Thursday, 1 Nov 2018
Flat tire
This is what happens when you hit a pothole – no, a potchasm – at 60ish MPH. I was merging onto I280N from the Bunker Hill entrance and was looking left to merge into traffic. As I looked forward I saw a rectangular hole in the pavement just in front of the car. No time to swerve. This was at the start of the Eugene A. Doran Memorial Bridge which is not the safest place to pull over and wait. I slowed way down and continued to the Crystal Springs rest stop on the other side of the bridge.
What’s he pointing at?
This!
That’s the rest stop where this monstrosity lives. And if you were wondering what it’s pointing at wonder no longer.
I called Berkeley Honda to say I’d not make my appointment to have some items purchased with the car installed. Ironic: I have to take the car to a dealer because this happened on the way to a dealer. After canceling my appointment I called AAA and asked for a flat bed. The car does not come with a spare and I don’t think it is supposed to be towed. I wandered around taking pictures while waiting for the flat bed to show up.
Broom?
Relic
Practice zone
Waiting for a flat bed
If last night wasn’t Halloween I’d probably not have thought the first picture looked like a witch’s broom. Cell phones have pretty much killed the pay phone. I’m surprised that the old phone mounting plate and instructions are still there. I wonder if the guy playing his green trombone to I280 traffic has found peace from complaining family and neighbors.
Off to a dealer
The flat bed driver showed up soon enough and took me to the nearest Honda place. I took it there because I don’t know if the wheel is OK. Maybe. Worst case I’ll need a new tire, front end alignment, and a replacement rim. That will be $933.47 and because the car is a new model Honda will have to order parts. I’m in a loaner Honda Civic until maybe Wednesday. With luck the wheel will be OK.
Whatver the final bill I’m going to make a claim against CalTrans. Probably a waste of time, but I’ve got to at least try.