Well, our freedom celebration trip got cut dramatically short today. We were cruising down I-95 in the right lane near Kenly, NC (Exit 106), headed towards Charleston and the Fall Rally next week, when we encountered a traffic slow down. Cars ahead appeared to be doing 40 and slowing, so I hit the brakes and...NOTHING! Thought I must have missed the pedal, so I hit it again and this time felt the pedal under my foot and on the floor. No braking effect at all and I don't even think the engine brake had kicked in - like it didn't know I was pushing on the brake pedal. It's already too late at 65 mph - we hit the car in front of us and booted it into the left lane and another car. Hardly felt it - 37,000 lbs vs about 4000 was no contest at all! No open lane to steer into and guard rails on my right, so I grabbed for the Emergency Brake and pulled the handle. No apparent effect and we rear ended a second car, kicking it out the way. Sailed into a F350 size truck with a cargo hauling body on the back and some industrial parts, but we are somewhat slower know. Pushed him for a way and we came to a stop. Amazingly, both Nancy & I are fine (and so was our cat Blacky once we found him cowering in the shambles of the wardrobe closet). I can't get our front door open, so climb out a window and am further amazed to find that no one was hurt in the other two cars or the truck either! The lady driver of one was shaken up and had some back pain, so she decided she would go to the hospital for a check-up but the on scene EMS said there appeared to be no serious injury. And wonder of wonders, our toad was fine too.
So tonight the coach is in a tow company yard in Selma, NC and we are in a Days Inn and thankful to be alive and uninjured. Our plans for the next two weeks are in shambles, but we are thankful regardless. Tomorrow I'll work on what to do about the coach, insurance, repairs, etc., but tonight is just for rekindling our rather battered spirits.
