Ok, Ok, I know everyone has a flat tire at one time or another in their life time. But, to have one traveling at the speed of 65 mph and on interstate 10, by yourself, and at my age, was a hair raising adventure!
At first I didn't know what had happened, it happened so fast. This sort of thing happens to others not me!
The loud popping sound startled me from thoughts of how I was going to spend the rest of my day, (There went all my great plans out the window and on the wind). I looked around and made sure I wasn't shot or anything like that, then about that time I was brought back to reality by a roaring sound that vibrated the entire car. I thought to myself," what the heck just happen! The car wasn't pulling, but should I pull over? " "Of course you are not an idiot". I said out loud.
I slowly and calmly put on my emergency lights and made my way into the right lanes and off onto the right shoulder. After several attempts I was able to get out of the car to see what had just happened. Maybe my engine fell out! Well you guessed it.... big ole flat tire, right rear passenger side. Now what do I do? I can't change a tire, I'm 67 years old and can't turn no darn lug nut!
I called my husband, (thank God for cell phones) I told him I was hyperventilating,and had just survived a terrible flat tire incident! Now, I would like to say at this point I know what to do in case of an road side emergency, but there where two insurance cards in the glove box and I had no ideal which one we were covered under. ( lesson number 1, know who your carrrier is) So, after learning that we had Geico I gave them a call. (I love that Lizard)!
The young man at Geico was more than helpful, he asked me if I was alright, and if would I like some help! "Excuse Me, that is why I am calling". Kidding aside, he was very helpful. I will give that young man a good review when I get the form, he deserves it. He took care of everything for me! All I had to do was sweat. He called the Highway Patrol and a roadside service for me, also informed me that it would be take forty to forty five minutes for the service truck to reach me, but the highway patrol would be there soon. As promised the patrol car was there within minutes.
Now, I was in tears, I had to pee, it was hot, hot, hot. 98 degrees plus. I was beginning to get scared with all the traffic flying by me so fast that the car would shake...I had little water left... OH NO! I'm stranded in the desert with
little water. ( lesson number 2, always take triple amounts of water when crossing the desert) You tend to drink twice as much when you are having an anxiety attack!
The officer was very professional and comforting. He escorted me to the sqaud car to sit with him while we waited for the service truck, he could sense my frustration and anxiety. (Lesson #3, you can turn your air conditioner on if you have a flat tire.) No, I am not blonde! Also, my face was so red from the heat that Rudolph would have hid his nose in shame standing next to me!
Soon the service truck arrived, twenty minutes early! Yea! I was sent another professional, courteous man! He put the little donut of a spare tire on for me and explain the do's and don't's of driving with it until I could get to a tire shop. I shook both mens hands and thanked them for their help, compassion, and understanding. Both men watched as I safely pulled back on the freeway and drove off into the noon- day sun! Gary Cooper would have been proud of my exit!
At first I didn't know what had happened, it happened so fast. This sort of thing happens to others not me!
The loud popping sound startled me from thoughts of how I was going to spend the rest of my day, (There went all my great plans out the window and on the wind). I looked around and made sure I wasn't shot or anything like that, then about that time I was brought back to reality by a roaring sound that vibrated the entire car. I thought to myself," what the heck just happen! The car wasn't pulling, but should I pull over? " "Of course you are not an idiot". I said out loud.
I slowly and calmly put on my emergency lights and made my way into the right lanes and off onto the right shoulder. After several attempts I was able to get out of the car to see what had just happened. Maybe my engine fell out! Well you guessed it.... big ole flat tire, right rear passenger side. Now what do I do? I can't change a tire, I'm 67 years old and can't turn no darn lug nut!
I called my husband, (thank God for cell phones) I told him I was hyperventilating,and had just survived a terrible flat tire incident! Now, I would like to say at this point I know what to do in case of an road side emergency, but there where two insurance cards in the glove box and I had no ideal which one we were covered under. ( lesson number 1, know who your carrrier is) So, after learning that we had Geico I gave them a call. (I love that Lizard)!
The young man at Geico was more than helpful, he asked me if I was alright, and if would I like some help! "Excuse Me, that is why I am calling". Kidding aside, he was very helpful. I will give that young man a good review when I get the form, he deserves it. He took care of everything for me! All I had to do was sweat. He called the Highway Patrol and a roadside service for me, also informed me that it would be take forty to forty five minutes for the service truck to reach me, but the highway patrol would be there soon. As promised the patrol car was there within minutes.
Now, I was in tears, I had to pee, it was hot, hot, hot. 98 degrees plus. I was beginning to get scared with all the traffic flying by me so fast that the car would shake...I had little water left... OH NO! I'm stranded in the desert with
little water. ( lesson number 2, always take triple amounts of water when crossing the desert) You tend to drink twice as much when you are having an anxiety attack!
The officer was very professional and comforting. He escorted me to the sqaud car to sit with him while we waited for the service truck, he could sense my frustration and anxiety. (Lesson #3, you can turn your air conditioner on if you have a flat tire.) No, I am not blonde! Also, my face was so red from the heat that Rudolph would have hid his nose in shame standing next to me!
Soon the service truck arrived, twenty minutes early! Yea! I was sent another professional, courteous man! He put the little donut of a spare tire on for me and explain the do's and don't's of driving with it until I could get to a tire shop. I shook both mens hands and thanked them for their help, compassion, and understanding. Both men watched as I safely pulled back on the freeway and drove off into the noon- day sun! Gary Cooper would have been proud of my exit!
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