You know how sometimes you wish you could get a do-over? I’ve had that thought numerous times about my clod gene incident. If I could just get a do-over I promise I would negotiate the Big Rig steps at a much s-l-o-w-e-r pace. I’d be extra careful, really I would.
No such luck. Do-overs only happen in make believe — not in real life.
Right about now Other Half finds himself wishing for a do-over.
Here’s the story…
We left Walbridge, Ohio Thursday at about 8:30 a.m. Our plan was to head to Red Bay, Alabama. Red Bay is the home of Tiffin Motorhomes and since the Big Rig is a Tiffin – we like to stop by at least once a year with a repair list in hand. Our repair list is short and our planned stop was more on the lines of preventive. At least originally.
The drive was uneventful. We headed south through the never-ending construction of Interstate 75. Picked up Intestate 71 in Covington, KY and Interstate 65 South in Louisville KY. We debated about stoping for the night north of Nashville but decided to get that part of the drive over with. Lots of traffic, but all good.
Our destination was a Cracker Barrel south of Nashville. We love Cracker Barrel. What’s not to love? You roll out of bed within walking distance of hot coffee and warm biscuits. Perfect.
We pulled into the Cracker Barrel and surveyed the designated RV parking spots. With the Equinox hitched to the the Big Rig, we are always too long for the designated spots.
Other Half did a preliminary pass through the lot. I had a fleeting thought that Rigby and I should get out and act as eyes-on-the-ground. That’s usually how we handle parking the Big Rig. I guide. He maneuvers.
Guess both of us could use a do-over.
Other Half decided on a location and started to pull in and position the Big Rig so we could open the driver’s side slide out. At least that was his plan. What he didn’t plan on was the four foot retaining wall on his left. The Big Rig has a BIG tail swing and if you fail to plan for it – it will remind you in a BIG way.
That’s what happened.
The driver’s side rear corner s-c-r-a-p-e-d the retaining wall. The car was hitched to the Big Rig and couldn’t clear. We had a special hitch adapter that allowed us to have the bike rack between the Big Rig and the Equinox. The hitch adapter snapped and the bike rack – with our brand new bikes – hit the ground.
There we were in the Cracker Barrel parking lot in 100 degree heat staring at a damaged Big Rig, a snapped hitch adapter with our bikes, rack and all laying on the pavement. Holy S%$t! It kind of felt like being in shock. One minute life is good and the next you’re wondering how in the heck you’re going to handle this one.
To his credit, Other Half is very calm in the face of catastrophe. He immediately accessed the situation and went to work. I did what I could to help – primarily dealing with Rigby. The snapped adapter and fiberglass chunk went in the car. It took some time, but he relocated the bike rack and the bikes to the back of the car and re-hitched the car directly to the Big Rig.
After a restless night, we started our day with coffee and biscuits at Cracker Barrel and then headed out. We arrived at Red Bay late Friday morning. We’re all settled in with work scheduled to start Monday morning. We’ll be entertaining ourselves in Red Bay this weekend.
We would both love a do-over, but all things considered, we’re coming through this fiasco in good shape. No snarling at each other and only an occasional Holy S%$t!