Epic Vehicle Breakdown

Picture of the Day for 5/13/2014. I was driving home from Los Angeles today when my timing belt snapped on I-15 about 15 miles south of Victorville, California. My car immediately lost power so it was a miracle I was able to cross a couple of lanes of traffic while semis were whizzing past me right and left. So, here's how the rest of my evening went.

Conversation with AAA 
Me: I'm stranded. My GPS says the closest town is Hesperia, CA.
AAA: We can't find you. What exit are you by?
Me: I don't know. I'm in the middle of nowhere.
AAA: Any landmarks you can point out?
Me: A whole lot of desert and mountains.
AAA: That's not helping.
Me: That's all I got for you. 

Conversation with Tow Truck Driver
Driver: I couldn't find you.
Me: No kidding. Apparently I couldn't identify any helpful landmarks out here in the middle of absolutely nowhere. 
Driver: Why were you driving alone? If you were my wife I wouldn't let you be driving from California to Utah by yourself. (He was actually very sweet- he was quite concerned.)
Me: Well, that's a long story...

Conversation with Mechanic at 8:40 P.M.
Mechanic: Your timing belt snapped. We'll have to do some tests to see if it damaged the engine. You're not going anywhere tonight.
Me: Can someone here give me a ride to a hotel?
Mechanic: No.
Me: OK then- how am I going to get to a hotel?
Mechanic: Taxi.

Conversation with Taxi Driver at 8:45 P.M.
Me: I don't have cash. Do you accept credit cards?
Taxi Driver: No.

Conversation with Mechanic at 8:46 P.M.
Me: The taxi won't accept credit cards and I don't have cash. Can you run my debit card and let me have some cash?
Mechanic: No.
Me: Where can I get cash?
Mechanic: The grocery store around the block.

Conversation with Mechanic at 9:01 P.M After Having Obtained Cash
Me: Can you unlock the door and let me in so I can grab my suitcase? (Seriously- they closed up shop knowing I'd be back for my things.)
Mechanic: Yes.
Me: Finally, the first "yes" of the day. (I thought this to myself.)

Conversation with Taxi Driver
Me: Uh, this isn't the address the Holiday Inn Express clerk gave me. Are we going the right way?
Taxi Driver: Yes. I'm positive.
Me: You're absolutely sure?
Taxi Driver: Yes. I'm positive.
Me: Okaaaay (I said as I was hoping for the best).
Luckily, the taxi driver was right and I was wrong in this instance. I was delivered safely to the hotel and the taxi driver received his cash in return.

Man. What a long day this has been.