Parallel Parking

[NAM VET]

Good morning. We are down at our beach cottage, on a private island, just south of Charleston. I have had my truck down here since I drove it the 240 miles or so down from Charlotte on the back roads a month ago. It is really handy to have a "pick-up" at the beach. Our kids and grand kids are here, and we just throw all the beach stuff in the back, and it keeps all the sand and salt out of our cars. Plus, the teens love to ride in the back to and from the beach, or to the small tourist shopping area at the entrance to the island. The speed limit is max 25 mph thru the winding tree lined roads. I drive around the tourist shops and restaurants in m truck, just for fun. Lots of looks and men asking about my truck. I do not put the gun on, no need for scaring the visitors. I will drive it in the July 4th parade around the island in a few weeks. I probably won't put the gun on then either. Will ask the parade team about that.

My truck fires right up, just one or two crank revolutions, and it starts immediately, and has a steady idle. The other day, I was able to pull into a parallel spot right in front of tables full of folks sitting in front of a wine tasting restaurant. The space was on the end, so just pulled in, as there is no way I could actually really do a back up into a space on the side of the lane. Then yesterday, at the marina, which was packed with people at the Salty Dog, there was one space, and I just pulled forward, and perfectly backed into a space. I have learned to back up my truck pretty well, but often have to make a few forward and backward adjustments to get its done right.

While I was at the marina, asked if I could get some non-ethanol "marine gas" and they were happy to pump me full, saves a 40 mile trip to get the right gas for my truck. One of my grandsons is out with us, from KC, is into fishing, and caught a fun 4 foot shark the other day, so yesterday bought my own surf rig, and will cast from the shore today.

After the Forth, will drive back to our home near Charlotte, on the very rural back roads as before. By the way, I run an electric fuel pump, and tap my wiper vacuum off the rear of my intake manifold, and my wipers work fine in the rain.

So summer is all well here, life and truck and family all good. By the way, just found my PSA remains "undetectable" with my high grade CA, off shots for 16 months now. Hope all is well with my forum buddies.

NAM VET, aka Hal Copple,

[m-37Bruce]

Parking with the M can be a chore, glad you got it down pat!

[just me]

Must be a different mind set back there. Nobody even notices the .30's .50's or M1's and M1A's (M14) on most military vehicles. Real or replica.
We even have a few vehicles out here driving with recoiless rifles in M-37s and an M151 with twin .30's on a ring.

[murano3]

I dread pulling into a parking lot to see they have no space for a turning circle - just getting my truck out of the garage and to turn it around is a mammoth feat of strength and an 8 point turn

[k8icu]

Doc, you should know that you are supposed to have a ground guide when you are backing up a MV. Glad you are enjoying your ride!

[Kaegi]

dont know if this helps but M37s steer much easier than PWs and WCs. ;/)