COROLLA! WOO HOO!

This happened last night on the Capital Beltway in Maryland. The big-ass truck didn't see us. He smacked our left rear bumper and spun us so that we were glued to his grill. Across three lanes of traffic for god knows how far, we were pushed sideways. There was a huge truck grill at my left shoulder right outside the door. I'll never get the smell of burning rubber out of my memory. I'll always remember the sounds: bang, crunch, crash, squeal, crash, crunch, bang . . . .

When he stopped, finally, in the median, I managed to wiggle the Corolla away from him and turn her facing in the direction of traffic. As I called 911 he ran up to make sure no one was hurt. I don't remember ever shaking that badly, but neither of us was hurt. We were not hurt!! We're both sore as hell today, though.

We actually drove the car home. The left side is completely smashed in; the bumper is broken; the side view mirror is gone; the left rear alloy wheel is shredded. Surely I'll need four new tires - doubtless each has a big bald spot.

Mrs. V. can't stop saying "I'm astonished." It really is shocking, given the violence of the wreck and the speed at which we were traveling. How we avoided being flipped, I will never know. Mrs. V. attributes it to our low center of gravity. I guess that's it. She says, "We're never owning anything but Toyotas." I agree.

Let's hear it for LIFE!