The brakes on the Bean may be bad, but I could still see the headlights!

Just a short update... Today didn't go as planned at all. I decided the shoreline highway might be a bit hard on the Bean, as the brakes started acting funny so I headed inland. I then got an invite to come up to lake Berryessa to hang out and drink beer with nubile women (there words, not mine) and some ex-army guys, so how could I refuse! As I trekked up even curvier roads to get to the lake I noticed the Bean was shaking worse than RTD's ears when I hit the brakes, and it was getting worse. I decided that after the lake I'd go have that looked at. Well from there it went all downhill....

Once at the lake, I couldn't get in touch with the inviters, so I drove around and finally parked with the idea of swimming with RTD for a bit. I walked him all over kingdom come, and he did whatever bidness he had in him so we headed to the beach. As we walked down the road RTD was tapdancing all over the place b/c of how hot the road was, and no matter how much I pushed him into the grass, he was right back in the road. I used to do something like this when I was about six years old, but that was because traffic looked like so much fun! Some things never change. Finally we made it across the beach and RTD was on good behavior. That should have tipped me off it was about to change...

We ended up walking in fron of the girls who were tanning and dozing, and Rockstar chose now to strike. No, he didn't run up and scare them, instead he stopped no less than four feet in from of them and dropped a huge Rockstar signature load. this was about the time they woke up... Well at first we all just kinda stared, then the girls lost it. They started yelling for me to get my d**n dog out of there, and expressing their inner feelings that I am in fact a freak. I think their words were "HEY FREAK! GET YOU AND YOUR D**NED DOG AWAY FROM US!" I was somewhat unamused, and had it not been for the fact that someones pitbull mixbreed decided now would be a great time to run up and sniff RTD, I might have replied.

Well now here I am, hunkered over trying to scrape up feces one handed with a huge garbage bag, and RTD is busily trying to start the butthumper game with a dog that was much bigger than he was. Fortunately the dog was also friendly, and just tried to play before his owners got him back... Another disaster narrowly averted. After that we got a spot to swim, and I took the leash off and let RTD do his swim/drown mix dance. After a bit I threw a big rock about 50 feet out, and RTD swam out looking for it. Once there he started snapping at the water where his paws were frothing it up, and generally doing his best to drown. I started to go out to get him when he wisely turned around and came back in. I decided this was a great opportunity to leave, but the fun wasn't yet over!

As we walked out, a little mini pinscher/chihuahua looking dog named "Chocolate" came over and started sniffing at RTD again. he'd done this the 1st time by, and RTD had ignored him. Allowing his Napolean complex to get the best of him, Chocolate decided to snap at Rocky, which was just what I didn't need. The little rodent snapping at RTD alerted him to his minuscule presence, and Rocky decided to see if Chocolate was true to his name. Now as RTD was snapping back, large Mexican men were coming to the aid of their little buddy, and I had visions of myself disappearing off the face of the earth. Finally I dragged RTD away from the little Hershey's Kiss and imminent danger, and we started out towards Yosemite.

It was along the way that the back left brake started locking up. I replaced EVERYTHING in the brakes about 4 months ago, so I'm guessing it's an adjustment issue. Deciding I didn't want to turn the Bean into the Black Eyed Pea by slamming into someones rear end, I stopped in Fairfield to get it looked at. After sitting there for over an hour watching four mechanics work really hard standing around staring the each other, one finally came and told me they were too busy to get to it today. Thanks.... With that great news I loaded up and angrily headed to Sacramento where I decided I'd rent a room and sleep well. We freaks need our beauty rest, apparently... It was along the way here that I finally had something many people have asked about happen. I saw my first pair-o-boobies! A lady was so kind as to display them on their way by, with her hubby laughing hysterically in the drivers seat... At least my day improved a little! The funny thing was as I was filling the Bean up 30 miles later, the hubby pulls into the gas station at the very next pump. We chatted a bit as his wife was off getting food, and they both thought it was a hilarious thing to do... I agreed wholeheartedly. Finally I headed out, but not before following him over to where he had to pick up his wife to give my best Wolf-Whistle for her (his idea). I'm now happily in a hotel, and hope to get the bean fixed tomorrow. From here i'm heading to Vegas, and might make it tomorrow or Monday, so stay tuned!! Sorry there are no pics for today.....