Shout Outs - Holla!

A few weeks ago I shared about our wonderful vacation at Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. We couldn't have asked for a better vacation. The weather was incredible and we got to fit in all the activities on the top of our to-do list. But the ride home was a different story.

What is usually a four hour drive took EIGHT hours. But I have to say that even with our misfortune, those that helped us get back on the road were angels. So I'd like to give a shout out to those people and the companies they represent.

Let me set the stage.

It was a Friday, we spent the morning at the rental house packing up our bags and cleaning. Since this was a working vacation for Shane (my husband) and he had a few conference calls to take he decided to leave about 9AM and talk (hands free) while driving home.

My mother-in-law had vacationed with us. We decided to leave around noon after taking the kids (ages 14, 14, 13 and 3) souvenir shopping and hitting the Island Creamery one last time for GIGANTIC banana splits.

Our entire vacation the temperatures stayed about 75-85. On this last day it was sweltering, around 90 and humid. Not wanting to rush about in the heat, we stretched the day out, not leaving the island until 3:15PM. This turned out to be a blessing so we weren't roasting along the side of the road at noon.

About an hour into our trip I noticed the van vibrating. Something didn't feel right. I mentioned this to my mother in law. Since the vibrating was rhythmic, we hoped it was simply a poor stretch of asphalt. Nope.

A few moments later, while traveling 65 mph, in the fast lane, down a major highway, we heard a really loud *POP* and the whole van lurched to the right. Blow out. God was with us because thankfully I was able to keep the van under control and get it to the shoulder.

So now that I've shared my life story, I'd like to give a shout out to the people who made a very unpleasant experience bearable, and the companies they represent!

AAA - We have been members of AAA for a long time (go for the Plus membership, it is so worth it especially if you ever need to be towed.) I called them and since I was on a busy highway with children they listed our status as urgent and had someone out to us in about 30 minutes with no extra charge. They also sent follow up texts to make sure their guy showed and we were safely back on the road. THANKS AAA!

Grant's Tire Service in Salisbury, MD - This is the company AAA contacted and the gentleman they sent out was, well, a gentleman. I'm sorry, I'm not sure of his name, I was worried about keeping Bram from running out in traffic, but I think it may have been Eric. He had an accent which sounded German or Polish...maybe slightly Hungarian, I'm not sure. But anyway, he was so kind. He had to move my van to the other side of the road to safely change the tire, take all our vacation junk out of the back to get to the donut and put it all back. He brought the van back to our side of the road and made sure he pulled his truck out into traffic behind us to give us safe entry back to the highway. And all with a smile. I know to some it may not sound like much but to a frazzled mama, it made a world of difference. THANK YOU SIR!!

PepBoys on 13 in Salisbury, MD - We limped along on our donut to PepBoys (which Eric had directed us to) to get a new tire. While there two very kind men serviced the van and I wanted to be sure to give them recognition also. I'm sure of their names, because they're on the receipt.

Johnny - He checked out my tires and advised me what and how many to get. I decided to follow his advice and go with two. I was treated kindly and not talked down to, which was nice. I also felt that I was treated fairly because he could have told me I needed six tires and I would have bought them if I thought it would keep me from having another blow out on the way home.

Duane - He did the tire change quickly, doing a great job.. He didn't say a word about the horrid state of my van (think clothes, sand and water bottles everywhere!) for which I was very grateful. He was kind and chatted with me while I checked out and gave me much needed directions to the closest Burger King and highway. His way actually shaved some time off my drive since I didn't have to circle back

THANK YOU GUYS, I APPRECIATE YOUR KINDNESS!