Fry Bread

Another one of those days where the best laid plans refuse to follow the script. Made a leisurely exit from Turquoise Trails and watched as the landscape became more arid and red rocks and mesas were the dominant roadside features.

For several miles, I’d seen crude homemade signs touting fry bread coming my way. Never having tried it, I took the advertised exit and parked up at a souvenir/art/fry bread emporium.

Dominick seemed pleased to have some business as the ongoing construction out front was blocking his storefront. I got my hot fry bread with a green chili topping that set my taste buds ablaze. Fry bread’s awesome. A big fluffy buñuelo type of thing. Hot and doughy.

Not long after, I was getting the RV set up in a quiet location on Bluewater Lake. Filled out my honor system ticket and tossed a few bucks in the envelope. It had started to rain in earnest by this time. The rain seemed to calm the lake, so I decided to attempt a wet weather paddle.

The wind increased as I pushed hard towards the dam. Suddenly, uncomfortably close flashes of lightening began to light up the dark skies. To top it off, it began to hail as I tucked my tail between my legs and turned with the wind and raced back to camp.

That’s where the real fun began. I unlocked the door with the keys but it still wouldn’t open. The latch was not moving out of the striker and I was fully locked out. Got the ladder off the rack and squeezed my oversized ass through the bedroom window.

Inside, but the problem is not solved. Door still won’t open. Climbing out the van doors is the only option. An RV parts guy in Gallup says he has the latch set, so I drive like mad through the thunderstorm for 45 miles. He closed at 4:30 but waited around until 5:00 when I got there. Only to find that the latch he had was for a trailer not a motor home. Not a match. All for naught.

Since I was there, I grabbed some supplies at Albertsons then retraced my steps and got set back up. Took the latch apart from the inside and discovered that the alloy piece that moves the latch out of the striker was broken leaving the bolt firmly in place. Was able to pull it back with needle nose pliers and I can open the door again. That’s the only way I can put the Paddleboard back inside to travel so a bit of stress off my plate.