Later: Lost and hunting the bookstore in Missoula after dark, turn around by pulling into an empty parking lot past a "Do Not Enter" sign. Next thing I know, blue lights in the rear view. Jump out of car, saying, "I am so lost." Cop gets out, saying, "Get back in the car, please." Back in the car, Rosie's in full-bore, roaring, liver-eating hellhound mode. Cop's lips move. I shout, "Pardon me?" Cop sighs and waves me out of car after all. Points out "Do Not Enter" sign. "Oh no," I say. Cop also points out burned out tail light. "Oh no," I wail, "worse and worse!" Cop sighs again, tells me to fix tail light, drives off. At the reading, tiny but enthusiastic turnout of one plus bookstore owner. Then an interview at local TV station. Ask weatherman what weather is like up in the Rockies tonight. Weatherman reports snow accumulation -- just go slow, he says. Leaving town, dutifully stop at Wal-Mart to replace tail light bulb. Drive overnight toward Seattle. Follow weatherman's instructions, cross Rockies very slowly through snow and slush. Vette's engine delivers no discernible heat whatsoever. Keep adding layers: two undershirts, two sweaters, fleece vest, jacket, long johns, jeans, hat, gloves, two socks, insulated boots. Slush splatting against undercarriage makes Rosie nervous. She leans against me so hard I can't move that arm; pants so hard windshield fogs up. "Whatever you're afraid of," I grumble, "you're making it that much more likely to happen."