Wednesday, March 16, 2011

East Coast Bound--Day 14

The trip from hell continues!

Today started off to be another beautiful day, until we decided to get in the car and go down to the beach here on Tybee Island. Not very far from the RV park, on one of the town's side roads we came upon a group of city employees doing some landscaping work. Another of their employees drove by them then decided he needed to stop to see them. He stopped in the middle of the road then proceeded to put his truck in reverse and back up. Unfortunately we were directly behind him. I laid down on my horn and tried to get the car in reverse to back up also but it was too late. He backed directly into the front of our car. Fortunately there were plenty of witnesses so he could not claim we rear ended him. The Tybee police came out and took their report and cited the truck driver (City Employee). Also the guys supervisors soon showed up on the scene. Due to the radiator being damaged we had to have the car towed to a repair/body shop. The City stepped up and had the tow company bill them direct. Big problem is were are scheduled to leave Savannah tomorrow morning to head for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Although the tow base plate on the car is undamaged we are reluctant to leave town with the car and then have to deal with the City's insurance carrier via long distance. Current plan is to go on to Myrtle Beach tomorrow since the RV park is already paid for and it is non-refundable. At that point instead for venturing further north next Monday, as originally planned, we've cancelled that part of the trip and will return to Savannah to wait for the car to be repaired and then head back to Oklahoma. One thing is for sure, regardless of all the trials and tribulations we've had on this trip our little ones pretty take it all in stride. Maybe they have the right idea, to just take things as they come.

We had planned to meet our friends, Diane and Russ Abolt, and Diane's parents for dinner tonight. As it turned out Diane had to come out to the RV park to pick me up and take me over to the body shop to get some stuff out of the car and unlock and remove the tow base plate to the repair guys can get to the damaged front end. Afterwards we came back to pick up Joanne and then met up with the others at The Crab Shack, a local seafood place back in the woods on one of the canals. We ordered a large seafood platter that was shown to feed four people. There was plenty of food for the six of us with a bunch left over. The Crab Shack had their parade float ready for tomorrow's St. Patrick's Day Parade and their crew/band was on site tonight to play for the diners. Here is Russ enjoying the music. The Crab Shack is always a fun place to dine but with the float crew/band here it was even more fun. (The place has a bunch of neat displays including live alligators out front.) St. Patrick's Day is the major holiday of the year in Savannah. The city is flooded with people and just about all business' will be closed tomorrow, including all government operations. The old historic district, where we've been exploring this week, and the river area will be so crowded with people that we are kind of glad we won't be here to see it all. Local authorities are estimating there will be about 500,000 people in the downtown area for the parade and celebration.

Here are some pics from our dinner at The Crab Shack tonight.

On the left is Russ & Diane Abolt. Center is Diane's parents, Judy and Grady Burks, from Oklahoma City. The right is Joanne and I enjoying great company.

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