Stranded

On Saturday, I was going to eat lunch at my favorite neighborhood restaurant, but passed it as it looked very busy, so I rode the twenty miles to my favorite ride-for-lunch destination.  That is Everybody's Restaurant in Baldwin.  

Rocket got me there easily.  I even got off on Chaffee Road because I didn't want to push it down I-10 all the way.  I had a nice lunch, even better than usual with a pork chop, pinto beans, cabbage and fried okra.  Washed it down with a very large iced tea.

When I got back on to head home it started right up.  Then I turned onto US-90 and it stumbled a little.  I knew the feeling because it has done that a couple of times before.  So then, as speed increased it stumbled more and more, often coming to a complete stop before refiring.  That continued for a few miles, then stopped.  So I thought I was fine all the way home.  But I wasn't.  I stayed on US-90, Beaver Street in Jacksonville, to Edgewood Avenue.  Edgewood splits into Edgewood and Cassat Avenue and I turned onto Edgewood and came to a red traffic light.  As I slowed, Rocket back fired several times and stopped running.  Then it wouldn't start.

So I was left with a dilemma.  I could call a friend with a truck and take an hour to get home.  Or I could push it home and take the same hour.  If it didn't kill me, it would make me stronger.  So off I started pushing the dead machine home.  Luckily it rolls easily.  A few blocks in, a nice man with a pick-up truck saw me, circled back and offered to help.  But he had no ramps or straps and it wouldn't work.  I hoped he had a rope and could pull me home but he didn't have that either.  After looking at Rocket, I couldn't see where we could attach tow ropes anyway, so it was for the best.  His plan was for the two of us to lift Rocket up to the truck bed, then lay it down for the ride home.  Never would that work.

I stopped several times to see if Rocket would start.  I got nothing.  Once the bendix stuck on something and wouldn't turn.  That was scary as it could have meant a stuck engine, but it was temporary.

My neighbor was passing and stopped to help about halfway home.  But I was making good time and continued.

The last mile was easier as it was through the neighborhood.  I stayed on the sidewalks and stopped every couple of blocks to rest.

I was thrilled to get home.  

                                                      Home, Sweet Home

After intermittently sleeping while watching the Masters for a couple of hours, I ventured to the garage, put the key in Rocket and it started right up.  Bastard!

I have always said that these things have a personality.  I can best compare it to my Mother-In_Law's dog.  When she goes off and leaves the dog in the spare bedroom, the dog gets mad and poops all over the room.  I think Rocket feels the same about the other scooters and is showing its displeasure by acting up.