What happened here? How would you have reacted? Did I overreact? My aunt/travel companion got into (longish)?

An argument w/ a woman in the bathroom of a rest station. Auntie was already mad @ a vendor @ the farmer's market. She'd rambled on a bit about the "fat b&*^%$d" who wouldn't exchange the peaches and was now on a tirade about the "b***h" in the bathroom."

So I said, "Stop. It's done. Over. The lady is back there still in the bldg. Let's forget it." She not only ctnd, but then started on me! "Don't talk to me like I'm some kid (I wasn’t)! I'll get out and catch the bus home!"

I stopped the car, unlocked the door & said, “OK.” She looked at me like I’d lost my mind, which cracked me up. Guess I called her bluff. She’d told me several times during the trip out & back how she doesn’t take “no kinda mess from nobody,” a trait I respect & even admire when it’s maturely done.

She’s pulled this sort of thing before…the arguing. It’s just petty. She’s 64. Isn’t that too old for this? She was so upset she cried & refused to speak the rest of the way home.

You are never too old to be petty about things yu are use to being that way over. It is a trait for her and she will never change. But what you did was the right thing to do, regardless of whether or not she spoke on the way home or not. I bet she thinks twice about treating you like that again.

Uuumm, yeah!

Older people cling to the way they were brought up and to the behaviors that they have had their whole lives. It is difficult for someone who is young to change bad habits, and even more so for someone who is more set in their ways.
Remember that she is your aunt, your elder (at least in years), and is also a person who is worthy of respect. You might have had good intentions in telling her to stop her tirade, but you didn't really deal with it in a kind and loving way.
Petty or not, her behavior is HER behavior and should not affect YOUR behavior. Apologize for being unkind to her and provide an example of kind and generous treatment of others.

I don't think you overreacted. I wouldn't want to take anymore trips with your Aunt.

It sounds like you don't take much attitude off of anyone either. And you know how to show it in a strait forward and firm yet not unkind way. Personally I think you handled the situation well. Hats off to you.