Well, we sure did welcome the chance to take a day of rest. Cabela’s was so huge. We didn’t buy anything; I’m pretty well set for hunting gear and I don’t fish much (yet). We still spent nearly 2 hours just looking at all the trophy game and displays of animals from around the world. We stayed and had lunch in the Cabela’s cafeteria. It was quite an experience and we had a great time. The rest of the day we just took it easy. We so appreciate the hospitality of Ron and Cindy. We slept so good and Cindy, as busy as she is, fed us well and we really enjoyed visiting with them. Thanks, you guys; you are welcome at our house any time! It got a bit dicey last night however when the TV broke in with Tornado Alerts! What!? The weather map showed these terrible looking storms coming right at us. Ron and Cindy seemed a little too calm. It happens often this time of year. The sky outside was being lit up every few seconds with huge lightning and huger thunder. I actually like a good storm, but then they started talking about hail warnings. They described them as the size of tennis balls! Cripe! Do you know what that would do to the glass on my car? The body might survive; it’s made of composite, but not the glass. I went out and covered the front glass with our car blanket, figuring that if I could save the windshield, I could at least see to drive. Then we strapped a tarp over the whole car to help if it would. We went to bed hoping that it would pass without much damage. No damage would be good… and within a half hour the heavy rain stopped and we found that the danger had passed and the warning of hail had been lifted. It had stayed a few miles south and missed us completely. Phew! The wind was still whipping around and it was still raining some. Then it occurred to me that the tarp might just wear through the paint on the car. I’ve had experience with that kind of damage and would be just sick if my perty little car got hurt. So, I went out into the wind and rain in my jammies and rolled off the tarp and pulled the blanket and put it in the back of the car. I didn’t want to deal with a sopping wet wool blanket in with our luggage. All was well and to sleep I went. This morning I went out to square away the back so we could pack up and hit the road. It’s got an automatic latch, but it would not release. I tried the fob, the switch on the dash and the button at the back. The release motor was humming and clicking, but the latch wouldn’t let the lid pop open. Well damn! I can’t load the suit cases through the front, so we are stuck. Cindy suggested a nearby Chevy dealer, so I called. They can get me in right away and they even had the part if it was needed. The car only has 10K miles on it so it’s still under warranty. I found the dealer easy enough and they did get the car right in there. Turns out the part they had was damaged and would not do. Hmmmm. Another dealer across town has one and it’s on the way, but it sounds like the fix will take several more hours. So, here I sit watching Jeopardy and recording the day’s events in the waiting area of the dealership. I’m sure it will all work out and this is the first and hopefully only glitch in the trip. There has been a slight change in plans. We have had this thing knawing at us ever since we left Flagstaff and it’s been getting stronger and stronger. It feels like we are missing much of the Southwest. The weather up north is not looking good and since we are down here already, we are thinking that we should still get to Bowling Green to see the Corvette museum and then head back down this way to see more of the sights there are. We want to go down to the desert country in New Mexico and drive past Area 51 and see the giant Sequaro cactus. We really are loving the Southwest and figure we can always do a trip to the Upper mid-west another time when the weather is more favorable. So, we’ll keep you informed as this thing unfolds.