However, I didn't make it to the second rest stop before more people were waving me down. My exhaust pipe was dragging and sparking, the muffler was gone. I drove into the Elm Creek Rest Area at 2:00 in the morning, and was at a loss for what to do. It was cold and I didn't yet have any of my bedding, I also didn't have any of my tools or any wire to tie up the exhaust pipe so it wasn't dragging.
Also, it was 2:00 in the morning on a Sunday, so who was I going to call to bring the supplies? Even the custodian was out. So I wrapped myself up in my jacket as best as I could, and tried to get some sleep. I probably got 45 minutes of sleep at a time, and made frequent trips to the bathroom inside the Rest Area to warm up or use the vending machine. At 8:00 in the morning I called a friend who brought some wire hangers, pliers, and her son to help string it up.
On top of everything it had rained all night and was still raining when my friend arrived. Luckily she thought to bring some tarps. Then came the next obstacle, getting under the RV. The propane tank blocked where I needed to get, and the sides of the vehicle were really close to the ground. It took several attempts to find a path I could use to get to the exhaust pipe. I have never felt so fat as I did trying to squeeze under my RV! There were routs I simply couldn't take because I couldn't fit.
I also learned that I have a much bigger fear of being crushed alive then I originally realized. As someone who dreams of chasing tornadoes and who plays with fire on a regular basis, was fairly surprised as to the amount the fear overtook me. But I told myself it was either overcome the fear or give up the lifestyle ... and a couple of panic attacks later I managed to get the job done.
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