that the automatic transmission would shift. Then upon approaching the end of the straight away, Clarence slowed down to turn off onto the other Indian service roads.
Although not yet being allowed to drive on Route 66, driving a real car at 47 mph that day was certainly a real treat for Clarence.
Before long, it was time again for everyone to meet up at the rendezvous point at the intersection of ISR 544 and ISR 546. This time at the rendezvous point, the cubs switched cars. Jed and Clarence went to the Plymouth Fury station wagon with Marge. While Rex and Donna went to the Chrysler 300 with Al.
In the Chrysler 300, nothing was really new to anyone. Rex and Donna have driven that car before back in December. This time it was Donna's turn to drive, as Al placed the two sofa cushions on the driver's sat for Donna to sit on, and Al would work the petals for her.
Al did remind Marge, "Be sure to let Jed and Clarence get use to the brakes and steering. Remember, we ordered manual brakes and manual steering on that station wagon".
Marge replied, "I'm glad you mentioned it. I wasn't even thinking about that".
In the Plymouth Fury station wagon, it was Jed's turn to drive. This was Jed's first time driving the station wagon, and he did notice the steering and brakes took more effort than it did in the Chrysler 300.
"Gee, Mom. I notice the wheel doesn't turn easy like in Dad's car", Jed mentioned as he first started out.
"Once you get going, it doesn't steer any different from power steering", Marge assured Jed.
And sure enough, once Jed got that Plymouth station wagon going, the steering wheel was not hard to turn.
"Hey, you're right, Mom", Jed said. "I can't tell any difference from Dad's car now".
While back on the Indian service roads, Marge had Jed try the brakes a few times to get use to manual brakes. At first, it felt to Jed like he didn't have good brakes. But when he pushed them a little more, he found out the car can be stopped perfectly.
"Not as easy as with Dad's car, but I think they do work just fine", Jed acknowledged.
"They do work fine", Marge assured Jed. "Anyone not strong enough to use them shouldn't be driving a car anyway".
Once Jed got use to the manual brakes and manual steering in the Plymouth wagon, he asked, "Mom, can I take it out on route 66 and give it the gas one time?"
"Yes, under one condition", Marge granted. "You don't take it above 70 mph".
"That's fair enough for me", Jed acknowledged as he headed out to Route 66.
Once Jed got the station wagon out on Route 66, he floored it as it went to zero to 70 in a matter of a few seconds. Jed did notice however, the Plymouth wasn't quite as powerful as the Chrysler 300, but it still had an awesome amount of power and get-up-and-go.
"I notice this Plymouth doesn't quite have the punch Dad's Chrysler has", Jed mentiond to Marge as he was cruising at 70 mph.
"It could have had if I got the Sonaramic Comando engine in it", Marge said. "But for some reason, air conditioning wouldn't have been available with that motor. So I settled for the Golden Commando to have the air conditioning".
"I wonder why that is", Jed mentioned.
"I have no idea", Marge replied. "Must have been some technical design issue Mopar encountered".
"Just think", Clarence intervened. "If Dad and you ordered a Chrysler station wagon, couldn't you have gotten the motor like Dad's car has, and still get the air conditioning?"
"In a Chrysler, that motor is only available in the 300", Marge answered Clarence. "And they don't make the 300 in a station wagon".
"Oh", Clarence replied.
"Besides, I like the look of the Plymouth", Marge added.
Just before they would have reached El Rito, Marge had Jed make a turn back onto the Indian service roads, as it was getting time for everyone to make another rendezvous. It was the same meandering maze of Indian service roads that Rex negotiated earlier, but like his brother Rex, Jed also knew the way.
At the rendezvous point, it was now Rex's turn to drive the Chrysler 300, and Clarence's turn to drive the Plymouth station wagon. Clarence noticed right away how more effort was needed to steer the wheel from a stand still, and to apply the brakes. However, Clarence was expecting that from seeing Jed's first experience driving the station wagon.
"The steering does need more pull to turn it", Clarence mentioned as he began to drive the Plymouth wagon.
"But see how easier it gets as you get going some?", Marge asked Clarence as he accelerated a little more.
"I see that now, Mom", Clarence replied.
Marge did have Clarence try the brakes several times so he can get accustom to them.
After Clarence getting use to the manual brakes and manual steering, Marge noticed a remarkable improvement in Clarence's newly found driving skills.
"Do you want to try a run on Route 66?", Marge asked Clarence.
"I sure would", Clarence answered gleefully. "Can I get up to 70 mph?"
"Let's keep it at 50 for now...Okay?", Marge replied.
"Aw", Clarence said, then gleefully asked, "But I can still go 50?"
"That's what I said", Marge replied.
"Wow, cool", said Clarence.
When Clarence got the station wagon out to Route 66, Marge made it clear to Clarence, "You can take off quick if you want. But don't push it all the way down to the floor. You're still a new driver, remember".
After Clarence agreed to that condition, he pulled out onto Route 66 and pressed the accelerator down a little more than half way. Even under just a bit more than half throttle, that Plymouth station wagon took off with impressive acceleration...Zero to 50 was still quick.
"Wow! This is so great!", Clarence proclaimed with such excitement.
"I see one boy who is really enjoying his first day of driving", Marge said.
"I sure am", Clarence replied.
"I'm getting it all on movie film", Jed said.
"Oh, Clarence will appreciate that", Marge said to Jed.
Needless to say, Clarence felt like a little big-shot driving such a powerful station wagon along Route 66 at 50 mph. And by now, Clarence had also gotten good at maintaining control of the car.
Just before El Rito, Marge had Clarence make the turn to go back in the Indian service roads. After all, it was soon to be time to make the next rendezvous. Clarence didn't know the way to the rendezvous point via the service roads from there, but Marge and Jed told him directions to get there as he drove.
At the rendezvous point, Marge told Al about how well Clarence handled the station wagon out on Route 66 with half throttle acceleration up to 50 mph, which Al was impressed.
"After Jed takes his turn, I might try letting Clarence try it out on 66 at 60 mph", Al mentioned.
"Oh yea, awright!", Clarence proclaimed.
"Wow, that's a mile a minute", Jed added.
"I think he can handle it", Marge said.
"You'll break my record", Donna said to Clarence, referring to her record 50 mph.
The cubs then switched cars again. Jed and Clarence was again in the Chrysler 300 with Al, and Jed's turn to drive. Rex and Donna was again in the Plymouth Fury station wagon with Marge, and Donna's turn to drive (or to steer anyway).
That 30 minutes went as enjoyable as it has since the cubs started driving that day. Jed even tried some "jack rabbit starts" with the Chrysler 300, which was always fun. That day was certainly turning out to be a good day.
Then it was time for the next rendezvous of Al, Marge and the cubs. It was getting to be almost 5:30 in the afternoon, but when Al and Marge asked the cubs if they want to call it quits for the day, the cubs agreed they wanted to drive just a little longer. Thus Al and Marge granted the cubs a little more driving time.
This time it was Clarence's turn to drive the Chrysler 300, and Rex's turn to drive the Plymouth Fury station wagon.
During that rendezvous, it was agreed to let the cubs drive on some Indian service roads on the north side of Route 66, and now that Clarence can handle a car fairly okay, Al, Clarence and Jed would lead the way with Clarence driving the Chrysler 300, and Marge, Rex and Donna would follow with Rex driving the Plymouth Fury station wagon. When they left the rendezvous point, they headed along ISR 544 to Route 66 so Clarence can get a chance to drive on Route 66.
Once they arrived to Route 66, Al said to Clarence, "Here's your chance to drive at a mile a minute. But don't go higher than 60 mph".
"I got it", Clarence agreed, then asked, "Can I floor it though".
Al thought it over for a moment, then replied, "You can floor it. But be ready for me to grab the wheel if I don't feel comfortable with how you're doing. And don't exceed 60 mph".
That sounded good to Clarence as he pulled onto Route 66, then punched the accelerator to the floor.
"Holy wow! This car is fast! WOOO!", Clarence let out as that Chrysler 300 took off like the old saying goes, "like it was shot out of a cannon".
In practically no time, that Chrysler was up to 60 mph as Clarence felt the rush of thrill and power at the command of his right foot on the accelerator.

Clarence Coyote and Project Courier - Part 35 - Cubs Driving [Page 3] by moyomongoose

Clarence felt like he was King of the Road driving that big powerful Chrysler 300 on Route 66, though he was only old enough to barely see over the dash and steering wheel.

Clarence Coyote and Project Courier - Part 35 - Cubs Driving [Page 4] by moyomongoose

The Plymouth Fury station wagon with Rex driving wasn't far behind.
However, Despite the Chrysler 300 being equipped with high performance steering and suspension for optimum handling, Clarence still had difficulty keeping the car straight and stable at 60 mph...Thus a car is no better than it's driver. Of course it was still a windy day, which could prove difficult for any new driver. Al grabbed the wheel, thus Clarence let go of the wheel and took his foot off the gas.
"I don't think you're quite ready for 60 mph yet", Al said to Clarence as the Chrysler slowed down some.
"I did get up to 60 though", Clarence proudly boasted.
Once the Chrysler slowed down to 50 mph, Al gave control of the car back to Clarence and said to him, "Speed up gradually and see what you can handle".
Clarence gradually increased speed until he reached 57 mph. That's when Clarence began experiencing difficulty keeping the car stable.
"Back it down to 55", Al instructed Clarence.
Upon Clarence doing so, everything was then okay.
At no faster than 55 mph, Clarence could control the car just fine. Thus it was confirmed that the highest driving speed Clarence was comfortable with at that time was 55 mph.
"Well, 55 isn't so bad", Clarence said.
"You have been making improvements", Al assured Clarence.
"Yea. Compared to a couple of hours ago", Jed remarked, which he, Al and Clarence laughed.
Shortly before El Rito, Al had Clarence turn of on ISR 542. This time it was a right turn going north, on the opposite side of Route 66 then where they have been. Clarence drove north with Al and Jed on 542 as Rex followed driving the station wagon with Marge and Donna.
Upon traveling a ways, they came to a place where Interstate 40 would someday pass over ISR 542. However, that part of I-40 had not yet been built at the time, thus there was no I-40 there. A few hundred feet beyond there was the crossing where the Santa Fe Railroad crossed ISR 542 as double tracks.
"There's a freight train coming", Al said to Clarence as they approached the crossing. "Look to your left".
The crossing only had two crossbucks with no lights, being it was a back road that crossed the tracks. However, Clarence did know to stop.
"Push the neutral button", Al instructed Clarence after he had stopped.
On the track nearest to them, an eastbound Santa Fe freight train traveling at 55 mph began going by.
Shortly after the four locomotives went by, which were pulling a mile of freight cars, Al mentioned to Clarence, "I noticed I had to get your attention to that approaching train. You have to watch out for that at railroad crossings".
"Yea, I guess I wasn't expecting a train coming", Clarence admitted as boxcars were rolling by.
"The train you don't expect is the train that will getcha", Jed added.
"That's right", Al affirmed, then told Clarence, "Wait up after this train goes by".
The freight cars continued to roll by, with the wheels making that click-et-te-clack sound on the joints of the rails. There were mostly boxcars, several tank cars, and some flatbed cars carrying industrial cargo, all of which at 55 mph took a minute to go by.
"Here comes the caboose", Jed mentioned.

How Close that Close Call Really was - Inktober 2020 - Oct. 15th [Page 4] by moyomongoose

Immediately after the caboose rolled by, Clarence proclaimed, "Now I can go" as he pressed the drive button and stepped on the gas.
"CLARENCE! STOP!", Jed shouted.

How Close that Close Call Really was - Inktober 2020 - Oct. 15th [Page 5] by moyomongoose

Al quickly lunged his foot over the center console and slammed on the brakes just in time to stop from being struck by an 85 mph passenger train on the other track coming from the opposite direction.

How Close that Close Call Really was - Inktober 2020 - Oct. 15th [Page 3] by moyomongoose

As the three red and silver locomotives (including a B unit) sped by, Al quickly reached over the steering column and pressed the neutral button as the car's motor began to race in neutral until Clarence jerked his foot off the accelerator.

As Al held the brake petal down, the front end of the Chrysler was only two feet away from the Santa Fe passenger train as it continued speeding by at 85 mph...Hitting the brakes one second later would have made a life and death difference.
Then finally, the last car sped by which was a rear observation car, thus the train was now past on by.
That was a really scary experience for Al, Jed and Clarence, though there were no wet pants or wet car seats as a result.
"That was the Super Chief we almost got hit by", Jed exclaimed as both trains could be seen at a distance going away.
"I didn't know", Clarence said. "I didn't know there was another train".
"You've just now learned about a mistake drivers often make at railroad crossings", Al told Clarence. "Don't get double crossed by double tracks".
"Like I said. The train you don't expect is the train that will getcha", Jed reminded Clarence.
Marge had gotten out of the Plymouth wagon and ran up to the Chrysler to see if Al, Jed and Clarence were okay.
"Oh my God", Marge declared. "To think how close I came to becoming a widow with two cubs to raise".
"Closer than you think. I believe we all saw our lives flashing before our eyes just then", Al replied as the Chrysler was still stopped over the tracks that the freight train had past by on.
"Clarence, you need to use some common sense around railroads and crossings", Marge reprimanded Clarence. "You almost got your dad, your brother and yourself killed just now".
"I'm sorry", Clarence apologized. "I had no idea another train was coming".
"Remember I said, you follow instructions as your mother and I tell you", Al reminded Clarence. "Now you know why".
"When we give you instructions, there's a good reason for it", Marge told Clarence.
"I'm sure this experience is a wake up call for Clarence about trains and crossings", Al assured Marge.
"I should certainly think so", Marge replied.
Rex and Donna also went over to the Chrysler.
"The old double cross by double tracks, isn't it?", Rex asked as he came walking over to the Chrysler.
"It sure was", Al replied. "That's pulled a slide of paw on more animals than anyone realizes".
"I'm glad you're all okay", Donna said in a shaky voice to Al and the two other cubs.
Marge found this to be an appropriate time to remind the cubs, "You see what almost happened here. When a train goes by where there are two or more tracks, never assume there isn't another train coming".
"That also goes for walking around railroad tracks too", Al further reminded the cubs.
"That's right", Marge acknowledged. "I've seen cubs pull some real dillys before around the tracks that run through our neighborhood".
Al and Marge then asked the cubs if they felt like they were too nervous to do anymore driving that evening. The cubs, including Clarence, replied they were okay, and would still like to do a little more driving. Thus, Al and Marge granted the cubs more driving time, followed by Marge, Rex and Donna making their way back to the station wagon. Everyone then continued on up along ISR 542 to do more driving.
Before long everyone had finally gotten over the shake up of Al and two of the cubs coming close to being hit by the train, and Clarence was now certainly wiser about watching out for trains.
Eventually, it was again Jed's turn to drive the Chrysler, and Donna's turn to steer the Plymouth station wagon as Marge worked the petals that Donna was not old enough to reach.
After Jed and Donna had their turn that time driving, it wasn't very long before dusk and the sun would be going down after a while. Thus, even though it was August with longer days, everyone called it a day and the parents took back control of the cars to head back home...And despite the fact the Chrysler 300 with Al and two of the cubs came close to getting flattened against the front of the Super Chief, it was still a fun and enjoyable day for everyone.
As Al, Clarence and Jed headed back to Duran in the Chrysler 300, and Marge, Rex and Donna in the Plymouth Fury station wagon, there were some good songs that played on the radios of both cars during the ride home.

Percy Faith - Caribbean Night (1954)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcUGGRMp1vU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkscSy1EldM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWIiZvckhiE

Route 66 crosses that same railroad track line just east of Correo that the close call happened with at the ISR 542 crossing that day...It was a rather ominous feeling crossing that same rail line at the Route 66 crossing that evening on the way back home.
Anyway, the coyotes did enjoy the next songs that played on the radios in both cars as they continued on their way home.

THE FLAMINGOS - At The Prom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9NgftO0-Q4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6znmvMy5YXk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZZCtDGCKsU

Doris Day - Que Sera Sera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbKHDPPrrc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdhAfMor9BM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwW204EdiXo

By about this time during during the ride back home to the community of Duran, it was already sunset and getting dark...This was about the time in the evening when drivers of cars on the roads turned on the headlights.

1959 HITS ARCHIVE: Please Mr. Sun - Tommy Edwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJN1ZxrOf0A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBRWPN5sB3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbpqBR6xgxM

This song next really hit home with everyone as it played on the car radios due to the close call with the train they had that day. And of all other songs a radio station could have had on their playlist, this one did play on the car radios.
In the Chrysler 300, Jed mentioned, "Tonight, That song seems haunting, doesn't it".
"I was thinking the same thing", Al replied as he continued driving.
Mark Dinning - Teen angel (1960)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE-AcC53OYY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG_VIcoiCFA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lu4OCgOevY

Everyone liked this song as they found it to be rather funny. The cubs especially got a laugh from it.
Royal Teens - Little Cricket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeI8KFIop80
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lru73RGGLA4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vngrCnjRiaw

It was well after sunset and had already been dark by the time Al, Marge and the cubs arrived home.
There was some leftover shrimp and rice gumbo everyone had for a late supper, after which, the cubs watched TV for a while as Al and Marge enjoyed some coffee. Being it was Saturday, there was church tomorrow morning, so everyone finally got to bed at 11:00 that night...It has been quite a day.

             To be continued.

Here is a clip from a 1959 Union Pacific safety film that was inspiration for the mistake Clarence almost made.
https://youtu.be/7e7OrlBVojE?t=1172

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Clarence Coyote and Project Courier - Part 35 - Close Call

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