My little adventure

[WARATAP@aol.com]

What was supposed to be an uneventful trip from Detroit to Chicago was not,
although my V-8 and I are none worse for the trip.  I had planned to leave
for Chicago for a Trade show that we exhibit on Thursday at 11:00AM, but by
the time I took care of everything at the office, I didn't leave 'til 10:00
pm.  

Clear weather and all was fine until I came to the first freeway entrance
ramp and before I could register what happened, struck a road-side marker
that had been hit previously by another car and was leaned over into my (and
the only) lane.  S#%t!  Oh, well, too late to call insurance, so I didn't
stop, as I would assess the damage, if there was any, at my next fuel stop.  

One and a half hours later I decided to call up my friends on the car phone
(something I usually do not do); traffic was light and as I'm driving I see
officer friendly waiting for some hapless soul, glance at my speedo and
surmise that would be me!  Nobody in Detroit drives the speed limit (it's
dangerous to hold up traffic that way), but I was in Jackson, Michigan and
while everyone else was going about 78, I was lasered at 83 mph!  Guess I'll
schedule a session with the magistrate.

I notice a preponderance of deer carcasses strewn through the road, as I pay
particular attention to the prevailing speed limit and my own speed and set
my cruise control (something I hate to do).  Then the truck in front of me
hits a deer (he didn't brake), but before I realize what happened, I'm
driving over the carcass, which was not quite flattened by the truck--loud
WHACK! as I hit the remains with the cross brace, keeping a dutiful eye on
all my guages (no problem); the car mags did call the V8q a performance
shipping crate!

So when I did gas up another hour later, I found the reflector made a slight
dent, and took off a little paint at the right front fender flare.  Not
enough to declare to insurance, but as I fueled the car, there was that
distinct smell of venison/road kill --I looked under the car and saw a few
furry clumps by the cross member, but no visable damage.  This was to be
washed away by the rains I encountered by Kalamazoo and Michigan City/Gary
Indiana.  

By 2:00 am Central time /3:00 am my time, I was at the hotel and ready for
rest.  So that's it.  Another reason (three) I'm really starting to dislike
driving at night.

-Ingo Rautenberg
'90 V8Q 172k