2003 Road Trip

This year the Hobbs decided on a Road Trip for Spring Break. Our plan was to head to San Francisco, stopping at the Redwoods and various beaches in Oregon. In April 2003 Marc was 15, Erin 13, Sean was almost 10, and Niki was 7. Everything was going well, we enjoyed a short stop in Eugene, OR and then a beach near Coos Bay. We were headed to a hotel in Grant’s Pass, OR. That’s when things got interesting!

As we drove along I-5, 10 miles or so out of Grant’s Pass, in a very deserted stretch of road, the engine started smoking. That was a bit scary so we pulled over on the side of the highway. Luckily we did have a phone and AAA so we called for a tow truck. It took awhile because we were out a ways. While we waited I tried to find a closer hotel and cancel the other one. The original hotel kinds gave me trouble but finally gave in and didn’t charge us. We found a Best Western that was closer and near a Chrysler dealer.

Finally a guy shows up with a flat bed tow truck. I got in the tow truck with Niki, the other kids and Curt were on the side of the road while he hooked up the van. I watched out the rear view window of the truck as he began to winch the van up onto the flatbed. Suddenly the chain snapped and our lovely blue van started rolling backwards down the interstate!!! It began to pick up some speed and crossed towards the center and crashed into the guardrail!! Thank heavens no-one came driving in our direction while this was happening.

The tow truck driver was in a state. I am not sure if he was just incompetent or having a bad day or just bad luck but he did then manage to get the van hooked up and on the truck. He dropped us at the hotel as it was pretty late by this point, and took the van to the shop. We found a nearby Applebee’s and could finally relax after a very long day!

We did end up having to stay an extra couple days there while they sorted out the damage and got us a rental van. We then took off for the Redwoods, and Eureka, CA. We wandered about looking at the Victorian mansions and enjoyed a fun dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse. They serve family style at long tables, lumber camp style. The redwood forest is amazing! We really enjoyed admiring the incredible beauty of those trees.

Unfortunately the van was not repaired by the time we were heading home. A couple weeks later I had to take another road trip alone down to Grant’s Pass to return the rental van and pick up ours, but that’s another Road Trip story!!

Just wrote this up for a scrapbook page. I have realized that the little details are gone from my mind. What did the kids think, how did we feel being stuck in Grants Pass. What did we really think of the Redwoods...what did we do in the car all those hours...you really think you won't forget but you do...