Scooter Saga

Earl and I made a list and there were a few things needed at our local New Seasons market.  It was close, making it a good destination for my daily scoot.  I could help, so I took one bag that would fit in my basket, one that I could put between my feet and headed off, Earl taking the bigger shopping and more distant destinations. I take my customary route, the market doors open automatically (yes! ADA) , scoot in, prepared for today’s lesson (by now, I know it’s coming)  My first observation was a young mother, two boys and one of the toy car/carts that require as much room as a small car, with less turning radius.  Now, there’s a challenge!  The most I can handle is one of the shopping baskets that fits between my feet.  I brought 2 grocery bags from home, but forgot the see-through plastic bags for fruits and vegetables. New Seasons had some stationed throughout the department, within easy reach and I used them with a guilty conscience (it’s Oregon). ...

I’ve become a sidewalk groupie, scouting out routes to my most common haunts.  I go nowhere now without a full scooter and cell phone charge, scooter charger with me, emergency information, cell phone numbers of potential rescuers, blah, blah, blah.  I’m on the lookout for routes with sidewalks, handicapped ramps up to sidewalks, and crossing signals I can reach.  You’d be amazed how many crossing signals are designed for standing people or worse yet, a signal at waist level, but out of a reasonable reach.  Don’t even get me started on how many sidewalks just dead end without warning.  A “back up” mode on a scooter is helpful. I actually encountered a crossing signal that stumped me.  I’m used to WAIT and WALK , the Stop hand and the Walking figure , and the chirping sound .  I try to obey all signals, but couldn’t figure out a Small Amber Light and a Small Amber Blinking Light (no sound) .  After sitting there for two light cycles, I decided...

By now, I had thrown the worst hills at the scooter--Knaus Road, Timberline, Boca Raton, Touchstone.  I was confidant that, with a full battery charge, there was nothing she couldn’t handle.  Besides, I always got a warning that power was waning.  I had learned my lesson. When Jason invited us over to his house in Mt. Park to spend time with Zoe (6) and Lexi (3), I decided to scoot, Earl was driving.  I had been there and back before without difficulty.  So, to avoid the traffic over Mt. Park, I decided to take the path that goes up through the middle.  Heidi, Jason, and I often took the route from our home and played at the small playground along side of the path when they were little, so it was somewhat familiar territory.  How different could the bottom part be from the top part?  Answer-- very different .  I got up about two-thirds of the way on a rough and steep path, but surprisingly, I had all 5 green, 2 amber, and 2 reds dots, indic...

Down Timberline So, we bought Skeeter the first of June with a bigger battery.  I ventured out, tackled the worst hills, scooted down to Lake Oswego and back, met some people--I had it nailed.  One morning, I decided to scooter down to LO, shop, go to the bank, library and scoot home.  Now, I always make sure Skeeter charges overnight and is ready in the morning.  This morning, I was certain I had plugged the scooter in the previous day and that the only reason it was unplugged was that Earl had helpfully disconnected it before leaving for work.  To make a long story shorter, I was heading home on the last hill when I realized I was out of battery power.  “Suck it up, Tam.  Call a neighbor and admit you need help.”  I called my neighbor Shauna and had her standby for emergency pickup, but I was pretty certain I could putt home eventually.  I discovered the scooter recovers a bit on flatter terrain and that gives you about 10 more feet. ...