Had a very interesting night in the Truck Stop. We have never run our generator all night before, but pretty much had to do so because of the 24 degree weather. Since we hit the sack early (around 8 PM) we planned to get up around 3 AM and hit the road early.
Well, that plan didn’t work out so well. We were penned in by a flat bed truck so unable to leave. Back to bed for a couple of more hours of sleep time.
We were on the road again by 8:30 AM. However couldn’t get back onto I-81 West from our location. No left turn, no right turn, no trucks straight ahead. Finally Ron had to make an illegal left hand turn over the medium strip and back to the Truck Stop. We did get directions and finally back to I-81 South. The Tom-Tom wouldn’t have helped because it doesn’t take in the fact that we are in a MH. The day was crisp but sunny so made for a good driving day. I-81 turned out be be a great travel road with very little traffic and nice scenery.
I began looking for an open campground in Pennsylvania and lucked on two that were open year-round, so I thought. My first call was a bust with the phone disconnected. The KOA that is always open was also closed. OK then, the closing must have to do with the economy.
It was getting late and Ron was tired so our next option was a rest area on I-81 in PA. No go – again. There were no spaces available so our search continued. Tried out two other Truck Stops but no way for us to get into a spot. All were back-ins and can’t do that while towing a car. Traveling in winter months is always an issue when trying to find a place to stop for the night. So once again back on the road.
Our next planned stop was a Flying –J, 68 miles South but we happened upon another rest area on I-81 in Radford, Virginia. We pulled in and decided it was a good place to stay. Small, quiet, well lit and only a few spaces for trucks. We pulled into the first spot off the exit . I’m always a little skittish about being in that first space because the trucks come off the highway at warp speed. Not looking to get rear-ended we would usually pull up to the next empty space so that is what I did. Something I would later regret.
We settled in, took the dog for a walk, had dinner and decided to relax. It was 7:30 PM so we decided we would spend the night. We were discussing the 73 degree weather in New Orleans and how great that was going to feel. I was on the couch, Ron in the recliner and Jewel laying on the couch besides me.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see a shadow of a trailer backing up but though nothing of it. For a spit second I thought he’s moving very fast and then BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He smashed right into us. I was thrown to the floor and Jewel slid across the couch.
I hopped up with a sore right knee and shoulder but headed out of the MH to see who the heck hit us. Ron ran out and was trying to take the numbers off the truck plate. The guy was driving away so I yelled for someone to stop him. Another trucker yelled at him and he did stop.
I asked him “What the Hell were you thinking?????????????????? He answered I was “cooking” and “put on the gas” I said YOU WERE COOKING! How could you be cooking and driving!!!!! He was from the Middle East and did not have a good handle on English. He actually said I was crooked and put on the gas(meaning stepped on the gas). GREAT! He stepped on the gas hence he crashed into our MH causing some serious damage.
One truck driver ran over
and gave us his name and phone number as a witness to the event as did a nurse who watched him crash into the MH.
Ron detained the guy while I called 911. A State Trooper pulled in and was amazed at the damage and the stupidity of the driver. After the investigation the officer told Ron that the driver was not only driving poorly but he believed he was also on his cell phone. The officer did site the guy and he was entirely at fault. Really!!!!!
After getting all the insurance information and assessing the damage the cop and Ron agreed that the MH was not safe to drive.
Now the fun begins – trying to contact insurance agents at 9 pm.
Nice mess we were in. Looks much worse in person and definitely not drivable.
Once the State Cop left we got busy finding the phone numbers to our Insurance company and the drivers insurance company. It was late but we did contact both agents, unfortunately no one could really help us. The five different people we spoke to had no idea as to how to get our MH towed out of there. Our agent kept asking if we had a MH towing service available to us because she was not sure what to do. Arbela is not nationwide so she had no contacts for us in Virginia.
As you can see – not much damage to his trailer ! Just a little ding.
We left it that we would talk to the Progressive agent again in the morning as well as Sue our agent. We also planned to talk with Allstate our tow service as well.
By Midnight we had exhausted ourselves and our calls and planned on getting some sleep. It was getting very cold – around 39 degrees so we hit the generator button – aaaaaand – it wouldn’t start. WHAT!!! It was working fine before the hit. Ron checked the volt meter for the house batteries and it was down to 9.2 – not generator starting numbers for sure. Must have run down after the hit for some reason so Ron started the engine to see if the coach batteries would charge because normally they do. NOPE! Well, by now it was close to 1AM and with no hope for heat we went to bed under layers of covering and thermal socks.
HOPE TOMORROW WILL BE A BETTER DAY.
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