3.17.2008

the country road that did not take us home




Have you heard of Sandstone Mountain? Probably not. Well, we have. It is about 10 miles east of Beckley, WV on I-64. Sandstone Mountain will forever be in our memory as the last place and time that our 2000 Plymouth Breeze turned its crankshaft, that it fired its last spark, that it's valves last opened. Thats right, halfway up the mountain on our way home, the timing belt snapped and the engine . . . well it stopped and consequently so did we...



on the side of a mountain road during a nice rainstorm. To put it mildly, we were somewhat at a loss as what to do! We tried calling the incident management / courtesy patrol, but they needed to know where we were. Uhh, West Virginia? That wasn't precise enough so Matthias got out and ran down the mountain to find the last mile marker. Some clever WVites pulled over and asked him if he needed help, when Matthias told them that he just needed to know where he was so that he could inform the incident management / courtesy patrol, they helpfully informed him that he was on I-64 west bound - and that he should find the nearest mile marker a little ways down the mountain. Very good idea, wish we would have thought of that! Anyway, the courtesy patrol folks showed up followed by a tow-truck. They towed the Breeze to a real nice place in Beckley. Actually . . . it wasn't a real nice place. It was a rather unreal unnice place. We waited in their 12 x 12 room for about 4 hours while the mechanic made his way back to the shop. He finally came and tried to convince Matthias that, since the belt was broken and there was likely to be significant engine damage, he should light the car on fire and collect the insurance payment. Or, if Matthias preferred, the fellow would show him a place on the river where he could dump the car, and "Make sure you don't get everything out of the car," as that might look suspicious. The two mechanics then disputed for a minute if the car would be found in the river or not. In stead of the river, we asked them to take the car to a different shop. On the way to the new shop they dropped us off at the Holiday Inn. A very nice Holiday Inn I might add. Brand new, smelled clean, looked clean, in fact I would not have minded staying there a few days were it not that we were in Beckley, WV without a car.



Anyways, the next morning, Sunday that is, we found the number to and called the local LDS church. They kindly sent someone over who gave us a ride to the meetinghouse. Once there we were overcome by kindness and generosity. About 4 people invited us to stay at their home if we had to stay another night. Another couple apologized that they could not invite us over for dinner because they already had someone coming over and they slipped $25 in Matthais' pocket. Furthermore, the Bishop ended up driving us from Beckley to his home where his wife put together some lunches and snacks for our trip back to Indiana. From there he drove us to Charleston so we could rent a car and get back on the road. WOW, as I indicated we were overcome with the charity of these wonderful people. Whatever negative opinion we hold of Beckley as a place, we hold an equally strong positive opinion of the people we encountered at church in Beckley.

So back on the road, sans the Breeze. It stayed behind. After speaking to the mechanics there today, it appears very likely that the Breeze will remain indefinitely in Beckley, WV. I am actually kind of scared for the Breeze. I would hate to be left behind in such a place. Anyways, we are currently automobileless and thus helping to fight global warming. We think it is the socially responsible thing to do, stop emitting so much CO2 that is, and we recommend to everyone that they join us and leave your cars somewhere. Maybe Beckley? Just follow the I-64 east past Charleston and you will find yourself there. If you do make it that way, please leave your car somewhere near the Breeze as it is probably really scared and confused. 

So now you know about Sandstone Mountain and Beckley, WV, but have you heard of Dawson, WV? Again, probably not. That is the place, about 20 miles east of Beckley, where Matthias remarked on the wonderful luck we had had so far with the Breeze. Seven years and no major problems, 160,000 miles without major repairs, besides regular oil changes and the like. "Pretty lucky" said Matthias. Right, very lucky indeed. That was a very expensive jinx.

9 comments:

Ola said...

Oh man... I feel for you, guys!!! That's awful!!! Just let us know if there's anything we can do for you guys...

Kendra said...

oh my. seems like you didn't have the same luck as we did. we actually came home with the car after getting it fixed. sorry to hear that. at least you made it to dc though, right?:)

Shawny said...

That's one of my biggest fears--being stuck somewhere without car! What a scary experience but thank goodness for the kind people in the church!

ads said...

It's still too new to laugh about, but someday you'll be able to look back and think "what a funny experience." We are so grateful you are all home and safe again. I"m sure y'all don't wanna go back ta them thar hills any tom soon!

Holly said...

sounds like the trip out may have in the end been the easier part??? how... ironic? i never know what the proper way to use the term is.

at least you had a fun spring break!

p.s. you do not look too pleased in that photo!! :(

LindsSawyer said...

YIKES! Nothin worse than being stranded with car problems huh? Happy Easter!

Sus said...

oh no! poor breeze! at least you are hilarious - that makes these situations infinitely more tolerable. :) sorry but matthias did not see me on the bus yesterday; i was at home working while a sitter managed my kiddos. but now i see why he was on the bus! do you need a ride to the grocery store or anything? seriously, it would be a good enough reason to meet in person! :)

Samye said...

Oh that is so tragic!! Please let us know if there is anything we can help with!!

On another note we missed you ALOT last night!!!

Lenzi Woodbury said...

Holy adventure Batman! That sounds like a giant scary pain in the middle of no where with really helpful mechanics! *Except all of the great church members that were so generous!! I'm glad you made it back home to blog about it!! :)

P.S. My 4 year old saw your Transformer b-day cake and he keeps telling me that we're "making that for him when he turns 5, right??" Thanks for setting the homemade b-day cake bar so high!!

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