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Since I have been the bearer of one catastrophe after another I decided not to tell of the latest one since I didn't want you all to think I have a curse on me; even though I have wondered myself if such a curse has befallen me. I just keep on "grinin" not gonna let the dark side get me down; I'm going to live in the light, trust that God hasn't forgotten little ol me, and just " keep on keepin on".

So I think it's a good thing that I decided not to tell about the other day when I had suffered a television overdose due to the Royal Wedding marathon, which I couldn't take my eyes off of. I figured it was time to get out and take a drive to the river, park in my favorite spot, enjoy the rush of the mighty river, the yellow-rumped warblers, and spy on the nesting herons I found in a lone pine tree. I gathered up my crossword puzzles, some books, binoculars and camera. All ready to go, I stepped out of the trailer and looked down and saw that my trucks left rear tire was nearly flat; almost to the rim. Looking up into the sky I said a quick prayer of exorcism in case a meteor was headed my way.

Realizing it was 12 miles to the nearest gas station my nervous mind was swimming with all the potential scenarios I was about to experience. I gathered my wits and tried to determine a sane course of action... then I remembered the very rough and hard-livin, Harley dude mechanic across the street...his dirty mess of a shop likely has an air compressor buried in there somewhere. So driving gingerly out of the RV park with the tire inches from the rim I go the 400 yds to his place and pull in. Luckily he was standing around doing nothing, cigarette hanging from his mouth so he filled it. I asked if he figured I could make it the twelve miles to town to get it fixed, he gives me that disdainful look that hot young Harley dudes reserve for old, gone-to-seed women and says, "I just loaned out my crystal ball and they haven't brought it back yet." Smart Ass... where's that meteor when ya need it.

So, onto the freeway I go headed to the big city where the tire stores are. Once on the freeway I operate my mirror down so I can see the tire....it seems to be holding...my heart is in my throat, Iv'e got 11 miles to go. If it quickly goes down I am stranded on the freeway with a spare tire under the trucks belly that is far too heavy and has a wing nut release that hasn't seen the light of days for years, no way am I going to be able to undo it. The last time I had a flat I was thirty years old and in the best shape of my life...a truck load of gorgeous young forest rangers came around the curve....they had that tire fixed in seconds. Now, I would have to count on someone stopping that figures I am near death and may even look like their mother.

But, alas, it holds. Big O Tires is right at the first exit. While it's in gettng the NAIL!!!! out of it the other fella tries to sell me $1200 worth of tires....I act stupid, so he, in hopes of making a sale, tells me there is no charge for todays fix....I go on my merry way knowing that I will buy tires at Costco.

I keep my head up knowing that with the kind of exploring I take that truck on it's bound to gather up a nail or two...after all, it has been 28 years since the last flat.

But you can see why I decided not to tell you of this latest event. Don't want you to think I am a hard-luck story. When the next one occurs, maybe I will share that one with you instead.

(((Kathy))). Sorry to laugh, but your telling of the story is so funny!

...and it had a nice ending

You are so funny. I'll have to remember the one about where's a meteor when you need one. There have been some I would like to drop one on.

You need to get one of the portable air compressors, they aren't too expensive. If you get one, get one for trucks because they are heavier duty and the cord to plug it in is longer. I keep one in every vehicle.

Acadianmom wrote:You are so funny. I'll have to remember the one about where's a meteor when you need one. There have been some I would like to drop one on.

You need to get one of the portable air compressors, they aren't too expensive. If you get one, get one for trucks because they are heavier duty and the cord to plug it in is longer. I keep one in every vehicle.

It's funny that you should mention that. I left that part out, it was just too distressing. I had a wonderful portable air compressor but it was a mid-size commercial for airbrushing. It stood about 20 inches tall and about 14 inches wide...took up too much space so just about a week ago I sold it to my neighbor here in the park and intended to get one like you mention; I have had those in the past and preferred to have one like that instead. But, procrastination got the best of me and I have put off driving to town to get one. He was gone so I couldn't ask him. I don't know anyone else around here and I don't ask the married men to help

Don't ask married men??? Good grief woman! They are the safest ones to ask! LOL Just tell the wife you need to borrow her husband and his air compressor for a few minutes. I do it all the time in WalMart and stuff where things on the top shelf are to high for me to reach.

Yep an air compressor and a can of "Fix-a-Flat goes a long way!!

When ya go to Cosco or where ever?? Ask if someone could please spray some never cease on the spare tire carrier and wing nut for you. Always a good idea to stay in practice on the art of changing a tire...... Just safer that way.

It is always better the next day. Keep your chin up!

Thanks for not telling us your story. Glad the one you told us had an happy ending. We have an air compressor and i couldn't figure out why Ron was bringing it with us...now I know. Guess I should have figured that out. Keep on truckin girlfriend.

Three words of advice: emergency road service!

Once we had a blowout coming down Donner Pass (yup! THAT Donner Pass) and the nearest community with a tow service was almost 90 miles away. They came, though! Worth every penny we paid for the ERS that year!

Pooker

Yes, my Emergency Road Service (ERS) starts on May 15. What makes this little story amusing is that the tire went flat just 14 days shy of my getting the Emergency Road Service (ERS) and just one day after I sold my "too large" of an air compressor; therein lies the irony and makes for the humorous story. In order to get the full year, and therefore the most time, out of my ERS I planned to wait until I actually hit the road for my Summer, Fall and Winter filled with travel...until that starts on May 15 I am basically stationary at the Rogue River area in Oregon.

kdmac wrote:Yes, my Emergency Road Service (ERS) starts on May 15. What makes this little story amusing is that the tire went flat just 14 days shy of my getting the Emergency Road Service (ERS) and just one day after I sold my "too large" of an air compressor; therein lies the irony and makes for the humorous story. In order to get the full year, and therefore the most time, out of my ERS I planned to wait until I actually hit the road for my Summer, Fall and Winter filled with travel...until that starts on May 15 I am basically stationary at the Rogue River area in Oregon.

I totally understand. My ERS ran out the week after I got here - and I didn't renew. I'll purchase a new policy in the fall before I leave. Since I'm staying put for the summer, I decided to do that. So, yes, I understand. And we won't tell about my generator, k?

What ERS do you all recommend? And extended warranties??? Get one or save the premium cost in my savings account for when I need it?

JoanE wrote:What ERS do you all recommend? And extended warranties??? Get one or save the premium cost in my savings account for when I need it?

I have AAA and Good Sam ERS. I vote for the savings account.

Definitely get an emergency road service and be sure it's one that covers RV's. I had the Good Sam one for many years with mixed results. Sometimes I was less than happy with the service they sent. I changed to Coach Net about a year ago. I have only used it once but was very happy with it.

I personally think the extended warranties are a waste of money. They work out for some people but the experience I had was that they will try everything to get out of paying. If you decide to get one read the reviews about the different companies.

Martha

Spoke to my cousin and her husband tonight and he said his friend couldn't say enough good things about Good Neighbor Sam (although my cousin only has AAA).