Postscript

We have been back home for 10 days and are so glad we made it before the Escalade completely gave out.  The problem has been repaired.....the ball bearing on the front left tire had cracked and was the cause of all the noise.  After a costly repair, the Escalade is ready to drive again.  But we will still start shopping for a new car, maybe buying  by the end of the year or sooner if we win a lottery.

Escalade 2011 - Photo from July 2011