I was driving home to Seattle on a dark and rainy night after a fabulous visit with a friend in Olympia...jazz on the radio, days of vacation ahead. I was on I-5 in the far left lane, traveling around 70mph, no one in front of me. Out of the corner of my eye I see something beige-colored about the size of a large piece of firewood coming end-over-end from the front-left side of the car. It happened so fast, but I am fairly certain it came across the concrete median from the oncoming traffic. This "UFO" (literally, and Unidentified Flying Object) hit the hood first before squarely hitting the metal between the windsheild and side window, knocking out the driver's side mirror and clattering along the left side windows. I do hope no one else encountered this object, and that it just fell to the shoulder out of the way. There was no possible way of stopping to drag it out of the road...too dangerous and too far gone by the time I could collect myself. The one thing I didn't think of was to call the State Police and let them know...that would've been wise.
So the car's at the doctor and I'm driving a rental. It's your standard economy tin can...a Chevy something which sways a bit when a swift wind comes up. The doors clang when you shut them, the brakes grind and there's a smell I can't quite place... It's a silver color, and looks surprisingly identical to 37% of the cars in my parking lot at work. It's a large parking lot, so I get to the general area where I think I left it and begin pressing the "lock" button which beeps the horn. My student had a fine suggestion as well: press the "trunk" button, and voila! It practically raises its hand to say "here I am!".
So the purpose for this post is to express that I am so very thankful!!
- If I would have been traveling faster, slower, slightly to the right or left...it would have come directly through the windshield. God is GOOD.
- I have a strong constitution. as it turns out...no interior detailing necessary following this event.
- Good car Insurance...there was $1000+ worth of damage!
- My Toyota. It is nothing fancy, but it's a solid ride and it's mine. Far superior to the rental car, in my opinion. Besides, it has a nice rack ;-) (for kayak and bike, of course)
- I am able to rent a car...significantly more convenient than the bus.
- I get my car back tomorrow...all fixed up and snazzy looking again!
Beware the UFO road debris out there people! Safe Driving :-)
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