OK so sit back get some popcorn and a blanket and listen to this fun story. I know it sounds like it could not happen all to one person on one trip but yes it did.

So it all began on Sunday (which maybe we were punished for traveling on the Sabbath). At 7:00 am we left Terry's house (Buffy's Mom) to head to L.A. to pack up our apartment. Everything was going great and smooth. The goal was to hit the passes between 12 noon and 4 pm so it would be the best time of day. We could not be more wrong. We made it through the first pass very easily, a little snow but we made it easy. We arrived in California and I sang the song Mom would always sing when we arrived in Cali. Off to Yreka to get some McDonald's for lunch. With our stomachs full we headed of to hit the Shasta pass. Mother nature had other plans for that day. We drove about another 20 miles then came upon what must have been thousands of semi's and cars. Apparently the I-5 south was closed from Weed to Redding and the CHP had no plans to reopen the freeway anytime soon or at all on Sunday.

So we had a decision to make. We either could stay in good old Yreka and hope the road reopens in the morning. Or we could figure out another way. Well we did it the second way. We decided to take the 96 highway which goes down the Klamath river to Eureka, CA on the coast. Very curvey and fun road to drive on. I saw some beautiful scenery and Terry saw some wonderful pavement because of the hairy drive.

So we arrived in Eureka at 7:00 pm at stopped at Wendy's and Starbucks. We then set out again trying for L.A., but this time we decided that we were going to stop in Livermore for the night, but we wanted to get through the Bay Area so we did not have to hit traffic on Monday morning.

We made it just fine through the Redwoods, Santa Rosa, San Rafeal and over the bridge. Then at 12 midnight the fun began. We were on the 580 west and were planning on taking the 24 to the 680 S to the 580 again to Livermore. Well on the 580 before the 24, a car made a crazy move from the far right lane to the far left in one crazy move. Terry was driving and backed off a little and flashed her brights once like I think anyone would have done. The person then went crazy. She put on her brakes and came down the left side of the car looking at Terry with a glare. Everytime Terry would speed up she would also and every time Terry would slow she would also. I told Terry to floor it and get out of the area. We were in a new Nissan Murano and the lady was in a 1985 Toyota Tercel station wagon. I thought we could get away. I was wrong.

Coming up to the interchange for the 24 we had to get all the way over to the far right to go on the 24. As Terry was getting over she had to brake a little to get behind someone who was trying to get to the left for the 580. Anyhow all on the sudden we heard a screetch and saw the Tercel spinning out of control down our left side of the car. Everything was going in slow motion. You think the movies are dramatic but the slow mo is realistic. Anyhow the Tercel, ( Oh I did not mention that it was raining as if there was going to be another great flood with an Ark), caught grip on the road and slammed into the drivers door of the Murano jolting us. The Tercel then went slamming into the right side of the highway. We pulled up were we could stop and called 911 right away, while I was keeping an eye on the other car. We did not now if the other car driver had a gun or was unsafe to us. And we were to far away to get a license plate number. Well to may surprise as was on the phone the lady pulls back and drives away. HIT AND RUN!!!! I could not believe it. The CHP came and filed and report and took our statements. It pisses me off so much that the idiot lady could have gotten away with it. But she probably was drunk and uninsured.

The worst thing about it was that we were about 15 to 20 minutes from our destination. We still stopped in Livermore and I did count my many blessing. We were both okay, just a little shaken up. The car is drivable with just a little more wind noise. And I was able to see Buffy at 1 pm on Monday afternoon. And finally, Terry and I will never forget what movie won the Oscar for best movie in 2006 "CRASH". HAHA, we got a good laugh out of that.

We still to have one more leg on the trip so please keep the unlucky brother in your prayers. I am off to load up the truck. Love you and I am glad to be with my wife for a few day. And boy is she beautiful then ever.

Brent
The Unlucky One