Sunday, December 27, 2009

Stranded the day after....


Imagine, if you will a good time spent with the family over the holiday.....fond memories, laughter, good food and fun had by all....goodbyes are shared and it's time to hit that road once again.

Car is bumping with the tunes vicarious thoughts are being made intermittently along the way.

A blanket of stars has been pulled across the crisp sky and all of a sudden you hear the grinding sounds and your car starts to convulse. Slowly you begin to brake and make your way to safety on the shoulder of the road. Mind you you're only what 35-40miles away from your destination.

You then get out to inspect the damage knowing all to well that familiar moment that your tire is ripped beyond repair - blowout!

Hello Triple A....yes send someone ASAP....7pm and you're told someone will be out by 745pm
745p rolls around and the battery dies, oh yes it gets better cell battery has one bar left. What to do what to do......kill the engine make one more call to Triple A - plead your case once again you're in the middle of no where with no battery no flashlight no street lights no mile markers....just you, an old pocket knife and your uber domesticated dog. All you can see is a radio tower, a bridge up ahead, a highway sign that says Scenic Overlook and you can't rightly recall what was the last city you just went through or the highways signs that you passed before the blowout occurred.

8p automated message says tow guy will be there in an hour; dispatch guy calls you go over yet again your limited knowledge of your surroundings; dispatch guy assures you they will find you confidence restored; dispatch guy even thinks he's knows of your location from description given. States he will call when tow guy is close to area so you can turn flashers back on.

9pm - no call yet. You then decided to get out and walk hoping to that what appears to be a hwy sign ahead may be something to tell the dispatch guy your location. Just prior to this tow guy calls and states that he has passed you up and has to turnaround.

10pm - you make the walk and who is out also on the side of the road but 2 cows grazing idly of course it's been some time since you've been in the country so you debate whether you should continue to walk to the highway sign or go back to the car. Why? oh you can't determine if the cow will get spooked and decide to run after you or if they will just go on their merry grazing way away from you. You slowly turn around and low and behold the sheriff has arrived NOT for you pray tell but for the cows! Someone called in about the cows but not about you!!

1030pm - Sheriff comes back to check on you...jumpstarts your battery after 3 attempts and changes tire. You think everything is fine huh? WRONG - the donut needs air luckily there is a gas station up ahead. You make it to the gas station but to your dismay the air pump hose is cracked. You start your journey to the next station and are thankful that this air pump is in tact and you start your 55mph journey home finally arriving at 1130pm.

Oh what a night....one that assuredly you will not forget.......

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