Do they come in Buffalo Plaid?

[kragore]

Don't even really remember leaving, I was just in a hurry to get gone. I do know that Mr. McWoofyPants gets all excited when he sees the sleeping bag come out now. That's ok. I want him to look forward to traveling.
Packed up, started driving north. Got into the site at about 9:30, unpacked, situated dog, and socialzed until we decided to go hit the beach at about 11:30.
It was a beautiful night. Stiff cold wind, but Mr Dog discovered that he loves beaches. The surf, the moon, a blurry over-excited dog - it was awesome.

Woke up the next morning to go meet the folks for breakfast (they happened to be in the area.) Get in the Dragon, pull out of the site, and notice a little indicator light goes on on my dashboard. One I'd never seen before.
I drive carefully up the Maine Diner and fish for my user's manual. I have a "Low Tire Pressure! indicator light. Neat. It looks nothing like a tire or pressure. Anyway.
I mention this to my dad when I get in the diner, so afterwards we both go look at the tires together. I'd known that they were going to be in need of replacement before winter, (getting a little bald,) but they weren't slicks yet. He hrrms and humms his way around the car until he gets to the passenger side front. There he happens to notice a 3" gash in the "sole" of the tire - such to the point where he can see the belts peeking through. I'm told that I really ought to get it replaced, soon, and we part ways. 15 minutes later, I get a call from my mother saying that Dad's thought about it, and really, it needs replacing before I drive back to MA.
Fabulous.
I (slowly) drive back to the site and mention this to Kestralmwe. We go down to the front desk of the site so he can settle accounts, and so I can find a yellow pages. I start calling around.

The Dragon, a 2007 Honda CR-V, takes a "225/65R17 102T".
Apparently, this is one of the most Difficult Sizes to find in New Bloody England. After calling 3 different places, I wound up talking to a guy at Town Fair Tire. "Oh sure," he says, "We've got 4k tires in stock, I'm sure we have your size." I ask him to make sure.
He runs a search of their inventory. Of the 4k tires they have in stock, EIGHT would fit the Dragon.
8.
I tell him I'll be right there, and Kestralmwe (bless his heart) follows me up to Biddeford so I can drop off the Dragon. We toodle around for a while generally exploring the greater Biddeford area (they have a Super Walmart!) and go pick up the Dragon.

Most. Expensive. Vacation. Souvenirs. Ever.
I liked Kestral's idea of giving everyone sharpies and have them decorate the tire walls with pictures of pine trees and mooses. Now that I give it further thought, we could have done this, as they make the white/colored sharpies now.

End of the story is that I'm safer now, the parents are relieved, etc. It actually kind of a blessing, for while I know I spirited Kestal away from the rest of ya'll for some time, it was so much easier and more fun than if I'd been stuck on the side of 495 in a blinding blizzard with a flat. So thank you all!

There was a nice long walk to Ogunquit (long story,) a sea bug and cow massacre, lots of booze and a good (?) game of Scruples. Then bed, with a fuzzy, happy exhausted dog sleeping on top of me.

Sunday I got up, did a Dunkin's run, cleaned up the cabin, and hung out with people until we departed. Went down and hit the bath/candy store, and did one more walk on the beach before loading up.

From there I went and hit the Kittery Trading Post. Wasn't looking for anything in particular, but I got Mr Dog a squeeky raccoon, (yes, laugh hard. I did,) a blaze orange reflective collar (for greater night-walking visability,) a dog safety vest for the same reason, (which wound up being too small,) and a couple of shirts. I wanted to wander around more, but after the tires, I was feeling poor, and Mr. Dog was waiting for me in the car, so we came directly home and did laundry.

It felt good to finally spend so quality time getting my ass associated with my couch.

Thaks to all for a great weekend!
- K.

Comments

[motomuffin.livejournal.com]

We have a reflective leash too, if you'd like it. It's BRIGHT. We're... ah... not using it anymore.

[embermwe.livejournal.com]

Kestrel can be remarkably and reassuring company on those little
"emergency" errands. He may not be the best with a tool, but he is a
great stabilizing force, a wonderful charm against panic, and a
brilliant schmoozer. :)

[kragore.livejournal.com]

Honestly, there's no one else I'd prefer to have with me in such a situation, save for my father.

[embermwe.livejournal.com]

WE also had car difficulties whilst there.
Our battery died out on our errand to get a ball so we could go
play ball on the beach with Carmello. It was tiresome, but we were
rescued with a jump-start by kindly locals from the hardware store,
which was warm and fuzzy.

[kragore.livejournal.com]

Yea - I heard, briefly. Seems it was the weekend of annoying but not catastrophic car foo.
- K.