Road Trip To Longview

Subaru Forester

It seemed like a good idea at the time.  We’d been putting off the Subaru airbag recall for more than a year and now that we are “fully vaccinated” why not get on the road, we thought.  And since we have to go all the way back to the dreaded Bud Cleary dealership, why not have a few other things taken care of at the same time, we thought.  Like replace the sideview mirror that I whacked on the garage doorframe, and have the car serviced, too, we thought.

Nyel called.  He made the appointment and explained what we wanted done.  Yesterday was the day.  “Be there at 11,” they said.  “We’ll have you out of here by three.”  The morning dawned sunny with bright blue skies.  We packed a lunch, left at 8:30, looking forward to our first road trip beyond Astoria in well over a year.

As we headed out on highway 30, I set the cruise control for 55 and we began to enjoy the ride — for about 5 minutes.  The traffic was fairly heavy and almost instantly the cars and trucks began passing us.  “Why?” we wondered.  “Where are the cops?” we wondered.  “Have speed limits finally become suggestions only?” we asked one another.  We continued being the only car following said “suggestion.”

Somewhere around  Svenson or Knappa we saw cars parked on both of the road.  We slowed a bit — enough to see the car that had gone over the side  (WAY over the side) to our right.  Maybe one of the cars who had passed us, we thought.  We didn’t stop.  It wasn’t until we were nearing Westport that an Aide Car came barreling toward us.  “Wasn’t that accident closer to Astoria?” we wondered.

Predictably, Bud Cleary did not have our sideview mirror in stock. (Did I make clear that we hate Bud Cleary’s and only go there under duress??) “But we ordered it when we made this appointment.”  A shrug was our response.  On the other hand, we were out of there before two — in plenty of time to stop at the Safeway in Astoria to pick up  a roasted chicken (rosemary/garlic) for dinner.

Road trips, even mini-ones: totally overrated these days.  And why are there so many cars on the road anyway?  Is the pandemic over already? Oh… that’s right.  Traffic around here never did let up.  Or slow down.  Did it?

 

7 Responses to “Road Trip To Longview”

  1. Dearest Cuz’s, YES! I was so glad to see your submission today, because travelling by car is Abysmal, Abominable, Apathetic, Atrocious and just plain NASTY! Similar experiences here in Sacramento which on the other hand, has sun. Some good things about CA! Great talking with you last night! Love 4evah, KK

  2. DEBORAH WELLS says:

    Well – that means next time you go down they may have it! You will have to keep bugging them by phone and complain to the manager! DW

  3. Mary Lyons says:

    I hate BC, too! Enough to STILL be resisting getting that airbag replaced…and no, the traffic hasn’t always been as bad as it is right now. It was really quiet and calm for months…sigh.

  4. I don’t know why, but suddenly you’re appearing on my newsfeed again. So happy about that. Sorry about the delay and the incompetent dealer, but sounds like you’ve got something good for dinner.

  5. sydney says:

    So good to “see” you again, Caroline! The wonders of cyberspace!!! We’ll see if it continues…
    Sydney

  6. sydney says:

    Mary — Always good to know I’m not the only one…
    Sydney

  7. sydney says:

    Believe me, we have already complained! And, no, unless there is another recall that only the dealer can correct, we won’t be going back. Since our buying fiasco with BC (they delivered the wrong car; the bank discovered the discrepencie with the VIN number; it was a mess and perhaps some hanky-panky; the salesman lost his job…) we’ve gone to Lum’s in Warrenton for service etc. As far as the mirror goes, BC suggested we get it online and install it ourselves… service with a smile???

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