I hadn’t owned a vehicle with a trailer until about a year ago. Seeing how Mr. Peabody and Leroy are too big to put in the back of my Jeep, I went out on Craig’s list, bought myself a nice, used, Kingston 2 horse trailer, and am going about my business of using it. I will admit I use the trailer more often than I did, but pulling a 3000 pound trailer with 1000 pound animals inside, is not something I look forward to.
Last Friday, I planned to go visit Tracy from Upstate Equine Medical Center to talk about an exciting special project (more to come on that), and decided to take Mr. Peabody on a field trip ( after a long debate as to whether it would be easier to un-hook and re-hook the trailer, or simply drag it behind me on this trip).
I left a little early, so I could stop at my friend Amanda’s barn, help her feed her horses, and follow her to the vet. As I pulled out of my driveway I heard that beep beep beep that I never wanted to hear while pulling a trailer; YOU NEED GAS,YOU NEED GAS,YOU NEED GAS. I pushed the button on my “control panel” and was told I could go 30 more miles before my jeep would be coughing and gagging on the side of the road. Quickly calculating 4 miles to Amanda’s, 8 more to the vet’s office, 12 miles home; I am golden. Halfway to Amanda’s, it dawned on me, that the 30 miles did not take into consideration, pulling 4000 pounds behind me.
I drive into Amanda’s place, and immediately ask her how exactly how far away the vet is, because I have a gas situation, and she very casually tells me she needs to go to Stewart’s anyway, so I can get gas there.
I have been to 3 places with my trailer; Amanda’s (easy turnaround), George Peters, (special “handicapped” parking spot, just for me) and my house (I don’t actually park in my own driveway, but in the 4 acre field, across the street). None of this involves backing, driving between other cars, or pulling up to a gas tank.
I followed Amanda’s vapor trail as she sped off and wound my way into the Stewart’s parking lot. The Horse God’s were with me and there was a gas pump open, on the proper side of jeep (no backing!). I told Mr. Peabody, see it was no big deal, not sure why YOU were so worried. He just looked at me, rolled his eyes, and put his head back in the door, to chomp his hay.
Amanda came flying out with her jumbo moccha chino latte (with caffeine, you can be sure) and a vanilla ice cream cone. I gave her a nice nod told her thanks and what a nice thing for her to get me a prize . She gave me that look that only Amanda can give. “It’s not for you. It’s for P!”
Mr. Peabody & Amanda
Amanda is golden. See, that’s what I would have done – gone into the gas station store to buy a treat for Mr. P. While I am sure, Mark, that you felt great relief at having made it to the gas station without mishap, it is most certainly wrong for women to reward men for having escaped embarassment by barely making it to the gas station when the needle is on “E” in the first place. Amanda 1, Mark 0 on that one!
Now my Faithful reader PamKoo. You couldn’t have this more wrong. I am one of the few men who will stop and ask for directions, usually fill my car at about 1/4 full, and ALWAYS puts, not only the seat, but the lid down! The lovely Amanda, on the other hand, and I have driven 50-60 miles on the way to get a horse, with the gas light on, and being she has a diesel truck you just can’t stop anywhere. I always bring some snacks on these horse adventures, so if the truck ever does hit empty, I am prepared for a loooong wait! I will be forgiving of the conclusion you jumped too, because you are my favorite fan!
Point, counterpoint, indeed! OK, so we have some demonstrated traits here that are complimentary, to say the least. You, Mark, are the thoughtful, plan ahead type (my apologies for thinking you are a Marlboro man in training!)whilst Amanda is the live on the edge, it’s just over the next hill type. Is it safe to say you’re the Felix and Oscar of the Hudson Valley horse world? I mean, you pack snacks for a road trip – I’d be tempted to call you out on that, probably, thinking that was MY job…ha! (Could that be referred to as Gender Trespassing?) Nice to know there are still gentlemen left in the world – you are going by the way of the dodo, you know.
Thanks for the morning smile!
Love it!
Love it!!