When a theme park ride breaks down and it can't be immediately fixed they turn up the work lights and guests are asked to walk out. It's something I secretly hope for each time I visit the parks. I learn plenty each time it happens as I get a peek behind the scenes. Yesterday after supper I decided to go for a quick trip up a logging trail on the local mountain. My kids and crew liken riding in my Jeep to riding the Indiana Jones Ride at Disneyland and I get the same kick each time I explore the bumpy roads. The plan was to go one hour in and one hour out this trip. It was a good plan, except for the fact I forgot to throw the spare tire in the back. I had a wonderful and bumpy ride up into the bush, complete with my favourite sound track played at low volume. The scenery was spectacular! Just before the clock hit one hour I turned around and headed back down. Shortly after I heard a hissing from the front tire. I instantly remembered what I had forgot. I drove to a widening of the road and the ride came to an unscheduled stop.

It was time to walk off the ride. You can bet I learned lots in the process. I had plenty of time to think about things as I walked down the mountain, 21 kilometres and about 2000 feet of elevation by the metrics on my iPhone. My good friend Chris met me at the bottom, we zoomed home to pick up the spare and then back up the mountain in his Jeep. We changed the tire and I was home just after midnight. The sturdy off road tires are scheduled to go on the Jeep this coming Tuesday. That means I will have four spares for the future.