The Wedding Road Trip: Hardship, Strangely Good Luck at the Worst Possible Moments and Goodness

The Magic Eight Ball. We often ask it the question again and again until we get the result that we want. During the past few days, we've learned that while it's not always possible to get the result that you want, it does no good to think of yourself as being "behind the eight ball." It's more fun to defy the Magic Eight Ball, change up your plans and continue on.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE VAN?
This is a tough post to write. With truly heavy hearts, we have to share the news that Tim and I are on the next leg of the wedding road trip, but the Westfalia will remain behind to be mended after a serious incident on Saturday evening. At about 5:30pm, we shared hugs with the folks at Strictly German, hopped in our van and headed back to Joe and Sara's to pack up for the drive to Pfieffer Big Sur State Park. Sasquatch sounded great and while it'd be a long drive, we were both looking forward to the sunset and stars along the Pacific Coast Highway. About an hour out of Pasadena, doing a conservative 60 mph in the slow lane, Tim heard a noise and we saw white smoke pouring out of the back of the van. He quickly cut the ignition we managed to get off the 101 and into a gas station parking lot.

And then reality hit, there was the engine, covered in oil with a golf ball size hole in the engine case. We were despondent. We were in a state of disbelief. It was not possible that this was happening. But it was, and it did. And we decided on the spot, that although it saddened us very, very much, we were not going to feel sorry for ourselves—we were safe and unharmed. We were going to have our wedding road trip, just not the one we planned and not in our sweet van.

And, then we started to realize what incredibly great luck we were having during this truly awful moment. We were at an exit when this happened, and there was enough incline for us to roll off the highway. There was a gas station at the end of the ramp and we had enough steam to get off the road. Two big guys were pumping gas and were able to help Tim push the Westfalia up the remaining bit while I steered it into a parking space. The folks at GoodSam Road side assistance were attentive and helped us think through options. The cashiers working at the gas station were kind beyond belief and agreed to let us keep Sasquatch there until we could make arrangements on Monday. We thought we'd be stranded but a hotel cancellation allowed to grab a room for the night.

We had to think through many possible scenarios that night in an exhausted, stressful state, but we knew that beyond anything, we wanted to make our San Francisco gathering. So, we rented a car early the next morning and drove 6 hours to join our friends for a wonderful meal atop the roof of Farina in the Mission District. It was a relaxed and joyful evening with dear friends and we're so glad we made it.

It was a long haul driving day today. We left San Fran early and made the 6 hours back to our van. Diran at Strictly German had made arrangements to get it towed to his shop. In a world where it might be easy to make excuses and shrug us off, he is not that kind of person. He's doing right by us and working on securing a new engine for the van.

We're blown away by the goodness and kindnesses of family, friends and strangers. With the van safe and being mended, Tim and I began to head East. After another 5 hour drive, we arrived in Las Vegas. We're finalizing a new route and looking forward to the next part of our adventure together. Keep the van in your thoughts please. It is originally a West Coast van, so we hope it hasn't decided it wants to remain here. We'd like to coax it back to Massachusetts where we can enjoy it to the fullest. More soon on our new route!