Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Remember the Alamo

I don’t know what it is about us and rental cars but it seems they don’t like us. Last time we went on a trip there was a big mix up with Enterprise and it was Avis to the rescue. (Click here to read about it.) As I mentioned in my previous post we had to rent a van when we went to Seattle because none of our vehicles would hold six people and luggage for a cruise. There would have been no way we could have taken his family to the seaport.

Tom rented a van at Alamo. When he got there they have no van available. They were very sorry but another customer was late in bringing back the van. Apparently Alamo in our little town has only one van. So they rent us a Durango that seats six but had no luggage room. Tom told them this wouldn’t do. Their answer was to exchange the Durango in Seattle at the airport for a van because one was available there. Okay that’s fine.

We get to Seattle and we exchange the Durango for the van. You read about the weekend in the previous post. Now it’s Sunday and it’s time to take them to the seaport. We all pile in, the luggage fits fine and we are on our way. We’re on I5 going north when a car pulls up next to us. Everyone is pointing to our van as they drive by. Tom felt like something was not right and pulled over to check it out. There was the making of a flat tire on the passenger side in the rear. The exit was not far so he thought he could make it. Soon he realized he wasn’t going to. Pictured below is how close we are to the exit.
This was what the tire looked like.
Tom’s thought was we were early and maybe we could change the tire ourselves and get everyone to the boat on time. We couldn’t find the spare. We call Alamo and they informed us they would someone to change the tire. As we are waiting on the side of the road I called the hotel to see if they could send a cab. The cabs wouldn’t come to pick someone off the side of the highway. We did have three people stop to help while we waited. The third was Officer Ford. He was very nice. I told him about how we had to get our family to the boat before it took off and we had this flat. He asked if I called a cab and I explained how they wouldn’t come for a fare on the side of the road. He informed me they would come for him. He called the cab company and they were on their way. He was very nice. He even posed for a photo. Below is Officer Ford with Teresa and Lorraine.
We took this opportunity while we waited to explore our surroundings.
What do you do when you're stuck on the side of the road? Take more family pictures of course.
His dad started to worry because the cab was not here yet. I remember Officer Ford said he called Yellow Cab and as I saw one pass on the highway and caught the number off the side and called. They said they couldn’t find us. I couldn’t believe it. How many vans with six people standing around right before the exit did the cabby pass? Anyway they sent another cab.

Finally the guy came and changed the tire. First he had to release the spare. Pictured was the release from inside the van. It came up out of the floor.
The spare tire was located under the driver’s side. We never would have found it. I was worried for the guy trying to get it out.
The cab finally got there when the tire was changed. The family got off on their trip. We put the flat tire in the back and we were off to the airport to exchange our car for car No. 3. We couldn’t drive three and half hours on a donut. The red car you see above was what we ended up with.

I will be busy with another class this weekend. I’m not teaching but will be helping out. Have a nice weekend everyone.

© Nadine Z. 2007

25 comments:

Jill said...

Oh my goodness! I'm glad everything worked out and your family made it to the seaport on time. The family photos on the side of the road gave me a chuckle!

Jen(n) said...

I loved this post. It was sooo real life!!!

Knit-Wit said...

It's a good thing God sent Officer Ford to you, even though the cab came after you didn't need it any longer. What a great memory to laugh over for years to come.

Art said...

I hate when stuff like this happens. You just feel so helpless. Glad it worked out OK in the end and I hope you have a great remainder of the week and a wonderful weekend!

Dedee said...

Wow. That's craziness. Rental car companies make me nervous--ever since we rented one, went to CA (12 hours if you care) and it died on us in Cali. The company wasn't very nice about it, that's for sure!

Glad all are safe!

Shionge said...

Sorry to hear this Nadine and yes must be very anxious especially when we need to catch the boat/flight etc.

Glad that kind Officer came to the rescue and hmmm....always like the men in uniform ..hahhaa...ooopss....just blogged about temptation so ahemm.....coming back to this incident, gald all is fine and thanks for wonderful photos as usual Nadine :D

palmtreefanatic said...

I enjoyed this Nadine...Alot of Drama! lol! Sounds like things I go through Daily! LOL!
Glad it all worked out, At least I think it did right? Nice photos and nice cop;)

Anonymous said...

Wow! So cool that your family made it before the boat sailed! Love that you explored while you waited.

Keshi said...

I have never rented a car...wow now Im even more skeptical :)

Keshi.

Tammy said...

Oh wow...how crazy was that! Sounds like some of our wild adventures on our last Hawaiian trip!

And Nadine...that is so amazing that we were in Seattle the same weekend...and AT PIKE'S PLACE!!!
Were you there on Sunday by chance? Because if so, that would have been unbelievable...too bad we didn't know it and we could have said, "Meet you in front of the orange pig" or something! heehee

Rochelle said...

LOL!!! I adore that you took pictures of the officer and family on the side of the road. Seriously ... lol.

david santos said...

I passed to congratulate it with its work and to desire a good August to it in vacation.

Cheri said...

That's funny. Thanks for the smile...and the blogger in you had to take pictures so you could blog about it.

Believer said...

Often our plans are delayed, but not denied! =) So glad all went well.

Growing with Julia

Elle*Bee said...

sounds like the makings of another grand adventure....I take it you made it to the boat on time?

Trina said...

Ugghhhh those sorts of trips or days can be quite weary, but, as usual, you handled it with grace...hehehe

KarenW said...

Oh my! I'm so sorry for all of your troubles. What an odd place for the spare tire to be. Well, I'm glad you weren't standing out there in the heat! It's in the mid 90's here and feels like 110.

Louise said...

Oh my land what an adventure!! That is SOO funny taking family pictures at the side of the road...LOL!!
Nice Officer for helping you guys out!

Damselfly said...

Oh, what a nightmare! But you took lemons and turned them into nice family photos! You even managed to get the officer in there! So funny, so you!

Demara said...

Sounds like quite the adventure Nadine. Crazy times!!!

Anonymous said...

Nadine, GREAT post!! That was so funny seeing the photos of you all. You guys seem like you have so much fun, no mater the situation! That's just a wonderful way to be!1
- Audrey
Pinks & Blues

KAYLEE said...

hope you are well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eph2810 said...

Oh my word - I can not believe that you always have adventures like that going on a road trip :)
How cool that the officer called the cab company.

Be blessed today and always.

Deb said...

That's what memories are made of hey! It sucks to have to endure them but when you reflect back those are the first things that we talk about and count our blessings that it wasn't worse! Glad it didn't ruin your trip! Hope you enjoyed Seattle!

Tys on Ice said...

could I request you to pay a visit to my blog. Theres a story Iam writing called The Devils Chronicles...I would like your comments...thanks in advance