Scooter Saga

The warning signs were there.  It's not that I wasn't paying attention when Skeeter stalled unexpectedly *.  I was just so used to anticipating battery power failure, I neglected to check out the drive train life expectancy.  Turned out the drive train was guaranteed for one year.  We bought Skeeter in June of 2010—smart girl, Tam. Stalled on Kenolio Road in Maui Skeeter even stalled in Maui on a reasonable charge, good terrain, and only a slight incline.  It was kind of like having a big dog that has gone too far and refuses to move–pleading and swearing doesn't help.  Fortunately, a brief push from Earl did help and got us going again.  It was reassuring not to need a car pick up, but my adventurous confidence was declining.  The final straw came when Skeeter died on my usual 'downtown LO to home' route.  Granted, it was up hill and the streets were rough, but I was still on the street.  I know, I know...  The good news...

Oregon, like most northwestern states, has a variety of climates–alpine, coastal, rainforest, desert.  Depending on what part of the state one is in, the experiences with mother nature can vary in intensity and advanced warning. We can actually get ice, snow, thunder and lightning, flooding, high wind, earthquake, tornado, volcanic eruption, tsunami, drought, wild fires, and heat waves.  Adverse weather most often doesn't last or cause major property damage.  It can be more inconvenient than lethal. Oregonians, however, have less tolerance for weather variation.  We whine when it's too hot, humid, cold, dry, wet...*  On the other hand, Oregonians don't ever take a sunny day for granted. A beautiful Sunday dawned as Skeeter and I headed off to meet my friend at Starbucks. Since they have a big outdoor patio, and it was such a lovely, summer day, my friend and I decided to have coffee "al fresco".  By the time I scooted there, it was cooler th...

As I've said before, Skeeter affords no direct exercise.  She is, however, an effective 'enabler' in that she keeps me off the floor.  When you have ataxia, that is no small deal.  Nonetheless, I could tell that the predictable neurological progression was gradually diminishing my leg strength.  A big fear is not being able to get out of a chair.  I've learned that some loss is beyond my control and some isn't.  Fortunately, I don't have to deal with persistent chronic pain or nausea.  At the risk of sounding pollyanna–ish, they are far more debilitating than weakness and loss of balance. I am surrounded by people who, although possibly experiencing a decline in muscle mass for one reason or another, keep their bodies in motion.  They run, walk, bike, participate in sports, garden, or chase after small children.  My heart is with them—my lower body, not so much.  It's OK, really.  Sometimes, I'm content to stay home...alone.....

"Your battery checks out fine*.  There is nothing wrong with it.  It must be the brake."  I'd been hearing that since before Maui** even though I had noticed a significant power loss in places where it never happened before. But I figured the manufacturer knew best, so I ignored my nagging unease, got a new brake mechanism and scooted with caution.  The scooter store, Maui, and Central Oregon have something in common—flat terrain and no scooter challenge.  Typical of Western Oregon, Lake Oswego is nothing but hills. It was the weekend of Earl and Jason's annual three day bicycle adventure.  It was a good opportunity for me to visit with a long time girlfriend—fun for everyone.  I thought a local attraction to share with my out-of-town guest was Lake Oswego's Farmers' Market.  I could scoot downtown, meet up with her there, browse the market, eat breakfast and scoot back.  Although I was working with diminished battery power, I maintai...

Unloading Skeeter Tiller, battery, seat One of the things we like about Skeeter and the rental is the ease of both assembly and transport.  As I said in the beginning, I decided to buy a scooter with as much stability as possible in the travel scooter category.  Skeeter only weighs 74 lbs. in total, disassembles in three parts, the heaviest of which is 25 lbs. and fits in most compact cars.  Certainly, a van/SUV is nice, but not essential. My friends, Sandie, and of course Earl, can all handle it without risking injury.  Loading time varies with familiarity, but is usually about five minutes.  I've even been known to help when balance wasn't required, but it looked pretty pathetic.  Usually, I wait until it's brought around to me.  It's clearly a mobility device, but I've gotten used to biting humiliation bullets.  At this point, I just appreciate the helping hand. Stand and deliver Your chariot awaits Fits in back o...

Skeeter was losing her oomph and of course, I attributed it to heavy use and a dying battery.  A trip to Maui was approaching, so we thought it wise to get her checked out and, if necessary, buy a new battery.  Fortunately, Earl isn't threatened by my enjoyment of a battery–operated device and was willing to do whatever it took to avoid trouble in paradise. I called the store where we originally bought Skeeter Battery Hygiene? Adventure #8 , made an appointment, and Earl and I took her in.  We were much calmer than the first time (previous Battery Hygiene post) , figuring the problem could be detected, fixed or replaced and it wasn't my fault.  Turned out, the battery was fine, but Skeeter needed a new brake mechanism.  Only a week before going to Maui,  they TWO-DAY shipped the part.  We took Skeeter back two days later.  After an hour of killing time in the store and no sign of scooter or technician, I figured something was up.  The ...

As I was getting dressed for a Sunday morning scoot for coffee with friend Barbara, Earl asked casually, "How many layers of clothes do you put on when it's cold?"  I didn't have an immediate answer, mostly because it varies based on body geography and preparation order.  How do I get my Nanook of the North look?  Well, certainly pee first, allow 30 minutes, then start. Geography: Upper body, 4 layers   Sports top for warmth, comfort, and to hold my boobs off my waist.  Old ski turtleneck for warmth and comfort.  Zipper jacket for warmth and comfort, but it's a light layer and doesn't add much to my increasing bulk.  I have to leave the final layer for last, because it gets hard to bend over to put on the other layers. Geography: Lower body, 2 layers   Old running tights for warmth and comfort. Padded snow pants have to go on before... Geography: Feet, 2 layers  Socks and UGG boots on as simultaneously as possible to prevent slippin...

It's been a mild winter, but we did have some cold temperatures and a skiff of snow.  I decided to test out Skeeter's 4-wheel drive capability, not being able to pass up snow on the grass, but very little on the streets.  It sounds adventurous, but isn't.  After putting on my usual mountain of clothes, sporting my Nanook-of-the-North-look (minus the spear and standing posture) , I headed out--warm and unrecognizable, music loud, every light flashing. Skeeter actually has two sets of brakes and I can feel them engage going downhill.  The scooter slows significantly as if to say, "Whoa, girl!".  Snow and ice really brings out the turtle pace in her, but she stills stops on a dime on ice.  Four wheels, low center of gravity...my almost–all terrain vehicle just moves right along, bolstering my confidence.  It feels safer to be on a scooter than behind the wheel of a car.  As I'm scooting along, it occurs to me that I'm more likely to adversely "en...

I deal with the winter cold by putting on multiple layers of clothing, gloves, and resigning myself to the length of time it takes to get out the door, but what about the rain?  I draw the line at fog, ice, wind, and heavy rain--a semi-fair weather scooter; I’m not stupid.  I am talking about a threat of rain, a drizzle, or getting caught in a light rain on my daily scoot.  This is, after all, the northwest and if I let a threat of rain keep me home, I’d never go anywhere.  I have gotten addicted to getting out every day. The solution Earl and I settled on was the rain canopy.  If I hadn’t gotten used to looking strange a long time ago, this would have done me in.  It may cover my hazard sign and limit my vision, but you can still see my lights and the canopy itself--a mile off!  I do incur a new road hazard if the oncoming vehicle’s driver is laughing hysterically at me.  "A golf cart? no, too small; a stroller? no, too big.  It’s a la...

One month prior to Skeeter’s first plane trip.  It was important to us to be responsible travelers, early, prepared and as little bother as possible.  After googling Hawaiian Airlines’ policies, I proceeded to gather as much information as I could. My email We are taking  Hawaiian Airlines flight 39 from PDX to Kahului, Maui 10/28/2011 and have reviewed and printed out all Hawaiian Airlines regulations regarding motorized scooters. There is no assembly/disassembly of the motorized scooter required. I will scoot to the gate and leave the scooter intact to be rolled onto the plane. A standard airline wheelchair from the gate to the plane door would be helpful. I can walk to my seat with assistance from my husband. On arrival in Kahului, I will wait for my scooter at the gate ( prepared to be patient) . I thought that was helpful, direct and simple.  The seller had recommended that we remove anything breakable, not to do any disassembly, take the key, put...

Disclaimer:  You may not like this, particularly if you’re not USA American-born and raised, younger than 50, or male.  If necessary, contact a lawyer. Who’d have thought that Skeeter would help me indulge in one of my guilty pleasures.  I love all sorts of music--the more romantic, dumber and sappier, the better.  I remember a time when all we or American Bandstand cared about was whether you could dance to a song.  Now I can install Pandora radio on my IPhone, make ridiculous stations, not offend anyone, and scoot away.  Skeeter doesn’t have eyes to roll at 50s Doo-wop, early 60s bubble-gum music, Elvis Presley nor can she swoon at the Righteous Brothers or Il Divo.  It’s just me alone and no crap--my idea of heaven.  Earl’s music tastes are a bit more sophisticated. While we do share a love of most music genres  (Beatles, classical, Eagles, country/bluegrass, the 70s troubadors) , there is a line he doesn’t cross; he has some sta...