Going up to the Eisenhower Tunnel on any snowy night can be a test of patience. Tonight it was particularly challenging. First, a big snowstorm had rolled into Colorado. We stopped in Silverthorne for dinner hearing the last few miles to the tunnel was a two hour stand still. I've always blamed other drivers not being prepared.
Man, did I learn my lesson tonight.
I drive a Ford E350 Sportsmobile. It's a huge 4x4 van built to take on everything. Well, my two boys and I got back on the highway with the average speed of 5mph and went about 30 minutes when I noticed that the dash lights were dimming. A few minutes later the radio died. The alternator was a goner.
I knew I was in trouble.
Two kids in the car. I got to the right lane and the car completely died. There I sat. I had become the traffic jam. I was humbled that I would get into this kind of jam. Calling 911 the sent tow truck out, which took another 2 hours. These kinds of things usually really frustrate me. But, when I explained what was happening the boys said, "this is so cool." there was a sense of wonder for a new experience that somehow over the years I had forgotten about. So, here I sit on top of a big flatbed tow truck having the time of my life, laughing with the boys as we crawl in bumper to bumper traffic up the pass. What was going to be a long, hard night has become a once in a life time experience.
Who knows what happens next but whatever it is it will be awesome.
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