Monday, May 29, 2006

Tami and Stacy go to White Oak

It started out as a really simple little trip down to White Oak conference center to teach two classes, spend the night, and head home.

Well...... That is not how it went!

Tami and I were on I-26 just two miles before our exit when my father-inlaw's truck made a weird noise! Kind of a KATHUNK! Then we realized it would no longer change gears and the clutch just went straight to the floor with no resistance! As we coasted over to the side of the interstate and that feeling of "OH NO" set in we both reached for our weapons.....our phones! I called Sid and said " The truck is broke" and I am just not sure who Tami called or why but it really did seem to make her feel better to put the phone up to her ear!

As I was giving Sid a description of where we were on the interstate a dark blue ,unmarked , highway patrol car pulled up. Knowing Sid was about 1 1/2 hours away we were hoping he would take us up to the next exit and off this nerve racking interstate. When the man got out of the car it was clear he was not a highway patrolman. He soon told us that he had passed us and turned around and made his way back to us, to offer help. Then he lets us know that he is Andre' Bauers assistant, and this was the Lt. Governor's car! Well for Tami this was a very exciting moment as she began to ask about the Lt. Governors condition since his plane crash!

After the shock of her ability to carry on small talk while on the edge of the interstate while our lives hung in peril, the gentleman offered to take us up to the next exit to let us wait. We thanked him and considered him our hero! All the time fighting the desire to ask if this was the car the Lt. Governor got caught speeding in!

He let us out at a Bill and Fran's diner. The looks on the local patron's face was intimidating as we walked in with all of our suitcases and teaching materials. After feeling it necessary to order, we shared one of the worst chicken salad plates ever.
Sid and the kids finally arrived and came to our rescue from the constant stares of our fellow diners.

The trip was not at all what we had planned, the circumstances were unpredictable, the man that helped us on the interstate was a God send, and Bill and Fran's was just a weird experience! However, if I had to have a day like that on the way to White Oak, I'm glad it wasn't alone!

Now remember when you think of Tami and Stacy go the White Oak , that this was just the beginning of our trip! There are many more stories about this day to be told at other times!


P.S. Did you know sheep run wild in SC?!?!