Tuolumne Meadows Appreciation

during the arab oil embargo, there were long lines at any gas station, the one next to C4 was no exception. what was different was that they weren't letting you pump your own gas, which was a change-up for me since we cheap guys only patronized self-serve stations.

so when i came out of the loo, there were empty pumps ahead of me, and a huge line behind. i hustled over to jump behind the wheel, intending to park out of the way and go in to pay up.

my sequence was screwed up what with the intervention of a pump jockey, as i only got my wits about me enough to check my side mirror just as the pump nozzle broke off. it had long since shut off at full so no big mess.

boy was the boss man hot! he knew just what the replacement cost would be and he was out to extract that from me right there on the spot. in the same breath he accused me of attempting a drive off, which i apparently failed at.

well that got my back up and i argued that the attendant's performance was lacking, that i provided the revenue to buy insurance with, not him, and what the hell else was insurance for if not accidents. i gave him enough for the gas only and then proceeded to, as he indicated, drive off!

so my nerves had pretty much settled by the time i approached the tioga gate, and out steps ferdinand into the middle of the road. i was promptly swarmed by LEO and grilled pretty hard.

i was more than happy to tell my story and things got progressively more relaxed as ferdinand, and then the others saw things my way. they even sympathized and i got the idea that
the station boss was going to hear from them about his selective reportage.

i was sent on my way with genuine politeness

What a difference in the way the park service treats people now. It is a national disgrace!