FIN INTERRUPTED!

Last night (Mon) after we arrived at St Mary, we were outside soaking up the view, when all of a sudden we heard a pop, whoosh, ssssssss! The valve stem on the right rear truck tire was leaking air. There was nothing I could do but think about the flat tire to deal with tomorrow.

Not a big deal! Finished my drink, went to bed at 10:00 pm (still light outside) and slept well. Got up this morning, went outside to take another look at my flat. Oh yeah, it's flat. Okay, I'll put the spare on, take the flat down to get it repaired.

For some reason, I walked around the truck to look at the other tires. "WHEN, WHAT TO MY WONDERING EYES SHOULD APPEAR"! Another flat tire!!! Left front tire is down. I won't be going any where. Oh boy, do I miss my traveling buddy Paul!

To make a "long" day and this story shorter, all ended well. There is NO local tire shop,I had NO AT&T service on my phone, and the closest tire repair shop is 30+ miles from here. It took all day on the pay and office phones and waiting in the park office for return calls but finally COACHNET Emergency Road Service got a repair man to come at 7:00 pm this evening. (The 30 miles from Browning)

I was amazed at the concerned and caring neighbors and office staff at the park. Everyone had a suggestion on how to remedy the situation. Some, not realistic to me.

The point of all this, wherever you are in your life travels, there will be problems, trials, and rainy days. To overcome, you need to stop, take a deep breath and relax. Then, what are the options available? Often in life there is no best option. Pick the one best for you in your situation and don't look back. Make it work for you. Remember, "This too shall pass". You will get through it, you just don't know the outcome yet.

We were so fortunate to have been in a safe place and not out on one of the remote Montana roads we traveled, with no shoulder, no cell coverage, and miles from services. Even with a negative situation, you need to look at the positive aspects. Not at what you have lost but what you have left.

So, even though it was a long and bit stressful situation, by day's end, the crisis had passed. St Mary's Lake and the mountains were still there to enjoy. Tomorrow we will tour the area and visit Many Glacier. Thursday, we will drive through Waterton Park and cross the border into Canada.

My good friend Jim Head had given me the name of a classmate who lives near Calgary. Jana has given me so much information and reassurance concerning the trip, we may try to stop near where she lives to meet her. Then on to Dawson Creek. We need to be there the 19th.

Happy Trails To You!

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