And then there was this...

I'm here to tell you, there is nothing like going somewhere new, and losing your car. Here's a story. I have a bit of a bad day at work. It wasn't really a bad day, but I had a few things that just didn't go my way. Anyhow, I decided to try to get away. I had been to Downtown San Diego before, with some friends, and really enjoyed it. We went and ate at Hard Rock Cafe. It was pretty good, so I decided to put the Hard Rock into the GPS, and head in that direction. I had no intentions of eating there, but I was using it as a reference point. So far, I'm doing good. Traffic is moving well. I have plenty of time. Things were already getting better. Nothing could bother me now. Hard Rock Cafe is on 4th Ave. I got off of the interstate onto Front Street. As soon as I saw 4th Ave, I looked for a parking space. I parked in the first one I found. I got out and started walking. I looked at a few street signs to make sure I could get back. After crossing what seemed like 3 or 4 streets I found C Street. That's another reference street. I saw a lot of cool things. I was really enjoying myself. I saw a couple of guys playing music on a street corner. I even filmed one of their songs.
After about an hour and a half to two hours of walking, I decided I had better start heading back. I was no longer on 4th Ave. It shouldn't be too hard to find though, because the streets are sequential. I get on 4th Ave, and start walking back. I walk and walk and walk. Then I notice that I am going uphill. I never remembered going down hill so I must have gone too far. All the while I had my keyless entry remote in hand, hoping to hear the horn on the Aviator. I start back. That's when I found C Street. I remembered seeing it before, however I was passing the same sign on the same side of the road as before. That means I was getting further from the car. So back I go. I'm walking uphill again, and I see 3 people standing out on the side walk. They don't look the friendliest, but I have to pass by. All went well. Nobody said anything. Finally, I had to ask someone. My only problem is that I knew I wasn't parked on any of my reference streets. I wasn't parked on the interstate, Front Street, C Street, or 4th Ave. How do I ask for help? I found a guy, and asked him, "If you were trying to get to 4th Ave from I-5 (it could have been I-15. I've blocked it out) and you exited on Front Street, which way would you go?" It seemed like a full proof question. He sais he would probably go to 2nd Ave first...Uh-Ohh. I hadn't been on 2nd Ave, so I knew that was not going to help. To add to my troubles, it is now starting to get dark. Let's see, Me, Downtown San Diego, Lost, Dark... I don't know about you, but these words don't give me that warm fuzzy feeling, when used together in a sentence.
Then I thought, I have nothing to worry about. I have a GPS in the car. I'll just call Hertz, explain my scenario, and they'll tell me where the car is. But, what's the number? Luckily, I had my Hertz Gold Card. I called them, told the guy my problem, and he says, "Okay, Let me transfer you to someone who can help you with this." I'm home free. Why didn't I think of this sooner. I finally get transferred, and the guy says, "Where are you at, now?" After I tell him, he blows me away with his next question. "Where did you park the car?" Apparently he misunderstood my reason for calling. he wanted to give me directions to the road I parked on, but I needed to know what road I parked on. Did you know that they are not aloud to track where you go in their car? He was absolutely no help. he did encourage me with sayings like, "I hope you find it soon." and "It's a big Aviator. It shouldn't be hard to see." Did I mention I was in Downtown San Diego, and it was getting dark?!?!?He told me he would start a report just in case the car was picked up.
Next, I tried going to 3rd Ave to see if I could see it on the other side. I came to a Convention Center or something. I was pleased to find a police woman. Protect and Serve, right? Well, I needed some service. I think her name was Tiffany. I tried asking her for assistance. I said, "If I were to get off of I-5 at Front Street, going to 4th Ave, Where does that put me?" She said, "Well that depends, How are did you drive?"...AAAGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!! She tells how to get to Front Street, and I decide to walk back towards 4th Ave. That's when I noticed that Front Street runs Parallel to 4th Ave. How in the world did I get from one to the other? I had no idea which connection road I had taken. She also let me know that she would be there until 10:30, if I needed help.
Well, let's go back to 4th Ave and just keep walking. Here I am going uphill, AGAIN. The same people are standing out on the side walk. I pass by, but I run into another couple who were walking to their car. I asked them the same question, but he mentioned 11th Ave. Gee Thanks. I decided to just walk with them, knowing I was going the wrong way. I had walked this far, why turn around now. We get to Cedar Street, (wherever that is) and a hear a horn...:)=) That's It!!! I found it. Come to find out, their car was right across the street from mine. I got in my car, and left. I did, however go let the Police Woman know I had found it. I also had to call Hertz back, and let them know I found it. That's the last time I try to go relieve stress in a new place. Next time I'm staying at the Hotel...Thanks for listening