Lessons from the Garage

We're new to the living in a house-thing, which means lots of changes. Things like:

• Homeowners repair things.
• Homeowners have lawn duty.
• Homeowners don't smell their neighbors' cooking through the vents.
• Homeowners can paint the walls.
• Homeowners have garages.

Ok, so really some of these things aren't totally new experiences. When we lived in England, we had a semi-detached house that involved all of the above except a garage.

I've never parked in a house garage before, at least not with any regularity. It's much more complicated than I expected it to be and I've had a few issues.

So has Kelly.

Issue #1: Backing the truck in
We are thrilled to finally have covered parking for Old Glory, Kelly's 1965 Ford F-100. She's a little ungainly and maneuvers much more easily if she backs into parking spaces. Kelly backed her in soon after we moved, then pulled forward, then backed in again, trying to get closer to the wall. Suddenly, he pulled the truck out again and hopped out spluttering about how tight the fit was and how difficult it was to make delicate turns with Old Glory.

Then he walked over to our new lawnmower and started repairing the tire that he'd popped off when he ran over the mower, muttering all the while.

Solution - Park the truck on the other side of the garage!

Issue #2: Knowing when to stop
I don't have the best spacial perception. How wide is the car? How long? I don't know. I do, however, know that if you don't pull all the way into the garage, the door will hit the trunk when it closes. And if you pull all the way into the garage, you will hit the back wall with your bumper.

Don't ask me how I know. Just trust me that this is true.

Solution - Install motion sensors so the door won't close if the car isn't fully in and identify a stopping point for pulling in!

Issue #3: Backing the car out
Back up, too close to the fence. Pull forward, nearly hit the truck. Back up, still too close to the fence. Pull forward, adjusting somewhat. Back up...give up and exit the alley going the opposite (yet easier to turn) direction.

Solution - lessons in backing out from Kelly (somewhat funny considering Issue #1). However, helpful all the same. I've not had to do a 3 (ummm....5) point turn to get out the driveway in nearly a week!