Driving home

Yesterday I drove home, to Michigan that is. Not that this is a new thing or an exciting thing, it just something I do several times a year. It's not like it is a short drive. So, yesterday I started out on my 12 hour drive, I was trying to get home for something. To say the least, I didn't make it. I DID make it home however, which is a very good thing.

So, just after I entered Ohio, I called my sister to chat. I was getting tired of driving. I mean, after about 7 hours, you get a little tired. So, I called and told her I was bored and said that my drive wasn't very exciting. Well, those were the kiss of death... it was shortly after that my drive became "exciting." Not the exciting that I really wanted, but the "exciting" that I got.

Well, my tire exploded, blew up, fell apart, traveled back down the road with out me. Now, I would never want this to happen, but I believe it wouldn't be too bad if you were going, oh a normal speed, say 45. No, I was on the expressway. Going about 70-ish (maybe a bit more), in the fast lane. And there my tire went. It was the LOUDEST noise ever. It was quite scary, no it was incredibly scary. And then, I don't know exactly what happened in the next 3 to 5 seconds, but I did get my self to the shoulder on the left side. Not really where you want to be, but I was off the road, and yep only the inner part of my tire was left. My wheel cover also went with my tire, which is sad. I liked these wheel covers, now I will have to go find some more(I kind of needed new ones anyhow...but I wasn't going to get them just yet).

So, my heart was racing, pounding in fact. And, I got out of my car to see exactly what happened. And yep, no tire. So, as I look and then move my car over just a bit more. There is this durango that pulled off on the other side of the road. And they started to back up. Then they asked what happened and motioned me to the other side of the road. And they asked if I wanted them to change my tire. So, they changed my tire. Now, I do believe that I could have changed my tire. I knew that I needed to do that, but I just didn't have enough time to process everything, and so they changed it. But this meant that everything had to come out of my trunk to get my spare out. (this is sad, because it was so nicely packed - and it didn't fit back later) So, as we are getting the spare out (realize I am not doing anything here, I was just letting them - this is terrible of me, but I was still in shock and trying not to cry), this one guy (there were 2) makes the comment "it's a good thing your cute... otherwise we may not of stopped." Well, I guess it is a good thing.. (i don't know what to do with this, but it was amusing). So, they changed the tire, and didn't get hit on the side of I-75. And I made it to the next exit and checked the air in my spare (it is a donut). And proceeded to call Uncle Denny - he is a mechanic, when anything with my car goes wrong, he is usually in the list of people to call. He told me I could make it home on the donut. So, I set out to do so.

So, going through Ohio was incredibly long and boring. Now, I do like Ohio, I like people from Ohio, I enjoy going to camp in Ohio, but I do NOT enjoy driving THROUGH Ohio. It is incredibly long...and a bit boring. So, now... I have to go rather slow (not real slow, but slower that I would have liked) through Ohio. It was almost painful at times...okay it was excruciating. But I made it home.

SO, thank you 2 guys in the durango. I appreciate it.
Just to let you know, I really think I could have changed it, and I am more intelligent that I felt and seemed at the time.

Another interesting side note...as I was thinking... I was going rather fast and my tire blew up. Some how there was no one around me. I do not remember anyone behind me, and more importantly, no one hit me. I am incredibly thankful for this. As my mom said, "Someone was watching out for me." And I am grateful.

The last piece of the story... (or I think it is)... My dad is a Nascar fan, my family has watched races for the longest time...and still do. Well frequently you hear from a radio (or announcer) that a driver has a vibration, and that it is shaking... and THEN the tire blows up... well... just to let you know, vibrations in your steering wheel are not good things... eventually... your tire blows up. Not a good thing. (I told my dad this and that I was just putting 2 and 2 together...he said I should be able to do that since I am a math teacher). This thought was also started when one of the guys changing my tire had an NHRA shirt on...and then... I went "OH.. that was why my steering wheel was shaking." Realize, I didn't say this out loud.

So, there is my exciting story. I am now off to get new tires.