July 21
I had my van serviced last week in anticipation of the long, hot trip through the Mojave Desert to Fabulous Las Vegas.
Verdict - 4 new tires. Cost $750. Gotta get them. It is what it is...I was hoping to win big, however, when you only play the penny slots and the budget is only $20, chances are very slim.
Here's where the story takes a big detour. After finally getting the hotel situation under control we all head out to The Strip to have dinner at Margaritaville because Its Always 5 o'clock Somewhere.
There were margaritas - well for me, not for Cadence
soccer ball)
Then a short walk around The Linq.
Problems began when we started to drive back to the hotel. First, the headlights went out. Next the radio, finally all power was lost! I was able to creep along to a semi safe spot in that little triangle where the 15 freeway on ramp connected with Flamingo Road. Stuck. Dead. Scary and dangerous! I called 911. They sent the highway patrol.
In the meantime, Phyllis had her AAA card and I called for a tow. They said almost 2 hours! WHAAAAAAT!!!! This is Vegas! Don't they have a reality show about tow trucks???? They have one about everything else. Tattoos, pawn shops, fish tanks, strippers, high rollers, housewives, etc!
Highway patrol arrives. He encourages me to try and start the van. It starts but I don't want it to conk out on me in 50 feet in a more dangerous spot. I ask copper to stay behind me and I will try to make it to the Rio, which is about a half mile ahead.
Good News - I make it! Barely...
Bad News - I'm dead in the taxi lane.
Call to AAA
Me: I'm changing my location. I have made it to a safe spot at the Rio. I'm in the taxi lane. I have no power. I really need your help. This call is under my MIL's name. I have a AAA account, however I don't have my card with me. My MIL is elderly. I have 4 children with me. Its 100 degrees and I have no power for AC. They can not sit with the vehicle. I will send them home in a cab. Please look up my account and change the call. I have ID but no card. I'm sure you have dealt with this before and can help me. ( if you have AAA you know the card holder must be present and I wasn't about to let Phyllis and kids sit around for 2 hours)
AAA: What's your name?
Me: Mary E. MacNaughton
AAA: We have no one under that name.
Me: Try my phone number or my address.
AAA: Sorry, we can't find it.
Me: Seriously???? 3 grocery stores, 2 drug stores, Starbucks and a multitude of other places I shop know where I am at any given moment! Keep looking!
Finally they are able to look up my card.
AAA: We will change the call to your number.
Me: Thank you. What is the call number in case I need to call you back?
AAA: It will be the same one.
Me: Are you sure? Please text it to me.
I send Phyllis and kids in a cab. I sit and wait in the taxi lane at the Rio telling 1 out of every 4 cabs that go by that yes, I know I'm in the taxi lane but my car is dead and I'm waiting for a tow truck. Mostly they are nice.
1 hour later I call back to check on the progress. Its freakin' hot! I have no power so I can't close the windows and go into the Rio. Plus the tow truck might come and I don't want to miss it.
Me: I'm calling about # 12345
AAA: We canceled that call.
Me: YOU WHAAAATT!!!! I have been waiting over an hour! If I had not called, there would be no truck?????
AAA: You said you moved to a safe location.
Me: I said said that I moved to a SAFER location and I had to send my elderly MIL and 4 kids home. I still need a truck.
AAA: We are really sorry.
Me: I have been waiting 2 hours! Send someone now! I can't believe there are no tow trucks within 5 minutes of me. THIS IS VEGAS!!!!!
20 minutes later Lamont shows up. He hands me an ice cold bottle of water. He thinks its the alternator. Finally we arrive at the Tahiti Vacation Club. Its 12:30 am. I tip Lamont $20, mostly for the water but also for explaining to me that tow trucks can get about $500 for a casino call for illegal parking. Roadside service is secondary. /
To be continued...
It is what it is...
Namaste
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