Air Force One & Sideswiped

After spending a night at Bastrop State Park we headed out to Jellystone Park Wine Country near Fredericksburg.  As we approached the highway 71 exit near Austin’s Bergstrom Airport the police had the road in both directions shut down.  I figured there was a major accident.  Then we heard the rumble of a jet approaching for a landing and looked up to see Air Force One.  That explained the reason for the road being shut down. The kids were excited that they were “that close” to the President.

However, now I would have to navigate through the back streets of Austin to find an alternate route to Jellystone.  We finally made it to I35 only to learn that  many other roads were closed for the President’s motorcade.  Google Maps suggested an alternate route farther down I35 and so we “accepted” the suggestion and moved on down the road.  About a mile before our exit a dumb ass in a vehicle decided that she was not going to exit and proceeded to cut across two lanes of traffic.  I was in the right lane and saw what she was about to do.  The only option I had was swerve to the left and hope that I had enough clearance that I wouldn’t hit the car behind me.  I looked in my passenger-side mirror to see debris flying all over the road.  Although I didn’t feel the impact I knew the damn fool hit us!  I pulled over on the left side ditch along I35 and motioned for her to pull over.  She didn’t.  I yelled a few choice words at her (her window was down) and went to check the damage to the fifth-wheel.  Since I was parked on the edge of an Interstate and didn’t want to die I couldn’t do a thorough inspection, but I didn’t notice any damage until later on.  She had clipped the side of the trailer and mangled the door to one of the propane tanks.

There was a lot more damage to her minivan than to our trailer (karma baby!)  It could have been much worse if it wasn’t for my excellent evasive maneuver (seriously).

We finally made it Jellystone late yesterday afternoon (it took an hour and a half longer than planned thanks to El Presidente shutting down Austin).

The police report has been filed, insurance claim submitted and service appointment with the dealership is scheduled.  Time to relax and carry on!