[HopeARK]

So I did a stupid thing. I decided to drive (in July heat) from Texas to PA in my 2000 Beetle. I had the fluids checked before I left, but at the 7 hour mark the red temp light started beeping and flashing. It's never come on before ever but she's been lightly banged twice in the last 6 months. The light wasn't steady - no steam or smoke so, I proceeded to bunny hop (1 mile at a time 20 mph with the AC off from restart to when the light came on again) 15 miles to the nearest town. The coolant isn't completely full but it's between max and half. I started her this morning but as soon as I backed up, red light. So at this point, I don't want to drive it at all bc it's 30 miles of nothing in either direction. I'm fully prepared to rent a U-Haul and tow dolly and tow her home Monday but do you think it's worth having someone look at it locally before I do that? Someone who might not work on VW's - and a dealership at that. <--more expensive.
I'm not even sure if I should try driving it the three miles to the U-Haul. Might get AAA to tow me if you think that's the smart thing?
What would you do?
Also - any guesses on what it could be?