Every spring they are big issues, but up here in my my corner of the world, it seems so much worse this year. There's a stretch I travel, and I'm willing to bet in one place there are holes in the pavement for about a half mile. This isn't any back road either. It's a main drag! If you're unlucky and come face to face with one, hopefully you only end up being out a hubcab (a removable plastic or metal cover for the wheel) like the silver sedan pictured here, but today even these are becoming pretty pricey. About three years ago, our Maxima was 'attacked' by a huge hole on Route 22. I was in traffic, and it came up out of nowhere. Well, at least that's my story. The passenger front tire hit it head on. It deflated fast. I pulled over and assessed the damage. I called AAA. They came changed the tire, and I was on my way. No problem, right? I'd get air in the tire and my local garage would pop it on, balance it, and my life would be back to normal. No so fast, buddy! The garage noticed that the tire had sustained a large gash. New tire needed. Expensive. Now, if it had only have ended there. On further inspection, the mechanic informed me that the steel wheel was dented beyond salvaging. So, new tire. Expensive! New entire wheel. VERY expensive!
I called the Town Office to try to get some retribution.
It wasn't for spite.
I really thought the size of the hole was their fault.
I had heard, in some cases, the town's insurance can cover a bit of the cost.
I was hoping.
Hoping against hope.
No dice.
I paid the price... ah, on Elenka's car.
* But on the positive side, I like the colors of the two buildings here.
**btw my corn beef and cabbage meal, of last evening, was delicious!
I have a similar sad story but it was entirely my fault. I hit a curb that I didn't see, in the dark and damaged the tire and the wheel. Expensive is right.
ReplyDeleteGlad the dinner was delicious. It sounded a lot better than my salad last night.
Pot holes are the pits :)
ReplyDeletewe have horrendous pot holes on our country roads here.
ReplyDeleteNo way to escape potholes in many of our cities. The upside" Spring is on its way!!
ReplyDeletePot holes are a way of life here come spring.
ReplyDeleteI am sure we have ten times your potholes even without the weather and the snow...
ReplyDeleteThese bright building must take away some of the frustrations!
ReplyDeleteMost people here don't put the wheel covers on with their snow tires - saves a lot of problems. My car looks tough all winter like that! The city here will pay a certain percentage for damage from potholes .
ReplyDeleteYes, love those colors against the silver sedan...I don't find as many potholes up here as I do frost heaves...but I haven't travelled too many back roads for awhile. You take care on those roads now!
ReplyDelete:-) We have covered walkways caving in here in addition to huge potholes. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have many potholes here, but we do have sinkholes, which can be scary if they open up under your house.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would have noticed the missing hubcap, but I sure would have taken note of those bright buildings--probably especially welcome after all the white, white, white. . . .and gray, gray, gray. Mm?
ReplyDeleteGreat colors on those building.
ReplyDeletepotholes are horrible...we didn't have many in san diego but here we get them...i guess that's the price you pay for "seasons" ha!
ReplyDeleteis it repeated freezing and thawing which causes the potholes
ReplyDeleteI assume that the farther north you are, the bigger the problem. Your sidewalks are free of snow, though.
ReplyDeleteWe've had several reports on our local TV news about pothole causing this kind of damage to tires and wheels. I think the whole country is suffering from this malady this year.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds terrible! One more thing I should be grateful for. The roads in California were worse than I've seen where we live now. In California it was neglect and lack of funding moreso than the weather.
ReplyDeleteWow, that was some pothole. My Kia Soul has tiny tires and wheels. I hit something big it means new tire. Fortunately the tires are cheap. The wheels haven't had to be replaced yet.
ReplyDeleteTulsa will pay only if you notified the city in advance that there was a pothole. Which effectively means that they don't reimburse damages.