Road Warriors

We packed too much, of course! Getting these suitcases, plus two carryons, Jasmin's back pack, and our gals' two purses into the trunk of a small mid-size automobile.............................was hell on wheels!!

But the worse part was dragging them all out of the car in 99 degrees on the side of an interstate highway...............with nothing but ranches and farmland stretching for miles to the mountains on either side of us!

Early morning, grabbed breakfast, loaded up, riding from Bozeman to Helena, Montana. Cruising along at the permitted 75 mph, the three of us looked at each other and wondered what the strange noise was. A flat, high speed, heat, way out in the middle of nowhere........HELP!

Luckily nothing happened and we were able to cruise over to the stony entrance to a ranch so were safely off the highway.

This is when you are so thankful for cell phones. AAA sent 'cowboy Carl' to the rescue on his big yellow horse...............after an hour's wait in the building heat of beautiful Montana 'Big Sky Country'. Luckily the rancher had clean restrooms at the entrance. Just kidding, it was find the highest clump of grass and wait 'til the Harleys and trucks had passed!!!

Later we exchanged this too small, too many miles on the odometer, and two completely bald front tires, for a another vehicle. I won't mention the name of the rental agency other than to say it's supposedly #1. The tire serviceman told us that he could not repair the flat as the steel belts were sticking through the rubber, and on checking the other front tire found it the same. He said we were lucky not to have been in a serious accident.

Off we went, driving through awesome scenery after wasting the most of the day dealing with the car issue, and reaching Missoula, Montana just in time to enjoy a pizza supper before falling into our beds, tired but thankful we were safe.

More stories from the mountain roads soon.