Looking at this Lonely Tree

makes me happy.

 We are doing a construction project in the rear of our house and I had to move my vehicles temporarily to the street.    This included my V-strom and my Corvette.   I thought we lived in a safe area but evidently not so as my Corvette was recently vandalized  (read here).   During this time I have not had access to my carport nor my garage.   It has been over 5+ months so far and during this time my car has been parked beside this tree

 Ever since my car was damaged I decided not to park my bike on the street anymore and since it is a big inconvenience having to drag it out on my narrow sidewalk and through a narrow gate I just gave up and decided not to use it to commute to work, so I just rode on the weekends and drove my car to work.  

As for my car it got to be an obsession checking it every morning and evening to make sure it was “safe” and that nothing had happened to it.  I feared that the vandals would come back.   Also, all the time I have had this car it had always been parked under cover.  During the 5+ months it has been on the street, it has had to endure endless rain storms, and the baking heat of summer.  I was looking forward to the day that I could reclaim its secured parking spot.

Our Project is nearly 2 months behind and my insurance was expiring but I was assured that the ditch would be filled in so that I could return my car to its hibernation spot.  Last week I was double checking their progress; the ditch was filled, dirt was spread and finally a load of sand was delivered.  I was worried about the “soft” sand, then we experienced torrential rains . . .

“D” day, the day of reckoning came last Saturday, this was the last day of insurance and it was also pouring rain.   I drove my Corvette to breakfast for the last time this year, topped up the gas tank (to prevent condensation) and filled with fuel stabilizer.  I was worried about the “soft” sand so I had to do a walk test

The sand feels solid enough near the lane

But you notice that it is very soft in spots with the pooling water and I was afraid of my wheels sinking into the sand.   Luckily there is construction materials for me to "borrow"

 I grabbed a couple of sheets of plywood to make as a sand bridge, and was just testing for sturdiness, and it appeared safe enough.   If it can hold my weight, then it should be okay for my car.   The time had come for me to open the gate

I don't have far to reach my concrete pad

It appears narrower than it is.  I have lost half of my driveway but when finished it should be 12 ft wide

 I am approaching the "soft" spot and I manage to get over the mud patch

Whew, I made it !    My car will sit here a day before I move it into the garage.  I want it to dry off first.  It is never good to leave the convertible top "Fastened" when being stored as it compresses the rubber seals.  Some people just unfastened the header, but being made of cloth, I like to put it down for the Winter as it doesn't shrink like the vinyl tops do

Now to close the temporary construction gate

and put the "borrowed" plywood back into the pile

I am happy indeed.    The car is nearly back to where it belongs

and I take a moment to ponder.    Stage One is done.    Stage Two,  I  move my bikes around.