My geology being minimal, all I know is it's pale, fractures into polyhedral slabs, some very thin, and takes no prisoners.
Descending, I could feel the steering getting mushy. At the bottom, in the DOT area, I skipped my usual response -- Let's make coffee! -- and just did it, like brushing my teeth.
A loyal Discount Tire (American Tire in Idaho and other places up there) customer, I've ALWAYS bought their Certificates of road-hazard-protection (RHP). But noooooootttt last time...or so I discovered.
At just under $600.00, the buying experience was a bit traumatic, apparently enough that I just THOUGHT I'd gotten the RHPs. But I've enjoyed the increased traction of the Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner ATs.
I often wonder what prompts people to kindness. In this case, my adamance around having bought the RHPs and subsequent chagrin at discovering I HADN'T (sure enough, there on the receipt next to CERTIFICATES was a zero) may have had something to do with it. Maybe our buying history, which goes back decades (ahhhh, databases!), had some influence; both the 2008 and 2015 Honda FITS have been "shod" by Discount. Still, I was surprised when they said it could be filed under the Manufacturer's Warranty.
There was some magic involved. I bought five certificates at $15.25 each to cover the three from the original purchase, one for the new tire and, I think, one for the one that died. The bill came to $82.92. The tire had to be ordered from Denver and is slated to arrive today; it seems I'm the only one still running fifteen-inch wheels.
Although we usually buy from the store near us in Albuquerque, I bought the Trailrunners in Anthem, Arizona. Regardless of location, I've been impressed by the salesmens' (they're all men) knowledge and helpfulness. This time I looked 'em up online.
Bruce Halle, founder, alleged to be the wealthiest Arizonan, died last year (2018) at the age of 87.
The description of his ethics is interesting; and though his politics don't jibe with mine, his customer-oriented attitude was the key to success...and happily, appears to be fully extant.
Thanks Justin and T.J. and, actually, to all at the North Avenue store.
