Hey all,

Avery Wong here, back in San Jose safely from AMVIV III (link to my AMVIV III Flickr photos)! I had an AWESOME time over at AMVIV III, met some great people like the cool people over at Waylen Motorsports, Rogue Minis, some old friends from NorCal Minis, along as a bunch of people from AMVIV II. As some of you know, I had some major problems getting back home from Vegas. It turned out to be quite an experience. So i've had a few people ask I write it up, since it's such a long story. I'm known for writing some long posts, and this one isn't an exception haha :P

So here it goes. Sunday afternoon after the Valley of Fire run, I start heading out back to Northern California. The I-15 on a sunday night going out of Vegas, as we all know is a parking lot. So lucky for me (or not as I find out later on :P) I run into Brad Hunsaker with some other MINIers who tell me of this back route. We whipped out my map and plotted the course for me:

160N to Parhumph
Turn on State Line Road
Right on Death Valley Junction then immediate left to 190
Stay on 190 till 178
Through Trona and Ridgecrest
Go onto 395S then back onto the 178
Through Lake Isabella or switch to 155 to Bakersfield
then 99N back to NorCal

It looked like an awesome drive back home, a bunch of twisties through Lake Isabella and beautiful country side scenery throughout the whole trip. I was so ready to go test out my new sway bar. So I head out around 4pm, predicting i'll get there around 3am or so. Leaving so late was my first mistake.

By the time I actually FOUND the 160 it took nearly an hour, curses to me for not having a GPS system. I actually had to call the guys to figure out where to turn. So when I got on the 160 it looked like clear sailing. I get to Parhumph after a couple of hours and pass the "State Line Road" three or four times, eachtime I'd stop and i'd get different directions, eventually I figured out it was called "Bellavista Road" which turns into Stateline road at the end. So I turn in there and follow a SUV, which was the only other vehicle i'll see for the next hour or two. So im following the SUV and turning when he does and get on the 190. I drive on the 190 for a while, going into Death Valley, and passing Furnace Inn (which stopping and turning in for the night would have been the smart thing), until I get to an intersection with no signs. At least none that I could see. I follow the SUV because I figure he knows where hes going and he's probably going whichever direction you need to go to get back on the 190. A quarter mile later, he turns into some road. At first I thought the guy lived there, but then he turned out and did a U turn. That gave me doubts so I parked my car and whiped out my map as the SUV went the other way.

At this point i'm already confused at where I am. All I know is I'm near Death Valley. It's the middle of the night, and there is NO moon out whatsoever. I mean I actually turned off my headlights for a second and it was PITCH BLACK outside. Not to mention all i've been able to see this whole time was the road in front of me, I didn't even know what the terrain around me looked like. I don't think i'll ever find out what the terrain in that stretch of road looked like either.

Looking at my map, I couldn't figure out where I was, we made a couple of turns and I couldn't remember, so I figured I can probably catch up to that SUV and see if I could ask for directions. I start heading the way the SUV went, after driving for a bit, the road got progressively rougher and rougher. I eventually got to a section that had signs that said "No Trucks allowed" and some other warnings. I figured...hey, i'm in a MINI, not a big rig, I this shouldn't be a problem, and trod right in.

It turns out that the place I went through was called Wildrose Canyon or something (although I couldn't confirm if it was or not, but from the description I gave the locals later, thats what they thought it was). At first i was going through this place at 30 MPH, VERY very bumpy. The road has been eroded away from all the years of moisture and dryness. There were giant chunks of road missing, that is if I could even figure out what part was the road and what part was the dirt. I tried negotiating the road, driving around the giant potholes but no avail. So I start slowing down, then suddenly I hit a giant sink and hear a "FLOOOOOOSSHHH" sound as my CD player simutanously stops playing. When your CD player skips, that means you hit something bad. Real bad.

When I was still in Vegas, Waylen noticed that one of the inner belts of my rear driver side runflat popped, when he was installing my rear sway bar. He warned me to get my tires fixed before I headed out, but I was already spending enough in Vegas as is and losing some money to gambling wasn't helping either :P So he tells that I can still drive on it and he's seen tires like that last for as short as a month and as long as a year. So I figure I can make it back to San Jose without too much problem and when I get there, get some new tires.

At this point, I didn't even think I had a flat tire, I kept checking for the tire pressure light to go on, but it didn't, so I kept going. It's still pitch black, i'm still lost, my phone has no signal, I also never saw that SUV again. I just hope that i'm on the right road and that sound I heard wasn't my tire popping. I do notice that my car isn't driving as very well, leaning to one side slightly and veering in that direction slightly when I let go of the steering wheel. I finally clear the rough eroded road and get back onto a twisty smoother road along a ridgeline. I keep on treking for about 10-15 minutes and then what I've been dreading happened...

As the flat tire light popped on, my heart just went into skitzo mode as I let out a curse. I haven't seen another car or any lights whatsoever aside from whatever my headlights hit since Furnace Inn. Which was probably 20-30 miles back the other way. I had two choices at this point. Turn around and hope I make it to the Inn, and having to go through the road that gave me the flat again...or keep going and hope something is ahead of me.

I drive and drive and drive for what seemed like forever, going at around 20mph. Again, there was no moon out, I was lost, I had a flat, I had no cell reception, and I haven't seen ANYTHING for the past hour or two but the occassional roadkill. And everytime I saw a roadkill, my hopes got up because I hoped the car that ran the poor bunny over was just up ahead...around the corner... but there was never anyone there. Then the thought of all this road kill summoned the thoughts of Coyotes out in the dark lurking about. So I keep trudging along...at one point I took account of how much food and water I had to see how long I could survive out here. If my car couldn't go anymore, it'd be a 20-30 mile hike through the mountains in either parching dry Death Valley heat, or the dark dark night with a low powered hand pumped flashlight (which I won at a MINI raffle from NorCal Minis!). I stocked up on a couple of bottles of water, couple of slim jims and a bag of trail mix back in Vegas. I figured I had about a day and a half worth of food.

I keep driving on my runflats, I remember in the back of my mind that I can drive up to 50 miles going at 30MPH on my runflats (which later I found out in the manual that I could go up to 80 miles going under 50mphs.) I kept looking for ANY lights out there at all, and let me say, it is quite eerie to watch a bunch of red reflectors light up behind your car when you brake. Everytime I turned a corner and hit the reflectors agaisnt the railing, I got my hopes up, but no, it was my own headlights playing tricks with me. After what seemed like an eternity of twisty roads, which I CAN'T enjoy, I spotted a red light in FRONT of me, and not behind, so I knew I was going insane with those taunting red lights behind me. I make haste and head forward towards the red lights and find the 190 again.

I breathe a sigh of relief as I find a truck parked along the side of the road. Putting on the emergency flashers, my heart started to race again. Why is this guy parked in the middle of Death Valley in the middle of the night? Is this guy going to be crazy? Is he going to rob me? Is this guy out here to bury a body or something? The suspense!

Lucky for me, he turned out to be a guy named Tom L., he was out with his truck looking for a place to camp for the night so he could take some astrological photographies. Makes sense to be out at a night like this, since there was no moon out. Perfect conditions to take long exposure photos of the stars. Turns out this was his first time in Death Valley as well, and he escorts me over to the nearby resort...about 30 miles away called Panamint Springs.

I drive for about an hour going at 30mph with this guy behind me and finally reach Panamint Springs. It's a little lodging area with a Shell gas station. I thank Tom and we part ways. It turns out that Panamint Springs is under new management, I got to talk to one of the new owners, Ben Cassell. Awesome guy, very friendly and easy to talk to. Turns out that his family bought Panamint Springs from the previous owner, who from what I hear, was a penny pincher, and wasn't very fair price wise. It also turns out that Ben was originally worked for Cisco in San Jose (right by where I currently live in fact.) and he plays computer games (which is the industry I work for). He was kind enough to offer me a sandwich even though the kitchen was closed and since all the rooms have been rented out already, allowed me to stay in my car on the premise for free. Hell, he even provided some blankets. What a great guy. After calling through the satillite phone, informing my company that i'm stranded in Death Valley and I wouldn't be in for work tomorrow, I retired into my MINI.

The next morning when I woke up after a looooong night of darkness and things that went bump in the night, I got a chance to access the damage.



Theres a puncture on the sidewall of my wheel, which isn't repairable. I call AAA to get a tow, after getting transfered around for about 30 minutes (on Ben's expensive satillite phone, which he let me use for free.), I find out that my AAA plus membership, which has the 50 mile towing, is no longer in my current membership. When I moved to NorCal from Southern California, I had to switch AAA branches, and that never made it through the system...argh! Ben recommended that I go with Miller Towning over in Lone Pine instead of Furnace Creek towning, who would rip me off on tires and tow since they are the only service station in Death Valley. Since Furnace Creek was the direction away from the direction I needed to go anyway, I had no problems with that.

Well the AAA guys did, appearantly, Furnace Creek has some deal with AAA for towing in that area, so that AAA had to go through them first. Even though I wanted to go the other direction to Lone Pine and either way it would be the same distance, about 50 miles. I had to fight with AAA guys, eventually talking to a manager until they would allow the 5 measley miles my regular membership covers to be covered. So it was $5 a mile, 50 miles to Lone Pine and only 5 miles would be covered by AAA. I didn't feel like paying $225 just for a tow, and figured that my runflat would be able to carry me at least part of the distance.

While I was inside Panamint Springs, I overheard another guy having problems with his car, he needed his batteries replaced so Miller Towing was already on their way over. I called up Miller and told them my situation and that I would be trying to drive over there to conserve money. I worked out a deal that if they saw me off on the side of the road while on the way back after fixing the guys battery, they would pick me up from there. That way I had all my ends covered. I was ready to head back out, I do highly recommend you guys stopping by Panamint if you are out in that area and need a place to stay. The owners are VERY friendly

I gave my thanks to Ben and offered my services to do some graphics work for him for free in exchange for the hospitality, and met someone who was looking at my car. A couple was at the resort waiting for the wild spring flowers to bloom (which happens for one week out of the year) and it turns out that the guy was buying a MINI. Nonetheless I reaffirmed his choice in cars Taking a couple of photos of the resort, I head back onto the road.




Now that it is daytime, I finally got a look at my surroundings, I was on top of what appears to be a canyon with some very beautiful scenery. Would have been quite a bit more enjoyable if I didn't have a flat.





As im cruising, at about 35mph, I spot a car behind me...he starts flashing his front lamps, I hold my vibrating mirror still and take a good look...



IT'S MINI! It was Howard C and his yellow Mini (with the unforgettable red hood scoop) that I saw earlier at AMVIV! We pull over and I explain what has happened so far. He was heading back home as well from AMVIV, being one of the few from NorCal who was heading back on Monday instead. We get on our two way radios and he escorts me the rest of the way to Lone Pine. We pass the bright orange tow truck from Miller Towing going the other direction, we waved wildly at eachother with stupid grins on our faces.

Along the way, Howard tells me he remembers someone from NAM who posted about a cop who always gave him a ticket because he worked across the street from the CHP station for not having a front liscense plate. He recalled this person worked in Lone Pine. Someone named Nik.

We reached Lone Pine which had the population of about 2000. Small town so we figured it wouldn't be too hard finding a MINI in such a small place.



After driving through the town a couple of times we stopped by the local police station to get directions on how to get to the CHP office. We get to the place and spot a yellow MINI with brand new wheels on it...locked behind a gated fence inside the GTE building. At this point we can't do anything about that so I give my thanks and we part ways. I was going to stick around for a while and hope this guy shows up so he can point me to where I can get some new tires, but then I remembered that those guys at Miller Towing we're waiting for my arrival.

Arriving at Miller Towing I explain my situation and they examine my car. Turns out that I actually bent a rim and it was unfixable because the S-Lites were made of aluminum. The funny thing is, I thought it'd be the tire with the giant bubble from the belt breaking that went flat. Instead it was one of the wheels with more durability I just had rotated by at AMVIV. I was told that i'd need a new wheel and three or four new tires. They call around for the prices and it turns out to be 300 dollars a TIRE and they'd have to get the wheel from a MINI Dealership. Which I was in the direct middle of three of them. One in Hollywood, one in NorCal and the one back in Vegas, each about 300 miles away. On top of that i'd have to get them shipped and it would take a few days at the least. So im looking at about about $1500-2000 for regular tires and a STOCK wheel. That doesn't include the cost of labor. I tell the guys i'll shop around and maybe get my dad to deliver a wheel from the MINI dealership in LA, since he lives there.

Well my family came over to Vegas while I was there for sat night and sunday, it was now monday and they were heading home, when I called them they were in Barstow and he had business to take care of that night, so I wouldn't be able to get a wheel until at least the next day or two. That is if he can figure out how to get to where I am, about 300 miles away.

I asked Miller about the cheapest motel in Lone Pine and he recommended the Budget Inn.


After all, I just spent a bunch of money in Vegas, and i'm about to spent even more for repairs. I head there and rent a room, called my boss and told him my situation... we had a good laugh (at least he did) and told him I would be stuck here for a few days. At this point I head out to try and catch Nik before he headed home from work. I walk over to the CHP station and notice that the MINI has been replaced by a truck.



Damn! It's about 4PM now and it looks like I just missed him. I wander over to the McDonalds next door to get some food.



Mmm mmm...mouth watering delicious dollar menu...anything tastes good after you've been stranded in Death Valley. After I ate, I wandered around town looking for internet access. The guy at the Budget Inn tells me theres a small library next door, which happens to be next to the police station as well. I walk in and it turns out the internet is down. Drat.

I head back in and ask again where I could get internet and he was kind enough to allow me to use his computer.



I first went onto NAM and posted about my situation and if anyone could offer me advice or get me in touch with this Nik guy.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64565

I then looked up some numbers to MINI dealerships and checked out some stuff on Wheelmax and Tirerack then headed back to my room. Called some MINI dealers and found out that I couldn't even get an S-Lite if I wanted, I'd have to order them, which would take a week. I'm wasn't gonna get stuck here for an entire week so I call up my insurance. They determine that it was a non-fault collision, and my rate wouldn't go up. I'd still have to pay a $500 deductable though. At one point I found out that they would tow me to either the nearest towing station or to my home. I asked, since the towing station wouldn't be able to repair my car since they don't have the parts, can I get a tow home? I reminded him that my home in San Jose was over 300 miles away, and surprisingly he said yes. This looked like my ticket out of here, he would schedule a tow for me for tonight. He had to call around to arrange it. I waited for half an hour and the next time my phone rang, I was surprised to find that it wasn't the insurance guy, it was a fellow NAM reader, don't quite remember what we talked about, but it was great to have someone to talk to again. Thanks whoever it was!

The insurance guy calls me back and tells me that he can't locate a tower that is willing to go that far, except for Miller Towing, and they won't accept payment from Geico for some reason (I recall talking to them about my insurance earlier and they told me Geico was so-so in payment). They would accept credit card payment from me and that Geico could reimburse me. I call up the Miller guys to clarify and they told me they would accept Geico and the Geico guy didn't mention payment. I call the Geico guy back up and tell him what I was told and he tells me he'll set it up on the corporate card, but i'd have to get the tow tomorrow morning since the card authorizer is off work now. I affirm once again that the tow is going to be over 300 miles, and again the guy tells me that's fine.

I decide to retire for the night and watch some TV, nothing else I can do till morning anyway. A few more guys from NAM call me, one offered me the suggestion of trying the MINI Emergency Roadside Assistance. I decide to keep all my options open so I call them up. They tell me they'll tow me 50 miles or to the nearest MINI dealership. GREAT I thought! I can get a tow tonight then! So the nearest MINI dealerships? One in Hollywood about 320 miles away, one back in Vegas about 320 miles away and the one right next to where I live in NorCal about 350 miles away. Thats perfect! I can just get a tow to the MINI dealership and get my car all fixed up there with the parts that are already there!

No. No, they can't do that. The one in Vegas is closest, so they can't tow the 30 mile difference in order to get me home instead of BACK TO VEGAS. I ask if I can just pay the difference, the answer is still no. I ask if the guy even owns a MINI...no, no he didn't. Figures. I told him the MINI community is a closely knit group of people and they will hear about this stupid policy. I am stuck here in Death Valley, i've was scared shitless last night, with a flat, in the middle of a moonless night, with no cell reception, and no idea where I was with a flat, and I go through this entire ordeal to finally get to a small town with a service station that was about to charge me up the wazhoo to fix my wheels, WHILE getting stuck here an additional week to get my wheels fixed and they WON'T TOW THE EXTRA 30 MILES BECAUSE A MINI DEALERSHIP IS SLIGHTLY CLOSER IN THE *OTHER* DIRECTION?! COME ON! I offered to PAY THE DIFFERENCE! I asked to talk to a manager and still, no deal. I hung up in disgust. At least I still had my Geico tow in the morning.

Then something miraculous happened. Nik (XSMINI on NAM) calls me, telling me that MINICLO, our awesome NAM core moderator read my post and told him about it. Nik told me he had his old S Lites and allowed me to borrow them so I could go home. Great! I can borrow his wheels, get home and buy some new ones, ones that I really want, instead of those S-heavies. Besides who wants a car with 3 old wheels and one sparkling new one? I'd have to replace em all either way. Nik comes by the next morning on the way to work and installs the wheels onto my car.




THANKS A TON NIK!!!!!



I call up Geico to cancel the the tow from Miller. It turns out that I couldn't get that tow and they would only cover 50 miles (after asking another guy over and over again if the full amount was covered the night before) and that they would never cover towing so far. I would have ended up being charged for about 300 miles of towing. THAT'S $1500! What we're they trying to pull on me?! GRR! Good thing MINI owners are like family to one another.

(cont. next thread)

 

Anyway, I greatly thank Nik and he heads to work doing environmental preservation in the salt flats of Death Valley. I load up my S-Lites into the back and head out back home and onto the 395. If you guys ever stop by Lone Pine, make sure you stay at the Budget Inn, it's near the end stretch of town towards Bishop. Make sure you tell the guy that Avery with the Dark Silver MINI sent ya!

Finally, on my way home, I spot an interesting sign. It reads: REALLY GOOD FRESH JERKY!



I just had to try it out, I mean if the big sign says its really good, it MUST be really good! I get there and its a litte shack adorned with stickers of all kinds, and the place reads: FRESH JERKY REALLY GOOD! I mean it's gotta be really good. The sign told me it was really good, even the building says it's really good! I get inside and try some samples... IT WAS REALLY REALLY GOOD! The stuff is called "Gus' Really Good Fresh Beef Jerky" and it comes in many varieties. I picked up a 3 pack for $20 bucks and ate it over the past 3 weeks. It was really good. You can even order it online: http://www.freshjerky.com/

I emerged out of Death Valley and into Lake Isabella, remembering that it was going to be one hell of a twisty fun drive through it. With my new wheels and sway bar in check, I was anticipating the fun I was going to have. I get there and find out that the pass is blocked with snow. Poo! I went back and then onto the 155 to Bakersfield, passing through the Sequoia National Forest on the way through...and i'll tell you...WOW. I was not dissapointed by the views.








So after that, I hit Bakersfield, got on the 99 and made it back home after quite a long adventure. If everything didn't happen exactly the way it happened, I would have either been dead in the middle of Death Valley, or stranded for an extra week and down a lot of money in Lone Pine.

It really makes me a VERY VERY proud MINI owner that our community can help out someone in need. I've learned that there are indeed quite a few friendly people out there and one of the most inhospitable places is actually quite hospitable once you find the oasis. I'd like to give a huge thanks to everyone who helped me get back home. THANK YOU ALL!

-Avery

PS: I just got my new wheels installed :D

 

WOW! What a story! Glad to see that everything worked out. I hope Gary from MC2 sees this. Might make a good article.
Jim

 

LOL, yeah just copy and paste it, the pictures are already there and all written up hahahaa :P

 

Great story. I've had similar, but not so dramatic misadventures. Glad you were helped; good karma.

 

Thank you for posting your story, I had a rinflat go bad two weeks ago and I know just how hard they are to find, and what it is like to be stranded. I too got by on the help of MINI owners.

Also it does take a lot of bending to get MINIUSA roadside to go to a farther dealer, but if you get a good SA on their case they have been known to bend the rules.

Glad hear everyone made it home safe!

 

Glad our wonderful MINI community was able to help you out!

Sweeeeet new wheels!

 

Great story! I was waiting for a "The Hiils Have Eyes" twist where a mutant family attacks you. Glad that didn't happen

 

Glad you made it home alright! Glad you avoided most of the $$$ sucking vampires in Death Valley too!
And gratz on the new wheels! They look awesome!

 

"Shoulda bought a squirrel!!!!!"
Glad you made it home in one piece. Great write-up!

 

AWESOME story

But one question .... Why would you be almost dead if you didn't have a MINI? I dont get the title ...

 

Whoever that was? LOL! You're welcome, Avery! I do believe we've posted to the same threads a few times...

 

Wonderful - thank you!
Excellent well written story, really conveyed your experiences well.
A big "hooray" to all the MINI folks and others that helped you out.

And really nice looking new wheels

 

Fantastic story - I was so frustrated for you reading about the lame Geico and Roadside towing issues (I hope you write to Mini USA about that, its crazy they would not take your the extra 30 miles in the right direction on your dime even). You know, I think you can even get reimbursed some money via the "trip interuption" policy, I think there is info in the warranty manual.

Glad you are okay and it great to hear that the community is full of such nice people even in the most remote places

 

I think what he means is that without such a community of supportive and amiable MINI owners, he might be stranded in Death Valley or footing some very expensive bills.

Glad to hear it all worked out for you, Avery - I'm impressed that you managed to keep your cool and remain optimistic through all this.

 

Have to say I'm surprised you're so poorly informed and prepared prior to the solo drive across the desert via backroads in the darkness. But hey I do enjoy reading your adventure from the comfort of my room, thanks for sharing quite an experience. Next time I may keep a list of NAM road assistance contact.

 

Wow, what a story! I am glad that you are ok. That makes me want to carry a spare, a BIG took kit and a floor jack for anything that may go wrong.

Motor On!

 

I was thinking the same thing. A spare for long trips is probably a great investment

 

That's one heck of a MINI adventure! Probably the craziest I've ever heard! Wow man, glad your OK after all of that.

-Cody

 

Oh thats very cool I was thinking *&()^&()*^ wheels and tires

 

Avery,
WOW, what an adventure
I didn't mean to send you off into the night to have THAT happen But I'm glad you made it back home and those are some SWEET wheels. Howard and I went thru Wildrose Canyon during the day and it was tough negotiating the pot holes, wet road, rocks....can't imagine what it was like at night 'n pitch black Made for a great read.....not sure I would have remained as calm as you. We can all learn from your from your story .... Keep extra food/water/blankets/flashlight/spares...and try not to travel alone. You have to love our MINI community.....I doubt there are many other car owners out there that would have responded in a similar fashion.
Hope to see you soon.......

 

WOW.... thats an amazing story to tell. Im glad every thing worked out for ya!

 

Those new wheels are definitely the silver lining - awesome!

Sorry you had such a hard time, but I believe whole-heartedly that what you say is the truth...the MINI community is strong and wise, and because of this, you were never, at any time, in any danger.

Nice to know about MINI's hard-a$$ policy of, "The Nearest MINI Dealership" and where we all stand with that one. So MINI will be willing to reimburse us for trip interruption, including paying for our Hotel stay + meals in a City because it was 30 miles difference to get us home vs. way, way far away?!?!?!?!? Boy - there needs to be a little caveat in there regarding proximity to the Home Dealership if less than a 50 mile discrepancy, eh?

In a perfect world....

 

Hey Avery, very glad you're still with the herd. Sounded like you were really trying hard to get the Darwin award on that road trip. Now that really good jerky, suppose it's made from stranded motorists? I'm recommending you get a spare for those long drives far from civilization. Going out to hug my MINI spare now.

A big thumbs up to Nik!!! What a guy.

 

Avery -

Great story, nice writeup. Glad everything turned out for the better.