My family had discussed driving to Lexington, MA to attend the 250th anniversary of the Shot Heard Around the World - a 12 hour trip. The reenactment event would start at 10 PM on the 18th of April, with Paul Revere's ride, followed by the Shot in the early morning of the 19th.

We dithered until 2:00 PM on the 18th, when we finally decided to go (it was the 250th!), threw together a travel bag, and hopped in the car for an overnight drive almost 900 miles north.

It was going well until we left a bridge. Just seconds after we hit solid ground again, we went over a bump in the road and BAM! A tire burst! Being almost 6:00 PM, within throwing distance of the "Welcome to Maryland!" sign, we couldn't find any tire repair shops open, would answer the phone, or nearby. It was getting dark, and the temperature was dropping. The only 24-hour tire repair shop we could find was over an hour away. The AAA tow truck driver didn't arrive until after 8:00PM, and he had only two seats - not enough for all four of us. Our trip was essentially hosed.

But! The driver knew a guy fifteen minutes down the road. It was one of the places who hadn't answered the phone. We got there five minutes before closing. Our tire was off and on again in barely ten minutes for only $70. My dad and I drove back to pick up my mom and brother at a gas station, and we all hit the northbound road again! We'd maybe MAYBE arrive in time.

Unfortunately, we arrived almost an hour after the time the British Regulars would open fire on the American Rebels. Fortunately, the Regulars, who walk by foot to the Green, were slow and arrived an hour late! We literally joined the onlooking crowd less than five minutes before the Shot Heard Around the World!

We watched the reenactment at the Lexington Green, then took an event bus to see a parade, cannon volley, and a flyover at Concord Bridge. It was a good morning!