Hello all,<br><br>The bad news:<br><br>My big vacation plans for this weekend aborted spontaneously 3 hours into a 12 hour trip, when the head gasket on the car blew. I carry lots of things in the car to make field/improvised repairs, but none was of any use this time. Does anyone know of an improvised repair for this one?<br><br>The good news: <br><br>It could have been a LOT worse.<br><br>No one was hurt. We were able to safely make it to the emergency lane and, as luck would have it, we came to a stop under an overpass (shade!). Wife and children were moved off the road with water bottles in hand (I carry a case in the car) and I quickly determined the problem (the car was broke beyond my capacity to fix it). Just as I was reaching for the cell phone, the first of three LEOs arrived. He kindly agreed to take my wife and chilluns to an air conditioned place (all three of them are sensitive to the heat) while I waited for a tow truck. <br><br>Fortunately, we broke down in Lexington, Ky. Fortunate because I have family in Lexington, including an uncle who owns an auto shop The wife and kids were rescued by my aunt and the tow truck driver showed up quickly. I got off cheap because of my uncle ($60 vs. $150), and less than 2 hours after the breakdown I was drinking umbrella drinks at my aunts while the kids played in her pool. We were returned home while the car awaits repair (my uncle's shop is way backed up, and I'm not going to get fixed cheaper anywhere else) after a night of only minor discomfort (I hate water beds).<br><br>The holiday hasn't been a total loss. They kids and I played in the sprinkler this morning, the mower finally got fixed, the lawn finally got mowed, and we have enough money left to BBQ tonight. <br><br>Thank God for cops, cell phones and good timing. And of course, family. I hope everyone has a better holiday than I have so far.<br><br>Take care,<br><br>Andy