Parking is an interesting exercise. Depending on circumstance, I choose to park closer to my destination as opposed to the option of furthest away. Though, at times, I have chosen a spot a fair distance from my intended terminus. Weather is another factor in parking choices. Full disclosure, I have a handicap placard. Depending on how my breathing is, determines how close I park to my journey’s end.

Most times parking is a straightforward exercise.

Street Parking.

Okay, maybe not so straight forward.

Sometimes parallel parking is required.

Does anyone still have to to that in order to get a driver’s license? Surprisingly, it has been necessary to use this knack recently. No, I do not adhere to the ‘wait for the bump or listen for the tap’ method. My father insisted that we all knew how to parallel park. Not that he had much patience teaching us, though. Technique: Pull up past the front car, crank the steering wheel and back into the spot, pull forward straightening the car, back up a bit if necessary, put in park, turn off ignition and get out. Admire your wonderful parking job and give yourself a high-five. Occasionally, one gets lucky and can just pull right into a spot.

Parking Structures.

Oh, these are fun.

Often times there is a one way ramp with few options to exit on other levels. All the way to the top and then work your way back down. Holiday time is the worst. Round and round. Hey, that person seems to be walking slowly and they have shopping bags. Follow them! OOOOPS, nope, I am waved off as they are just adding the bags to their stash and heading back in for more STUFF! Rats.

Grocery Store lots.

Watch out for the stray cart here and there. Also the shoppers are not paying attention and just walk anywhere! Heads up, here they come. Carts tend to roll so make sure to take one with you to avoid it hitting your car.

Miscellaneous spots

A recent parking experience was at a restaurant parking lot. I was meeting a friend and driving my daughter’s car. I pulled into the lot and found a place next to a handicap spot. The handicap spot had those blue striped lines next to it indicating it is for a van. The extra space is so that there is enough room for a van with a ramp on the side can park and allow the wheelchair person to exit easily.

After our lunch we walked together to the lot. Wow. Someone parked their car between my car and the van in the blue stripped area! We stood there for a moment or two. How was I going to get in the car? I had to pickup my grandsons at school soon.

I could open the back of the SUV and climb over the back seats and then into the front seat (or could I?) That would be some feat if accomplished! We looked on the passenger side. No go. That car had parked equally close.

My friend said, “Fran, I’ll pull it out for you.”

I handed him the keys and watched as he wiggled his way to the driver’s door.

“This is really tight!” he said as he began to squeeze himself into the car.

“Move the seat back. That might help.”

He moved the seat back and was able to get into the car and pull it out. Success!

Thank goodness he was there to help. I don’t know what I would have done!

Upon arrival at the school, I choose a spot away from most everyone else and a straight shot out. No one in back or next to me. In fact it has trees on either side and the boys refer to it as parking in the dirt. No problems this time!

Frances Graziano Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved