NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

There's an old saying about experience being the best teacher....and that is the reason for this blog post.  We are in our seventh year of full timing all over the USA in our motorhome, and we learn something new just about every day.  RV loves this lifestyle and thoroughly enjoys maintaining our coach.  RV has added a new dimension and meaning to the word "anal" while taking care of us and our coach.  During our travels RV frequently checks our tires, tire pressure, fluid levels, and general appearance of our coach as well as our tow car.

Our 2007 Allegro Bus and Tow Car 10 2014

A couple of  weeks ago, while on the last leg of our 4 month road trip we exited Interstate 10 just north of Lake City, Florida, onto U.S. Highway 41.  This is a very well traveled 2 lane road with a sloping shoulder.....not a good combination if you happen to experience a blowout with a 40 foot coach and tow car trailing behind.  We both heard a loud explosion and the coach began to vibrate violently and it was obvious that we were dealing with a potential life and death situation.  RV successfully maneuvered the coach to the shoulder, about half on, half off, on our side of the highway.

Rear Passenger Tire Blowout - 10 28 2014

Thankfully, we were not physically injured and RV subsequently exited the coach to assess the visible damage.  The first thing he noticed was the rear passenger slide was partially extended (10-12 inches) toward the rear of our coach.  There was also a large amount of what appeared to be steel wire, apparently used in the construction of the tire.  The wire was situated adjacent to the tire well and also appeared to be wrapped around the wheel (rim).  For about as far as we could see there were rubber tire remnants along the highway behind us.

Rear Passenger Tire Blowout - 10 28 2014

Rear Passenger Tire Blowout - 10 28 2014

 Prior to making any telephone calls for assistance we turned on our emergency flashers for both the coach and the car.  We immediately disconnected our vehicle because RV was concerned about how much the coach was leaning toward the passenger side because of the sloping shoulder.  We didn't call for emergency assistance (911) as no other vehicles were involved and we were not injured.  We called our roadside assistance company and then contacted our insurance company.  It was approximately an hour and a half before someone arrived with a new tire and rim.  While waiting, several law enforcement vehicles drove by and never stopped.  We were surprised they didn't stop to inquire whether we needed any assistance.  The only person(s) who stopped and asked if we were all right was a garbage truck operator and a local resident.  In situations like this a cell phone with the broadest coverage is an absolute necessity.

Remember our brand new leveling jacks we had installed when we returned to Red Bay, AL from Dallas, TX in September!?  The one located behind the passenger rear tire will have to be replaced. Visible damage included a severed hydraulic line, electrical lines, cracked tire rim, paint/body damage, and a broken windshield.   The most important thing is that we weren't injured nor was anyone else. Other RVer's haven't been as fortunate and some have even lost their lives.

 

Rear Passenger Tire Blowout - 10 28 2014

Broken Windshield - 10 28 2014

Rear Passenger Tire Blowout - 10 28 2014

Hopefully you might benefit from this post and never have to experience a similar situation.  But if you do, I would recommend you take a few minutes to review the following video produced for the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association by Michelin North America, Inc., in conjunction with the Nevada Automotive Test Center, which could possibly save your life and the life of your loved ones.

We are currently staying at Alliance Coach in Wildwood, FL, and waiting for an evaluation and estimate of the damages to be submitted to our insurance company.  More breaking news and blogs to follow.

THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG - May 18,1863-July 4,1863

Up to this point we haven't mentioned that our visit to Mississippi was specifically to visit Vicksburg, MS, and the Vicksburg National Battlefield, site of the Siege of Vicksburg on May 18 - July 4, 1863. We decided to commute to Vicksburg via the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, about an hour away from Natchez.

Our blog is being published on Mother's Day, May 9, 2010, to pay tribute to mothers and families who have lost fathers, sons, and loved ones in wars in our country as well as all over the world. In our visits to hallowed battlefields throughout our country you see so many innocent lives forever changed and to remind us of the tragedy and sadness associated with war.

My great-great-grandfather, Private Daniel D. Lockwood, Company I, Alabama 31st Infantry, was killed at the age of 49, in the Siege Of Vicksburg on June 18, 1863 (At his muster it was noted his hair was grey and his eyes were blue). Daniel D. Lockwood was born in Connecticut around 1814, and through whatever his fortune was to be, relocated his family to Montgomery, AL, according to the U.S. Census of 1860. His final burial place was unknown to our family, and we were hoping to locate his grave, should one exist. RV and I were somewhat prepared for the sadness you encounter at a National Battlefield site from having visited Gettysburg, Shiloh, Olustee, Manassas and Chicamauga; however, there was a slight possibility that we might find a grave with a marker, as well as a state designation regarding his service.

The Siege of Vicksburg was a 47 day siege, which in the end gave control of the Mississippi River to the Union. The Confederate surrender following the Siege of Vicksburg is sometimes considered, combined with General Robert E. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg the previous day, the turning point in the war.
Private D. D. Lockwood found himself in a hopeless situation into about 2 weeks of the Confederate occupation of Vicksburg, MS. The Union troops, under the direction of General Ulysses Grant, had cut off all supply lines to Vicksburg. Nothing coming in.....nothing going out. Scurvy, malaria, dysentery, diarrhea and other diseases were destroying the army. His life would end 31 days after the Siege began. He would never know about the CSA surrender on July 4 - he never knew that most of his infantry perished in the Siege, and he never knew that at the surrender most of the Confederate soldiers were parolled as Grant had no provisions to feed 30,000 men. The parolled soldiers were exchanged and received back into the Confederate Army on August 4, 1863, and then went on to Chattanooga, TN to fight again. Most likely his wife and family sadly wondered what had happened to him, and whether he was dead or alive. Any Confederate soldier who was killed during the Siege was probably buried in a mass grave (which was usually the case). I read somewhere that wars "tell of the movement of armies and the acts of generals".

Dead Confederate soldiers were given space at the Soldier's Rest Public City Cemetery - at Cedar Hill - not the Vicksburg National Cemetery. We visited the very old City Cemetery - Cedar Hill, and the CSA area was divided into the states who were represented in the Siege and the majority of the graves were "unknown" soldiers. Of the 17,077 graves of Civil War soldiers, there were 12,909 "unknown". We went to the Alabama section - all known dead alphabetized...no sign of Private D. D. Lockwood, 31st Alabama Infantry. His sacrifice and the sacrifice that thousands of "unknown" soldiers have made is such a sad but true commentary.

After driving through the Vicksburg National Battlefield, a 16 mile driving tour of the Battlefield, it was clear where the 31st Alabama Infantry was positioned during their occupation, and most likely where my great-great grandfather perished.

There are over 1,340 monuments throughout the Battlefield - not enough time to read them all - it would have required days!

We should pause and thank our forefathers, whichever side their allegiance was, and thank them for their ultimate sacrifice. We should also pray for our present day soldiers' families, and that the day may soon come when their loved ones will return safely. The cost of war can never be measured in just dollars and cents. There's so much more to consider. Some unknown author once said "Freedom is not free"! ......and it never will be.

Lake City, FL 6/9/08

We are in Lake City for our grandson's All-Star Baseball tournament and has it been interesting, or what!? We have had an opportunity to do some interesting exploring as well. Lake City used to be called Alligator in the early days and I was aware of the city because my g-g-grandfather and his family settled in this area in the mid-1800's. The Civil War was beginning to brew and he was the first Confederate soldier to be killed in Florida - in Jacksonville while on a patrol near the junction of LaVilla at the "old brick church". Lt. Thomas Strange left a wife and 5 children. One afternoon we drove to High Springs to have lunch and go through the cemetery to see another site, my g-grandfather Lucius Knapp's grave. It gave us an opportunity to explore a beautiful little old Florida town - I love them, and time really has stood still.

On Wednesday afternoon we drove up to the Stephen Foster Memorial Cultural Center to see if we'd like to take our RV to camp in the future. The Cultural Center has room to hold our 40' rv and not only is it a beautiful area, an added feature is the carillon concert 4 times a day. Old Florida is in this area as well....the ranger told us the small motors that operate the diarama were made in the 30's and are still working just fine. The River is probably the lowest I have ever seen, but there are many canoes and kayaks still putting in and going to the Big Shoals area. There are many campgrounds, but only a couple we would consider staying. Did you know when you are 65 and a resident of the State of FL you get to camp for $8/day? Why would you cook when the Suwannee River Diner feeds us for $5 apiece? Delicious homecooked meals! We even went to the local library to look up the ancient records of our families - RV's family has been all over this area for generations but he hasn't gotten the bug yet. One of the most interesting articles I read has really sparked my curiosity - about the "tin can tourists" that used to come into this area every year and camp at the Suwannee River - most of them were gypsies and told fortunes, sold potions that could cure anything! My first magazine article is going to be about those "tin can tourists". They paved the way for us!