It was bound to happen sooner or later and I'm just glad it happened where it did. I left Grand Prairie, Texas heading to Shreveport on Monday, May fourth at 9:30am on what was to be a three hour drive heading East. I had filled up my gas tank and should have had enough gas to get me to my friends Sarah and Nathan's home. I don't like driving with less than half a tank of gas not really knowing where the next station is so I pulled off in Tyler, Texas about one hundred miles from my final destination. After I filled my tank I go to start the car up and it wouldn't start. To someone like myself that only knows how to put gas and in a car and drive it any problem will sound like its the battery. I saw a gentleman with a truck that looked like a service truck and asked if he would mind giving me a jump. He was eager to help me but he started telling me it sounded like it was my starter. He tried giving me the jump and it still wouldn't start. He told me he could put in a new starter for me but I kindly rejected his offer since I have a AAA and also GoodSam roadside assistance so decided to call them instead.
The AAA guy showed up and tried jumping the battery, it didn't start. So then he got a hammer and got under the car and banged on what I assume was the starter and it still wouldn't start. So then I called Good Sam Club because they would tow me to the nearest capable repair facility that guarantees to fix the issue. I have to thank my friends that gave me this premium membership for two years because it wouldn't of been cheap to not only tow the car but also Motel Miguel.
Patrick from Crown towing showed up and loaded the car up and when he was going to hook up Motel Miguel he had a small issue with threading a brand new hitch ball to his bumper. Somehow it wouldn't thread all the way. The nut got jammed and no matter how much he tried it wouldn't budge. He broke one pipe wrench and I just had to burst out laughing. He couldn't believe it had broken and just tried another.
You can see the broken pipe wrench in this photo and also where the nut had gotten stuck.
He pulled, he pushed and no matter how much he tried that nut wasn't moving. He finally gave up and called the office and I'm assuming they told him to try hitching Motel Miguel up to it and secure it with the chains.
As he was backing the hitch up to hook up Motel Miguel he pinched the electric connection wire cable and tore a couple of wires in half. He saw me take a picture of it. I didn't let it upset me because these days I don't let negative stuff get to me, it's not worth it and everything is fixable.
He finally had us hooked up and I was towed seven miles to Goolsbee Tire Service and Repair in Tyler, Texas. On the way to Goolsbee Patrick called in to his office told them we were on the way and also informed them about the accident with the electric wires and they said they would pay for a new replacement. Thankfully it's only an hour away and they have a zoo in Tyler. Sarah and I will be making a day trip out of it and taking baby Nova to the zoo when the new wire comes in.
Motel Miguel was unhitched out in a dirt field next to the repair shop....
Patrick dropped off the car inside the shop....
And after hearing his story about suffering a heart attack last year and having such a positive attitude about life these days and not stressing about petty things that are easily solved how could I not take a selfie with Patrick!
I spoke to the gentleman at Goolsbees and they told me they would really try to have my car fixed by the time they closed but that it might not be until tomorrow. So I told them I would really appreciate it if they got it fixed but if not I have to remember that home is where you park it. So I set up Motel Miguel up, pulled the awning out, put a chair out, grabbed my IPad and did some reading.
A couple of hours later my car was fixed, Motel Miguel's cable was temporarily fixed and I was on the road again.
This is one of the reasons I like leaving for any new destination early in the day so that if there is a snag in my trip I can hopefully get back on the road and continue travelling.
I arrived in Louisiana!
Wasn't difficult at all to find Sarah and Nathan's home and parked Motel Miguel!
Finally got to meet baby Nova in person...
With her best friend Thor, the Greatdane that always makes sure to try and keep her out of harms way!
By the way, I love the nighttime sounds of the crickets and all the critters here. I woke up at 4am and was listening to them so I decided to update my blog. It's peaceful times like this that make me appreciate what I'm going through and thankful again for the wonderful friends I have in my life, without them none of this would be possible.
I have to go now, I'm going birding this morning with my friend Dot, she is so full of life and one of a kind. Check back soon because I'm sure it will be an adventure, HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
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