First of all to set the tone of the story, my mom's '96 Taurus had the transmission go out on it on Friday afternoon and she won't get it back until Wednesday, and according to "Bob's transmissions" that's a good $1600 rebuild. <BR> <BR>Okay, so a bunch of us were meeting up in Texas to go ride some warm waters. I had to drive myself because I had to leave later than everyone else. I get halfway through Oklahoma, and my transmission explodes......literally. It will go into gears without the use of the clutch, so it's pretty much f*****. So I'm sitting on the side of I-35 in the middle of nowhere waiting for this towtruck to come tow me back to Wichita. I sat there for 3 hours waiting for "Toby" to come get me in the dark. My mom thought I was joking that the tow truck driver's name was Tow-by, haha. Yeah. We spent who knows how many conversations on the phone trying to find out where I was because I didn't even know much less know how to tell Toby. Finally I get out of my car, walk to the nearest highway sign like a mile away to tell Toby where I was. He finally gets there and we drive to the nearest gas station which conveniently also has a casino!!! What is in the gas stall next to my poor old broken mustang, but a brand new '05 Mustang!! It's like God was mocking me and thinking this was funny. I get my Pringles and Mt. Dew and Toby the towtruck driver and I hit the road. We didn't have much to talk about at the begining of the trip, but man, Toby had a lot of knowledge to share. I now know that Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, where good 'ol Toby is from, is actually named after a guy named Smith Paul! Wow! We get to Oklahoma City and Toby took the wrong highway north, so I got a brief tour of 23rd St. in OKC. Got to see the capital building that cost $40mil. according to Toby. Apparently I am the farthest tow Toby has ever had to do in all his years in the Wrecker business. That made me feel great. Toby also owns a salvage yard and I now know that all the cars you see on the side of the highway are abandoned with little orange flags on the antennas that the highway patrol puts there as a warning that if you don't come get your car they're gonna tow it to a salvage yard. We stopped just outside of OKC to get more gas and, only in Oklahoma would you see this, but a guy in a black cowboy hat gets out of a truck that is pulling a trailer that is making sheep noises. Not exactly sure what was in that trailer, but sheep is a good guess. I walked outside the convenient store and heard, "baaa, baaa." Whatever. I am proud to say, I introduced Toby to his first wakeboard!<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0> He had never seen one before. Toby and I pretty much talked about everything from diesel engines to old movies, and riding in Toby's tow truck was like riding in the old school buses where you sit in the back because it's really bumpy. Holy s***, the tow truck needs some suspension work. Wow is all I can say. What an experience. Thank God for good 'ol Toby getting me back home safe and sound. I have no vehicle for 3 days, niether does mom, so we're walking to the nearest grocery store tomorrow to buy filets and salmon to have a cookout to celebrate being carless. <BR> <BR>And I'm tellin' ya, when it rains it f***ing poors!<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/angry.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>Oh, yeah and the whole reason for this trip for me was to hang out with some cool fellow wakeboarders, and because I just got a 2005 Hyperlite State that I was just itchin' to try out! Now it might be awhile before that happens.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/sad.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by hyperchick05 on March 19, 2005) <BR> <BR>(Message edited by hyperchick05 on March 19, 2005)

that sucks good luck next time <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

That is the saddest story I have ever heard. That is why I avoid Oklahoma at all cost! <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

I think that's the longest post I've ever seen! <BR> <BR>-Blake

Jenn, Once you start riding your new state... the painful memory of spring break will go away. The state is an super board. I've been out on mine 4 times this year and i can't believe how good it has made my riding.

Andrew, that's what I keep hearing. That's why I bought it. I am so stoked about this season on that board. <BR> <BR>Thanks, Nick. Oh, and I kept talking to Matt while I was stranded on the highway about how much fun they were having at the lake. He kept trying to figure out ways for me to still make it down to Tatum. They were going to hook my mustang up to one of the trucks they used to tow the boats to get me down there. I told them thanks, but I need to figure out what the hell happened to my car. We'll make another trip again.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0>

Sounds like they are having a good time in Texas. I am wishing I was on break with the K-State and KU Ski Teams in Charleston, SC this week. It was a blast last year.

Jenn, <BR>If you ever make it through Oklahoma again and brake down, make sure the guy that is towing you isn't named TOW-BY. LOL. Really though if you make it to OK. hit me up and I'll give you a tow with your new hyperlite. <BR> <BR>Sorry to here about your spring break and hope your next trip to the lake is a lot better. <BR>

Jenn - <BR>Sorry to hear about your misfortunes... At least you made it home safely... Just think about that beautiful Table Rock glass and how it will be warm soon! Thats what gets me through the work week! <BR> <BR>Incidentally the lake here in Kansas was quite nice yesterday and surprisingly warmer than I had expected! <BR> <BR>Again sorry to hear about your weekend.

It's all good. I was playin' with my board last night dreaming about tearin' it up on some warm Table Rock glass! <BR> <BR>I get to drive around this sweet ass freakin' 2004 Chevy Silverado Z71 4X4 for the next 3 days until my car gets finished! Hell ya!!!<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/proud.gif" border=0> <BR>I think I'm going to take it off roadin' tomorrow in some field somewhere since it just rained all day here and have some fun. Hehehe.....

Jenn- If you're ever out my way you've got free rides all day long with us! Sorry to hear it! I'm a Kansas native from Great Bend and am back quite often. Have fun with the new board. Love to see it in action...

Okay, so since the trip was busted, I spent all day today finding muddy dirt roads and fields to run the 4x4 around in. Sadly to say, most of the fields were water puddles, fun, but kinda washed some of the mud off I spent so much time putting on the truck.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>I found a cool mud hole earlier today, but I ran out of time. I'm gonna have to cake some more mud on tomorrow. <BR> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by hyperchick05 on March 22, 2005)

Poor Toby! Just kidding, I hate car troubles. In my younger days when things like that would happen It was all I could do to make my destination. I would worry about the car later. <BR>"C'mon Toby, were driving to Texas!" <BR> <BR>Hope it didn't cost you too much! Did you pray to the trani god first?

Yeah, I prayed to the tranny god first. The verdict is in....... <BR>$1375 for new reman. tranny <BR>$45 for a new release bearing for the clutch <BR>$465 for labor <BR> <BR>......and one pissed off car owner....priceless<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>Apparently the front tranny seal busted, all the fluid leaked out, and running a transmission at 80mph on the interstate with no fluid, it obviously got so hot it exploded. <BR> <BR>I cried. My poor baby got hurt....<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/sad.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>Good 'ol Toby, I wish I had a pic to show y'all.

Jenn, anyone could turn that story into a good country song, but it'd take someone special to turn it into hip-hop. Might have to dress it up a little.