Here To There

N32 50.67 W106 2.10'
It was a fine run while it lasted though alas, it would seem that all good things come to an end.
I am saddened to report to you my loyal readers that the VW van part of this adventure is over... The harbinger of doom in this case being an 18 wheeler trucking 48 tons of bananas out of North Dakota.

Picture, if you will, the scene. I'm heading west on Interstate 10 near Deming, New Mexico. It's 6.10pm, the sun is setting, in fact we are driving straight into the sun (clue). I am plodding along at my usual 55mph (I've been sticking with this for reasons of fuel economy and to look after the nice new engine). I casually glance upwards into the rear view mirror. It is with more than a little interest that I notice that it is filled, nay dominated, by the front grill of a rather large truck. There's enough time to appreciate that I am obviously not on his radar, that an impact of some sort is imminent and that there's nothing much to be done about it. I even manage to squeeze in a futile honk or two on the horn before I belatedly appear on his radar via the somewhat brutal process of being rammed at high speed.

Cue slowish motion few seconds ~ awareness of smashing noises and sensations, objects flying through the air, the need to control forward motion and get off the road. We both pull over and I decide to take 30 seconds or so to breathe a little and take stock before assessing the situation. It is by such means that I get to meet Jackie B - a trucker of 20 years out of Texas. He fesses up immediately to have being blinded by the sun and not having seen me. No shit. Scary to think how many 60 ton+ vehicles are hurtling blindly along the highways of the country. Well in this case I am lucky enough to be his first ever accident. Maybe there's a prize?

The poor old van is a bit of a mess. The rear end is well fucked up - bumper and read door pushed in, window broken, - everything inside the van is everywhere and there's glass all over. The police are summoned, details exchanged and I start to try and make sense of the chaos inside. My digital camera suffered the most - the flash is dangling by a wire and the rear lcd screen inoperative. The laptop takes a crack to the casing though still seems to be hanging in there. Otherwise it's just a jumbled mess. As for me, after accounting for the required number of limbs and major body parts it seems I am fortunate enough to get off with what feels like a minor dose of whiplash. A stiff neck to be had in the morning I think.

Even now it all seems quite matter of fact. I can't feel angry towards Jackie and even all the damage, obvious loss and necessary change of plans raises little excitement. I deduce that it's either delayed shock or perhaps I'm finally just being in the moment. Ahhhh enlightenment at last. All very funky though I can think of several alternative moments that I would rather have experienced. The upshot is that I am stuck at a truck stop in the middle of nowhere with a seriously damaged van, to be at the mercy of the insurance trade in the morning. Sweet dreams thinks I.

After spending the morning exhausting my cell minutes at roaming rates and reaching no particular conclusion, I decide to attempt a break for civilisation and head for Tucson, AZ. I have relatives north of there and it seems a much better place to connect with them than the void I am currently occupying. So onwards it is whilst making the most of what the van has to offer. The engine seems fine whilst the transmission is a little more challenged. Second gear is a big no no and forth seems to be fifty fifty at best. With such I make Tucson and am rescued by distant relatives who tow me away to safety and I am picked up a couple of hours later by my aunt and I eventually end up in Dewey, AZ at 4.30am. Rah rah family!

So to wrap it up I am alive and well. The van looks like being a write off which is sad (especially after fixing that bearing a couple of days back...) The insurance wheels are turning - Jackie is taking 100% of the blame which should help matters. I'm not quite sure what direction I'll be heading now so watch this space!