Our beautiful day in Wakkula Springs came to a screeching halt in Wewahitchka as we pulled into an empty lot and bailed out of the rented van, as smoke billowed from under the hood and dash! Things were a bit dicey for a minute there as the sliding door on the passenger side wouldn't open, and the seat by the driver's side sliding door wouldn't go ahead! Bev was stuck in the second row by the non functioning door as Carole and I frantically climbed over the seat on the other side. We were soon all out, hood popped, and problem identified as a fried belt. Very fried. Actually, over done!
Soon we were brave enough to gather around the van, pop the rear door, take out water from the cooler, and wait until Ernie contacted the rental place 17 miles away in the Panama City area. It was about ten to five, and we knew she would be leaving the office at five, but fortunately she was still there and promised to immediately send a wrecker and another vehicle to haul us home. Well, we waited. We paced. We joked around. And we waited some more.
It was six before anyone showed up, and we were tired of waiting by then. The guys hooked up the van to the wrecker, and the six of us crawled into space for five in the van sent to pick us up. We finally arrived back home to a wonderful supper of split pea soup that Bev had thoughtfully put in her crock pot in the morning before we left.
It was an experience! But it turned out to be a very nice experience. The folks of Wewahitchka were awesome! I'm sure that no less than a dozen people stopped to offer help. They would offer their phone so we could call for help, or they would offer to take someone to get another vehicle, or they would just ask if there was anything at all that they could do. Young and old, male and female, and rich and poor with big fancy vehicles or beat up pickup trucks. We watched as some folks drove past us, turned around and came back to offer assistance. So, our thanks and appreciation go to the awesome folks of Wewahitchka, Florida! Thanks, y'all!
Soon we were brave enough to gather around the van, pop the rear door, take out water from the cooler, and wait until Ernie contacted the rental place 17 miles away in the Panama City area. It was about ten to five, and we knew she would be leaving the office at five, but fortunately she was still there and promised to immediately send a wrecker and another vehicle to haul us home. Well, we waited. We paced. We joked around. And we waited some more.
It was six before anyone showed up, and we were tired of waiting by then. The guys hooked up the van to the wrecker, and the six of us crawled into space for five in the van sent to pick us up. We finally arrived back home to a wonderful supper of split pea soup that Bev had thoughtfully put in her crock pot in the morning before we left.
It was an experience! But it turned out to be a very nice experience. The folks of Wewahitchka were awesome! I'm sure that no less than a dozen people stopped to offer help. They would offer their phone so we could call for help, or they would offer to take someone to get another vehicle, or they would just ask if there was anything at all that they could do. Young and old, male and female, and rich and poor with big fancy vehicles or beat up pickup trucks. We watched as some folks drove past us, turned around and came back to offer assistance. So, our thanks and appreciation go to the awesome folks of Wewahitchka, Florida! Thanks, y'all!
2 comments:
Oh my...now this is beginning to sound like one of my vacations! Glad that rental lady was still in the office, can you imagine if she hadn't been? It's very refreshing to hear about those who stopped to lend a hand in some way, makes me believe humanity is alive and well!
Hope that's the end of your negative experiences, wishing you a safe journey to your next destination ~
Oh my goodness, what a trip you are having. I am glad you are able to laugh about it, and not get too upset. But that is really scary. Thank goodness it all turned out ok.
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