We Had Issues

Road Trip!

Jeremy had been wanting to take another Southern Utah trip because our hunt for roadrunners and other birds was so successful when we went back in 2022. There was a particular place he wanted to go this time that we'd never been before. So we made sure to schedule it in on one of the only Saturdays we hoped we'd have available. I told you things have been soooooo busy the last few months.

So on Saturday, September 20, we got the kids up early and headed out.

We had to drive down a long gravel road to get to our destination, which was nice as it was fun to see cactus and Joshua trees and even lillies around. We only saw a few birds, however. We did see a roadrunner.

We saw some lizards, which are always fun. 

When we got to our destination to get out, it unfortunately wasn't as good as it could be for birding. I won't go into details but several of us were having issues. None of us were trying to be difficult, we were just having a difficult time.

So we went back to the van, drove the long gravel road back to the main road and headed into St. George to a park we enjoyed going to last time we were there. We stopped at restrooms because it had been a long morning.

The original plan was after lunch and bathroom break we would drive over to a different part of the park to leave the van while we walked around looking for specific birds. Most of us ate lunch. I was still having issues so I didn't eat but cried a lot.

My sweet husband was so nice to me, though, and so patient with me while I was having problems. Have I mentioned how much I love him and how awesome he is?

Anyway, to make a long story short (too late), we all got buckled in the van and Jeremy tried to turn it on and it wouldn't start. In St. George. 4-5 hours away from home.

The van had issues. 

Now it's time to talk about recognizing blessings and answers to prayers. We knew of another birder from Utah County Birders who was planning on being in the area that day. We were able to contact him and he came over and jump started our battery. Our hero. While we waited, Jet got to play on the playground that he really wanted to play on so it was easier getting him back in the van when we got it jumped. We also had plenty of food and water if it was going to be a long wait, which it wasn't.

We drove over to Autozone where they checked to see that it was a bad battery and told us it's possible the battery was still under warranty. We bought some tools for changing the battery and a portable jumper just in case the next time was not in the middle of the city where our birding friend could get to us (because he happened to be in the area that day). It was a good thing it was not at the end of that looooong gravel road that the van decided to die (blessing).

We drove to Costco and found out that indeed our battery was still under warranty so we were able to get a brand new battery (with a new warranty) for a lot less money than it would have if it was not under warranty. I helped Jeremy change the battery in the parking lot and we made it home safely.

As bad as it was for this to happen, we also recognize the timing as a blessing because we got a brand new battery before Jeremy left on a couple more big trips. I didn't have to worry about the van dying while he was gone.

And the drive home was beautiful with a nice lightning storm and beautiful sunset colors. 

So even though we had issues that day (including the van), there were still lots of blessings we were able to recognize.

It was appropriate that September 20 was National Punch Day because I feel like we got a punch with the things that happened.