Sorry to leave you all hanging. For those joining us now you can read part one of our misadventure here. If you recall, our plan was to start walking in the morning to look for help, or perhaps cell reception that will allow us to call roadside assistance.
We ate breakfast and packed a backpack with some snacks, water and things we didn’t want to leave behind. Just before we left, we decided to walk up to a raise in the land nearby and lo and behold, we had reception!
We were able to call our daughter who pinged our location through our shared location, and we then call CAA who transferred us to AAA Michigan. What a relief. We’ll probably be out of here in an hour or two. The dispatch from Michigan was helpful, but said that because we are in a remote location she needs to escalate our case to management so that they can find us a tow.
Someone will call us.
Our call was around 9am and noon came around with no word from management.
We walked up the hill and called again. When you call from a Canadian phone number it automatically redirects you to the Canadian offices and they will transfer you if you are in another country. I asked the lady to transfer me to Michigan and she put me on hold. A side note: I was on top of the hill with a phone that has a weak battery and tends to shut down without notice. Also, it was freezing. I was getting nervous. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally came back and asked me for my membership number.
She unleashed the bitch and I said, ma’am, this is an emergency. I already have a ticket open with Michigan but I can’t call them directly. I am cold, my phone is dying, we’ve been stranded here all night, and now there are vultures circling above me. Please transfer me to Michigan now.
She did.
Talked to Michigan again. Still looking for a driver with no luck so far, but they will let us know soon.
They didn’t.
If we have to stay here for a week and our supplies run out at least the hills were covered with big, sweet, ripe blueberries everywhere.
There were also lots of edible mushrooms, so at least we won’t starve to death.
Well let’s hope it won’t come to that, but a couple of hours passed and still no word. At this point we were stranded for about 20 hours which seems a bit extensive. Look how many roads there are around us!
We called again. Went through the drill of transfering the call to Michigan. All business was conducted on top of the hill on a very specific point that had good reception.
No drivers yet. We asked if the can contact the campground to see if anyone there can come and help. She suggested to call DNR (department of natural resources), who operates the parks. She gave us a number
We called DNR and the lady that answered the phone said they can’t help, but gave us a number for a towing company.
At this point we weren’t sure what was going on with AAA so we called the towing company.
The lady that answered our call took the information from us and said that she is actually on the phone with our insurance provider on the other line. She said that she is giving them a quote and if they approve, someone will be here in an hour.
I waited on top of the hill, and soon after AAA called and said that someone is on the way. They will cover us up to $500 and anything above that will be out of pocket. It sounded like a strange statement, so I asked what the quote was so I am prepared for what is coming and the guy from management said “I can’t give you this information.” Really? But what if I don’t approve the quote?!?
The bitch was wise to remain silent, keep her nasty thoughts in her head, and not challenge the jerk that holds our faith in his cold hands.
We sat in the van and waited. While we were waiting, the song don’t go chasing waterfalls came on the radio again and we looked at each other and laughed.
We heard a vehicle approaching and jumped out of the car. A guy emerged from an SUV. No it wasn’t out tow, it was another lost soul trying to get to the campground. His GPS lured him to the sand pit as well, but lucky for him we blocked his way and he had to go around. He did offer to pull us out, but we thanked him and declined saying the tow should be here any minute. There was no way, he would pull 6,500lbs, but it was kind of him to offer.
Finally, At around 4:30 pm out big shiny earthroamer showed up to rescue us.
Tony and the guy pulled out the chains,
Oh, no! The hook was too big!
I was concerned that he will have to go for another couple of hours, but not to worry, he had smaller hooks and he got us hooked up in no time.
All seems well.
And here is the big moment.
The guy pulled us back until we could turn round. He stayed with us until we got back on the better gravel road
There was no talk about money. We don’t know what the cost was, and so far we didn’t get a bill for anything over $500.
After 22 hours, we were finally free, but we really didn’t feel like heading into that campground any more. Especially not with the miserable weather so we decided to skip it and start heading south.
We passed Upper Tahquamenon Falls campground, and then Lower Falls campground, but the mention of waterfalls scared us and we decided to keep on driving. we finally reached Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and decided to stop. The only reason we stopped despite the name was that we knew that this location did not actually have a waterfall.
We found a spot and our next door neighbour, as if he knew what we went through, offered us a glass of wine. Bliss.
We slept really well that night!
Are there any takeaways from this story?
First, if you are going to the two hearted river campground, take the long way and don’t trust the GPS. Check carefully access routes if you are going to state or national forests campgrounds. Those are usually at the end of more rugged road, so know where you are going.
If we weren’t so busy arguing about the gravel road, I could have found an alternative road to take us there safely.
Also, get better traction pads.
Also, listen to Tony sometimes.
Last takeaway: if you have to be stranded in the middle of the road, in a middle of nowhere, tilted sideways, make sure that you at least have some sushi.
We are now safely home. We spent another day on the road, which we’ll share next time. But guess where we are going this coming weekend?
Yup, back to the scene of crime.
happy trails has its frailes…keeping calm and carrying on — our own journey has begun! see you both sometime if your heading towards the sunrise.
Ups and downs! Where are you headed? Let us know if you are coming through here!
not through your parts this time. i’ll be posting our journey in a few days…destination—surprise!
Wow, how did you keep the bitch in check?! I’m not sure I would have 😊 We just spent a few days in sand dunes in Brazil. It’s a national park so you have to go with a certified guide and driver. Even though they drive there everyday, our 4wd came upon another that was stuck in the deep sand. We wondered if the traction pads we have in Canada for snow would help and it sounds like your tow truck used something similar. Thanks for the funny story! Maggie
Thanks, Maggie! I guess the older I get, the easier it gets 🙂 I read your sand dunes story and it looks like an incredible place to visit! The only regret that we have with our choice of van is that it’s not a 4X4 and doesn’t allow us to go into certain areas safely, but it is what it is. Our snow tracks were useless and the truck driver winched us out without using any tracks. I think the longer tracks, or sand ladders may be a better choice. Glad you enjoyed it!
We got stuck in the sand with my van once and had to put sand dollars under the wheels to get traction. Luckily the beach was covered with them and I’d collected a big bag full. Only made it home with one, which I used years ago in a retablo that sold so alas, I have none.
This is the best rescue story I’ve heard in awhile! I
would have had a hard time parting with these sand dollars, but at least you were left with one and a story!
We were in Mexico at the beach with no one much around. Nothing else to do.
Me, but I like old fashioned maps where I get to see the bigger picture. Do they even make maps anymore? I do use GPS at times but hate the small area of information they provide. And I don’t trust them. I think I would also make sure that there was wine packed with that sushi. Glad it all worked out in the end.
Maps would not have helped us unless they were topo maps, and it is impossible to carry top maps when you travel distances. I have no problems using digital maps and I usually have good instincts as to when not to trust it, but i was distracted this time and failed. I didn’t mention it, but there was beer and there was wine 🙂
I am distracted all the time.
I mostly use maps – usually use a mapping program on the computer first, but nearly always have paper maps with me, and in places I travel frequently, street atlases as well. Not to say I’ve never gotten my Roadtrek stuck – I miscalculated the incoming tide on a PEI beach, and had to get towed out of the wet sand. Expensive mistake!
I am surprised you were allowed to take a vehicle on the beach in PEI.
We always carry paper maps as well as GPS and of course the apps on our phones. Sometimes you just take the wrong turn….but yeah, miscalculating the tide in the maritimes is a good one for the books!
That is one H— of a story. Good old GPS can get you in more trouble in 20 minutes than a map can in a year. Glad it all worked out for you and now you have a heck of a story. Thanks for telling the tale. Allan
It sure can get you in a lot of trouble! As you say, it all worked out in the end. Thanks for joining our little adventure!
Phew – you really did leave us on a cliffhanger and it sounded like a real ordeal.
So glad all is well now – and you had wine! 🙂
Haha, that cliffhanger! But you knew it will end well, right? Thank goodness for wine when you need it!
Thank goodness for smaller chain hooks. And not having to compete with the bears over the blueberries.
I hate that you had to sleep tilted! The last time we got stuck we were on the beach in Baja. We were level so we just stayed stuck for a few days before we finally came up with a plan that worked to get us unstuck.
And such a long wait! We’ve been lucky with that too – even when we had to walk a few miles to get cell service, a tow arrived in a timely fashion. And the person on the other end was very understanding that our phone service might wink out at anytime.
We often times get out and walk the road if it looks iffy. But getting stuck seems to be part of the adventure- although not a very pleasant one. Too many lessons to be learned all the time.
It would be nicer to be stuck on the beach, especially if it was nice and warm, but I get we can’t always choose where to get stuck. Walking an iffy road first is a wise thing to do! I didn’t mention it, but we did get out of the car and walk and I insisted that we continue. It’s all good and as you say it’s part of the adventure and we are now a little wiser.
I forgot about the bears! Mostly because I was worried about banjos and vultures 🙂
You had every right to worry about banjos.
My favorite takeaway was “sometimes listen to Tony.” The guy hasn’t earned his full membership yet. 🤣
That’s quite a story. I understand the part that it would be hard to get someone to go to a remote location, but the whole thing about not telling you how much it likely would cost sounds completely shady. I’d have been losing my mind with the woman on the phone.
Back to the scene of the crime? You are gluttons for punishment. I’m sure you’re bringing sushi this time. 😎
Thanks for reminding me to bring sushi 🙂 we won’t be going exactly to the same spot, but to state part just down the road from there. We will choose our route carefully this time!
What an ordeal! I love that you smartly gave the reception one more shot and that you thought of every option instead of panic – and that you pushed through the always-lethargic response from those who you expect to help – after all that what’s you signed up for! Glad to read they haven’t charged you…oh, and finally: really nicely written account!
Thanks! I am still baffled by the cost comment and ll I can think of is that maybe if there were complications getting the van out and they needed to do anything extra that would be added to the bill. But I still don’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to know what to expect. At least it wasn’t a deep cave like the one you wrote about!
Yes their refusal to give you a quote is usually your worst nightmare!
We may still get a bill…
Whoa, I was getting panicky just reading about the lack of help you were receiving from AAA. Glad it all worked out for you.
I think that they were genuinely trying their best, but it seems weird that the first towing company we called was there within the hour. Maybe they didn’t approve any of the other quotes until then? But as you say, it ended well!
I loved how this was written! (Although I didn’t need the cliffhanger on the last one.) Excellent descriptive writing telling a compelling tale. Thank you!
Thank you so much! Sorry about the cliffhanger 🙂
Oh wow! What a story, and a great read! Glad you made it out safely.
Thanks! It was a good adventure for sure!
What a nightmare! I once got stuck in a riverbed in the middle of Australia not far from Stanley Chasm, but within minutes a group of Aborigines drove up and hauled me out. I was so thankful because otherwise, like you I would have been stranded indefinitely because this was a time before cell phones.
That’s so lucky! I can imagine how much more difficult it would have been to reach help!
Wow what a crazy process..thank goodness there wasn’t a medical emergency!
Right? it seemed as if everything was working against us, but it could have been so much worst!
Oh my goodness, that is quite the harrowing journey you two experienced over those nearly 24 hours. I had to laugh at the vultures circling comment!
Did you end up picking the blueberries and mushrooms with all that downtime you had?
The lady on the other side didn’t laugh. I think I scared her. I picked at the blueberries every time I went up and down the hill and they were wonderful! plump, joicy, and sweet. We didn’t pick any mushrooms because we would have to cook them and we didn’t want to use propane. By the way, I forgot to mention at the end that there doesn’t seem to be any damage anywhere.
I look forward to hearing how the return visit went!
Yikes! What an adventure. I’m glad you were able to find a tow and get out of there eventually. Good that you were prepared with some extra food too.
Yeah, it all ended up being okay and there was minimal suffering 🙂
Thank heavens you came back with Part 2 .. I was getting anxious, and was thinking about sending search and rescue from AUSTRALIA! Golden rule here on remote outback unsealed roads – travel in tandem with another vehicle.
LOL, I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer! Travel in tandem is a very good advice!
A happy ending; you should have more of these adventures, it’s thrilling to read and it is well written.
Thank you! I will try and create a few more, but Tony may get mad this time 🙂
Glad to hear that you were rescued, even if it was after 20+ hours of waiting! But hey, at least you didn’t have to walk far. Hopefully you’ll have better luck the second time around when you return to the scene of the crime!
Have you ever thought of getting Tony to write his version of how things went? Maybe you could post the two versions together. At least it would give us a chance to have a bit of a chuckle.
And here I was thinking that I was so honest and reflexive. Also, I thought that I provided a few chuckles here and there, but clearly I failed miserably. On the other hand, as a man, you probably know something that I don’t so I asked Tony and he quoted Rumpole of the Bailey: “she who must be obeyed” and added “it usually works, but sometimes it backfires.”
Well done
Thank goodness you got out of it in the end! Btw, if you ever want a laugh about getting stuck in the mud, I recommend watching My Cousin Vinny
Haha, I forgot about it! That movie was so funny 🙂
Like!
<3
The GPS I found is not the be all end all. Sorry you had that experience. Glad you were able to get help.
Yeah, definitely not, but very ha dy most of the time 🙂
I am glad you’re safe and there was no damage to you van. What a nightmare of a day. I am glad you didn’t get billed for getting pulled out.
Yes, after it was all done with we felt quite lucky!
Finally I can tell YOU I went somewhere. Just got back from the mountains above Denver, CO. I’d never been there before so it was somewhat of an adventure for me!!! Stay well. Keep on enjoying life. Fondly, Muriel
Ha! I hope you had fun and I am looking forward to reading all about it. We may be there later this month.
I was on the edge of my seat with this one!! I’m so glad you all are okay! What a frightful adventure. Glad you’re on the road again 💕
All is well! Thanks for all the empathy 💕
You’re welcome!
A misadventure indeed. I have heard from many the shortcomings of the GPS. You will remember the trip for a long time 🙂
We sure will!
Yay! Omg, what an adventure! Were there really vultures circling? I have been places where Google Maps is obviously wrong, but never as bad as this… Glad you are safe.
There were vultures, but I may have exaggerated their intent a little….Thanks for reading it all in one seating!
Whew!! A good ending to a stressful tale!
Indeed! Thanks for sticking with us to the happy end!
Glad you finally made it out!
Me too!