Day #2: Stranded in Boondock, I mean Benson, AZ When Van Broke Down

As we feared, our van couldn't make the whole trip. We were only a couple hours into our second day. We were concerned when it happened that we were too far from anything to get help. Fortunately this little town has plenty of tow trucks and shops; they're used to receiving break-downs. When I called the towing company they first said it would take at least an hour to get someone out to us. But when I gave her a description of our vehicle, she said, "We can get someone out there in half an hour for a Chevy." I thought "I'm glad it wasn't my Toyota." But she was thinking I was in a big rig and needed a special tow truck.

We were also concerned about getting ripped off, but these folks took good care of us.

Waiting in mechanic's office

The girls with mechanic office manager

Trip to alpaca/llama farm while van being repaired. The office manager called to arrange our visit and let us take her SUV to get there!

This alpaca was a few hours old

Valentino, one month old


Everywhere we stopped along the way, no matter how small the town, all the hotels were booked, to the surprise of the locals. There was always some event preceeding us. This was the only place with a room in lil' ole' Benson. The office manager made a bunch of calls to get us this room.



The next afternoon, March 14, more than 24 hours later, we headed back out.