A Day in the Life of Me (or in this case a few hours)

In the insightful words of Bugs Bunny- "I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque!"

Because of some suggestions from people who hear my stories (at least after they stop rolling on the floor laughing at my mishaps), I have decided to start a blog about these "adventures." I have never blogged before so this might also end up a new "adventure." But if I can cheer one person up, it can't be that bad.

Currently I am doing an internship in Prescott, Arizona. I decided to go on a Sunset Cruise last Friday night in nearby Sedona. As I do not have my car here, I got a rental. I started out of the lot and noticed at the light that the Nissan Altima I was driving was really revving high! I don't have time to turn around because I have a tight schedule, so when I get to a light I put it in park and then back in drive. 

This helped a lot as now the car wouldn't go past 2 on the RPM dial, AND would not go over 60 miles an hour. Even with my foot on the floor and me yelling at the car it didn't work. Of course I also had to get used to the cruise control being on the actual steering wheel itself so randomly driving 60 mph in a 75 mph zone I bump the horn while trying to set the cruise. 

I made it to Sedona just in time, and despite a cloud bank to the west I had a fabulous time! I got a few gorgeous pictures, and my tour guide with Pink Jeep Tours even took my picture for me. (Would recommend them anytime)

Back to my story. So it is going on 9 P.M. when I finally get back to the car and call the Emergency number for the rental. Now part of this is not their fault because I did choose the option for "other questions concerning your car," but I sat on hold for about 15-20 min. and then the operator comes on and say "Hi, my name is ___. Are you safe?" First thing out of my mouth was "What?" I thought I hadn't heard him right. I just sat on the phone for 20 minutes, I would hope I was safe. Afterwards I felt ornery and think I should have said something like, "well, I am not sure. Are there supposed to be flames coming out of the engine." But I did not do this. I only thought about it.

After all of this, I found out there is a new feature on some of the cars that lets you "race" or put it into a manual gear so you can shift on your own. I was not aware of this, so I probably drove the 66 miles in first gear.

It gets better though. So I head home a different way through the town of Jerome. It is an old mining town that has some cute shops and loads of history, but it is literally built on the side of a mountain. It is now closer to 10 P.M. and my GPS decides to attempt killing me. I first drive through the entire town, and end up back where I started. Then I decide to use the Detour button and tell it I want to go to Prescott's airport. (Bad move)

Next thing I know I am driving on a one lane dirt road around the side of the mountain. There is no place to turn around for at least 10 miles. Finally I get to the other side (at least I think it was since it was pitch black outside). Then no less than 2 times my GPS directs me down trails that I believe are only navigable by 4 wheeler. After two turn arounds, I am finally on another single lane dirt road, and I drive, and I drive, and I drive (you get the picture). 

I pass multiple cattle guards, see one rattlesnake, 1 tarantula, a couple jumping mice, and some cow that looked at me funny. After my GPS makes me leave this road it takes me down a dried up creek bed and in the middle of nowhere says "You have arrived." I am not sure where I was other than there was barbed wire fences, and one cow with long horns looking at me funny. I almost asked her for directions, but figured she didn't speak English. So I turn around on this dried up creak bed with a big ditch running down the center trying to keep both tires on either side of this great divide. Turns out I was originally on some road called Perkinsville Road (also called Forest Service Rd 354). 

Finally at Midnight I make it home. And that is just a few hours in the life of me. I can't wait to tell you about my trip to the Grand Canyon the next day, but will hold off on this for now. ;)