Park rangers are among my favorite humans, and they are among the few people from whom I take orders. If they tell me to avoid a trail, I avoid it. If they tell me to watch out for rattlesnakes, I keep my eyes and ears peeled. If they tell me a particular trail leads to a spectacular view, you'd better believe I'll be right there with my camera at the time of day they tell me has the best light. They are concerned with my safety as well as my enjoyment, and I've heard too many of their horror stories about arrogant hikers and campers ending up injured or, in one case, dead. I listen to every word park rangers say and adjust my plans -- and behaviors -- accordingly.
Except this one time.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Small Things
Early last week, someone stole the catalytic converter off of my truck, which was parked in the office lot.
For those of you who don't know, the catalytic converter is the part of a vehicle's exhaust system that converts polluting gases into less harmful emissions. It sits between the engine and the muffler. And it also, apparently, contains platinum -- the magnet drawing thieves to cut them from vehicles that sit a little higher off the ground and are easy to get under with a Sawzall or similar cutting tool. You know, like an SUV.
Catalytic converters are also expensive to replace. While a thief might get somewhere around $100 per part on the black market, those of us who have to buy the parts legitimately pay around $500-$600 for them. Not to mention installation, which doubles the cost -- or more, depending on how the part is attached to the vehicle (bolted on or welded).
Expense -- and inconvenience -- aside, I also suffer from embarrassment every time my truck roars to life in the morning on my way to work or in the grocery parking lot. The noise and vibration are maddening on trips longer than a few miles and make listening to NPR (or, for that matter, music of any kind) virtually impossible.
But I'm whining. And that's not the point.
For those of you who don't know, the catalytic converter is the part of a vehicle's exhaust system that converts polluting gases into less harmful emissions. It sits between the engine and the muffler. And it also, apparently, contains platinum -- the magnet drawing thieves to cut them from vehicles that sit a little higher off the ground and are easy to get under with a Sawzall or similar cutting tool. You know, like an SUV.
Catalytic converters are also expensive to replace. While a thief might get somewhere around $100 per part on the black market, those of us who have to buy the parts legitimately pay around $500-$600 for them. Not to mention installation, which doubles the cost -- or more, depending on how the part is attached to the vehicle (bolted on or welded).
Expense -- and inconvenience -- aside, I also suffer from embarrassment every time my truck roars to life in the morning on my way to work or in the grocery parking lot. The noise and vibration are maddening on trips longer than a few miles and make listening to NPR (or, for that matter, music of any kind) virtually impossible.
But I'm whining. And that's not the point.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)