We have the opposite of the Midas touch, what would you call that? All I know it that things we touch do not turn to gold, in fact it seems they don't work the way we planned at all. We started off the day in a good mood, we set the alarm for 7, but woke at 8 forgetting we were in Mountain time. No trouble, who doesn't enjoy and extra hour of sleep. We enjoyed a continental breakfast, filled up on gas and set off for Dickinson. Disclaimer: We did not make it to Dickinson today.
After driving 105 miles in just two hours we decided we needed to ditch the country road we were on. Too many over sized loads with tractors and semis and too much road construction to make it worth staying on the current route. Beautiful but slow.
Thankfully we packed AAA state maps for our journey, we didn't realize that Montana also means no cell service. Note to all Sprint users, find a different way to get around, communicate and travel in the current century. Because of these maps we were able to take a spontaneous and necessary change of plans, heading south to Billings where we now sit and wait.
About 50 miles into our detour we started to hear a rumbling from the leaf spring on the front tire. Again, not the Midas touch. Given our past experience of a breaking down we decided to stop in Billings and see about fixing the truck. We were both very frustrated at this point but Dan navigated us to a AAA store. Again, travelers, if you don't have AAA and are thinking of driving cross country I would recommend you invest. They saved our bacon today. Because we had no cell service- since Couer D'Alene- we borrowed the land line at the AAA store, got a map of Billings and they also they helped us book a hotel and find a mechanic (ones that were close together-knowing we would have to walk with no car). Turns out our hotel is right across the alley from the mechanic shop, I can look out our window and see the shop. Huge bonus.
We tried to cancel our hotel for tonight in Dickinson- no go. But Kevin had the idea of postponing it- thanks Kevin- until tomorrow and they went for it. So we have a short drive tomorrow, pending the truck repair. AND THEN on Saturday we will drive 16 hours- God willing- to Upland, IN.
I think I would have chosen a different mode of transport if I knew then what I know now. Yes, next time I will fly cross country. But for now, we sit and wait.
Pray for our sanity and strength and for the very long drive ahead.
After driving 105 miles in just two hours we decided we needed to ditch the country road we were on. Too many over sized loads with tractors and semis and too much road construction to make it worth staying on the current route. Beautiful but slow.
Thankfully we packed AAA state maps for our journey, we didn't realize that Montana also means no cell service. Note to all Sprint users, find a different way to get around, communicate and travel in the current century. Because of these maps we were able to take a spontaneous and necessary change of plans, heading south to Billings where we now sit and wait.
About 50 miles into our detour we started to hear a rumbling from the leaf spring on the front tire. Again, not the Midas touch. Given our past experience of a breaking down we decided to stop in Billings and see about fixing the truck. We were both very frustrated at this point but Dan navigated us to a AAA store. Again, travelers, if you don't have AAA and are thinking of driving cross country I would recommend you invest. They saved our bacon today. Because we had no cell service- since Couer D'Alene- we borrowed the land line at the AAA store, got a map of Billings and they also they helped us book a hotel and find a mechanic (ones that were close together-knowing we would have to walk with no car). Turns out our hotel is right across the alley from the mechanic shop, I can look out our window and see the shop. Huge bonus.
We tried to cancel our hotel for tonight in Dickinson- no go. But Kevin had the idea of postponing it- thanks Kevin- until tomorrow and they went for it. So we have a short drive tomorrow, pending the truck repair. AND THEN on Saturday we will drive 16 hours- God willing- to Upland, IN.
I think I would have chosen a different mode of transport if I knew then what I know now. Yes, next time I will fly cross country. But for now, we sit and wait.
Pray for our sanity and strength and for the very long drive ahead.
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