* * Towing the Accord

Yesterday, I had a full day planned.
In the morning, I was scheduled to appear in at the Korner Kafe in Union, WV, to sell and sign my books after the parade at their Farmer’s Day celebration. The owner, Betty Lemons, is a reader and has been one of my biggest fans. I took my Trek mountain bicycle with me with the intention of driving to Waiteville to ride the new Potts Valley Rail Trail.  Then I had a party to attend at the home of a fellow Rotary Club member back in Blacksburg. The appearance in Union was great, but then things didn’t happen as planned.
I crested Peters Mountain, driving my 1993 Honda Accord LX that we’ve owned since 1996. I noticed something strange about the way the clutch felt. Coming down the south side into Waiteville, I noticed that the wheels were no longer responding to changes in engine speed. In the shade of a tree on a gravel road in the middle of nowhere, I coasted to a stop. I tried every gear, even reverse, but couldn’t feel the wheels in contact with the engine. When I dis-engaged the clutch, then put it in first gear, then re-engaged the clutch, there was a grinding sound but no movement. I was completely, sincerely, insanely stuck. I looked under the hood, but as I suspected could see nothing amiss. I had no cell telephone service.
So I began walking.
I walked to the first habitation I saw. Two ladies, one appearing to be in her sixties and the other in her eighties, were sitting on the front porch of their trailer home. I explained the problem and the younger woman, the daughter of the older, got her phone and let me make some calls. My insurance company linked me with their roadside assistance people, and a tow-truck was found in Roanoke who would take me home and take the car to a repair shop in Christiansburg.
I was obviously disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to do the bicycle ride I’d planned. But I became resigned to my fate and waited as patiently as possible in the company of my new friends. It was a beautiful, sunny day. They gave me some ice water and fruit salad during the three hours until the tow truck arrived. My insurance company would apparently cover the cost of the tow.
The driver was a great guy, an Irish immigrant in this country for five years. We had a great conversation on the way back to town. He had an interest in my motorcycles and I showed him through the garage. Presumably he dropped off the car in Christiansburg and I plan to go there in the morning to discuss repair with the service garage. I made it to the party after most guests had left, but there was still plenty of food.
The issue of whether to keep and repair the old car or replace it has come up. We’ll make that call in the morning.  Stay tuned.