Tales From The Road

Article contributed by Mary Coonan

The best laid plans of mice and women can come crashing down in an instant. On day nine of a three-month trip, our Vistabule (#447 – Ziggy) and car were hit from behind by an 18-wheeler. The accident occurred an hour outside of Dallas—1,800 miles from our home in Boston.

As we crested a small hill, traffic came to a sudden stop on the highway. We hit the brakes, stopping about three car lengths behind the vehicle in front of us. Footage from the trucker’s dash cam revealed that he hadn’t applied his brakes until the very last moment. The impact launched the Vistabule into the back seat of our car—fusing the two together.

We spent the next four hours on the side of the highway talking to police, calling our insurance company, and trying to secure a tow truck. The first tow driver showed up an hour after the crash, took one look at the tangled mess, and told us he couldn’t help. The police returned and helped us contact a local tow driver who was incredibly kind and helpful.

As he lowered Ziggy into the lot, he started asking about the Vistabule: “This trailer is incredibly well made. Look how it held up in the accident. How much does it cost? Is there a kitchen? How much does it weigh? How big is the bed?” Even in her mangled state, Ziggy was still turning heads.

When the unexpected hits, emotions fly unrestrained—gratitude that neither of us was injured; certainty that the Vistabule saved our lives; anger at the truck driver; disorientation; fear of driving again; sadness over what we lost; and a general sense of uncertainty about what comes next.

Since the accident happened on a Sunday, we sent Lily photos and asked her to call us when she got to the office. As always, she and the rest of the Vistabule team were incredible. Lily offered to speak with the insurance company, assess the damage, and help us however she could. We must’ve spoken half a dozen times. Everyone was kind, thoughtful, and genuinely compassionate. It felt like we had a whole crew backing us up.

We also learned more than we ever wanted to about trailer insurance. Trailers can be tricky—especially unique ones like a Vistabule with no real comparables. After some back and forth, the insurance settled on a value. They covered everything except $1,500 of what we’d originally paid. The items that were smashed inside the trailer and car weren’t covered by our policy—but thankfully, since the trucker was found 100% liable, his insurance covered those.

Naturally, the accident raised the question of a “Ziggy” replacement. Was it time to move on? Save the money? Think more seriously about safety? After all, we’re not getting any younger. And Ziggy had been through a lot. Two years after we bought her, a tree fell on the car and trailer, smashing the picture window. Six months later, while I was caring for my dying mother, Ziggy was struck by lightning, frying the motor. And now, finished off by an 18-wheeler.

But despite everything, it didn’t take us long to realize—we didn’t want to live without a Vistabule. We love the adventure, the exploration, the close encounters with nature, and the spiritual experiences she brings us. So, with Lily’s help, we’ve ordered a new (yet-to-be-named) Vistabule and will be back on the road in a few short months. Lily has even promised to bring out the sage when we pick her up.

From Vistabule: While there are some damages even we can’t fix, we have a capable and talented service team ready to patch up your trailer. Whether it’s a dinged fender, broken window, or busted jack, we’ve got you covered. Schedule your service appointment today and let us get you and your trailer back out on the road!