Unexpected Roadtrip

Good evening. Tonight, I write to you from the passenger seat of
a white 2003 Ford cargo van somewhere between Miles City and Baker, Montana.
It’s nearly 11 PM, which is Hour 35 of this little adventure.

When I went to work yesterday morning, I had no idea I’d be
leaving in a few hours for a fast roadtrip that would take me through some of
the most scenic land in the country. North through the Black Hills, west across
Wyoming to the Big Horns, south to the Tetons and over to Jackson Hole,
Wyoming. Then, up through Yellowstone into Idaho before West Yellowstone,
Montana. Then it was time to head home through Bozeman, Billings and
Baker.

My co-worker Brian is, like me, a traveling machine. In the 700
mile, 12-hour curvy mountain road journey to Jackson Hole last night, we stopped
only once. Since leaving our customer’s store in West Yellowstone, we’ve only
stopped once. The only sustenance we have had in the past 12 hours is a 20oz
bottle of water each. The only reason we can’t drive straight through is this
gas guzzling V10 only allows us to get about 500 miles on a tank of gas. Well,
and to switch drivers.
 
The key to a good roadtrip is always a good roadtrip buddy. Someone who happily splits
driving duties and is conversational yet doesn’t insist on talking the whole damn time.
 Brian fits all of those things. In fact, this trip has gone so good that I’ve decided to sign us
up for one of those 24-hour desert baja races. You know, the ones where the team has to race all
night long? Now, I just need to find a dune buggy…and tell Brian.
 
The GPS says we should get home at 2:15 AM. That’s a long couple
of days. But, it’s worth it. My company stepped up to meet the needs of a
customer. Sometimes things don’t always go as planned, and it’s nice to know
that your employer goes above and beyond. Even if that means sending two yahoos
to the Tetons in a van. That’s customer
service.

Also, it’s nice knowing your company stepped up and paid a little extra to get windows
in the side doors of the van so you don’t look so rapey while traveling across
the country.