Off the bridge, onto the Cape.
Now that I’m done telling the fun little stories about this year’s Cape Cod getaway for my dear wife Karen and I, it’s time to circle back to the jolting start of Day One.
Enough time has past. We’ve settled back into our home routine in Central New York. All is well …
Karen had taken the wheel hours back, and we didn’t hit much traffic until a few miles from the Bourne Bridge. Even then, it seemed fairly smooth sailing as we drove out on the Cape’s only highway. Some congestion in both lanes. We’d get to the rental cottage, some `10 miles down the road, around the 3 p.m. check-in timed. Our cherished rescue mutt was relaxing on the folded-down back seat behind us.
Then Karen saw a state trooper with lights flashing on the right shoulder. She remembered the rules of the road, move to the left lane. Somebody slowed down behind us to the left to make room, she checked quickly over her shoulder …
The next thing I knew, we both were punched in the face by our respective airbags. Somebody had really slowed down in the left lane, I could only guess.
Our Honda HR-V was drifting on its own to the right shoulder, like so many wrecked cars I’d soon on TV NASCAR races.
Our totaled car.
We both could move. And talk. The state trooper reached our car and opened Karen’s door. Her arm was bleeding from a pretty good gash; no windows had broken, I’d noted. The trooper took over the scene, wrapping her arm, calling an ambulance, telling me animal control would come for our dog so I could go to the hospital as well for a check up.
I was fine, I said, moving my parts to make sure.
The tow truck driver said the dog was welcome in his vehicle.
He knew where the ambulance was taking Karen.
He drove us to the next exit, to Enterprise rent a car. I got hold of our insurance company to OK the rental. Our car would not be coming back to Central New York, was the tow truck driver’s best guess.
I drove the rental SUV to the wrecker yard and transferred all our stuff from our crumpled car to the rental, the dog being so good in the passenger front well.
I found the hospital a few miles away, and they let me take the dog in to sit with Karen as she awaited treatment on her arm. A very pleasant staffer even gave the tired dog a bowl of water. By then, it had been a very long time since we’d left home.
They gave Karen eight stitches.
We made it to the cottage.
The vacation was filled not only with fun stuff, but many conversations with insurance representatives, rental people, medical folks.
People were nice to us.
We received a settlement for our totaled car.
Settled in.
We used that, along with a good rate on a lo and, to buy a 2024 version of the Honda HR-V that got us through the crash.
Stay safe. It could happen to anyone.
Mark Bialczak 
This was really a damn shame, Mark. What a strenuous experience to have to go through in the most unforeseen of circumstances. That being said, it was very nice to read there was a lot of human interaction here of the favorable variety. It sounds like you had a lot of compassion and assistance given to you all, and am sure you are happy this can all now be put in the rear view mirror.
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It was a bunch of anxiety for sure, Bruce, but we came out on the other side. Life sure can be something.
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My head is spinning. So sorry to hear of the accident, but delighted to hear that you are all OK now. You sure kept your plan to enjoy the Cape, from all the previous blogs. What an experience.
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Thanks, Mike. It sure was an experience.
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wow. Glad to hear you are both okay… things can be replaced.
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Thanks, Clay. You are very right.
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I immediately thought of Paul Harvey and “The Rest of the Story.”
So sorry to read this. I’m surprised you had the strength to continue the vacation. One doesn’t have to travel hundreds of miles from home to have mishaps. One doesn’t even have to leave one’s garage. My husband backed out of the garage without opening the garage door. Car was not damaged and the door (25 yrs old) needs replacing anyway. I thought it was due to age (husband’s) but I’m told this happens often. My neighbor said he and his wife both did it once. (Once is enough.)
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We didn’t want to up and leave, ladysighs. The cottage rental was paid for, we had to rent a vehicle anyway …
Glad hubby and the car are find, and you’ll love having a new garage door!
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Oh No! That’s a horrible way to start a vacation. I’m so glad that everyone is safe and doing well. I am so sorry this happened to you but you are here typing. Thank the Good Lord!
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We were very fortunate Nance. And thank you.
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oh, no! I so sorry this happened to all of you and oh my, poor Karen! luckily the local authorities, tow truck driver, and hospital were all on top of their game and helped you to be treated and cared for until you were ready to head back out. it actually is good that you had some time away planned, to unwind, even though you had to deal with all of the ‘work’ that has to be done when something bad happens. I’m glad that you were able to enjoy your vacation and are now settled back in safely at home
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It sure opened our eyes in many ways, Beth. Live and learn. We’re glad to be safe and sound, and what a way to move on to the next new vehicle. Yikes.
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yes, not how you want to do it. p.s. I am thinking about getting the Honda hrv, now that I’m done with commuting and my very loyal Subaru has 215,000 plus miles on it. what do you think about it?
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I am very loyal to the hrv. I endorse it, Beth. My dear wife Karen likes it as well, serves us well as we’ve gone down to one car.
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thanks, that’s good to know –
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