Because my life can't possibly get more interesting....

... I'm broken down with a flat tire in the Home Depot parking lot.

Let's back up to Saturday when all this began...

Driving back from a nice hike at Crystal Beach, I was thinking about how stupid I was to sell the small trailer I'd bought from George. Despite making a profit on the sale, the trailer was of more personal worth to me. Trailers cost so much these days. A new trailer like the one I'd sold costs at least $800. I know because I'd been pricing them.

So... I'm driving southbound on the LBR, heading toward Lake Havasu City. Windows are rolled down. No music today...just the wind. I didn't need my thoughts crowded out with sound because the wind carried other ideas my way, ideas about doing small-scale retail at events and fairs this summer, ideas about working for myself and not "the man."

What would I drive? It would have to be the Xterra. I could fit the tent, tables, and product if I packed it real tight. Then where would I sleep? I usually just sleep in the back of the Xterra when I take it on a journey. (Hush your protest. I sleep better in the back of my vehicle than I do in hotels or in guest rooms. It's something about the combination of bedding materials, plush, and being somewhat-outdoors. I just like it.)

So....if I have product in the back of the Xterra, I can't sleep in it. I wish I had a trailer...

Then, right on the side of the London Bridge Road, there it is...a trailer!

For Sale!

I pulled over to read the sign. $300. It looked homemade, but the frame looked solid, and it had a tool box. There was also a bunch of other crap attached to it, but that wasn't the point. It was a $300 trailer just...when...I...was...thinking...

of...wanting...one. It's like it was meant to be.

So I bought it.

The guy pointed out that the tool box needed more welding. Okay, I'd get that done. The tires were different sizes. Okay, I could get new tires.

Then, it became a process:

--Take to welder. Done.

--Welder advises I need hooks for newly-installed chains. Stop at Lowe's. Get hooks. Done.

--Look for trailer lock while at Lowe's, but they don't have one. Determine to stop at Home Depot on the way back into town.

--Pull over on the side of the road because the straps are loose and the crap is about to fall off right in the middle of busy Highway 95. Adjust crap. Tighten existing strap. Add my big yellow tow strap to hold it down. Attach a few bungee cords for good measure.

--Get back on highway but driver slower. With flashers.

--Drop water tank off with George...not St. George who sold me the first trailer and put new wires and spark plugs on the RV, a different George, Laura's friend. He's promising me $50 for the water tank, so at least I'll recoup some of my investment.

--Stop at Home Depot to look for a trailer lock and discover flat.

--Text Fun Steve and tell him I won't be dropping off the solar panels and trailer at 1:15 before work due to situation.

--Start talking incoherently about $300 trailers and flats to poor Home Depot guy who's just trying to finish his break. He seems amused, so I keep going as he walks me into store to show me where trailer locks are located.

--Discover no trailer locks.

--Order tires from Discount Tire and hope they deliver. They don't, but they promise to have them ready by the time I arrive.

--Call Myles of the perpetual yard sale and tell him I need to buy that second jack I didn't buy the other day. He says he'll bring me a spare.

--Find text from Fun Steve telling me he's ready to help. Text back that I found a solution and should be on my way shortly.

--Answer call from Myles who tells me he's moving slowly.

--Text my Resort BossLady on this (my last) day, telling her I won't be in until 5.

So now...I wait.