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Our first flat tire experience

Cool Bus Houston #1 Party Bus • May 29, 2017

Saturday, April 13th was the Cypress Creek High School Prom at the Berry Center.  The itinerary read as follows:

7:00 PM – Pick up group from Campioni Restaurant and drop off at Berry Center for Prom

10:00 PM – Pick up from Berry Center and drop off at Sugarloaf Ranch in Hearne, TX

12:15 PM – Drop off at ranch in Hearne, TX

Needless to say, the itinerary had a few last minute changes.

As we were driving through Bryan, TX at approximately 11:45 PM at the Boonville Rd exit, my rear passenger side inside tire blew out.  Luckily the exit from Highway 6 to Boonville Rd was a few hundred meters ahead so we quickly slowed down and exited to a safe location.

The safe location was the Kroger parking lot that was well lit and out of harms way.  Once we were safely parked, I called the parents of one of the passengers to alert them of our situation.  They said that they were on their way to come pick the group up in 2 of their vehicles and it would be about 20-30 minutes before they arrived.

While we waited, I allowed the kids to get some snacks and sodas from Kroger as my treat for the inconvenience.  Once I had a plan for the kids and their transportation for the remainder of the trip (aka their parents picking them up), I was able to concentrate on getting the actual tire fixed and get the Cool Bus back on the road.

After about an hour of phone calls and going back and forth with various service companies, I was finally able to get a hold of Martinez Heavy Truck and Tire out of Huntsville, TX.  They were able to dispatch a service truck to my location with a new tire.

After the phone calls and finally confirming with the service company it was about 1:15 AM.  They didn’t show up till almost 3:15 AM.  The service tech on site was Billie.  I don’t think I could’ve asked for anyone better to help me in my situation. Billie was great and he was very knowledgeable.  He was very patient with me as I am sure I annoyed him with all my questions.

He finally finished around 5:00 AM and, after a quick stop to get some coffee and snacks, I was back on the road to Houston.  I finally got home at 7:15 AM Sunday morning.

It was a very long and arduous process, but in the end, everyone was safe as it could’ve been a much worse situation.  The flat tire happened at the perfect spot on the highway and it happened to the tire that allowed us to still drive to a safe location.

I never really knew how I would react to an emergency situation like this, but now after going through this experience myself, I feel comfortable that I can put together a strong plan of action and emergency protocol for my future drivers.

The post Our first flat tire experience appeared first on Cool Bus Houston.

By Admin 10 Oct, 2020
We’ve put together a list of our most favorite neighborhoods to visit when we host our private Christmas Lights Tours on Cool Bus Houston every day through the month of December. Check them out below!  OUR TOP SIX NEIGHBORHOODS River Oaks When most people think Christmas lights in Houston, you can’t help but think about River Oaks. Mansions on mansions are decked out with lights and the large oak trees have lights wrapped limb from limb. Our favorite streets to drive on our Christmas lights tours are Inwood Dr, Del Monte Dr, Chevy Chase Dr and River Oaks Blvd leading up to the River Oaks Country Club. And be prepared to see Santa outside one of the houses on the weekends! Tanglewood Another neighborhood known for its massive homes, wide lawns and large trees, Tanglewood is a popular stop on our Christmas lights tours, especially if you decide to visit River Oaks! Located close to the intersection of San Felipe and Sage, both neighborhoods are just 10 minutes apart from each other so we usually pair them together. The Heights/Woodland Heights Known for its popular “Lights in the Heights” event, this area of The Heights is a staple on our Christmas lights tours. Bayland Ave is a popular street to drive down, but one of our favorites areas to visit is Norhill Blvd between Bayland Ave and Euclid St to see some Christmas Dinosaurs! Prestonwood Prestonwood Forest , located off of SH 249 (Tomball Parkway) and Prestonwood Forest Dr, is one of the most popular Houston neighborhoods for Christmas lights tours. The neighborhood has been hosting their “Nite of Lites” for 40 years and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Each street in the neighborhood participates and competes for awards like Best Cul-de-Sac, Best Overall Home, Best Lamp Post, Best Mailbox and many more awards. The Nite of Lites usually runs from the 2nd weekend of December thru the last weekend of December. Pecan Grove Located in Richmond, TX, this neighborhood (FM 359 and Plantation Dr) is known for some of the most creative displays of lights in Greater Houston. If you don’t wind up taking a tour on Cool Bus Houston, be sure to catch one of the many hay rides through the neighborhood. You will even see some houses that put music to their lights! Spring Shadows Starting at Memorial City Mall, head north on Gessner for approx. 3.5 miles and take a left on Kemp Forest Dr and make your way down to Quincannon Lane. The Candy Wonderland is a massive cul-de-sac of vacant lots decorated in some of the most festive lights displays you will ever see. Visitors must stay in their cars – so no walking around – and there is only 1 entrance in and out of this neighborhood, so be prepared to wait in a long line at times, especially as it gets closer to Christmas Day…but it’s well worth the wait! HONORABLE MENTION Other noteworthy lights to visit on our Christmas lights tours (FYI – some might have admission fees) Festival of Lights – Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX Zoo Lights – Houston Zoo Sugar Land Holiday Lights – Constellation Field, Sugar Land, TX The Woodlands Winter Wonderland – The Woodlands, TX Santa’s Wonderland – College Station, TX
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