I had a rough start when my GPS wouldn't work right away and my printer wouldn't print out Mapquest directions. I ran over to Sienna's and we figured something out. (Thanks Ceec!) I was off. I used those directions until the GPS started working. So when it did start working, I noticed it was taking me onto unpaved roads that led to NO WHERE! I was so confused. I said a quick prayer and called Sienna, asked how long the mapquest directions estimated me to get to AZ and it was like 12 hrs. So I decided to use the mapquest directions instead.
When I got to Beaver, I was only down 1/4 tank of gas. But for some reason decided to stop and get gas. I first looked at the two options: Shell and Chevron. I went to Shell. I pulled up and thought, "go to Chevron.." It didn't make sense. But I did it anyway. I pulled in and started filling up when one of the guys working there came to fill it for me. He suggested if I wanted to buy anything in the store or use the restroom I could and he'd have it taken care of when I got out. So I did, and on my way back he met me at the door and handed me my receipt. He then explained to me about my front right tire and how it was completely bald. He asked where I was headed. And when I told him Arizona and he said I wouldn't be able to make it on that tire and that it would probably blow on me. So he asked if I had a good spare in my trunk. We took a look and sure enough it was just a spare to get me by. He suggested that I get a new tire. So I pulled into his shop next to the gas station, Cooper Tires. There he raised my car up and started changing my tire. I waited inside the gas station for about 10 minutes before he came to tell me more news, "all of your tires suck" is basically what it transferred into. I was a little less than halfway by then and completely frazzeled. I was all by myself trying to figure everything out. He estimated to have my tires taken care of for the price of $250!! I don't have that kind of money!!! I called Tyler and asked him his expert opinion. He thought that maybe the tires were still under warranty and that he'd look into it for me and I should ask them to stop real quick until he figured it out. So I asked and waited for Ty to call back. He did. Bad news. :( Not under warranty anymore. So as I told them, I started crying uncontrollably. The guys felt bad and asked if I wanted to opt for used tires instead. WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT BEFORE?!! Jeez! I said, "yes" and they even said they could use the two best tires and put them to the back and just put two used ones on. I asked if the used ones would get me to Arizona and back and they said yes. I felt confident in the decision and had them continue. As I sat outside the shop on a bench, I got a call from my mom and cried as I told her all about it. I had people asking if I was ok and if I needed anything. I felt stupid. I couldn't stop crying and there was no where to go. The guy working on my tires came out as I was talking to my mom. He told me that he would take off the cost of labor and an extra $20. I only payed $80 for all of it. They even bagged one of my old tires to take back to Ty to show him they weren't screwing me over. I realized as I was back on the road, it was a blessing. What if I had never stopped for gas (when I didn't need to?) What if I stayed at the Shell gas station? What if I had a blow out on my way down to Arizona? Would I have been stranded? Would I have crashed? Died even? You never know. I am SO grateful for that blessing in my life to be able to listen to the Spirit, even when it doesn't make sense. If ya'll ever go down that way, stop at the Chevron/Coopers Tires in Beaver cause they'll take care of you.
What a gorgeous dog!! I did some more driving and finally got a call from Brian (George's brother.) "Where you at?" "I'm in Page. How far is that?" "Like another 5 or 6 hours.. Chels, you probably not gonna make it!" "Oh, I'll make it Brian.. trust me!!" All I could think of was how disappointed George was going to be when he got home, just to find out that he wasn't really going to have steak and potatoes ready for him and see Avatar with Brian. I told Brian, that when George calls me like he usually does on his way home from work, that if I knew I wasn't going to make it, then I'd break the news to him. So, by the time I was about a half hour away from George's, he calls. SHOOT! That means he's on his way home!! It takes him a half hour to get home. It's now a race and he doesn't even know it! We're about the same distance away. The only advantage is that he knows where he's going. I'm just trusting my directions will get me there without getting lost. AND I'm in the dark and can't recognize a thing! He calls and says, "Babe!! Are you at my house?!!" In my head, I'm thinking, "what the crap? How does he know?" I laugh and say, "No. Why do you think that?" "Cause you are!!!" "No I'm not George, truly. I wish I was." "But you are! You came down for my birthday! And besides, Brian told me to call you when I got off work. Why else would he say that?" "He told you already? I do have something for you, but that was going to be a surprise for tonight. So just forget he said anything." I continue to tell him that I went to a birthday dinner up in Salt Lake and was on my way home. He didn't buy into any of it. We continued to go back and forth again for a good 10 minutes or so. I finally just say, "George, I need you to stop saying that cause I'm starting to feel bad that I'm not down there. :( I wish I could be there. If you really want me to, I'll find a flight tonight and be there first thing tomorrow morning. Want me to?" He said, no and we kept talking. I finally pull up to his place and he's still not there! YES! I told George that I needed to go to the bathroom and that I would call him right back. I pulled into the garage and ran upstairs to fix myself up and try to look cute. That didn't really work. I had makeup all over my face from crying about my stupid car and I just looked exhausted. Dangit! lol. I called George back and he said he was just pulling up to his house. He asked if I still wanted to talk, but I said that I was just going to go to bed cause I had a migraine. He said ok and we hung up. About 10 seconds later he opens the door and SURPRISE!!! "You did come!!" So I guess it was somewhat of a successful surprise. :)
On my way home, I was so excited to see all of what Arizona has to offer. Especially all of the cactuses or cacti if you will, that I wasn't able to see on my way there. I was reminded of how cool the freeway is as I drove down it and looked at all the walls. Lizards and cactuses. I took a picture of some mountains to remind me that I have proof that there are some in Arizona. Haha! I drove through so many different weather changes it was like mother-earth was bipolar that day, and I felt I was able to experience the many different moods along with her. I was sad about leaving (rain), happy to see cactuses (sun), mad for needing to work the next day (thunder storm), confused about where I was (slush. It didn't know whether to rain or snow), etc.. I also stopped off at lookout point to see the Grand Canyon. I took a few pictures on my way home. Here's a few of them. What a trip. :)
