Sitting in a motel in Wells Nevada population 1500...not much to do but wonder. At the beginning of the trip I pondered how these towns sprouted up. The wheel fell off the wagon train, everyone looked around and said yeah this will do. So driving thru the desert last night the wheel fell off our wagon (actually the Mini threw a plug) - same result. We pushed the mini off the road into the loose sand, and sat. It got dark, very dark, desert dark. And cold, very cold, desert cold, snow cold. We called AAA (big shout out to AT&T for cell coverage. If there had been cell coverage 100 years ago would be have less towns as folks could have moved on to the next already established place?) Anyway I discovered that I have a high degree of anxiety sitting in a little cold box on the side of a dark road. Very appreciative that Mick was with me, however... I am generally very calm and logical during emergencies or unpredictable situations, but not so much here. The panic was rising, the windows fogged up so I couldn't see out, the little red hazard light loudly clicked on and off and the big rigs shook the little car as they sped by. And of course it was raining off and on. And no bathroom nearby. Even outside wasn't an option as it was 33 degrees.
We eventually got picked up and towed to Wells. The motel is pretty dingy, no or almost no hot water, no food places in site, but yeah for wi-fi. I can see a McDonalds near the highway and a gas station which I suppose has a convenience store. Of course being we are in Nevada, there is a small Casino up near the road. Hmmmmm...we don't have hot water, you can't rent a car or a uhaul for 200 miles but if you'd like to gamble, the Casino is waiting. The motel staff said we can call the Casino, they will send a van to pick us up and the only restaurant in town is in the Casino if we want something to eat.
So our little car sits alone on the street. There are two mechanics in town - one recommended, one not. They don't reopen until Tuesday and so far when mentioning the Mini Cooper we get the blank stare and the we don't see many of those in these parts answer. So we plan to tow home. Interestingly enough it is cheaper to rent from Vista and beg friends to come rescue us than to find a way to rent up here. Plus nearest rental is about 100 miles and the only option is an 18 foot uHaul with a tow dolly, which is bigger than what we originally took to Chicago!
So we sit and wait, it's raining outside with little bursts of snow. We walked the two miles to the mini cooper earlier today to rescue some snacks and work for Mick to do. Maybe if I'm really nice my sweetheart will take me out for a night on the town with a chilly walk to McDonalds or we will really live it up with a van ride to the Casino.
