Saturday is always a day when one must get up and hustle a bit, so we can get dressed and down to the Post Office before noon. On Saturday, our Post Office closes then and if you don’t get there, you have to wait until Monday.
So after my shower, I asked Arnie if he wanted to go for a ride and the two of us hopped into the Highlander and headed downtown.
The area around the Post Office was packed. Not even one spot to park in. I drove around the corner one time and I was driving back around the Post Office, when I spotted one spot.
It was a nice spot, but it would mean I would need to parallel park, and I thought to myself, “Well, old girl, time to give it a go!”
So I pulled forward, cut in and backed into the spot. Slowly I went until I saw the car was aligned. I put the car in park, kissed Arnie’s head and hopped out. It was then I realized that I had perfectly parked the car! I mean, spot on, perfect!!!
Now the only reason I mention this, is that I have not been able to perfectly park a car since I sold our Jeep. That vehicle was really easy to parallel park, the Highlander, well, not so much!
Which is why, I felt thrilled! And you know what? I did not see one person I knew to share this with. No one. I got back into the car, looked at Arnie and I told him. Now, Arnie is a sweet and cute doggy, but he could have cared less.
I arrived home with this news and Hubby seemed nonplussed. So I came up and put it on Facebook. I think I got three likes.
Okay, I know. I am 56 years old and I should know how to parallel park and do it at the drop of a hat, but I confess, I am challenged.
So I decided to write it down here, so when I am old and gray, I can look back and see that at least one time, I was able to park perfectly!
Parallel parking brings beads of sweat to my brow and I avoid it at all costs. Our problem is clear – Falmouth had no parallel parking spots when we were growing up (remember, Main St. was pull in diagonal) and it wasn’t even on our drivers’ test! Had to learn it on my own when I was forced to do it while living in Belgium.
I put cones in the driveway and had my grandson practice parallel parking until he felt like he had a good handle on it. When he took his driving test, no parallel parking, oh well at least he knows how.
I hate to parallel park sounds like a problem for a few people
I usually manage (with my tiny Twingo) but end up “crooked” in the space.
Good work, Maribeth!