An Elephant Sat On the Hood of My Car (Part 2)

The Unexpected Journey Begins

It was a typical late afternoon in the Los Angeles basin, with traffic already heavy as we made our way to Costa Mesa. Around 4 PM, we had only managed to cover about five miles when I noticed flashing red lights in my rearview mirror. Assuming the vehicle needed to pass, I pulled over, but to my surprise, the officer stopped behind me and accused me of a hit-and-run. My explanation about an elephant sitting on my car hood was met with skepticism.

The Police Station Ordeal

Another patrol car soon arrived, and we were escorted to the nearest police station. After a series of questions and phone calls to verify our story, the officers finally apologized and released us. For two inexperienced travelers, this was turning out to be quite an eventful day. We got directions back to the freeway and left a message for our friends, explaining our delay.

Exhaustion Sets In

Having had little sleep over the past two nights, I was utterly exhausted. I asked Jane if she could drive the rest of the way, as it would still take about 45 minutes to an hour in traffic. I crawled into the back of the camper, took off my pants, and quickly fell asleep.

Jane's Navigation Woes

Jane had the directions, but the heavy traffic and unfamiliar LA driving were stressful. She rolled down both windows for some fresh air, but the instructions flew out the window. Seeing signs for Costa Mesa, she couldn't remember the turnoff. She pulled off the freeway to search for the instructions and called Janice for help. Just as she got the new directions, she started the engine and merged back onto the freeway.

A Comical Misunderstanding

I woke up when the camper stopped and the engine turned off. Assuming we were still in traffic, I didn't realize my pants were on the floor. I stepped outside in my boxers to see where we were, but Jane had already started driving again. There I stood, in my boxers, t-shirt, and no shoes, as traffic passed by.

The Return of the Patrolman

About 20 minutes later, I heard a siren approaching. Thankfully, it was the same Highway Patrolman who had dealt with us earlier. He couldn't help but laugh at my predicament. I had noted the original directions, so he offered to drop me off at our friends' house.

Jane's Detour

Jane had found the turnoff but mistakenly turned left instead of right, ending up four miles off course. She called Janice for new directions and soon got back on track. Meanwhile, I was dropped off at Andy and Janice's home, but no one was there. I sat on the front porch, waiting.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Jane drove by, saw someone in boxer shorts on the porch, and didn't recognize me. She called Janice, who then called the police. You can guess the rest of the story.

A Memorable Evening

We spent the evening with our friends, laughing about the day's events. The next morning, we packed up the camper and headed back to Arizona, vowing never to return to the California coast.

Interesting Stats

• Traffic in LA: Los Angeles is notorious for its traffic. According to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, LA drivers spent an average of 119 hours in traffic in 2019 (source).
• Elephant Incidents: While rare, elephants have been known to cause traffic incidents. In 2016, an elephant escaped from a circus in Spain and caused a traffic jam (source).

Conclusion

This adventure was a series of unexpected events that turned a simple trip into a memorable story. From an elephant encounter to a hit-and-run accusation and a comical misunderstanding, it was a day we would never forget.