25 years ago to this date, I was ETS'd from the Army. For those not familiar with the term. It means enlistment terminating service. I completed my obligation. I had been stationed at Ft. Campbell, Ky. The 101st airbourne division. My MOS was a 63W10. Which means I was a diesel mechanic. I was so happy to get out and start a whole new chapter in my life. My Barracuda had just recently got running again with a freshly rebuilt 340 engine and A/T.
Before I finished there, every evening after work, I would go to the do it yourself auto work shop on the base and work on it to complete before my time was up. I barely made the deadline. So with it completed, I broke in the engine driving it across the U.S. I was now broke. I was driving on bald tires all the way back. When I was about to leave, I felt I would be OK with the tires the way they were. Man, was that ever a big mistake I would find out later on.
About the second day, I was going thru Amarillo TX. I hit a huge snow storm. I recall trying to pass a car in the lane that didn't have any tire grooves. I was swerving all over the place over and over right in front of the car I was passing. I ended up correcting and straightening out, regaining control after about 10 adrenaline rushes. I did the best steering correction like I was Danny Sullivan at the Indy that one time. I turned white as a ghost.
Then later on, I tried to get off an the freeway off ramp. I was stuck right on the biggest truck stop off ramp. 20 big rigs piled up behind me all honking. I was scared sh@#* less. 5 or 6 big dudes came out of their trucks I could see walking up behind me in my rearview mirror. They all grabbed my back end of my car together and pulled it out of the way. Well I was really stuck but managed to get er free and moved on.
I drove very carefully from then on realizing the perils along the way that could happen. I had counted my blessings so far more than once. Now I really wanted to push to get home. I decided I was going to be Kolwaski. Drive non stop. And I did. I drove for 24 hours non stop without sleep, drinking tons of coffee to keep me going. I had reached Barstow, CA. very late. Being awake so long, I was beginning to hallcinate. I finally made it to a hotel and crashed so hard. It was the most tired feeling I had ever had in my life. The next day I finally made it home. Made it in home in less than 3 days.
Less than 2 weeks later being home; the rebuillt auto trans I built at the do it yourself shop gave up. It was clear now there was an angel with me on my journey home.
