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damontAs noted in this post, twelve days ago I set off on a long trip. The first leg of my journey was to Pittsburgh, which was hampered by heavy rains, sometimes impeding visibility to the point where traffic almost came to a standstill. The second day of the journey was delayed repeatedly by my need for repeated bathroom breaks, but luckily whatever was causing it was gone by the next day. I also bumped a deer that day: in the right lane of the freeway, saw a deer by the light of the full moon crossing left-to-right. So I swerved left in an attempt to miss the deer, but ended up swatting its butt with the right corner of my front bumper. No damage, so I continued on my way.
The long weekend itself was low-key, which should perhaps have been a warning that the drive home would not be. I wasnted to avoid nasty weather as noted in this post, but that was not to be. Shortly after sunset last Tuesday I ran into snow, which continued for the next 300 miles and added several hours to that day's trip. In addition, not too far into the snow my right front tire ran over something large in the road -- felt like a 4x4 piece of wood. The tire sustained damage, but was driveable. The bump seems to have knocked one of the balancing weights a bit loose, too... if so, it eventually vibrated itself all the way loose and fell off. In any case the van developed a distinct front-end wobble shortly before the snow shifted over into all rain. I also noticed that the engine was starting to miss -- which, given the amount of moisture hanging in the air, was likely just water interfering with the engine's operation. (I had no problems the next day when the air was dry.) I limped into Pittsburgh about 5 in the morning.
After a few hours of sleep I hunted for a mechanic who could check out the van. He found no critical problems other than the tire. Tire was replaced and the wheel rebalanced, and voilà, no more wobble. So I left Pittsburgh and headed for Bowie for the usual Wednesday night gathering, and got there around 8. Did heraldry, chatted with folks, and came home. Talking on the phone with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sue_n_julia helped me get home safely, which happened about 2 in the morning on Thursday as noted in this post. Took the van in on Friday to straighten up the alignment after my various adventures with the right front.
Thanks to all who wished me safe travels. Next time may they be far less interesting as well.
The long weekend itself was low-key, which should perhaps have been a warning that the drive home would not be. I wasnted to avoid nasty weather as noted in this post, but that was not to be. Shortly after sunset last Tuesday I ran into snow, which continued for the next 300 miles and added several hours to that day's trip. In addition, not too far into the snow my right front tire ran over something large in the road -- felt like a 4x4 piece of wood. The tire sustained damage, but was driveable. The bump seems to have knocked one of the balancing weights a bit loose, too... if so, it eventually vibrated itself all the way loose and fell off. In any case the van developed a distinct front-end wobble shortly before the snow shifted over into all rain. I also noticed that the engine was starting to miss -- which, given the amount of moisture hanging in the air, was likely just water interfering with the engine's operation. (I had no problems the next day when the air was dry.) I limped into Pittsburgh about 5 in the morning.
After a few hours of sleep I hunted for a mechanic who could check out the van. He found no critical problems other than the tire. Tire was replaced and the wheel rebalanced, and voilà, no more wobble. So I left Pittsburgh and headed for Bowie for the usual Wednesday night gathering, and got there around 8. Did heraldry, chatted with folks, and came home. Talking on the phone with
sue_n_julia helped me get home safely, which happened about 2 in the morning on Thursday as noted in this post. Took the van in on Friday to straighten up the alignment after my various adventures with the right front.Thanks to all who wished me safe travels. Next time may they be far less interesting as well.
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Date: 2006-01-23 07:04 pm (UTC)AMEN!!
(hopes she is heard by the Powers That Be)
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Date: 2006-01-23 07:15 pm (UTC)Perhaps further travels may be permitted to be interesting — as long as they don't raise adrenaline levels?
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Date: 2006-01-23 07:59 pm (UTC)Glad yer safe home now! *hugshugs*