Snow! Just outside of Butte

We were going to stop in Billings for some Internet time at a cafe.

But at a rest stop between Columbus and Billings, we decided to power through to Sheridan, WY. Critical to this decision was a call to Peter D’s RV Park in Sheridan. There was no answer, only a “message machine,” as Ami put it. Peter said on his message, “We have Wi-Fi that works.”

Peter D, those five words won our business over the Sheridan KOA any day.

Also at the rest stop between Columbus and Billings were some very interesting signs. One said that rattlesnakes had “been observed,” and warned rest stoppers like us to stay on the path. Because rattlesnakes, apparently, hate paths. The other said not to drink the water because of nitrites in it. IN ALL CAPS AND BOLDFACE ,THE NOTICE WARNED NOT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA OUT OF THE WATER. This possibility was further precluded by the fact that said nitrite-laden water was turned off. More boldface: “Medicinal hand gel is available.” I found it in the soap dispenser. Ami didn’t.

Back at the rig, as I’ve grown fond of calling it, we each ate a cheese sandwich. Loaded with mayo and mustard because the whole wheat Great Value bread we bought in Cataldo, WA is nearly inedible. Any saliva you might have in your mouth is instantly absorbed. They could clean oil spills with slices of Great Value. During the ride, our fridge had popped open and one of the cabinets had ejected several items.

But the most amazing and unlikely thing that happened at the rest stop between Coumbus and Billings was the Diet Pepsi Incident.After Ami made our mustardy, mayo-y sandwiches, I grabbed a couple of Diet Pepsis for the road. Back at the front end of the rig, Frances had awakened and was beginning to cry. I stashed my Diet Pepsi on the dash, and opened her door to get her out of her car seat. The can rolled off the dash onto the floor of the car. Somewhere in that fall, it punctured.

Soda. Soda everywhere.

I’m grateful I was wearing my glasses, because they were soon covered in Diet Pepsi. As was my hair, my face, and Ami’s sweater–which I was wearing. I backed up, as you would, too, if you were attacked by Diet Pepsi, but the soda followed me, continuing to soak my head and torso.

Despite the setbacks, we made it past Billings and on to Wyoming. Wyoming! Our fourth state of the journey. We rolled into Peter D’s RV Park around 9 p.m. The water, due to the weather, had been shut off at 8. Freezing in the Wyoming night, we began our nighttime setup. Which is, though still a ridiculous chore, becoming easier.

I promised you information about marriage equality in the states we have visited, and I have not forgotten that promise. I won’t just say, “There isn’t any,” and leave it at that. But it’s late here in Wyoming, a whole time zone (nearly two!) from our origin. So I will leave that for morning, when I wake up to sample Peter D’s Wi-Fi that works once again.

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