We got up this morning and as we were descending into San Bernadino I had an additional warning light come on in the van. Well shit. I guess this means I should actually do something about it now. I drove to the Dodge dealer and they let me know that I was not their priority and they couldn’t get me in for a month. Cool thanks bro. Then I headed to Eddy’s auto repair. I explained my situation and they said to come back at 11 and let them diagnose. 

When I returned they got working right away and yep I needed my pressure sensor replaced. Come back in 4 hours when its done.

They said they would drive me to the Denny’s not too far away and I could wait there. As a server that makes me cringe but for a 24 hour Denny’s I didn’t think I would be the only one waiting around.

There was a YMCA across the street and I asked for a day pass and she said she could give me a 7 day pass and it was free. So I got a shower and headed to Denny’s. 

Reliving my hiker trash days with bumming showers and wifi from everywhere I went. 

Turns out Denny’s serves mimosas so of course that’s where I started followed by a Gluten free english muffin and a chocolate milkshake.

I finished up and took a Lyft back to the shop. They said everything was going well and offered to have me get Annabelle out for a walk.

Annabelle and I hung out in the waiting room for many hours. The Owner came in about an hour to closing and said they replaced the part but there was a clicking noise and it sounded like the part failed already. So they needed to replace it again. They offered to put me up for the night if they couldn’t get it done by closing.

I really just want to stay in my own bed with my own things. Luckily they all worked very hard and fast and I was on my way at 5pm.

Bringing a dog into Mexico you need a certificate of health from a vet within ten days of departure. Well since Annabelle was in training we zoomed to the nearest vet and begged to get us in. Our experience was awful. They took Annabelle in the back to examine even after I asked to just have the vet look at her while I was there. Annabelle came back in a panic and was super upset. We then waited an hour and a half for the vet to draft up the wrong form and ask a million questions through his assistants and never actually met me until he gave me the paperwork at the end. Jerk.

The second I started my car in the parking lot, there was a clicking noise…. Immediate tears.

I called Julia and vented and cried and she was such a trooper listening about my awful day. 

I called my dad and also just cried. Thanks for always being there Daddy. Started the car back up and no clicking… Decided to just keep on our way and not try and stay another night in this town. 

We hit the road, costco dog food and ice cream in hand. We decided to pull off at a casino and park for free. It was pretty loud with the freeway close by but a secure free place to stay is always nice. Nice encouraging texts from my Mom were a good way to end a terrible day. Thanks Mommy.  

Embarking on such adventures that I do, I would like to think I am independent and don’t need help from others. But today I was at the mercy of so many people and had fantastic support from my parents and Julia.

Finished my night with some peppermint hot chocolate in bed.

Tomorrow Mexico… Hopefully.