Flip Flops & Tires

[Fish Nets]

Being a recent owner of a house on a little lake, with an acre of land (did I mention not only did the ex get the boat he also got the truck & I got the mortgage!) I soon realized I needed a pickup. So a couple of months ago I bought an 82 Datsun Pickup mainly for the dump, yard sales & the occasional camping trip. Since the beast was somewhat of an eye sore I didn’t want to park it in the driveway so I had a truck load of gravel spread out next to the garage for added parking.

Well, late yesterday afternoon, I decided to move the truck onto the new gravel driveway area - OH NO, I couldn't just leave it at that - - - since I hadn't started the engine in a while I decided I should probably drive the truck for a short moment before retiring it for the evening..... Heck, I don’t need my purse, after all I’m just going around the block (actually about a 5 mile run)……Hmmmmm, I wonder if I can drive a stick wearing my cute little flip flops with the white flowers! No Problem! After all, I’m just going around the block.

I back out my driveway, (avoiding the hedges). I cruise past the neighbors, waving proudly while the blue puff of smoke comes out of the tail pipe . . . . I pass several people walking in the late afternoon sun thinking - - - What, are they crazy? It's got to be 95 degress out here and they've decided to walk now?

Anyway, I roll down the windows and let the hot wind blow through my hair!!!! If I had a radio in the little beater I'd have been singing - - - - After about 3 & 1/2 miles and around the corner, I hear a rather loud thumping noise - - - hmmmmmm, must have been someone else . . . . . being an old truck the steering is rather "loose," to say the least . . . . So I come to the stop light and the thumping sound stops - - - must have been someone going the other direction . . . . .. . . DARN this thing is really steering hard! DARN that sound is getting louder - - - - CRAP I HAVE A FLAT TIRE!!!!!!!! I pull old blue off to the side of the road on Hwy 20 . . . . .

So there I am, out on Hwy 20, 90+ degrees pounding up from the asphault and gravel sidelines. Everyone from Corvallis coming home from a great day with Dear Old Dad - - - - - what do I have on me - - - - not a DARNED thing! No purse, no phone, no money and about 4 1/2 miles uphill to get home, wearing my little gray shorts, peach tank top and lets not forget about those cute little beach combers with the white flowers donning my precious little tootsies! I say to myself - - - - Thank GOD for my Ogre walking enthusiast that cracked the whip to keep me motivated - - - Not a problem I’ll just think of this as an afternoon work-out…

So, off I go, 3/4 mile on Hwy 20 . . . . How Hot is it again? Past the Chevron station and Mighty Mart . . . . . let's make this fun, I wave to everyone on North Albany Road as they drive by (thinking just like I had thought - - - what? Is she crazy taking a late afternoon power walk in those stupid white flip flops with the cute little white flowers")?
Not to worry - - - - I continue up the hill, walk over the bridge of Thornton Lake, up hill to the middle school (thank God for the shade) . . . . . You know, these flip flops aren't all that bad! By the time I hit the midway point I'm walking as fast and hard as my legs will take me - - - - - Can't feel my toes in those stupid shoes - - - - and 45 minutes later hit my driveway!

I open the back door, hot, a tad agitated and still not able to feel my toes, only to hear my darling 14 year old yelling "Mom" your cell phone has been ringing off the hook!

Thank God for old friends - - - - An old friend on his way home from work drove by and saw my stupid blue truck on the side of the road - - - - Just happened that I had the extra tire in the bed of the truck - - - - my precious old friend changed my tire and was calling to make sure I was OK!!!!!! Ya Gotta love life!!!!!

Well, old blue is happily parked next to the garage on the new gravel driveway - - - - - and I'm still trying to decide whether to keep the flip flops with the little white flowers!!! Ever had one of those days?

[OceanBlue]

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

GREAT story. Keep the flip flops. Frame 'em. Just don't wear them driving the old blue truck.

I can't believe you were able to work the clutch wearing those anyway. I have to slip mine off because the back gets stuck on the floor and inhibits the pedal. :blush:

[AuntyM]

Great story! I've had some of those days, but NEVER with flip flops on. :shocked:

[Artwo]

Fish Nets,
Welcome newbee, I read your story and it sounds like a quite the adventure, not.........

What caught my attention is where you had to walk to get home. I use to live on Thorton Lake Drive by the grade school whe I was 11-13 yeras old. I went North Albany Grade school for 5/6th grade and North Albany Jr. High for 7th grade. I loved living there as a kid, I could fish all day in the summer in the lake, what a blast.

Question for ya, do you know if there is still a public boat ramp where a guy could launch a drift boat into Thorton Lake. I would love to come down there and do some bass/crappie fishing.

Anyhow, glad things turned out ok for ya and you got your truck home in one piece.

Thanks for the memories,
JK

[24 on/ 48 off]

Did I miss something? You had a spare tire in the back- why didn't you change the tire?

--spud-- :smile:

[Thumper]

'Cause she's a GURL! And GURLs don't know how to do stuff like that. :grin:

[Fish Nets]

[img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] Thumper - you are so right about me being a GURL! Hate to admit I don't mind being a GURL at times like this Oh, by the way, there wasn't a jack in the rig!

[Fish Nets]

Artwo - Shhhhhhhhhhhh now the secret's out about the great bass and crappie fishing in my little sanctuaty :shocked: Glad I brought back some great memories of your childhood - - - By the way, the bass fishing is killer and the crappie eat out of my hand! :grin: Unfortunately, the old public launch is no longer public - private homeowners have fenced it off - the only way you'll slide that drift boat in is to know the owner Remember that big willow tree where the crappie congregate? It's right out my back door!

[Hogmaster]

I happen to know it is doable to walk 5 miles, OK, 6 miles, in flip flops. Do not ask me how I know this :smile:

Nice story, Fish Nets. A guy would have lifted the truck without the jack. :grin: :grin: :grin:

Glad you got home OK and everything worked out!

[The Fishing Geek]

Five miles in heels is a REAL pain, though.

Don't ask.

[OceanBlue]

Geek:

The image is more than I can bear!

[Hogmaster]

Geek -

You made it tougher on yourself though!

Either break off both heels, or don't break either.

You doing that high low shuffle in the red sequined outfit down Highway 99 was stopping traffic! :shocked:

:grin: :grin: :grin:

[Fish Nets]

Geek - If ya needed help with YOUR tire, you probably would have had better luck loosing the heels and calling AAA :grin:

[Dipnet]

I beg your pardon Thumper [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] , this GURL (actually semi- old Grandma!!) knows very well how to change a flat tire!!!!!!!!!! Have done it more than once!!!!!!! The flip-flops are a pain to drive in though! :shocked:

Loved your story Fish Nets! :smile:

Dipnet :grin: