Replying to Vehicles: A rant

Ok... So yesterday at 11 AM I decided to Depart SLC on a solo mission so Aspen for the Aspen Open.  I get about 180 miles under my belt, when I see my engine temperature gauge slowly go up.  I figured I'd been driving for awhile so it's sorta normal.  20 miles later i'm on the side of the road with my hood up with a little bit of steam coming from the coolant tank.  Oh well, i'll just let it chill for awhile and keep going.  I go 5 more miles, same thing happens.  I got 5 more miles and catch the last gas station for 80 miles.

Tuns out I need a new thermostat, and there aren't any locally here in Grand Junction, CO.  (This place sucks).  I had to stay in a Value Inn Motel last night (An extra $66 that I wasn't expecting).  Now I'm waiting for them to call me to let me know if I'll have to stay here tonight again.  At least I found this library with a bad internet connect to sesh in whilst I wait.  Anyway, i'm gonna miss my practice other than the 45 minutes we get before our heat... but 45 people, in 45 minutes equals 1 run a person.... not much practice. 
Oh well.  Anyone have any good travel/broken down stories?