The Night That The Bridge Stayed Up in Rio Vista

It seems we are always meandering over the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Sometimes traffic gets significantly backed up as the area is growing and most roads and bridges are two lanes. Currently, the Rio Vista Bridge is being painted, so it isn't a surprise when it gets down to one lane. I usually check my GPS to check the traffic situation before I head "to town."

It was a morning and afternoon of "payday" shopping...Consignment stores for wet suits, Dollar Tree for VIPKID stuff and rewards for chores, Chick-fil-A, Fentons Ice Cream, and grocery shopping, plus checking out the cell/internet service at the campground we are moving into next week. We had planned to spend the rest of the day with our neighbors, so I was ready to get across the bridge to cool off in the pool and get my warming groceries put away.

When we first experienced the draw bridges, the girls and I were in awe of the mechanism and even more amazed by the size of the boats coming through. It was a fantastic learning opportunity. So when traffic started to back up and I noticed the bridge was up, I was not too concerned. I was only fifteenth or so in line. But after 20 minutes, then 45 minutes, and my milk and meat starting to sweat. I knew it was time to search out a Plan B.

It is crazy how life works out sometimes. I was just at the Rio Vista Library the day before, after picking a few items at the local grocery store. The girls wanted to go to craft time before heading home so I asked if they had a fridge that I could stash a few cold items. They kindly obliged. Now, I was carrying $250 worth of groceries, and my first thought was the library has a refrigerator. I was so embarassed to be asking the very next day to store a much bigger amount of food. But they were again very kind about the situation. By now, the whole town was aware that there was a major problem.

The library was filling up, as well as the downtown restaurants. It seemed everyone was on their phone explaining to someone  the reason they were not where they were supposed to be. Kids trying to figure out how their parents were going to get to them. I had to let a few people borrow my phone. Speaking of my phone...it was on 30% and I had no charger. No one had a charger that was compatible with my Moto phone. Then, it occurred to me, Scott was not aware of what was going on and the traffic would affect his route to work. I called him to let him know he needed to start figuring out a new route to work. And that I was stuck,  and most likely my phone would die soon.

The librarians were amazing! We have spent quite a bit of time at the library so they were familiar with our family. I will probably be known as the the "grocery lady" now. I wanted to wait it out for awhile. I was hopeful the bridge would be fixed any minute. But in the meantime, I needed a different route. They helped me brainstorm the best way to get home. We were all shocked that I would need to drive 85 miles when I was only 6 miles from the RV Park. The alternative was to stay in a hotel (ETA on the bridge was now 3am), which I would have gladly done. But I had 4 classes to teach starting at 4:00am.  They printed out a map for me, because it was certain my phone GPS would not make it. We chatted for a long time, while I waited for rush hour plus alternative route traffic to die down. I prepped for my classes on the computer, and the girls were entertained by books and toys. Then one librarian offered me her GPS. I could not believe it. She said she knew I would be back at the library, and I needed it more than her. Just one glitch, the same glitch for my uncharged my phone, it needed to be charged in my non functioning cigarette lighter. I was immensely blessed by her offer, and all the assistance at the library. I told them I would tell all you travelers to stop by the Rio Vista Library if you are ever in the area...while you are at it, stop by the bakery, too.

The girls and I packed up our groceries and prepared for the long trek home. Although, these girls are experienced in long adventures so it didn't seem that long to them.They handled the day very well. We prayed for those that were more than inconveniced by the bridge closure, but truly needed to get to their destination. They received mutiple compliments from the library staff about their great behavior while we camped out. And I received the best compliment of all from Jocelyn. "You know what I like about you, mom?" "You never give up" "You always find a way to make it happen" "You are not going to let a broken bridge stop you." I am tearing up again just thinking about it.

Then, when we arrived home at 9:15pm. Our neighbors met me in the drive, and told us how sorry they were that I was stuck, and graciously unloaded my groceries and my girls.

The journey, even the unexpected, annoying journeys...always lead us to incredible experiences with incredible people.