The bad news is quite evident from the first photo.
I could say that a series of questionable decisions on my part might have led to this little ... situation. But instead, I'm blaming it on the SunChips.
As I was leaving Bountiful yesterday to drive back to Cache Valley, I stopped at Target to buy one of the extra-long shower curtain liners they sell. My mom went with me — in a different car — so we spent about an hour at the Centerville Target. (At this point, I'll mention that as much as I whine about not having a Target here in the valley, it is probably a good thing for my bank account.) Two things are important about this little Target visit. One: I couldn't find my favorite chocolates sold at Target. Looked everywhere. Nowhere to be seen. Two: The SunChips were on sale, and because I love cheddar SunChips, I grabbed a bag. That was questionable decision No. 1.
Then I left. As I was putting bags of groceries and whatnot into my trunk, I decided to keep the chips with me — as a little snack on the drive north. That was questionable decision No. 2.
Fifteen minutes later, on I-15 somewhere near Layton, I realized I was thirsty (the chips, remember). I got off the Antelope Drive exit and started looking for a gas station to get a drink. That's when I saw another Target. Thoughts of chocolate went through my head. I stopped. This is questionable decision No. 3.
I did not find any chocolate, but on the way back to my car a very nerdy looking Target employee approached me and asked if I could help jump start his car. Despite some misgivings (strange man, dark parking lot), I said yes. Questionable decision No. 4.
I pulled my car next to his, popped my hood and waited for him to attach the cables. Instead, he tried to start his car — and voila! — it started. He waved thanks; I drove away.
Next stop: gas station. Got my cream soda (this might be questionable decision No. 5, but I have a hard time attaching negative things to cream soda), made my way back to I-15 and started accelerating on the on-ramp.
That was when the hood of my car, which I had popped and then forgotten about, flew backward into my windshield, scaring the crap out of me with the thundering force and noise of it all. Somehow in the mess of not being able to see anything in front of me, trying to figure out if my windshield was broken and going 60 miles per hour, I managed to pull over into the mud. (Windshield was OK, by the way.)
When I got out and tried to pull the hood back to where it's supposed to be, saw how bent it was and realized it wasn't going to stay down. I called my parents to ask if someone could bring rope or string to tie it down and then called Garrett at home to let him know what was going on.
By the time my dad got there 20 minutes later, I'd turned the car off and on a few times (this is important) to keep myself warm but not waste too much gas or, you know, hurt the environment. When he came it was off. He pulled the hood tight, started tying the rope and I tried to start the car. It wouldn't start. Because I'd been able to turn the car on and off while waiting for him, the only reason for this we could think of was that the inwardly dented hood somehow hit the battery cables when we pulled the hood down tight, disconnecting and jostling them.
It took a trip to Walmart (during which time, if you look at exhibit B above, my car was marked) to get the necessary supplies so my dad could make some wires temporarily attach to the battery. I've had battery issues before, so this just made it all worse. The car finally started — at about midnight — and my dad followed me to Brigham just in case the connection came loose and I was stranded again. In the meantime, Garrett drove to Wellsville to wait for me to get out of the canyon and follow me home.
By the way, the canyon was AWFUL. Blowing snow is the most horrible thing in that Dry Lake area. It's even worse when you KNOW you cannot slide or stop or in any way risk turning the car off because you know it probably won't start again.
So, I got home. And tomorrow we'll be figuring out what to do. But be assured, I do blame the SunChips.
Or at least my decision to buy them.
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5 comments:
I was hoping you'd blog about this once things calmed down. It's quite a story. And if you need help, Casey's brother knows of a bunch of junkyards where you could get a new hood. Casey also met a guy in a class who owns a paint shed so if it's the case of a new hood we could borrow the shed and Shawn could repaint the car if the hood doesn't match. Just in case you need a new hood. Ok, then, good luck! I'm glad you're ok.
I'd admit I was laughing at your story, but then I'd have to apologize because I'm not sure you are able to laugh about this story yet (but you will someday...believe me.)
Anyway, if you can't find a hood a junkyard I used to know a good place in SLC that has car parts like that for way cheap...maybe even cheaper than the junk yard. But I can't remember the name of it for the life of me.
I got a bumper for my 94 honda accord there for, like, $40 or something....plus $15 for spray paint. Which I recommend getting paint at the paint shop on federal ave by that one coffee shop (man, I can't remember the names of anything right now.)
AH!!
SO GLAD the windshield didn't explode in your FACE.
Made me think of "Tommy Boy."
SCARY!!!! I would have freaked out. And can you please explain to me why Cheddar Sun Chips are so darn addicting?
I am just glad you are okay. I hate all of you guys having to go back and forth through that canyon!
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