The fire that closed I-84 between Hood River and The Dalles Dam in northern Oregon was enough of a shock to sustain after leaving the grocery store. When I decided to take the freeway home to get there quicker, I did not realize what I was getting myself into. There are three images with this document. two are of the Dalles facing west, towards the fire; one is of the traffic westbound on I - 84 just before the Dalles/ Dallesport Bridge.

I was going eastbound on I - 84 and I was stopped abruptly by a herd of cars that were trying to exit the freeway to get to the bridge (and other places, too). I patiently waited to exit and with each five minutes i gained at least 20 feet.

The traffic came to a halt and I was at the base of exit 87 going eastbound on I - 84. everyone was dispersing, but a semi was stopped. I approached the large semi slowly in my car and proceeded to turn on my hazard lights. As I got up to the cab of the semi, the driver appeared frustrated...

directly in front of the semi was a 4-door dark-colored sedan with 2 middle-aged male occupants. I asked if they were stalled. The driver said yes, but not to worry and just to continue on with going up the ramp. Instantly an alarm went off in my head. "no." I said, "this is a safety hazard."

I helped the man put his car into a safe area. But while I was doing this at least 4 people started shouting something to the effect of..."get the *funk* out of the way!" and others started honking vigorously.

I assertively asked them to hold on, but they just kept on shouting and honking until I moved my car (which was there so no one zipped by me to hurt anyone / clip me / kill me). As I drove up the ramp I used my cell phone to call 911. I reported the stalled car and now I'm going to fix myself dinner.

I guess the point of me broadcasting this is to remind and ask others who are in a hurry to listen to slow music and breathe, and remember that the reason you drive the speed limit is so you don't kill other people, or worse....yourself.