My wife and I recently experienced a severe truck breakdown on the highway about eight miles south of San Saba. What could have been a miserable, stranded night on the side of the road turned into a beautiful reminder of the unmatched kindness and hospitality of the San Saba community.
Within thirty minutes of breaking down, two separate local residents stopped just to see if we were okay. Soon after, DPS Officer Lorenzo Arroyo (known to many as 'Junior') arrived. He didn't just stand by; he immediately crawled under the truck to help us diagnose the issue. When he found that local shops were closed, he unselfishly drove all the way to Llano to buy us a replacement battery, absolutely refusing a tip for his time.
Officer Ian from the San Saba County Sheriff’s Office arrived shortly after to assist, offering immense reassurance and recommending a wonderful night's stay at Burnham’s Lodging.
The real logistical nightmare was our 16-foot gooseneck trailer. When Hendricks Towing arrived, they couldn't tow the truck with the trailer attached.
Knowing it wasn't safe to leave it on the highway, Officer Arroyo drove to his own house, hooked up his personal pickup, and moved our trailer to his private property for safekeeping overnight. Meanwhile, Officer Ian personally drove my wife to our room and helped us check in.
The next morning, the team at Hendricks Towing went well above and beyond. Despite being backed up three weeks, they prioritized our vehicle, tracked down a rare fuel pump from Lampasas, and had us running by 3:00 PM for a very reasonable price. While we waited, we enjoyed the fantastic hospitality at Pepperbelly's, voted on paint colors downtown, and visited with the welcoming local librarian.
In big cities, you can be stranded for hours without a soul stopping to look your way. In San Saba, we were treated like family by law enforcement, local businesses, and everyday citizens alike. Thank you, San Saba, for turning a breakdown into an unforgettable experience of Texas kindness.
Sincerely, David & Maurina Debo Round Mountain, Texas