The Sanctuary

3-11-07

So, this weekend I drove to Virginia. My dad had been working late nights for most of the week, and needed some rest before trying to get certified as a Microsoft Small Business Specialist. So, I decided that I would drive him up there. Plus, we could stay with family, and I could visit.

We borrowed my brother’s car, because he gets a lot better mileage than the Jeep or the Suburban. Well, when you’ve been driving one vehicle for years, you get used to all the bells and whistles of your own ride. My brother’s car is a pretty fast little car…very sensitive on the gas pedal. So, I was extra careful to watch the speedometer. I was also watching the GPS and keeping myself occupied with the radio surfing. I was very determined to surprise my dad and make it all the way without having to wake him and make him drive. So, I completely was not thinking about the gas.

Well, I’m a little less than an hour away from our destination when the car starts stalling. I was thinking there was something wrong with the engine, because the engine light was on when we left. Nope. I looked over and I had an empty gas tank. I quickly pulled over to the side of the road.

Well, we checked the GPS for nearby gas stations, and there was one a half a mile down the road. So, we decided to walk. It was about 3:30 in the morning and we were walking in the freezing cold down a highway. So, when the semi-trucks went by, it was very scary and very cold. When we got to the station, the newspapers were still in bundles outside the front door. So we were stuck. Fortunately, a police officer saw us walking down the highway and called a unit to come check what the problem was. The officer that came said the the other officer called in a man and a “small child” walking down the highway. lol.

So, the officer took us to the nearest open gas station to get some gas. This was my first ride in the back of a police car…that I can remember anyway. It wasn’t much fun, but it was neat. There isn’t much leg room at all (and that is from my perspective). So, you can imagine how cramped it is when bigger people ride back there. Of course the doors won’t open from the inside. That is kinda scary.

So, I gave the officer one of my CD’s in return for helping us out. I know that it was his job, but he was very nice and pleasant. I don’t experience many nice and pleasant policemen. So, I decided that he should have one.

So, that was my weekend story. Hope you enjoyed it!