They told me there would be days like this, but you’re never quite ready. Things began okay, although I was a bit heavy eyed from being awakened by neighbors in the campground. I was awake at 5:30 and could no longer sleep, so I decided to go out and have a look at the sunrise. A real beauty.

Since I was already out and moving, I headed off into the desert to hike the Beardsley Trail. Early morning is the only time to be caught wandering around in the desert.

I didn’t want to arrive too early at the Colorado River so I took my time organizing my meager belongings. On the road about 10:30 blissfully unaware of my velocity. The Arizona trooper I went by was aware though and after tailgating me for a half mile or so, he finally hit me with blue lights. 49 in a 35. He was cool through and sent me off with a written warning. Maricopa County has me on their watch list now.

Long, straight, boring, bumpy asphalt through the most barren desert. Lots of closed businesses, abandoned trailers and yards with a dozen rusting automobiles decorated the landscape. Six miles before reaching the I-10 interchange just outside of a dusty little backwater named Brenda AZ, the tire blew. A loud explosion, sounds of breaking undercarriage and a little swerve in the curve. Treads we’re flying across the blacktop as I limped onto the shoulder.

It was an inner dualie on the passenger side. It tore a hole in the bottom of the RV and the tire was split at the seams. I couldn’t get the lug nuts to break. I called AAA and they tried to get someone to come help. Please, just loosen the nuts, I can change it. For some reason outside of California, the auto club won’t change an inner tire. ??? It’s just a tire. They offered to tow the rig somewhere. I called a truck repair in Quartzsite and Sergio came out and got me back on track. Not without a little difficulty. I didn’t feel so bad not being able to bust things loose myself.

A couple of hours and a couple hundred dollars lost but back on the road. Feeling exhausted and a little apprehensive about the other three older tires. I haphazardly stuffed everything back in the basement and continued on to the campsite on the river.

Jumped in the water and sat on the bank for a long time recouperating and watching boats go by. Not sure about paddling this. Current feels pretty strong. We’ll get a new perspective tomorrow.