We Can't Get There From Here

I delivered my pipe in Fort Worth last Monday morning and then loaded three ATVs going east just a few miles away in Dallas. I was on my way to pick-up my youngest son Jared in Arkansas when the sidewall of one of my rear tires gave out.

I had a very aggressive plan to grab him and then get down to my first stop in LA by Monday evening. It is only about 550 miles of driving but much of it was two-lane thru AR and LA where I had to get Jared. The flat made that impossible.

I replaced the non-repairable tire I had with a used one. My current tires have about 40% tread and I really didn't want to put a brand new one in the mix. A used one should work until I'm ready to change all six again. In fact, this used one may have a bit more tread left and might become my spare when I do change tires. Plus, it cost $35 mounted and balanced, way cheaper than the $150 a new one costs.

I spent the night at Jared's house and then out the door very early Tuesday to go the 120 miles to stop #1. From there we rode straight across I-20, thru Atlanta and made our second delivery outside Athens, GA just as it got dark. Then it was more two-lane as we went south 'thru-the-woods' to our final drop.

It was a very excellent day with Jared. We had good conversation and just a nice time. He has ridden with me before although not for a long time. He spent one summer with me travelling around the country in a 'Big Truck' about 12 years ago when he was 8.

We made our final delivery first thing Wednesday morning and then drove the last 50 miles to my parents house to spend a few days. I planned to find something to load on Friday that would get us to the sun coast of FL outside St. Petersburg. But it never happened. At least not how I planned.

Thursday we all went to Tybee Beach, about 15 miles from Savannah. I had been searching the load boards in vain trying to go south when I finally booked a trip going 500 miles north to Richmond, VA. From there I found a 2010 Porsche 911 Cabriolet going to St. Petersburg.

I left Jared at Grandmas, picked up a road grader 10 miles up the street and ran north up the I-95 corridor. I actually made my delivery Friday night and was able to continue to Arlington Porsche where respect is nothing but a sign on the wall. What a bunch of stereo-typical 'car salesman.'

I called my Point of Contact three times Friday afternoon to let them know I would be there first thing Saturday. Call #1 - no answer, left a voice mail. Call #2 = no answer, just hung up. Call #3 I asked for anybody and got salesman "T" who blew me off shortly after realizing I was picking up a car (rather than looking to buy one) by suggesting I call back in the morning because he "was with a client." Why did you answer the phone then stupid?

When I showed up at the dealership, my car was still sitting inside the showroom and the guys were in a meeting. After about a half hour wait, they finally got the car out and into my possession. No respect. Oh, and my POCs response when I said I left him a message yesterday telling him I was coming in first thing? He glances at his phone and says, "Oh, my light is blinking."

I was sitting a few feet away while their sales meeting was going on. Their topic today was "Getting Back to Basics." It was all I could do to keep from laughing out loud. How about "Practice What You Preach" or "Return Your Phone Calls" or "Show Some Courtesy". If the owner wants to improve business he could start by cleaning house because this GMs got nothing but lip-service.

But I got my high-dollar car loaded up and made it back to Grandmas by late last night. Today we will head down to Paradise. I'm looking forward to the beach!

And by-the-way, my tarp covered motorcycle is doing AWESOME! I rained again most of last night all the way through South Carolina. My bike is sitting high and dry! I love it!