The Front Fell Off...

Dear Blog:

Blogline 3/4/2009 11:43 p.m. (just south of Portland, OR)

Val and Travis' ATV trailer has come apart on I-5. When I say "come apart" I literally mean two separate pieces - only the chains stopped it from coming off. Interesting to watch a trailer being dragged by only its chains at 55 mph. Lots of sparks, fishtailing, etc. Fortunately, Travis gets it pulled to the side of the road. There is no shoulder here, and semis are whizzing by a foot away. JR pulls up behind us and bungee straps the trailer to the truck so we can get it to the next exit. Redneck hitch!

Blogline 3/5/2009 1:30 a.m.
The plan is to rent a u-haul trailer to carry the broken trailer. We circle the wagons to spend the rest of the night in the U-haul parking lot. I've never camped in a U-haul parking lot before. There is a sign on the fence that says that "suspicious activity will be investigated by law enforcement". Since clearly we're suspicious, we spend the night waiting for the SWAT team to surround us. No one gets any sleep.

Blogline 3/5/2009 6:30 a.m.
We get up to greet the U-haul employees. Turns out their big trailers are only licensed to carry cars. Plan B - a mobile welder is called to come weld the trailer back together.

Blogline 3/5/2009 10:00 a.m.
Wal-mart, where we were planning to spend the night last night. We're just a bit behind schedule.

Blogline 3/5/2009 1:30 p.m.
Costco (Churros, lunch of champions!) Gas is only $1.87/gallon!

Blogline 3/5/2009 4:00 p.m.
Arrive Honeyman S.P. and set up camp. Can you say "exhausted"?