Healing from divorce # 7

footnote all this happened 12 years ago>>

continued from healing from divorce # 6

That night as I drove the I-80 through Wyoming the outside temperature was about 20 degrees and snowing. I drove along at about 35 mph behind the endless train of trucks that snaked through the Rockies. Even at night, they were a great site. My ears began to pop the higher we climbed. This was my first time driving through this majestic mountain range, actually a first across the states.

I had bought snow wiper blades at my last stop as a precaution and now I was glad that I had. I passed a sign That Boasted we were at “8000 feet”. The roads were icy and Ice is merciless no matter what you drive, unless of course you have chains, even then there are no guarantees.

About an hour later, the trucks began to pick up speed and so I thought well they know something I do not and followed their lead. Therefore, I pressed on the gas, big mistake. I hit a large patch of ice, the van began to do do-nuts (360`s) at about 50 mph. I do not know how many times I spun around it seemed like an eternity. I just clung onto the steering wheel praying that the 700 lb carpet machine that was bolted to the van floor behind me would not break free.

Then I spun on to one of those emergency link roads where state troopers normally sit to watch for speeders between the freeway lanes. I still kept spinning only this time I went straight over the edge of the link road. I was air borne.

Do you remember in the cartoons when “Willey Coyote" or some other character goes over a cliff, hangs in midair for a second then drops like a rock. Well that is just what happened. I just clung onto the steering wheel as I hung in the air, watched helplessly then dropped like a rock. The ploughed through the deep snow before finally coming to a stop in the large wall of snow I had just manufactured.

I was ok, I took a deep breath and checked my body for any damage, none. The carpet machine had not moved and it had prevented my belongings from coming forward. I opened the door and climbed out.

It looked like I had dropped 17 to 18 feet, I thanked God I was ok. The damage to the van was minimal. One flat front tire, a bent fender, a leaking radiator, and the rear quarter panel bent in. A truck stopped and called the state trooper who called a tow truck who towed me out of the ravine. I thanked him then handed him my triple AAA insurance card. It was then he informed me he did not take Insurance, only cash. I had a sinking feeling.

“How much” I asked knowing I was about to be taken.

“$200” he replied

“What in Michigan they charge $75, how far will you take me?”

“just up to the next exit # 235 about ¼ of a mile up the road, there`s a gas station there, you can make a call for some to come out from Rawlins” He said

I had no choice, so off we drove to the gas station. The tow person released my van from his truck and I filled the front tire with air, reconnect the radiator hose, and went inside to make a phone call to triple AAA and buy some anti-freeze.

Well I got 2 gallons of anti-freeze and walked over to the counter were a man in his eighties was waiting. I explained in a shaky voice, (the shock was starting to set in) that I was in an accident and could I please call triple AAA. He said” no the phone was not for customer use only and the anti-freeze was $20

“What $20 for two gallons I just paid $5.00 a gal back in Northplatt”

“He said his was on sale”

. At this point, the tow guy walked in and called the older guy dad. Oh, Boy I thought figgers. Then I Calmly as I could slid the phone that was on the counter over to myself picked up the receiver as he tried to object and said “I have just been in an accident, your son has just ripped me off for $200 and you are now doing the same and I`m cold tired and very angry at how you both have treated me, I`m going to call triple AAA to send a tow truck to get me out of here”

Before he could utter another word, I dialed the number. I was answered by a pleasant Female voice and after I explained my Predicament she assured me they would send a truck from Rawlins within the hour and refund the $200” I thanked her it was nice to hear a compassionate voice at that moment.

Then I hung up. The old Man said you cannot wait in Here I am closing. I paid for the antifreeze and left without another word.

It was freezing outside. Sure enough within the hour a friendly tow guy showed up, took me to Rawlins booked me into a motel, parked my van across the street at what he told me was the best and nicest mechanic into town. The person at the Motel gave me half his dinner, as they did not serve food. They all knew the old guy at exit 235 and shared some similar stories. It is a great thing to meet friendly faces when you are a stranger in town. That night I slept like a log…

To be continued……………..