Monday, the saw arrived about 6:00 PM. It is still in the box.
I needed to clean-up where I intend to unpack and assemble it. That was delayed. Photo is from Saturday. Sunday I can do the unpacking.
Wednesday evening is the game (Pétanque) night. There was a nearly full moon and a sunset over the Columbia River. Many lenticular (lens like) clouds became infused with orange and yellow colors.
From the house to the County Road is 2 miles of gravel. I left at 10:30 and got to White Trail road (also named Rd 5 NW). Shortly after getting on the pavement, my front left tire hit something that poked a hole in the sidewall. I heard the sound but nothing seem out-of-place – for about 3 minutes. Then the tire pressure light came on with 17 pounds, about half the normal. It continued to drop.
The road is narrow blacktop with small and crumbling edges. I continued to drive on less and less tire pressure. It stabilized at 5 pounds. Essentially empty. The major concern was whether or not I would ruin the tire. At 3.5 miles a came to the entrance of a housing development near a golf course. The photo below is from Street View of Google Earth. The spot has a wide hard surface, lights, and well off the road.
I used text message to tell folks I would not be notifying them when I got home. I decline the initial offer for assistance because I expected I’d be back on the road in 15 minutes. That didn’t happen.
The kit in the F150 (2019 year) has a hook as shown below – except new, it is straight. I managed to get enough lift to remove the damaged tire but this piece twisted about 90 degrees, and appeared about to break.
That is when I acknowledged the need for assistance. I needed more lift to get the spare on than I did to get the blown tire off. My Pétanque partner, Phil, is a car guy and came with various tools, including a mechanic’s type floor jack. Another couple – not at the gathering that night but on the message list – also came. I didn’t have to do anything from that point on, so got my tire and gear stowed away, and watched. A short discussion about such things and “thank yous” and I was soon on my way. It was 11:30 and I had 60 miles to get home.
Last December I had Les Schwab install new tires, the topic of the Dec 15th post.
Thursday morning they fixed the tire at no cost. Meanwhile, I went to Amazon and ordered an appropriate floor jack – arriving next Thur or Friday.
On a dark and lonely highway – ended well.
Friday I took some things over to the vineyard and had cheese fondue, wine, and other supper things. I got home about 10:30.
It is summer, so hot and breezy in the area.
Keeping Track
on the Naneum Fan
John