Scared
A little over a week ago on Fri., May 4, I was on my way to Wimberley for a one day show. I normally arrive there on Fri. afternoon and visit with friends as we work to set up for an early crowd the next morning. We camp out in our spaces, some people have rvs or trailers to sleep in, and some sleep in their vehicles. I was happy with myself because I was running on schedule instead of behind schedule as I gassed up and headed out of town.
I went around San Antonio on the loop to the interstate and shortly after I got on the interstate I had a blowout. In all my years of driving I had never had a blowout and it really scared me to the core. Luckily, I managed to keep control of the van which wasn't easy to do. After gaining a slight bit of composure, I turned on the emergency flashers and searched the highway for a nearby exit to get off the interstate. This area has very high semi-truck traffic and I was uneasy. But there wasn't one in sight and the tire was ripped to shreds and couldn't be driven on anyways. Of course, I was loaded down with inventory and displays, so I started unloading off to the side. The weather had been cloudy and cool all day, but this is when the sun decided to make an appearance, so all of a sudden it seemed like a sauna.
I read the manual to get the jack out and was trying to decipher where the spare was and how to unhitch it from the underside of the van when a San Antonio city police officer came along and helped me get things taken care of. I was grateful for his help, but would have been just as grateful if he didn't offer a finger, but just sat there with his flashers on to slow people down and make them more cautious.
So then I limped along to the next little town on the donut-tire where I found a Wal Mart and bought a new tire. So by the time all this was taken care of, I was about 2 1/2 hours later than planned in getting to my destination. But at least I was safe. I hope never to have this experience again!
I was sick with a stress headache on Sat. night when I got home, and think it was from all the stress involved with the tire on Fri., and not sleeping well on the cot Sat. night, and then I didn't get any "real" coffee on Sat. morning, since my friend offered me decaff. So I believe it was a combination of factors. From now on, I'm taking my Folgers and my coffeemaker....gotta keep that caffeine level up!
I went around San Antonio on the loop to the interstate and shortly after I got on the interstate I had a blowout. In all my years of driving I had never had a blowout and it really scared me to the core. Luckily, I managed to keep control of the van which wasn't easy to do. After gaining a slight bit of composure, I turned on the emergency flashers and searched the highway for a nearby exit to get off the interstate. This area has very high semi-truck traffic and I was uneasy. But there wasn't one in sight and the tire was ripped to shreds and couldn't be driven on anyways. Of course, I was loaded down with inventory and displays, so I started unloading off to the side. The weather had been cloudy and cool all day, but this is when the sun decided to make an appearance, so all of a sudden it seemed like a sauna.
I read the manual to get the jack out and was trying to decipher where the spare was and how to unhitch it from the underside of the van when a San Antonio city police officer came along and helped me get things taken care of. I was grateful for his help, but would have been just as grateful if he didn't offer a finger, but just sat there with his flashers on to slow people down and make them more cautious.
So then I limped along to the next little town on the donut-tire where I found a Wal Mart and bought a new tire. So by the time all this was taken care of, I was about 2 1/2 hours later than planned in getting to my destination. But at least I was safe. I hope never to have this experience again!
I was sick with a stress headache on Sat. night when I got home, and think it was from all the stress involved with the tire on Fri., and not sleeping well on the cot Sat. night, and then I didn't get any "real" coffee on Sat. morning, since my friend offered me decaff. So I believe it was a combination of factors. From now on, I'm taking my Folgers and my coffeemaker....gotta keep that caffeine level up!
posted by Rita at 12:21 PM
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