The stolen trailer insurance saga continues. When I was surprised by a phone call from a San Diego Police officer on Saturday, November 8th informing me that my trailer was found, I wondered what would happen.

I’d purchased a new trailer the week before. Why did I shop for a new trailer one week after the theft? Well, I had a couple of reasons to do this. My main motivation was to be sure I had a way to transport our scooter and bicycles. We can only stay here in Mission Bay RV Resort for 30 days at a time, then we have to leave for at least 24 hours. I had three weeks to find, purchase and prepare a new trailer before we had to leave.

The other reason was availability. If I didn’t find the trailer I wanted, it would take a few weeks to order and receive one from the factory. I also didn’t believe the stolen trailer would ever be recovered – I thought it was probably in Mexico. The officer who took the theft report thought that was likely. So when I found a trailer that I liked, I purchased it. Otherwise, it might or might not be be available a week or two later.

The police towed my stolen trailer to an impound yard in Kearny Mesa, about 8 miles from here. When I spoke with the insurance adjuster, she told me not to do anything as she would deal with the impound yard. It turns out that she had the trailer moved to another salvage yard called Copart in Otay Mesa. This is about an hour away from here, ironically near the Mexican border.

Yesterday she phoned and told me the trailer had been inspected and she just received the inspection report. She said the report described the condition of the trailer as excellent. I asked for more details, such as whether any contents were in the trailer. She said she didn’t think the inspector entered the trailer.

Really?  The inspector writes a report claiming excellent condition but he didn’t look inside? What is the condition of the interior walls? Was the wheel chock I bolted to the floor for the scooter still there or was it ripped from the floor? What about the coupler where they cut off the lock, was there any damage there? How about the jack, was it scraped through a dip or over a curb? I doubt if the thieves drove away gently with the trailer.

She told me the report she received only had pictures of the outside walls and rear ramp. She would get more information and get back to me today. Here’s the problem. If Progressive says the trailer is in excellent shape, they will tell me to come and get my trailer. No damage, no claim. Having two trailers is a problem I didn’t anticipate. I’ll let you know what happens from here.

I went for a bike ride yesterday. I decided to do something different. I rode across Clairemont Drive from Mission Bay and got on Morena Boulevard. I rode north past Costco and turned up the hill at Jutland Drive. What was I thinking? This hill is very steep, much steeper than I wanted to climb. Half way up I caved in. I had to stop and catch my breath while my heart rate dropped to a more reasonable level. After a few minutes, I resumed the climb and made it. I won’t be riding up that road again.

I cruised through the old neighborhood. I made a stop at Cadman Park. The trees are bigger and there’s a new ball field, otherwise it was still familiar. I rode down the hill through Bay Ho back to Morena Boulevard where I enjoyed a tailwind back to Mission Bay.

Today, Donna and I are going to the Brigantine restaurant in Point Loma to have lunch with Emily and Mark Fagan. It’s Taco Tuesday there.