Guess it was ment to be that way because had we left when planned we would not of been home when our son got hurt (nothing serious ... just bruised his hip in a fall) plus we would not of been here to hear the news that the house we have been trying to purchase was going to go through.

March 19 - 1998, Loaded up the truck with pillows, blankets and suit cases headed off to deliver a load to West Virginia. Then we'll reload and off we go to Kentucky. Sounds so easy don't it? Ha ... this trip was one head ache after another. Nothing ever goes smoothly it seems ("for us anyway's"). It was too good to be true to think that every piece would fall into place perfectly.

Left the house at 9:00 p.m. on the button. Headed down to hook to trailer down in the lot where we have to park it. This load is going to Morgantown, West Virginia. Trailer sunk a little bit, but nothing to seriously. We had heavy rains this way and the ground had softened a little bit.

We're hooked now. He walks around the truck and trailer to make sure tires are OK, and all lights are working. Wipes off the head lights and tail-lights. Gets in truck off we go...

We have to turn right out of the lot and climb a small upgrade where there is a stop sign. He stops and then proceeds turning left onto route 209 north, but there is a problem ... about mid way into the turn the trailer hangs up. Paul's not sure if it is caught on the tires or the frame. He tugs and jerks, tries going backwards ... tries pulling forward ... nothing but a lot of cracking and snapping. There we sit it is 9:31 p.m. in the middle of the two lane road blocking both lanes. Traffic is coming from both directions, there are cars behind us on the hill. The upgrade has caused the trailer to lay on the frame when we were into the turn. NOTE: this is a new trailer ... it is the first time Paul has had a heavy load on it and it is also the first time he brought it home and had to make this run on the hill. So this whole thing took him by surprise also. He now knows he will have to leave a different way when he brings a loaded trailer home. The police don't like loaded trailers going through town because the streets are so small, but if Paul talks to them they will allow it. We have very understanding police officer's here in out hometown and their always willing to help where ever they can. They will allow him to take it through town because he lives here and because of the times he leaves. There won't be much traffic at those hours.

Anyway ... here we sit ... in the middle of route 209. Paul jerked and bounced that truck trying to shake it lose but all that was happening is the mud along side the road was dragging him down towards the ditch that was there. Now if we slide in there we are in really big trouble and traffic will be backed a long ways. Finally Paul says, hang on! I don't know what is going to happen, but something is going to happen. It might break ... it might not, but I have to do something to get out of this. So he puts it into gear and romps the fuel and just goes for it. SNAP! BANG! CRACK! well it sure didn't not sound good that is for sure. Now we are back on the road, traffic can get around us and we are moving. We go down the road a short distance where we pull into a mini market parking lot. Paul gets out and goes to see what damage is done. Nothing leaking ... no pieces on the ground ... nothing hanging down. Finally finds the problem ... the frame is now bent on the very end. Picked up that corner of steel pretty good too. It was really hung up no doubt about that for it to lift that frame like it did. Nothing that will prevent him from getting the load there anyway's ... so off we go ... let's try this again ....

We are driving route 209 north headed for I-81 (we live a few miles off exit #33 off I-81) we're driving out 209 pulling the hill. It don't look like a big hill but it can shore hold you back when you are loaded .. we are lugging up the hill and all the sudden the headlights dim. They drawl way down to where we could hardly see. It is extremely foggy outside and there is nothing on either side of the road other then a mountain and guard rails. No place to pull over. The lights suddenly come back on. Paul said, let's see what happens by the time we reach the top. It didn't happen again so we'll keep going on.

Now we are going down the ramp heading onto I-81 the lights haven't dimmed again, there are no strange noises so seems everything will be OK now .... on we go ... Phew! we relax now we're rolling ... look out the mirror and see that the tarp is flopping around and blowing. They are brand new tarps we sure don't want to see them shred and tare ... here the straps broke so here we are now at exit 32 going 65 m.p.h. we slow down to 45 m.p.h. we'll go to exit 31 in Pine Grove and get more straps. Stop at All American pick up tarp straps. Strap it all down again, it is windy, foggy and it is cold outside. Been drizzling since we left the house. Now he's chilled and feeling like he's worn out. And we're only 12 miles from home *smile* felt like it took us all day long to get this far *smile*.

He needs a cup of coffee, the boys want something to eat and drink ... it was in our plans to hit a Denny's to eat, but with all that happened guess we'll go to McDonald's get coffee and get the boys something to eat. Got the coffee ... kids are happy ... let's get moving again ...