If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time you know my old van hasn’t been aging well. I’ve been stranded on the side of the road, in parking lots and at the beach ever since I began this adventure. Sometimes I can get out of it myself, but I noticed a lot of what I’m beginning to call “Asphalt Angels” have been coming to my rescue as well. Here’s a real saint - Gina Norris of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. I had gotten off the exit ramp to get gas, but made a pit stop for the bathroom at the rest area first. I had a quarter of a tank of gas, I thought, but the van wouldn’t start once I got ready to leave.

I grabbed my gas can and started looking for likely Samaritans. I saw Gina get out of a DOT truck and go into the rest stop. I found her in the women’s bathroom installing batteries in a light fixture. I explained my problem and asked her to take me to get gas. She immediately agreed to help once she finished the fixture. Within five minutes we were headed towards a gas station. She was funny, friendly, upbeat and told me she loves her job. She’s been at it more than 15 years and my guess is, she’s very, very good at it.

But her helpfulness didn’t end there!! Once the gas was in the van, it still wouldn’t start. She saw I was having problems, came back over and coached me on when to pump, when to let up. She knew this old van better than I did! And she cheered when it finally caught! At the gas station later when I filled up and DID have a quarter tank of gas left I realized the engine had probably vapor-locked. It’s a 75′ Chevy and yes, THEY do vapor lock - especially in the heat with a low volume of gas in the tank.

I was impressed. Gina was awesome and the best representative of the state that the North Carolina DOT could have. I told her I was going to tell everyone that…and the NCDOT too. I love it when people care about their jobs and the people they come in contact with. So I’ve decided to start an “Asphalt Angels” page designation. There have been several so far, and I’m sure, many more to come. Thank you Gina. You ROCK!!!