First, a history lesson. In 2008 the church i was in had a youth group mission trip to a reservation in South Dakota. When we were all set to leave and fly back to Ohio, our flight was delayed, and delayed till it was cancelled at midnight, thus stranding us in Rapid City overnight.

This summer,  LimpingGnome took her car out to California for work, and I being the good boyfriend I am, decided to fly out and drive back with her. We had great plans, drive throufh Yellowstone, see Mt. Rushmore, go to the Mall of America, and make it back to the Upper Peninsua of Michigan. All in three days.

Day one, Monday, went great, we loaded up the Taurus and drove 14 hours to a campground just outside of Yellowstone. The next day, we loaded up and readied ourselves for the nine and a half hours through Yellowstone to Mt. Rushmore, but fate had other plans. Somewhere, in the midst of fields, the car decided to destroy it's own transmission and strand us on the side of the road. Fortunately, we had cell service, and got a helpful tow to the nearest transmission repair shop.....in Rapid City.

Every time I get near this city, I end up stuck there. Coincidence? Maybe.