Wow! What a drive: Ocala, FL

Now I realize why I take the back roads and meander. Long trips, especially by plane, get my physical body relocated much before the rest of me arrives. But the good news is we are here. A small event jumped into my day that gave me pause and reflection. Early on, I was having difficulty finding a space at the Buffalo Airport long term parking lot. It was not only crowded but the few available spaces were deep in snow that had yet to be cleaned out. I seemed to be one of about a dozen cars that were circling the lot hoping to land on a space should it appear. We were acting like vultures, as our only chance appeared to consist of following a party that was returning to their car.

Finally, I noticed a space behind a snow plow vehicle that was sitting with its engine running and no operator in sight. I gauged that it was a tight squeeze to fit between the plow and the adjacent car. It also involved some deft maneuvering, as it was not a straight in shot. Feeling pressure to get to the check-in line, I decided to attempt the squeeze. I manage to get the bulk of my vehicle past the rear bumper of the snowplow truck. As I was beginning to start the jockeying part of my parking attempt, the shuttle bus driver watching me honked and got me to stop. I got out and walked over to him to size up the matter from his viewpoint. I could then see that my idea was futile because there was not enough room to complete the turn I was attempting.

I returned to my car and slowly proceeded to get myself out of the jam I was in. Because I knew that my wheels were cocked from my turn attempt, I had to steer back into a straightaway extraction. As I crawled forward, I felt the urge to halt and examine my position. As I looked around I noticed that the truck’s bumper was beginning to push against my rear passenger window. I got out, sized up the situation and extrapolated the angle it would take to halt the process of pushing my window up against a large piece of metal. There was no doubt in my mind which part would give. Altering my angle of attack, I got out of that pickle with nothing broken and only the slightest paint smudge from the bumper on my glass.
Shortly, The snowplow operator returned, apologized for the delay, moved ahead and I parked quickly with no complications. I boarded the shuttle, now crowded with intended flyers, and we headed to the parking lot exit. As we got there, the driver noticed the automatic gate was not operating and someone had driven through and broke off one side in order to affect an escape. As he sat there, gauging whether there was enough room to squeeze by, another shuttle passenger emerged, entered the bus and sat next to me. I quickly told her my short parking attempt story and questioned what is the meaning of all these tight squeezes appearing. This included the angst coming from the shuttle bus passengers who felt the need to proceed to their respective boarding gates. I informed the driver that there was enough room on my side of the bus to get by and encouraged him to make his way forward. When he eased through I offered , "Congratualtions, good job." Being grateful my PT-RV had escaped unscathed, I spent a lengthy part of the time passing through the boarding process meditating on tight scraps, and by the skin of our teeth escapes.