Monday 4/24

Nice quiet spot to spend the night. Left early. I have to fill the propane tank. I’ve been running on fumes for two days. First priority. Closest is still 75 winding lonely miles away.

I had a safety meeting before I departed, just sayin’ for future reference. Nice road less traveled, a few semis, not a lot of other traffic. Very narrow tho with no shoulders. I’m a good 60-70 miles miles pass the last gas and probably 50 from it. I see a car just barely off the road ahead and people getting out. I’m a ways out so have some time to see what’s happening before I get there. They are …… Middle East? Two older middle age guys, a older gentleman and a older middle aged women who was wearing some sort of “thing” on her head. The guys are all wearing ill fitting brown suits with fat ties. maybe Turkish?They wave me down (otherwise no way am I stopping). Oh, no hearing aids in. Did I mention foreign,which means the spokesman spoke by committee after conversation with the other two with a heaven accent. No traffic so I stop in the middle of the road and roll the passengers side down. I’m thinking flat tire, maybe engine. I got empathy I’ve been broke down, “What’s the problem?” ” We no gas” “We have money we go gas” pointing at me and Bill. That is truly THE last thing I want to hear. Should of just said “no speak English” and boogied. WHAT? No shaking my head as I watch them all discuss my reaction. I’m trying to watch all of them and have a eye on the rear view and for on coming traffic. As I questioned the one guy who spoke English he had to talk to one of the other guys who looked …mean. This all takes a minute or two not a long time, I’m still in the middle of the road, he is still saying “We have money we go gas” I’m about ready to pull Bill off the road, best I can, when I get the answer! 911!

I say you got cell phone; no service. Okay, okay no problem, I will call them when in service. That wasn’t their plan, “we have money we go gas”. Ain’t going to happen son. So I booked, yelling “I’ll call 911” and left them there with forlorn looks shaking their heads.

Twenty miles down the road I get coverage and dial 911…..but lose signal before they answer. So now my phone is in 911 call back, every time it gets signal it dials 911 but loses it before I can talk. I’m just a little bit frustrated with the phone and finally after the third call I shut it completely off so it will quit dialing 911.

Started to rationalize that someone would stop and solve their problem and no need to call 911. But a rest stop comes up and I got 4 bars, so I look up the Lincoln Co Sherriff and call them and explain the situation. Crazy!

So I’m driving down the road thinking thru the whole experience and it was really,really, really odd. I wish I had the camera going it would of been way better than the horses.

Weather is cold, rainy, snowy, windy. Not my favorites. Just south of Idaho border tonight, Wild Horse Campground.