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Sunday, October 24, 2010

You are NEVER going to believe this!

The day started out good.

Really it did.

We packed up and got ready to go. I was standing in the grass near the truck, and as Jim walked by, he accidentally kicked up a rock towards me.

I bent down and picked it up and was pleasantly surprised to see it was a heart rock!


I said, "Look, Hon, you kicked a heart rock to me!"

Jim replied, "See, I LOVE YOU. And You say I don't give you any signs!" Then he leaned over with his sweaty face and kissed me.

What'd I tell ya? Good start.




We hopped on the Interstate, and I started chatting with Jim, sharing with him all your concerns over his back. (HE DOESN'T READ MY BLOG.)

I found an exit on the left side of the road and the exit sign was indeed on the left of the sign like I said in my post here.



We drove thirty, 30, 30 miles when we heard it. 

BAM! 

I.AM.NOT.KIDDING.YOU.

Yes, folks. Blow #3, in 6 days on the road. 



Here's the deal. Two years ago we replaced all six tires at a dealer, Les Swab, on the West coast. You may recall last Spring when we left AZ we had two blowouts - one right in Washington where we bought the original tires. The dealer gave us a new tire; we just had to pay the difference in price because they no longer carried the original tire. Fine. Then about 2 weeks later, another tire blows. Same deal. We find another Les Swab dealer and they swap out the tires. Now with these tires blowing, it makes 5/6 original tires blown. Something tells me that these tires aren't right, you agree? I want Jim to replace that last tire before it blows. We already have enough damage to the trailer. That side of the trailer WAS JUST FIXED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO from the other blow out.

The flapping tire tread not only damaged the trailer, but also cut the electrical line for the one slide-out.

But my story doesn't end here. Oh no.

Jim and I climbed back into the truck; Jim sweating and hurting, me frustrated and near tears.

Jim lets out a sigh and turns the key to start the truck.

And.....nothing.

NOTHING!!!!

Well, not nothing, just a click, click, click, click.

Oh, no. This is NOT happening!

We have an extra battery right on the truck. Jim hooked that up but to no avail. It must be the starter or something else.

Luckily we have roadside assistance. Jim called them and we waited 1 1/2 hours for the honking big tow truck.

In the meantime, I saw a barn down the way and took a picture of it. I used the "posterize" effect. I liked how it turned out.



Also, how about some barbed wire against blue sky?


So, the big tow truck showed up. He towed us to a local campground. Could you imagine the sight we made - 40 ft trailer towed by 18 ft truck towed by gigantic tow truck?




The driver was very nice. He pulled us through the site, let us unhook the trailer, then he towed the truck aside. He's coming back in the morning to tow the truck to a local dealer.

Do you know what's amazing through this all? Jim's attitude. He's calm, doesn't get upset. Just takes things in stride.

Me? I cry, ask, "WHY US?" etc.

I can't help it. I'm Italian/Irish. I'm emotional.

I told Jim, "Hey. Maybe there's a reason for this. Maybe there's a casino near the campground. Maybe I'm supposed to go there and gamble and WIN BIG!"

Jim said, "Yeah, right!" And snorted!

(I stand corrected about the law regarding changing lanes if there is a disabled vehicle pulled over to the side. That only applies to emergency, police and service vehicles - not personal ones. It is just a common courtesy to move to the outer lane.)

23 comments:

Teresa said...

wow! so it looks like you're still in my neck of the woods. i recognize that exit - you didn't get very far today. poor you, poor jim! so sorry that you're having such bad luck with those tires.

Anonymous said...

Gosh! This has not been an easy start for your travels...it must mean that something awesome is just waiting around the bend;)

Hugs and good thoughts

Anonymous said...

I think the heart rock is a sign of good things to come.

chin up friend;)

Ami said...

Well, great pictures...

I hope things get better soon with the tire problems! Sheesh!!

And what a sweet man you have.
I'm the emotional one in our marriage, too.

becky said...

Oh Geez, Pat!
Well, I always try to tell myself that it's fate/destiny/God at work when these seemingly misfortunate things occur. Like maybe to avoid an even worse situation or accident. I've had things occur that made me pull over long enough to avoid something down the road. You never know!
I love that Jim kicked a heart shaped rock at you! A perfect start to a maybe-more-perfect-day-than- you-know!
:)

Brian Miller said...

wow. i hope it only gets better from here...really...nice barn...and i like barb wire...even though it bit me and left a rather large mark on my leg...may the road rise up to meet you (and not becuase of flat tires.)

Unknown said...

Oh you poor things! No one deserves that many blow outs!

Cheeseboy said...

My bro-in-law works at Les Schwab and I am going to let him know about his shotty tires.

I've never found a heart rock. I once picked up a heart pine cone, but it turned out to be someone's dried up chewing tobacco.

betty said...

that was a cool looking rock!! I'm thinking two things:

1. replace that sixth tire
2. don't buy tires from Les Schwab again

what a nightmare this trip has been! I'm sure you can't wait to get to your destination hopefully in one piece!

betty

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh this is such a bummer Pat. We towed for 5-W with a baby Freightliner and this happened to us one time -- being towed into the RV Park -- I agree it does look like a circus. But for us that time, RoadSide Assistance sent a little pickup tow truck -- it couldn't even begin to tow us. So we had to wait another hour and a half for the big truck. (They had all our information of course and Bill carefully told them what we had, but somebody wasn't listening!) Still thank goodness for RoadSide Assistance in cases like this. It is good insurance.

SquirrelQueen said...

Well I think the heart rock means good times are ahead but you have to get past the flat tire thing first.

Since Les Schwab sells lots of different brands of tires change brands, the one you are using now is really lousy.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

unbelievable! enough already!

Valerie said...

I never saw a heart shaped rock with an arrow through it ... initials too ... it's incredible. Maybe your luck will chance from now on. Damn shame about the tires, they're obviously faulty from the start. Do they come with guarantees?

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I wonder if there was a recall on those tires?

Along These Lines ... said...

Rocks come my way from my spouse too, only intentionally at fastball speed.

Betty Manousos said...

Oh no! What bad luck with those tires.
But the heart rock it's a symbolism of good things to come.

Hugs!
B xx

Angel Rogers said...

When you fall, you get back up and keep running :) Just think of this as something you will laugh about in ..... 10 years ?

Missy said...

This is terrible! I will continue to pray for your tires and your sore backs! Great pics!

Ami said...

Okay, I'm sorry. But it's been on my mind since I commented.

Your trailer is now the star of a new country song:

You Picked A Fine Time To Leave Me Loose Wheel

Sunny said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sunny said...

OMG! I feel awful for you both! Something doesn't sound right with those tires.
Hope things improve soon!
☼ Sunny
P.S. Thank you for your kind comments, send me an email with your mailing address to barnyardsandbarnacles@live.com

Lynda said...

Oh, Pat - - - Again, I am very happy that you both are fine but I am so sorry or your rough road trip. I would definitely be contacting someone in authority in that tire company and let them know what has happened to you. How many miles are the tires supposed to last? I think I would also mention the damage to your home. Praying for a better day tomorrow.

Snowflake said...

I can't believe that you have had not ONE, not TWO, but THREE blow-outs!!! I hope this is the last of your bad luck!! We arrived at VVV today. Hope to see you soon!!!!