🦊 Road Notes: So Close to Home… Then the Tire Said Nope! 🛞💥

Well, folks… we were making our way home to Ohio when the road decided we weren’t quite finished with our adventures yet.

About two hours into the trip, we had a tire blowout.

Because apparently, simply driving home after months on the road would have been far too easy. 😂😭

We called roadside assistance through our insurance, and they sent out a company to help us. Nearly an hour later, the first guy finally showed up, and let’s just say he wasn’t winning any customer service awards.

He was rude, and then he decided he didn’t want to finish the job and told us to find another company.

Excuse me… what?!

So back to making phone calls we went.

We contacted another company and waited more than an hour before calling to ask for an ETA. The woman we spoke with was incredibly rude, cussed Chris out, and gave us a different timeline than the one we’d originally been told.

At this point, we were already dealing with a shredded tire on the side of a busy highway. The last thing we needed was a side helping of attitude with our roadside assistance. 🙄

Nearly two hours later, the second company finally arrived.

Thankfully, this guy managed to get the shredded tire off and put our spare on. Unfortunately, the tire hadn’t simply blown apart and fallen away. Part of it had wrapped around the axle… THREE TIMES.

Yep. Three times.

That’s not exactly a quick roadside fix!

The mechanic told us to follow him to the shop, where we could spend the night since they were closing for the day. They’d be open early tomorrow and could hopefully get everything sorted out so we could get back on the road sooner.

As for changing the tire ourselves? That wasn’t a risk we were willing to take.

Our jack was tucked underneath the backseat, which meant we’d have to get Walter and Sunna out, move some of our belongings, and try to access everything on the side of a busy highway. With the traffic flying past us, calling for professional help was the safer choice.

Sometimes, you have to put safety ahead of convenience, even when the waiting feels endless.

So here we are, spending an unexpected night at a repair shop instead of making it home as planned.

After months of traveling, countless festivals, and thousands of miles, we were so close to being back in our own space. We could practically taste it!

But that’s life on the road. Sometimes you get breathtaking scenery and unforgettable memories. Other times, you get a blown tire, unhelpful customer service, and a shredded mess wrapped around your axle.

Tonight, we’re going to get some rest and let the shop take a look at the damage in the morning.

Hopefully, tomorrow brings better luck, smoother roads, and a much less dramatic trip home.

We’re ready, Ohio. Please stop moving the finish line! 😂🧡

Until the next mile, keep the fire lit and the road calling. 🦊