Thursday, November 5th, 2009
This was an interesting location from earlier on in the Route – a large abandoned gymnasium made with Ozark sandstone in the “giraffe” style in Phillipsburg, Missouri. There was a really neat old truck parked in front:
old truck next to the abandoned gymnasium in Phillipsburg, MO
That was just a visual for you. Its only connection to this post is that the vehicle in the photo is kinda the same color as (and in fact it is probably in better shape than) the car I’m going to write about now. I was planning on writing about some Route 66 thing in my next post but I just have to share this with you… You’re not going to believe the irony of what happened to me this week.
I actually grabbed a cheap flight back to Detroit for a few days because I needed to handle some personal business: leave the US and re-enter to reload my health insurance so that I am covered in the states; reduce my mortgage payments, as it was up for renewal; look into a job opportunity; and take a bath and sleep in my bed while I’m here, of course. 
Since the Jeep and triangle are parked at Melody’s place in LA, I have no car. My very helpful and generous friend Rebecca offered up her burgundy Tracker so I could run my errands.
You already know where this is going.
So on the way home from my meeting at the bank on Monday, I was trying to turn left at a busy intersection, when a lovely Windsorite decided to let me in. He motioned to me that it was OK, I could go ahead of him – so I did! …BAM!!! Yes: I had a car accident. Rebecca’s car, and the other car involved, got seriously smashed up. Thankfully, no one was hurt. I did hit my head on the window but I’m assured it’s nothing.
OK: can someone explain to me how, after driving over 2400 miles across America, through cities unknown to me, towing a trailer, driving a standard, following a map book, and manning a time lapse camera, all while scouting for shoot locations, I can have ZERO incident — and then come back to my hometown and get into an accident where none of the above challenges were present?? W..T..F..???
I figured it made sense to use this post to share old car shots from Route 66
I wish I wish I wish it were MY car. The fact that my friend trusted me with hers and I got it smashed up makes me ill. I signed this document today at her broker’s office declaring that I won’t drive her car for the next six years and that will keep it from damaging her record, so that made me feel better (albeit humiliated)… but still. I feel so awful about it. I have been assured several times, though, that people letting other drivers in is a common cause of accidents – which makes me feel marginally less stupid for just going. (I seriously don’t get it. I am a good driver and I have a good record. How could this have happened?)
So after waiting over three hours for the police to show up at the scene and give me a ticket and then have the vehicles towed to the collision center… I come home to a note on my stairs and a set of keys. While I was out playing bumper cars, my tenants had moved out. Without notice, without discussion, and without paying November’s rent. Last I heard from them, they were staying through November. This doubly sucks, because they were great tenants! At least they left an apologetic note. This is literally what I walked into after the accident.
I wished I was still in the triangle!
It’s taken me a few days to sort through all of this crap and find someone to watch my house (hence the tardy post), but I am feeling a bit better and more philosophical about it all. As my friend Ken keeps reminding me: what matters is no one was hurt – the rest is just money, money is just a tool, etc. And he’s right, of course.
Getting a serious hair cut and going to a free seminar about self-publishing yesterday probably helped, too. I was told that some people in the local publishing biz are interested in working with me on a book about this journey, so that felt great to hear. (It was funny: one of said publishers who reads this blog was in the audience, and when I got up to ask a question and she heard me start with “my name is Sandi Wheaton…”, apparently she almost bolted upright and yelled “NO, IT ISN’T!!” – because of course she thought I was still in LA. I thought that was pretty funny.)
another retired one in Missouri
Today I return to LA, where I will visit with friends old and new (66 to Cali: I’m heading to the pier tomorrow, email to follow) – then pick up “the combination”, and start the trek back to the Mother Land. So many mixed feelings about all of this… but I am excited about returning to clean up my life and downsize it. One of the first things I thought when I came into my house after a six week absence was, “my god, I have way too much stuff”. And one of the first things I thought when I came home to the tenants gone and was hit with the financial repercussions was, “my god, I have to get rid of this house”. A big part of me doesn’t want to let go of my house – but I think that’s attachment and fear talking. Living out of attachment and fear would have kept me from this trip, which would have been a damn shame… so I know I need to rise above those feelings, and clear a new path for myself. A path with more flexibility, more freedom… and less impacts!
Amarillo Globe-News: Lisa Pawlowski's article online
Also: I need to share a story that was published in the Amarillo Globe-News last weekend. Thanks to Lisa Pawlowski for the super article! I haven’t seen the hard copy yet but I can’t wait to, especially since I think they ran color photos with it. You can read it online here.
Tags: accident, Amarillo Globe News, crash, house, LA, old cars, Phillipsburg, publishing, Rebecca, tenants, Windsor
November 5th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Wow Sandi what a welcome back to Windsor! Disappointment on top of disaster… But you’re right, things are simply things (except for cameras, books and art, lol). I am so impressed/proud of you for your leap of faith…so to speak. I really owe Rick big time for introducing us. Be safe (takes on a whole new meaning, doesn’t it?)!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
So glad to hear no one was hurt, but oh! the bitter irony, eh! Love those old cars ‘n’ trucks. Who knows how many old treasures lie quietly rusting away in fields etc all over. There’s real romance to it, and a little sadness, too. Well, keep on keepin’ on – hope that’s the last of the bad stuff!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
OMG Sandi! I couldn’t help but “giggle with a frown”, you poor thing, car accidents are so stressful! I’m sure your friend will see the humour in it too! Sorry about your tenants, too! Sheesh! Keep us posted on your trip back!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Oh, and my mom says that if a person waves you to go, they’re responsible for the accident. Did you get their info?
November 5th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Crash – Don’t you know most accidents happen within five miles of your home?
It is wild you were able to maneuver Route 66 without incident only to come home and have an accident. Glad to know you weren’t injured.
Stay well.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Glad you are alright. Stuff is just stuff.
I’m glad you’re learning about that attachment and fear thing. This adventure has been fantastic. You’ve only just begun opening your eyes to the possibilities.
Or you could work real hard to hang onto a pile of sticks on that tiny plot of this big earth
November 5th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Caroline: oh no, they high-tailed it out of there! But because I was waved in, they charged me with fail to yield, versus careless driving… so I guess that is a positive note.
TSB: what, no song to go with this tale??
November 5th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I’m still trying to find lyrics to “Wet Ass” I know I heard a song with those words but for the life of me I can’t remember the song or artist. Also I’m at work and don’t have my music library at hand but I’ll work on something but not tonight… I’ll be at the Red Wings game.
I did want to congratulate you on your accomplishment.
You ROCK!!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
You’ve just become this weeks poster child for ” If I didn’t have “BAD” luck, I’d have no luck at all.
I did get a chuckle over signing a paper promising not to ever drive her car again….WTF is that all about! Kind of reminds me when a counselor told me I had to ask forgiveness for dropping a college credit class……….I laughed at him and told him in case he wasn’t seeing very well I was past the age of 10 (40ish) and asking for forgiveness was not going to happen.
Just remember this too will pass.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
But the best thing may have happened– book deal!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:12 am
I didn’t find the link to Lisa Pawlowski’s article.
Good therapy for you, writing about the crash! The person who motioned for you to cut in must have felt terrible. What a tragedy! But no PERSON was hurt. That’s the main thing.
I don’t want this blog to ever end, so you need to keep having adventures, Sandi. Pick a location, head there, and let people welcome you and show you stuff as you ride!
Put it all in book after book, and create your own remunerative travel logue!
November 6th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Crash, I am glad you are ok. Talk soon.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
wow sandi, i had no idea and i’m sorry to hear all that crappy stuff happened to you
but you have proved time and time again that you can turn around a situation and make amazing things!! xoxo looking forward to seeing you back in windsor shortly!
November 7th, 2009 at 3:05 am
Oh-my-goodness! I’m glad that you weren’t hurt, and that some positive things also awaited you in Windsor. It should be interesting to resume the trip having gone home briefly. I wonder how it will alter your perspective on it, if any.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Hey, Sandi and All:
Yesterday’s trip to Route 66 Santa Monica was too much fun. I need to go back soon. Sandi, your haircut is killer!
Here is a link to the photos. Scroll down until you see them. Click on the slide show link, if you have that capability. I work on a Mac.
http://web.me.com/janeannej/Site/Last_Import_45.html
November 7th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Jane Anne – great fotos! I haven’t been to the pier in nearly a decade but those happy shots really make me want to go back, especially now that the END of Route 66 has special meaning for me (knowing someone who’s taken that long and winding road and all).
Sandi – I’m glad that you’re okay and on your way!
November 7th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
zomg!
November 7th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Well, I guess the saying “sh-t happens” applies here.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Hey, the blogging is working on one front…when I used to type in pictureroute66 on the search box in AOL you came up about 4th or 5th. Now you are number one and two and three. I just checked internet explorer as well…same scoop. Keep writing.
Keep writing and you will have a whole box of tools…aka money..thanks Ken.
Talk to anyone for any group that asks you. Ask for letters of recommendation from everyone and ask me to be your friend on Facebook.
Watch the language on the blog…it could come back to bite you when you are even famousser than you are now. (thought famousser was kinda cute since I was hootin on you about your cussin…I so get a kick out of me)
Keep writing. soon you will be number one when people just type in route 66 into their browsers. Currency and tonnage are king with the search engines.
Rock on little eagle!!!!!!
PS. the accident you described is exactly what happend to me the night before my first ever TV broadcast, I was the one going straight so the woman who hit me got the ticket.
If accidents are harbingers of things to come….well you know how good TV has been to me.
Keep your goals right in front of you, every minute of every day.
November 15th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Hey Sandi I am only too happy to share my “crash” title with you! hehehe Glad your ok!
November 19th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Sandi,
You are amazing, likened to the little Everready bunny,carving your career, mile by mile, fearlessly telling your story with the passion and heart of a true professional and gathering applause and notoriety along the way……Bravo
The irony of your little fender bender is way out there but I was so relieved that you did not get injured, which sends an even clearer message…
Excited to see you for a little “Beaujolais”
Love,Monica
November 19th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Thanks, Monica! Can’t wait to see you at the party!
November 19th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Hi Sandi,
It was great to see you at the self-publishing session. I was also surprised to see you but mainly ’cause your hair was shorter!! How ironic indeed that you got into an accident back in your hometown…. But the way some people drive here, not overly surprised!
If you decide to go the self-publishing route, keep us in mind! Your journey definitely deserves the right treatment, especially your photos. One of our own books, “Best of The Times”, has around 1200, many of them old, crappy ones that needed a lot of work, but we were able to make most of them look like new.
keep on truckin’!
elaine
November 19th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Sandra,
Your writing is so enjoyable: who knew?! I enjoyed reading the entries as much as the illustrative photos: bravo. Happy Homecoming and I hope you’re seriously thinking about a no-anchor Chapter 2.
Carina
November 21st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Thanks, Carina – means a lot to me.
Elaine – thanks! I will definitely keep you in mind. I need to figure out how to approach this whole thing now… I have so much material to sort through, not to mention ways to share/package it!
(And from way back:) James – this really hit home: “or you could work real hard to hang onto a pile of sticks on that tiny plot of this big earth”. I like your thinking!
July 9th, 2010 at 10:10 am
I just wanted to comment and say that I really enjoyed reading your blog post here. It was very informative and I also digg the way you write! Keep it up and I’ll be back to read more in the future