sunset picture - the hard way

[Kali]

Ah, what a beautiful day it was today, in the low 70's - shorts and flop flop weather. Which is what I was stupidly wearing when I decided around 3:30 to go check fence and count animals on the asshole neighbors' place.

Just had the clutch replaced, big heavy floor jack, wrench, full tank of gas - even though we don't have a running rescue vehicle at the moment (and really haven't since mid-October) I figured it would be ok. Yeah, right. So I'm tooling down a side of the side, side road watching the new dog bounding through the grass, heading towards some cows to look at when PSSSShhhhhh oh shit! ran over a sharp rock and popped my front driver's side tire (usually I get the right ass tire, so this was different - ha)

grrr, but not that big of deal - god knows I've changed plenty of tires in my time - the main irritation is the spare doesn't fit on the front and I will have to put it on one of the back spots and then put the back tire on for the flat one. I loosen the nuts and get the spare out to sit on, put the handle in the jack and notice it turns - probably whoever used it last left it in the open/down position so I start trying to tighten it. Get it all the way clockwise and take a couple pumps to make sure that is right. Doesn't go up. Hmmm do you turn it the other way? Turn turn turn turn turn. Pump pump pump. WTF?! it STILL doesn't go up. Fiddle with it some more - nothing. Turn it over and it looks like all of the hydraulic fluid leaked out of the cylinder. damn. No other jacks in the cab. Going to get dark soon, and too far to walk - plus still will have to come back for truck. Just got help from the good neighbor a little over a week ago and this is way back in the middle of nowhere - can't impose again so soon (plus freaking embarrassed).

Know what I did? I have towing/roadside insurance so I called a tow truck. 10 miles from town and another 7 or so way back in here along a powerline right-of-way, after dark. The guy actually made it before my phone battery died (it took him three calls and a couple missed turns)

Anyway, to keep busy and moving since it was getting cold, I cleaned the cab and sorted tools, bagged up a bunch of trash and then took a few pictures.


Back tire ready to be removed.





Flat front tire.





POS, HEAVY, always-in-my-way and now useless, jack.




Dogs.




oh, yeah - the sunset. It was pretty nice.

[Suich]

1. Your posts always crack me up, Kali!

You certainly lead an interesting life!

:hi:

[Kali]

2. interesting is a good word

:crazy:

of course I use that word when tasting some gross "new recipe" that one friend who can't cook foists on me :P

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Kali!

Oh my god, what a great story!

I'm so sorry!

It's a wonderful sunset pic, though...too bad you had to get it the hard way...

Thanks for sharing!

[Kali]

4. thanks Peggy!

and thanks for providing a set up for me!:P

[bluesbassman]

5. Well, I guess it's better than tryin' to make 14 dollars the hard way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dgxzItaQzw


:rofl: Great story and pics!

[Kali]

14. I wish it was making $14

another used tire is gonna cost me $30 or 40. I really ruined that one (not that is was much of a tire, but it was holding air! grrrr

[bluedigger]

6. Nice dogs!

:*

But seriously, this: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/pts/2089255524.html

[Kali]

8. the tow guy said we could get the ours rebuilt, but he didn't know where

I have another truck sitting at their shop - will ask the owner when we square up for the bills.

[MiddleFingerMom]

7. Is that Dumbass?

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You caught him in an unguarded goggiedemonfromhell moment. :rofl:
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And ONE of those shoes is supposed to "flip"... I keep telling you that you're gonna
hurt yourself unless you take the time to put on a NON-matching set.
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And then all YOUR hydraulic fluid'll leak out and you won't be...
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...worth jack.
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:evilgrin:
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[Kali]

9. yeah the big footed demon-eyed one is Dumbass

the cute normal looking dog is Lupe.

I hate shoes.

[kayakjohnny]

10. Your stories are so cool.

I'm definitely looking you up next time I'm through there. I've just got to meet you.

I think I'll know my way around pretty good when I get there, cause of all the descriptions in your stories.

I'll be looking for the 'little red fucker' and the 'asshole neighbors' and the 'old bridge'.

The 'power line road', 'some rocks', 'a cow', 'a chicken', 'a horse'.

I'll know I'm on the right road when I see the 'javalina' or the 'guajilla'.

Or at least some broken down vehicles.

You sure have a robust lifestyle.

My hat's off to you!

Cheers.

:hi:

[Kali]

12. robust, interesting

funny the descriptions, heh heh

that reminds me of a family member who griped about the names of the pastures - the rock pasture, the brush pasture, the big pasture:rofl:

we got involved with the NRCS back when they were still the Soil Conservation Service, and they made a nice topo map with all the roads and fences snf oyhrt improvements, but they just gave the pastures NUMBERS? how the hell am I supposed to know what is PA 4 or PA 7????

[Crystal Clarity]

11. Well, I wouldn't wish that ordeal on anyone

but if someone has to go through it, I'm glad it was you and not me! :P

On the upside, at least the dogs probably had fun! :evilgrin:

[Kali]

13. "ordeal" is when I actually have to walk

Lupe had a blast. Dumbass - well he just lives up to his name, he doesn't really do anything but drool and bark.