I thought having to get three tires replaced outside of Indianapolis was going to be the only hitch to this cross country excursion, was I WRONG… As we came into New York City from New Jersey we were in the toll line for the George Washington Bridge, as we approach the toll booth we were motioned to stop and wait. The attendant was getting relieved this took about 7-8 minutes, now we are being waived to approach the toll booth, now the sign says toll $13.50 so I had the attendant a $20 and he states no $60. I learned today that the NY/NJ Port Authority does not differentiate between a 16’ Penske truck pulling a trailer and a traditional big rig hence the $60 toll. Driving into NYC I learned that driving is a full contact sport, it makes driving on the 405 in L.A. at 0800 seem like a Sunday drive in the county. Now we get to the next toll area to cross the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, that toll went from $11 to $31 because we had 4 axels; about halfway thru the toll lane I notice that it is getting narrower as you approach the toll booth, the lane is an inch narrower than the width of the first axel on the trailer. 14 million cars ( a Little exaggeration ) in the lines to cross the bridge backing, up is NOT an option. I have to use every ounce of power to drag the now wedged trailer out of the toll lane. We cross the bridge and head toward the Long Island Expressway as we approach the exit there is a sign that reads “passenger cars” only 9’10” clearance, our truck is 10’6’ so I have to make a quick lane change. Now my GPS is telling me to turn around, I am heading toward JFK not Long Island, did I mention it is now dark? We get turned around and are on another express way that my GPS is advising that will connect with the L.I.E. I now see another low clearance sign that reads” passenger cars only 9’10” clearance” starting get a little stressed and not wanting to make the news as the idiot that wedged his truck under an overpass I pull to the very narrow shoulder as 6 lanes of traffic fly by me. It only took a call to 911,311 and the desk Sergeant from the 115th precinct to get me to an exit and the correct onramp for “large” vehicles can enter the L.I.E.. About five miles down the expressway I notice small sparks from the new left front tire on the trailer, we have now blown another tire. We have to exit and have Kaj and Ashley meet us so we can take the car off the trailer. Kaj removed the tire/rim from the trailer and we drove to our family our family house in Orient.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 04:14:51 +0000
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