Plan "C"

This was the summer of change.  At least it was for us, especially the last few days.  Within a three day period, we had changed from Plan A to Plan B, until Plan C came along unexpectedly!

Original plan:  Stay at Cherry Creek State Park on Saturday and Sunday nights, Sept 26th & 27th. Start on our homeward journey on Monday morning.
Plan B:  After realizing that would be 1000 miles in 2 days (too far with a trailer in tow), we would leave early on Sunday afternoon, and drive to Trinidad, Colorado. Next stop would be Gallup.
Plan C:  This was NOT included in our options, but a blowout certainly changed everything.

We both heard the tire "pop" just south of Colorado Springs.  We limped to the shoulder, with heavy traffic on I-25 on Don's side of the road, and an on ramp on my side.  Time to call AAA!  The hour wait seemed long as it was rather warm outside, with no shade at all.  At least it wasn't in Arizona where the temps are still in the low 100's.  If that had been the case, we would have been like chickens in a roasting pan....only they would have smelled better!

We were both thankful when the Pepto Bismol pink truck showed up.

 You can almost hear the guy saying "Yep, it's flat alright!"

No way was Don going to even attempt changing the tire with traffic whizzing by us on both sides at times.

Plan C: Make it to Pueblo State Park, about 40 miles from where we were stranded.  We wound up situated under a tree that looked like it was struggling to survive.  By hey, shade is shade, even if it is sparse!

 At least we could look out and see the beautiful sunset over the Pueblo Reservoir.

And where we the next morning??  Yep, good ole Discount Tire! Don had gotten on the Internet the night before and made an appointment for 8 AM, the earliest they had.  We were the first in line and sitting in the parking lot before the first employee arrived. 

We did make it to Gallup, even though it was a long day for both of us.  Like they say, "Alls well that ends well".