It was not the trip I'd planned. It started out a little behind schedule, but with plenty of sunshine. It was way-layed by a flat tire and broken speedometer. Thanks to the kindness of two strangers and a cell-phone pep talk from my husband, I eventually arrived in Michigan and met my newest grandchild, Micah. The week was filled with lots love and came rapidly to an end! I was worried about driving home. What could go wrong this time? Thankfully, it had nothing to do with my car, but construction on I-80 added 3 extra hours on to my trip, so once again, I arrived at my destination after everyone had gone to bed!
Life does have its unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes you set out on a quest or heading towards a goal and get totally tossed about by an unexpected event like a blown out tire. Other times the road is filled with detours or even a dead stop and you wonder if it's really worth making the journey at all. Maybe those road hazards put fear in you so that you don't even want to venture forth lest "something else goes wrong" like a busted speedometer. I guess after this trip, I've learned that the bumps might not necessarily be fun, but the fear is worse; and there will always be kindness when a stranger stops to help or a service person does their job well, or a loved one says an encouraging word. The bottom line is this- it does look better in the rear view mirror, but unless you leave the house, there will be nothing in the mirror to see. And if you don't leave, you may never experience the joy of where the journey brings you. So, it's best to pack your bags and be as prepared as you can. And don't forget your camera.
@maggiemae Thanks Maggie! I'm sure Mr. Mann and Yolanda would have approached this trip with a lot more spunk than I did- but then I wasn't riding a motorcycle!
@yaorenliu Thank you Yao! That is a truck behind me- and lots and lots and lots of cars! The picture is posting a little bit darker than it shows in my computer but if I tilt the screen forward it's a little lighter and you can see the traffic better.
@eniaral Haha- and you know this story is going to appear in one of them too! @nicolecampbell Thanks Nicole! I miss them already but the good news is we will be back at the end of August for the opening games. @kerristephens Thanks Kerri!
Nice shot, Ann! :) Love the diptych! I bet it was nice that you got to drive your car home. It must have been great to travel and see your newest addition. I haven't ventured far from home in a very long time. You are lucky that you are able to. Nice job! :)
@prttblues I determined a long time ago that if I wanted to go anywhere- even just to visit family, I was going to have to do it myself most of the time. Jeff is a hard worker and not much of a traveler although he thinks that he is! We do have fun when we can go together, but if I waited to go with him all the time, I'd be taking a trip every ten years! I'm just thankful he doesn't have as much of a problem with me going without him. Some husbands are very picky that way.
@digitalrn Thanks Rick! I really don't mind it, but this trip had so many "twists and turns" I really am glad to home and have no place to go this week!
@sangwann Thank you Dione- lol I don't think I've ever thought of a traffic jam or a car on a flat bed as lovely before!
@daisy Thank you Kathryn! Interestingly just after I wrote this I read an article in which the author was grateful for many of the adversities in his life. In his words, they made him stronger and work harder. Well, I'm not sure I'd say this trip did that for me, but at least it got me thinking about what positives I've learned from "bumps in the road".
your car must've run over a nail or something razor sharp for it to have exploded as you described. thank God that you kept your cool and you're safe; as well as thank heavens for good samaritans. AAA is a magnificent blessing, too!
trying to get caught up with my commenting, as i am seriously majorly behind. writing is in the way but i couldn't help it. let me know your next travel plans. so excited!
@summerfield Thanks Vikki! Yes, I think I know what the culprit was. I was passing a truck and avoiding another- paying close attention to the vehicles and did not see the deer carcass in the center lane until the car in front of me pulled over- too late! I heard a thump and thought maybe I'd avoided the bulk of it, but apparently no such luck. God kept me safe and sent a couple nice folks to stand in for His angels that day. And although the purse strings are really tight this week, all is well and the car is fixed. I would never travel that far without AAA and now with cell phones, it's pretty easy to get help when you need it. I will keep you posted as to what happens with my granddaughter. I'm looking forward to our get together whenever that may be! And thank you so much for all the comments tonight- I've been a bit behind too, so there's no problem understanding here!
First of all, I'm so glad that you are okay after these experiences! Secondly, I needed your pep talk. I have to be honest that I worry so much of the what ifs and decide to just stay home. Hopefully, your pep talk will encourage me to venture out more.
@mrssmith203 Thank you Carla! I know how you feel. When the boys were young and my dad had moved to Vermont, I'd wait and wait and hope that Jeff would take time off and we could go to Vermont to visit. After about a year and a half of waiting, waiting, I realized that if I didn't go I'd never get there. So I started traveling and haven't looked back since. I must admit, it's frustrating to have the car break down or have something go wrong, but I force myself to take it in stride. What good is worrying anyway- it only brings on more gray hairs and it doesn't add an ounce of happiness to your life. With AAA and cell phones- there's really nothing to worry about- except maybe the cost!! But you've got a new car- so go for it!!
July 14th, 2013
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
@yaorenliu Thank you Yao! That is a truck behind me- and lots and lots and lots of cars! The picture is posting a little bit darker than it shows in my computer but if I tilt the screen forward it's a little lighter and you can see the traffic better.
@nicolecampbell Thanks Nicole! I miss them already but the good news is we will be back at the end of August for the opening games.
@kerristephens Thanks Kerri!
@sangwann Thank you Dione- lol I don't think I've ever thought of a traffic jam or a car on a flat bed as lovely before!
@daisy Thank you Kathryn! Interestingly just after I wrote this I read an article in which the author was grateful for many of the adversities in his life. In his words, they made him stronger and work harder. Well, I'm not sure I'd say this trip did that for me, but at least it got me thinking about what positives I've learned from "bumps in the road".
trying to get caught up with my commenting, as i am seriously majorly behind. writing is in the way but i couldn't help it. let me know your next travel plans. so excited!