After watching our last band van burn to it's death, the insurance amazing came through with a check that not only purchased another van for us, but we had enough money left over to get a trailer. Well, the combination of a really old van and a new heavy trailer proved deadly to the new van. On our way back from a crazy show at Spring Arbor College in MI, the engine blew up and left us stranded at a Popeye's Chicken that was attached to a gas station (which I think most of them are). We left the van at a back roads service station that had a hometown family of a crew that worked the joint. No problem. . .except that the service station is about 4 hours away from home and for some reason, I can't take care of things over the phone.

They called about a week after we got home to tell me that with one easy payment of $4,000 my $3,500 dollar van could have a brand new engine in it which was the only way it was going to get off of there lot. About a month later, I finally mustered up the organization in my brain to get stuff taken care of so I borrowed my uncle's van and drove it up to MI. The last time we were there it was for a gig at Spring Arbor College where I unintentionally left a crate full of mics at the gig. So, the trip was two fold; take care of the van and get the mics back. No problem. When I got to the service station, the people we so kind that they only charged me $35 bucks for looking it over and storing it for all that time. It was perfect. I got all that stuff squared away and then it was off to Spring Arbor to get the mics.

I had printed directions to the place but didn't print directions home. I didn't think it was that big of a deal because I could just follow my directions backwards. Well, when you are following the directions in reverse it doesn't tell you exit numbers. So, as I'm driving back across I-94 I second guess myself thinking I missed my exit and ended turning around 4 different times looking for my route South. After my last U-turn my uncle's van completely stalls and leaves me stranded on the side of the highway. It is now that I realize I should have dressed for the weather. Up to this point in Ohio, we had not seen snow, or even freezing temperatures. In Michigan, however, there was snow everywhere and it was not warm. After making a few phone calls to remind myself how completely stranded I was, I started getting really cold. I couldn't see ahead of me to an exit because their was a bend about 100 ft in front of me. Behind me there was an exit and the sign on the opposite side of the 4-lane said "name of the exit - 1 mile" So, I knew if I started heading back that way, I had a guaranteed 5280 ft to cover.

So, I started the jog, working that fine line of trying to keep my body warm so I don't freeze but trying not to sweat so I don't freeze. The mile jog was one of those, "How did I get here", contemplating life kind of moments, although it was not dire. Just awakening. I realized how alone I was. I didn't know anyone for 200 miles besides my contact at the college and no one was answering the phone. I was also a Buckeye in Wolverine country, which doesn't seem like that big of a deal except for the fact that we had just beaten them. Not that I really care, but some people take that stuff pretty seriously, so I wondered what kind of help I might receive if any at all. When I finally made it back to the exit, I recognized that it was the same exit for the service station where I had just sewn things up just an hour ago. I almost couldn't believe it. I ran another mile down the back road that ran parallel to the highway where the station was and realized the distance from the highway where my broken down van was and the front door of the service station were about 100 yards away from each other through field!

The workers couldn't believe I was back and could believe even more that I had another van to hand over. I messed with them saying they must have a Bermuda Triangle effect that they rigged up just to get business. This time, I was really at their mercy. They took me to a hotel and started work on the van the next day. I hung out at the shop and goofed around with all of the townies that stopped in. By the end of the day, the van had $500 worth of new parts and labor and I was on the road back home. I'm pretty sure Michigan hates me.