We made it safely to Stephen Foster State Park in North Florida.
Just a bit of trivia... Stephen Foster was a musician in the mid-1800s and wrote several tunes that everybody will recognize. "Way Down Upon the ___________ River. (You all know - among many others)
At the Campsite
View from the Buggy
A walk in the woods
Joey & Chica @ Stephen Foster State Park
We met our friends Willis and Ann who were returning from a 5 week RV trip out west - their last stop before returning home and our first stop on our way out. We were tag teaming travel around the country.
Driving to our next destination
October 7,2012
Off to see our friends Martha & Barry in Aiken South Carolina
On the way...
Sunday afternoon, while traveling from north Florida to Aiken, as we were pulling into an "El Cheepo" (yes, the real name) gas station in Waynesboro, GA, just as we crossed over the hump in the entry curb, we heard a serious CRUNCH then the sound of dragging steel.
Chica, who was driving, immediately stopped in place, perfectly blocking the gas station driveway and any access to any of the pumps. After a quick look to see that our trailer hitch was broken off of one side of the minivan and dragging on the ground - oh how we wish we could have taken a picture of the panic on our faces.
With the immediate surge of adrenaline, we ran to inform the station attendant that we weren't able to move and were essentially shutting them down until we could move. The girl at the register responded with a seemingly southern "Okay".
Much to our luck and surprise, a couple of gentlemen came to help with the rescue. Just imagine the fellow with a piece of straw hanging out of his mouth saying, in his slow southern drawl, "looks like you have a problem there".
The gentleman then summoned his friend who happened to have just finished filling up his truck right in front of us and we proceeded to disconnect the Buggy from our "dragging" trailer hitch, hooked it up to our new friends' truck and pulled the Buggy to safety in the parking lot of Sid Cox Insurance Agency.
After a call to the emergency number on Sid's building to let them know what to expect when he arrived the next morning, we tied up the dragging hitch with a rope and continued on to Aiken without the Buggy.
As you might expect, we now have a brand new hitch on the minivan, have returned to Sid's to retrieve our Buggy and successfully put ourselves back on track.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Everybody!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFor the Traveler By John O'Donohue
ReplyDeleteby Laura Williams-Day on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 7:49am ·
Every time you leave home, Another road takes you into a world you were never in. New strangers on other paths await. New places that have never seen you Will startle a little at your entry. Old places that know you well will pretend nothing Changed since your last visit. When you travel, you find yourself alone in a different way. More attentive now to the self you bring along. Your more subtle eye watching you abroad; and how what meets you touches that part of the heart that lies low at home: How you unexpectedly attune to the timbre in some voice, opening in conversation you want to take in to where your longing Has pressed hard enough Inward, on some unsaid dark, To create a crystal of insight You could not have known you needed to illuminate your way. When you travel, a new silence goes with you, and if you listen, you will hear what your heart would love to say. A journey can become a sacred thing: Make sure, before you go, to take the time to bless your going forth, to free your heart of ballast so that the compass of your soul might direct you toward the territories of spirit where you will discover more of your hidden life, and the urgencies that deserve to claim you. May you travel in an awakened way, gathered wisely into your inner ground; that you may not waste the invitations which wait along the way to transform you. May you travel safely, arrive refreshed, and live your time away to its fullest; return home more enriched, and free to balance the gift of days which call you.
Congrats Chica & Joey! I look forward to hearing all about your trip along the way. HAPPY TRAILS!! Love & Peace, PD
ReplyDeleteGood luck guys! Lookin forward to seeing your post!
ReplyDeleteHi Everybody - We've made it to Stephen Foster State Park in North Florida. Just a bit of trivia... Stephen Foster was a musician in the mid-1800s and wrote several tunes that everyone will recognize. "Way down upon the ____________" (you all know)among many others.
ReplyDeleteWe met our friends Willis and Ann who were returning from a 5 week RV trip out west - their last stop before returning home and our first stop on the way out. We're tag-teaming the travel around the country.
Having a great time - lots of hiking and fresh air.
Our Kindest Regards to All
Chica & Joey
So good to hear that your having a great time. Cant wait to see some pictures. ;-) Miss you both!
Deletehiking and fresh air! now that sounds very good indeed!
DeleteSunday afternoon, while driving from north Florida to Martha & Barry's, our friends in Aiken South Carolina, we were pulling into a gas station and as we crossed the slight hump of the curb, our trailer hitch broke. We heard a crunch - then the grinding sound of dragging steel.
ReplyDeleteWe were perfectly and immovably placed in the gas station driveway as to not let anyone at the first gas pump. That was okay as the now blocked driveway didn't allow access from the street for any of the pumps.
With the immediate surge of adrenaline, we ran to inform the station attendant that we weren't able to move and were essentially shutting them down.
Much to our surprise and good luck, a couple (southern) gentlemen came to the rescue. We unhitched the Airstream and drug our dragging hitch into a close by parking place. We and our new, southern acquaintances then hooked the Airstream to their (big) truck and pulled it to safety in Sid Cox's Insurance parking lot next door.
After a call to the emergency number on Sid's building to let him know what to expect when he arrived the next morning and a brief political discussion with our republican new found friends (with the truck), we continued our last 60 miles to Aiken with a trailer hitch roped up to the under side of the minivan and without the Airstream.
As you might expect, we now have a brand new trailer hitch on the minivan, have returned to Sid's in Waynesboro, Ga, hooked up the Airstream and successfully put ourselves back on track.
Its a new day... We made it to Martha & Barry's and had quite the enjoyable visit.
Oh my! Glad to hear that you are back on the road safe, and sound.
DeleteThe first of many folks you will meet along your journey. That is so good to hear that they helped you right away. Good deal.
WOW! Thank goodness that you were not on the road when that happened. So glad your safe and sound!
DeleteOur visit with Martha & Barry was delightful. Lots of good conversation, home cooked meals, plenty of laughter and a 7-1/2 mile walk through Hitchcock Woods.
ReplyDeleteAiken, SC is a warm, eclectic and beautiful city which we look forward to returning to someday.
On Wednesday morning we left at 7:00 AM - on to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
We're not able to put photos on this blog. Please copy this url to your browser and take a look:
ReplyDeletehttp://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q295/Chica-JoeyFawcett/Chica%20and%20Joeys%202012%20Buggy%20Trip/
great pics! Look forward to many more!
Deletep/l, d
Hi! I have tried numerous times to post something, and I believe I have finally figured it out. Hope you two are having a wonderful time! Miss you!
ReplyDeleteD
I'm still trying to view the pictures - I can hardly wait to see them!
ReplyDeleteGood to hear your travels............Happy Trails to you!
ReplyDeleteLove, Carole
Hi, guys. Attempt #3 to post. Sounds like quite an adventure so far. Stay safe and make sure to plan a little AR time when you start heading west.
ReplyDeleteXXOO
Will, Janell and the twins