Unlucky but Lucky in Shamrock Texas!

 Wednesday, October 7

It was a great start to the morning, with clear skies and beautiful weather.   Interstate 40 was smooth, and traffic was light  We crossed the border into the Texas panhandle, and looked forward to making a trip across Texas in a few hours, rather than the few days it takes us to get across Texas when we travel Interstate 10. 

The speed limit is 75mph, but we normally travel about 65.  We were headed down the road, just approaching the exit for Shamrock, Texas, when suddenly we felt a heavy jolt, and realized someone had run into the back of us at 65 mph!!  Now that's an unplanned adventure, for sure!  That's not the luck we were looking for in Shamrock.  

We pulled over, and thank goodness, the driver pulled over too.  (I was poised at the windshield with my camera to capture the car and license plate in case he decided to take off--I think I've been watching too much tv!)  The 34 year old guy from Connecticut said he was on cruise control, rearranging stuff in his car and looked up and we were there.  I wonder how fast he was going.   We think he probably fell asleep.  His car was stuffed full--he said he was moving cross country and had 12 more hours to go, so not sure where he is headed.    

Back bumper of the car

When looked at the damage, we realized it was necessary to call the police.  Our poor bike rack was hurt, the bikes were on the hood of the car,  and the tow system buckled with the impact.  AARGH!  

First the constable showed up, then two sheriff deputies, then a safety officer,  then an ambulance with EMT's, even though I told the 911 dispatch that nobody was injured.  

Emergency crews lined up on the highway

The EMT crew arrives!

As we were waiting for the police to arrive, I got a little mouthy with the other driver, so retreated to the RV to settle the nerves.  After exchanging information, Jim got to work with his tools trying to figure out options.   The other driver said he was a mechanic and got underneath and wanted to start taking things apart.  Jim asked him to not touch anything...good thing I wasn't out there to tell him what I thought!  The deputy and safety officer were very helpful.   We knew we were not going to be able to carry the bikes on the rack, so we had to remove things packed in the car to provide space to put the bikes inside.   AARGH again!  

Jim was able to remove the bike rack, and reconnect things.   The luck of the Shamrock came through, and we were able to continue on our way, just a little rattled.   I had visions of having to drive the car, following the motorhome the rest of the way, accompanied by bicycles in the rear and passenger seats!  We truly are fortunate it wasn't worse, and that Jim was creative enough to get things patched up and workable.  Now he has more projects--repairing the tow system and bike racks!!

We finally made it to New Mexico.  In a typical year, this would be the week of the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, but it was cancelled this year due to the virus.   A memory popped up on my timeline from 4 years ago when we spent time at the balloon fiesta...what a wonderful event!

New Mexico has recently experienced a spike in virus cases, and signs on the highway displayed messages and warnings.  The campground asked all visitors from out of state to quarantine for 14 days, so I guess we won't be going anywhere while we're here!  But that's okay because we've had way too much excitement for one day anyway!