changing directions

hi everyone,

on march 17, 2009 i had an encounter with a delivery truck 10 k's south of patia, Columbia.

on a double 's' curve (blind entry and exits) i came out of a corner to face a single axle delivery truck coming out a corner completely in my lane. we both steered to our respective right sides but the tight distance did not leave enough room to avoid contact.

my bike's front tire hit his drivers-side rear tire (as i was leaned over) and i was thrown up into the edge of the truck bed. the klr and i fell to the right, landing on my solid white shoulder line. i grab electronics off the bike, tore off my helmet, found my glasses and went to look for the driver of the truck. the national police showed up and prevented me from seeking a good use of my boot toe as they shipped me off to a hospital.

some bad x-rays later, several visits by the police where they told me the other driver had been drinking, basic treatment, some pain meds., an overnight stay and a 2 hour bus ride to the nearest airport were next. the entire bus ride was made on the wrong side of the road, so this is how Colombians must drive. that was a bad ride!

the airport doctor did not want me to fly...to much unknown damage...but i promised to see a specislist (with embassy help) once in Bogota, Columbia. the flight was only one hour.

once in Bogota the us embassy said to buy a ticket home and they would deal with any protest if it came up. i was out of there, catching the last flight to Miami for the day.

an overnight in Miami, flight to Chicago at 7:30 am, on to Seattle and then an anchorage landing at 5:30ish where carol had made arraignments for friend paul r. to get me home. i was done in by then.

my left arm took the brunt of the damage; broken 5th metatarsal, humerus head fractured in three pieces, torn muscle (2 of four locations) over shoulder joint, lots of soft tissue damage and swelling.

since then it has been doctors, surgery, and pt starting on friday. i just happened into the best trauma surgeon on the west coast who was up for the challenge and he is pleased with how the repairs have come out. after some pt we will see how the arm rehabs.

i was lucky not be more injured and am glad to be among friends during this healing time. could not have done any of this without carol's assistance.

as the story develops more will be added...but it will be from alaska.

take care and thanks for following,
paul