While we were driving in Silverton yesterday we were rear-ended. Now we're trying to figure out how this will affect our future travel plans (we're supposed to be in Denver on Tuesday). Our hitch wasn't damaged, but the tailgate, bumper, and left rear quarter panel all need replacing. If we can get it fixed in Denver and it doesn't take too long...that's an option...we'll just leave and head straight to Denver this morning instead of taking the other route we were considering). Towing all the way home is I suppose the next option (after we get our crushed left taillight housing issue solved and the bumper duct taped on or something). What a total bummer, and a crappy end to a really awesome morning offroading. (Shoulda stayed offroad!) :)
While we were all dealing with the insurance and police report and such, and the sheriff was taking photos, she pulled a gun and holster out of the other guy's car and said she was going to hold onto it until we were finished. He said to her "Give me back my gun" and she said she would give it back to him just as soon as we were all done here. Eventually, after a little arguing, she said he could put it in his son's car (the son was following in another vehicle). The guy then (with his hands in his pockets) said he had a loaded gun in his pocket. The sheriff then instructed him to remove his hands from his pockets. I think this guy was just being an A-hole because the sheriff was a woman. He seemed friendly and fine to us...but she sure didn't like him. (She told us later that she is a way better shot than he is so he shouldn't have been messin' with her.) Oh, Colorado.
Someone working at the scene of the accident (who asked not to be identfied) said that if we really wanted someone who could give a quick look at our vehicle before we towed with it, we should drive over to Molas Lake Campground, go to the wooden shack, and find a guy named Outback (who happened to be a very good mechanic). She said he'd be easy to find because he's got a long gray scraggly beard and his arms are all tatted up. I said "I took a portrait of that guy the other day! His name's John, right?" Yep, that's the guy. Oh, Colorado.
