If Your Gonna Run Out of Gas - Ya Better Do It On One of Houston's Big Interstates

Yesterday, one of my worst fears occurred....I ran out of gas. I have actually never run out of gas.....but Ryan has experienced it a couple of times :). I should have learned from his experiences, but I guess I needed my own experience to set me in the straight and narrow way of making sure that the gas tank has plenty of gas - at all times.
It occurred downtown on 59 south. I was fooled by the gas gauge that showed the lever was just above the orange box of emptiness.
So, I was driving along and suddenly the gas stopped working & I began to coast. I saw an exit and almost took it, but had an impression to stop in the emergency lane adjacent to the exit. I admit that I became shaken up and a bit frantic b/c I didn't have the cell phone to call for help and as I looked behind me at the oncoming traffic my mind began to imagine them smashing into me. [Here's an ironic side note: I had told Ryan to take the cell phone & that if I needed to call him that I would find a phone - yea, I'll not make that mistake again]
I'm a bit dramatic, I know, but it was really very scary. So I said a prayer and began to calm down and analyze my situation as to what I should do. I had decided that I should get out and trek it up the inclined exit to Tuam street. I didn't dare get out of the driver's side door for fear of getting smashed by a driver that wasn't paying attention to their surroundings, so I maneuvered to climb over to the passengers side. Right as I was about to open up the door a man came walking up. AAAAAAAAhhhh I was so relieved.
His name is Lyle and he's a tow truck driver that works with Houston's Safe Clear program. He explained to me that they have camera's all around the busy interstate and when a troubled vehicle is spotted, they immediately send a message to the tow truck drivers to get to the scene. He said that they are suppose to get their within 6 minutes.
He hooked my car up and towed me to the nearest gas station. I admit it was pretty cool to ride in a tow truck.

Here's a bit of useful info for ya that I never knew...

1. Never leave your car to get help b/c your car will get towed and you will have to pay over $100 buckaroos to get it out of the broken down car lot.

2. Always make it to an emergency lane b/c the tow trucks are not suppose to charge for towing you to safety (this is only true if you are in an emergency lane)

I'm not sure that the above is true for all towing situations, but I do know that it's true for when your in Houston and stranded on a busy interstate.

So, I hope that you all can learn by my example and make certain that you always have enough gas in your vehicles :)

Six Things you Never Knew About Me!

I’ve been tagged!

The RULES:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog....

1. I’ve lost the USB connector to my camera so I am unable (at the moment) to post any new pics :(
2. I cannot stand to watch scary movies, at all.
3. I love to cook but loathe the clean up afterwards.
4. When I do my laundry (specifically towels) one of my favorite things to do is to cuddle up in the warm towels until they begin to cool.
5. I had an appendectomy when I was a child.
6. I’ve been watching American Idol tonight and have been laughing it up! There are definitely some questionable characters on their this season.

Now, if your name is below you are tagged by me so get to blogging about yourself!:) I now tag Brittany, Sabrina, Texas, Emily, Amber & Jennifer.

We are Back in Texas

We are happy & a little sad to say that we are back home in Texas. We hope you all had a lovely Christmas & New Year's. We had Great Times in Colorado, Utah & Wyoming with our friends and family! Our "little" road trip has left us exhausted and we are both recovering from yucky colds. So Stay tuned ....more to come.