Everything we needed was at the camp grounds so there was not a need to use the van. Because it was a one of those very hot July summers in Texas we didn't venture out to the grocery store but one time. When we left camp early that morning from the camp ground, we asked for protection and a safe trip as we always do when we go on a trip. I was driving, and we were pulling a small travel trailer. The cross wind was pretty bad at times. We drove a good many miles up the Interstate before we needed gas. We had gone through some pretty long curves, and to get to the station I had turn to the right to the service road, then a sharp left, then a sharp right into the service station then left to the pumps ( yes this is important stuff).

When we stopped I smelled burning paper, and I saw a puff of blue smoke go up from the motor box. I told my husband, and he told me there was nothing to burn like that. Here the I see smoke, smell something burning, and he goes and pumps gas in the van! I got back with our son on the back seat, and we both saw blue smoke rise up from that motor box. It smelled like paper burning.

Why my husband did this I do not know, but he looked under the front of the van. The tie rod, that keeps the wheels going straight, and not the way they want to, was dangling down loose, not even bolted together! My husband said there was no way we could have gone around a curve, nor made turns we made into the service station with it unconnected. He walked back up the area we had came in and there was no bolt.

The burning paper smell, and the blue smoke puffs got our attention so we would know something was wrong. We did not see any more smoke or smell the paper burning anymore. My husband never saw the smoke or smelled the paper burning. Why after we had stopped, and not when it happened I do not know. We praised our Father that we didn't have an accident. We really feel we had protection and help getting around those curves, and sharp turns. For us it was a true miracle.