The day started like any other day for Mike and I. We got up and drove the big thirty-one foot RV that is wrapped as a MaxPreps.com billboard down from Foxboro, MA to New Rochelle, NY. Once we got into New Rochelle we ate some food and killed some time by watching a movie at New Roc City. Tomorrow we will go to the New Rochelle High football practice and do our normal interviews with the coach and players, but before we can do that we had to try to get a picture or video of the RV in Time Square.
We decided to do so after the movie because the later we were downtown the less traffic we would have to drive in. Navigating the streets was a breeze, and we went down Broadway three times to get the right shot of the RV. When we were done we wanted to leave the city by going over a bridge because coming into the city we went through the Battery Tunnel. This is where the fun begins, and what makes this encounter with the police the best one of all.
Google maps is great when wanting to know what street to take off the freeway, and when in a little town. What Google maps don't tell are the roads that are under construction, don't let advertising or commercial vehicles on them, and have weight restrictions. Bottom line is that when Mike is giving directions look at the signs every chance you get.
We pulled on to the FDR Parkway in search for the 59th street Bridge. The height restrictions at the beginning were 12'6", but little did we know that construction would lower that height to a dangerous 9'6". At the point we found out about the new height it was too late, and with nowhere to turn around we just had to stop in order to avoid ripping off the top of the RV.
Once stopped, Mike called the police to inform them of our RV being stuck on the FDR Parkway. After waiting for about 10 minutes in the construction zone, a nice tow truck finally appeared. The first thing the driver said was, "I could fit, but you sure won't. We are going to have to block off the road and back you out." Ladies and Gentle the MaxPreps Express stopped New York traffic, but advertising like that is not free.
Once backed out, the nice people of the NYPD asked us to pull over. Mike and I are not criminals, but we are two young men that made a wrong turn in the largest city in the USA, and now have to pay the consequences. Those consequences are four tickets for an amount unknown at this time. They are written for the violations of: Advertising on the parkway, no commercial vehicles on the parkway, disobeying the signs stating no vehicle over 8000 pounds, and unregistered vehicle.
It is now four in the morning and Mike and I just want to hit the sack. It was event in my life that I will never forget, and will probably talk about another 20 times before this tour is over. The FDR Parkway ended up being a road that didn't take us to the 59th street Bridge and gave us numerous new fans all telling us that we were number one as they passed.
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