Lift

[Here's Part 1 of The Plattsburgh Saga.
This is Part 2.
Here's Part 3.
Here's Part 4.]

I hardly know where to start updating you on yesterday's situation, so I will start with the chat I had with my Rock Star friend from my smart phone in the tow truck (edited only slightly for length and clarity):
me: I am on my way to lake placid

  And I am having the most ridiculous adventure

  Including my transmission dying

 And the transmission place coming to tow me

  And them sending a trailer instead of a regular tow truck

  And the tow guy throwing out his back

 And me having to help load the car myself.

 she: what?!?!

  that is nuts

 me: I have also been informed I'll get a discount if I pay cash, so they "can avoid uncle sam"*

 she: awesome

  where are you now?

me: Keeseville? Is that a place?**

  I'm in the tow truck

  Listening to loud rap

  While the tow guy smokes

 The transmission place is in plattsburgh

 she: keenesville maybe?

  awesome

 sorry you're having such wonky transportation issues

 me: I called the transmission place initially to say I was calling aaa

  They said not to

  Turns out, that was to avoid me getting charged

Which I wouldn't have anyway

  Because I have aaa plus

  But they didn't ask

  They just sent a truck

 Car is definitely broken

Unclear what exactly the issue is

  But we assume transmission

 she: that sucks. can [favorite Adirondackian] come get you? are you going to have to spend thanksgiving in a garage in plattsburg?

 me: We is me and the two tow guys

  [favorite Adirondackian] is getting me

  Car may be done tomorrow

  Which would be good

  If not, then friday

  Also, the flashing yellow light fell off the roof, so now it is in my lap

 she: ha!

  seems like a real professional situation you have going on there

 me: Also, the trailer's license plate fell off

 she: sorry that you are having such a ridonkulous time

 me: It would be worse if it wasn't so hilarious

This is something that would happen on sister wives

 she: ha! except then you'd be with your sister wives?

 and also maybe wearing a long jean skirt

 me: No, the sister wives wear regular clothes

  Which is almost weirder

 But yes, i'd have them

  And also fortyleven kids

 she: but then maybe you'd have four other broken down cars to be towing around?

 me: That's what always happens when they go on a trip

  Or move to las vegas

  All the cars break

 often hilariously

she: i am glad you are not a sister wife

  for a variety of reasons  Yeah, it's about like that.

Oh, no, wait, there's more.

• Regarding the tow truck driver: He went to the hospital after dropping me off, and has, so he told me, a pinched nerve and a fractured chest.
• Regarding the weather: Oh, yeah, big snow storm.
• Regarding my car: It's going to cost an arm and a leg (more than the Blue Book value of the Olds, way less than a new car), and it's not getting done until Monday or Tuesday.
• Regarding me getting home for Thanksgiving: Taking a bus would take 24 hours, due to transfers. AAA would tow my car and me back, but since I only have AAA Plus, and not AAA Premium (or rather, did only have AAA Plus — you can bet I've invested in the Premium now), it would cost $3.50 per mile after the first 100 miles. I have talked to every car rental place anywhere, and have finally acquired a Dodge Stratus I can use for the week —from Lake Placid, which is an hour away from Plattsburgh, where my car is. Just for the record, just because the Enterprise website takes your reservation, doesn't actually necessarily mean the Enterprise location you've reserved at has any vehicles on the lot.

It's about like that.

Day 23 of my month of gratitude: I am so thankful to be fortunate enough to have family who are able to be both emotionally and financially supportive in an emergency.
I am also glad, for a variety of reasons, that I am not a sister wife.

* And another one if I donate a toy for their "Toys for Tots" box.

** It is a place, but it is spelled "Keesville."