Search
What a Gas!
What with the price of gas hovering around the $3 a gallon mark, I guess for the past few days I was subconsciously trying to save money and just not buy anymore gas for the rest of my life.
I found out yesterday that that doesn't work. I was having a great morning, sun shining brightly, out early running errands around the city and town of Plattsburgh, when I ran out of gas. I had just made a trip to Banker Orchards, one of my favorite spots this time of year. I bought some made-this-morning doughnuts and a cold bottle of root beer and picked up a sack of Paula Reds as well.
I headed for my next stop in the city. As I turned onto the Tom Miller Road my car started chugging. I didn't have to think twice about the problem. I'd been listening to that darn bell go off for two days, warning me that my gas tank was low. I had been looking at a yellow warning light near my gas gauge for two days, warning me that my gas tank was low.
But I guess I had too many things on my mind. Or, I was subconsciously trying to avoid spending $30 for a tank of gas. As my car coasted to a stop near Patriot Drive I knew that it was time to buy some gas.
So much for my great day! Knowing that this was entirely my fault and knowing that my wallet contained a AAA Plus card, I remained calm. I strolled to the nearest house, only about 30 seconds away. I rang the doorbell. A man a few years my senior came to the door.
"Hi, I'm Foxy Gagnon and my car ran out of gas in front of your house," I smiled.
"Oh, come in, Foxy. I know you," he laughed. "I watch all your tv shows." Well, that counts for something! At least he didn't suspect that I was the Tom Miller Road Strangler. The man was friendly and handed me a portable phone while pointing me to a chair.
I called AAA Northway. Within minutes I was promised that gas would "arrive within thirty minutes." Hey, not bad. It was exactly 11am. I still would be able to get to my lunch date at noon. I chatted further with the gentleman, and he was a very nice guy. I figured that in a day or two I could mail him a thank you card for his hospitality. So, I asked his name.
He said, "John Munson."
I yelled, "Munson? Like Danny Munson?"
"That's my son," he admitted.
Not only is John Munson a hospitable guy to guys who run out of gas, but he's one of the founders of North Bowl Lanes. And I know most of his family. His son Dan is a friend of mine, even if he is a die-hard Yankees fan. John and I had a few laughs, and John explained the history of North Bowl Lanes to me.
I was glad. It helped pass the time. After all, I had a whole half-hour to kill. But I didn't want to miss my gas delivery, so I figured I better head out to my car and wait patiently for my free $5 worth of gas, and get on my way to my lunchtime date.
I'm sure many of you, for one reason or another, have been in a similar situation, where there you are, at the side of the road waiting, while other cars go hurrying by. It occurred to me that at this point I was at the mercy of the rest of the world. I couldn't abandon my car. I just had to wait for my gas.
And wait I did! I noticed that my emotions went from optimistic: first ten minutes -- the gas is on the way -- to bored -- next ten minutes -- what else can I do to pass the time? -- to angry -- next ten minutes -- I'm going to be late for my date! It was a total feeling of helplessness.
I found myself checking my watch every two minutes, even though it seemed I'd waited at least ten since the last glance. The thirty-minute wait seemed like forever. I kept looking as far down the Tom Miller Road as I could to see if something resembling a tow truck was on the way.
I noticed that there were more cigarette butts than anything else on the ground along the road. About one every step. Do that many people throw their cigarette out the window?
There was a squashed can of Hunt's tomato sauce. How did that get there? And a beautiful orange and black butterfly hung around, entertaining me for a few minutes.
At 11:30am a red truck drove by and then I saw the brake lights come on. The driver backed up. It was my longtime friend Dick Crawford, the "Bee Man," who had been buzzing down the road. After letting me cry on his shoulder he offered me assistance. I jumped in the truck with Dick and his work assistant Jon and we headed for the nearest gas station, which was about a minute away by truck.
When we returned to my car with $2.50 worth of gas in a can, there was my AAA rescuer, Mark of A & L Auto. It was now 11:35am. Dick poured in my free $5 of gas while Mark filled out all the AAA paperwork and I signed papers. I felt relieved. And it was nice to all of sudden have so many people coming to my aid.
Within minutes I was on my way, ready once again to enjoy the wonderful day. Oh, yah, right after my lunch -- I arrived at 12:02pm, just as she was exiting her workplace -- I filled my tank with gas.
And the next time that darn warning bell goes off about my gas tank, I'm heading straight to the nearest gas station. No waiting by the roadside for me. Because next time it could be at night. I would hate to have to go up to somebody's house at midnight. They might think I'm the Tom Miller Road Strangler.
Comments
Dick Crawford asked me to ask you if you have a full tank today?
(Foxy's note: Yes, Celeste - I filled the tank this morning before I headed out on my errands. When I get less than half a tank, I make sure I fill 'er back up!)
Posted by: Celeste Roy | September 6, 2007 12:24 PM
Fortunately, we own a Smart Car by Mercedes and it only holds about eight gallons. However, that lasts a month!
We bought our 2007 Passion ForTwo last December in Guadalajara but the 2008 model will be available in the USA in the Spring. They're hot!
Posted by: Bob Glenn | September 1, 2007 4:42 PM
If you had the Harley it wouldn't cost as much to fill up, you would get better mileage and probably not run out of gas (but knowing you, you would wait until the last minute anyway); all you need are the sidebags to stuff all your purchased items from the apple orchard. OK now let's hear another excuse!
Posted by: June | August 26, 2007 4:57 PM
I think Skip has a point, but I think they would bring you a AAA battery, not an extension cord.
(can I get any worse?????)
(Foxy's note: An example of Jim Carr at his finest!)
Posted by: jim carr | August 25, 2007 6:45 PM
Great story Fox man, a classic. I can see you and Mr. Munson chatting away while you wait for gas. About 5 minutes before I read your blog today I got gas down here, I feel good that it's only $2.31 a gallon. I thought you had a cell phone? You gave me the number.
(Foxy's note: Yah, I don't carry my cellphone unless I'm headed out on a videotaping job. Guess I had better change that plan. Nice to hear from Benway all the way from Texas!)
Posted by: Bryan Benway | August 24, 2007 1:22 PM
I wouldn't go to beautiful, sunny Florida just to watch TV!
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | August 24, 2007 8:38 AM
Foxy, get yourself a cell phone. Granted this time you wouldn't have met Mr. Munson, but the next time you might not be lucky enough to have a house that close to your breakdown.
As far as Miney being an "avid" bowling fan, I sure hope he doesn't think we are gonna sit in front of the TV watching duckpin or any other indoor sport when he is down here next week!
Posted by: Woody | August 23, 2007 8:26 AM
John, Foxy, If you had that electric car and You ran out of electricity would AAA have a policy to bring out a long extension cord to power you up again?
(Foxy's note: Another good point, Skip!)
Posted by: skip zatonski | August 23, 2007 7:43 AM
When I was a kid I bowled on the Nash Recreation bowling team. We bowled against both the North Bowl and the Skyway teams - there may have been a Base team too but my memory is foggy. I wish I could remember who was on those teams. Richie (young Buggs) Duquette and someone else who I can't remember bowled with me for Nash. I spent a fair amount of time as a kid @ North Bowl as I loved the sport. I think I'm one of the few who actually gets excited about bowling on TV, judging from the reactions of others around the remote. I picked up a couple of moves from watching Dick Weber - and some guy @ North Bowl came over & congratulated me when I picked up a 7-10 split by using a cross lane delivery - thanks Dick. And thanks old Leo Nash for your Recreation Parlor. Is Skyway Lanes still there?
(Foxy's note: Miney, the old Plattsburgh Lanes near Skyway Plaza and the air base closed years ago. The building is now called Lake City Stars Arena and ice hockey is played there.)
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | August 23, 2007 6:55 AM
And everyone poo-pooed the electric car!
(Foxy's note: Very good point, John!)
Posted by: john | August 22, 2007 11:30 PM
Tom Miller road at 11:30 AM has got to be better than RT 87 in Elizabethtown at 3:00 AM, coming back from concert at SPAC. Teenage son NOW KNOWS what the funny little light in the shape of a gas pump on the dash means. Dad knows what RT 87 looks like in the dark, early, morning hours (after finding an open gas station to fill up a 5 gal can).
Have to say that looked like you had fully recovered when I saw you on Prospect at Cornelia at 2:15.
(Foxy's note: Good story, MTB. -- no way would I want to run out on the desolate Northway at 3am!! I'd probably just sleep till morning and beg for help. You're a good Dad to come to his rescue.)
Posted by: MTB | August 22, 2007 8:21 PM
Maybe you should look into buying a cell phone instead of a paper shredder. Next time this happens, you might be on a lonely road (all by yourself). Contrary to popular belief cell phones improve your driving skills, you are always alert for police cars because you are talking on your phone while you are driving.
(Foxy's note: Good point, Jim. But if I'd had a cell phone I never would have met Mr. Munson!)
Posted by: Jim Carr | August 22, 2007 12:54 PM
chrips foxy you were only a couple hundred yards from home...why not walk home and pick up your gas can from that mega mower you've got!! Lord knows it's got to be full...you've haven't used it much!...
if you weren't spending so much on candles, incense and big screen tv's..you wouldn't worry about the price of gas!
(Foxy's comment: I'd like to find out who this carver is so that I can get some revenge!)
Posted by: the carver | August 22, 2007 12:50 PM