God has a sense of humor.
We’ve traveled more than 7000 miles, towing our Airstream over towering mountain highways, perilous unpaved roads, and hazard-filled construction zones. We’ve rolled past hundreds (if not thousands) of towns, big and small. And where do we get our first flat tire? In Myers Flat, California.
We’ve traveled more than 7000 miles, towing our Airstream over towering mountain highways, perilous unpaved roads, and hazard-filled construction zones. We’ve rolled past hundreds (if not thousands) of towns, big and small. And where do we get our first flat tire? In Myers Flat, California.
We awoke this morning to a flat tire on our Airstream. After making an attempt to fill the thing with air, it became quite clear that reinflation was not an option. This tire was wheezing like a chain-smoker on a 10-mile hike.
Next step: call AAA! For many years, we’ve traveled with the supreme confidence of loyal AAA members. Although we never actually made a call, it just felt good to know that AAA had our back. Now, at last, after paying dues for all these years, we FINALLY had a reason to call roadside assistance. I found a pay phone (since cellphones don't work here in Myers Flat), and dialed AAA.
Here’s an artist’s interpretation of our conversation:
AAA Representative: “Hello, this is AAA. We’re here to help!”
Me: “Great! We’ve got a flat tire. It’s on our Airstream travel trailer.”
AAA Representative: “What? The flat tire is on your Airstream?”
Me: “That’s right.”
AAA Representative: "..."
Me: "Hello?"
AAA Representative: “Piss off.”
Click.
Me: “Hello? … Anybody there? ... Help?”
Dial tone.
Of course, the actual conversation was marginally more polite. The AAA representative informed me that our AAA coverage does not extend to our Airstream. So much for their oft-repeated blather about AAA covering “the driver, not the vehicle.”
Looks like we're on our own. Thanks, AAA!
Then we plan to head south towards San Francisco. Stay tuned!
