Beaumont, Texas. Is that goat head thorn country? Assuming it is, I'd strongly suggest that you learn to fix your own flats because you're going to get more.

Most bike shops have periodic classes in basic bike repairs. If you have average mechanical ability you can probably figure out how to do it by yourself but there are a couple of detail things that a bike shop class can help you with. If you can fix your own flats you're a long way toward being self-sufficient on the road. Once you've had that back wheel off and back on a couple of times it's not much of a deal anymore.