MasterM00SE
Son of Mel
The inevitable of all drivers is that, at some point or another, there will be a run in with the law. For the Nightmoose, that experience came just a little premature. Practically inspection-worthy, I couldn't help but itch for a test drive. Having installed the new radiator, alternator pully & belts, modifying the shifting lever, and finalizing the wiring for the starter circuit, it was time to hit the road. Though darkness had set, and I had no rear marker lights, I had brake lights an low/highbeams and that should be enough, right? On the other side of the argument, the chances of any police activity in my area is limited to about NEVER, disregarding the fact that today was Sunday and there was absolutely no reason to have a policeman in the area- this equation added to the wonderful fact that there would be a trooper tooling around the neighborhood during my test drive.
We leave the private roads for the township roads, everything is running smoothly. Winding our way towards the state road (no biggie, this is the typical 10min, 1 mile track we usually test drive on) and about 50 ft from the stop sign to make the second turn of the course a distinguished crown vic is staring at me with its headlights. With the experienced warrior at my side, the suggestion was made to keep cool and keep driving. the adrenaline rushed, a legal turn was made, no problem. the shifting got a little sloppy with nervousness, but we continued, reaching a maximum speed of 55mph, where it was running a little unusual (undeterminably). Instructed to shift into overdrive, just for the experience, we rapidly approached the third turn of our loop. Kicking it into neutral, applying the brakes, and slowing down, the engine died. not good!!!! no power steering pump and I was unable to make the turn. Drifting into the valley of the "staight road" we were on, and trying to move to the shoulder, a quick attempt to refule proved futile as it appeared that there was a fuel leak. Crawling on the cold ground (20 degree air temp) in nothing but a sleaveless undershirt looking for the leak, it was discovered that the tank was full and we were over-flowing it. ok, check the shrader, AIR! How did it get there? Still wouldn't start. Knowing that there was a police officer in the area made the situation even more critical, a phone call was made to send another of the fleet to tow the NightMoose back. Miraculoulsy, for no reason, the Nightmoose starts. great! Dad's driving, I hop in, we start moving, there's the policeman, 150 ft. behind us at the turn I was supposed to make. We pull up to the intersection, he follows. Now on the unintended part of our route, we are immediatley pulled over. Dad has NO WALLET, I only have a permit, and neither of us are wearing seatbealts (just hopped in), in an unregistered vehicle that has no rear marker lights, no plates, and no insurance. We explain to the puzzled officer
(obviously not what he was expecting-NO PLATES??) that we had just built the truck and were out on test drive (including all the details of the test drive). Having no proof of ownership with us (all back at the house) and giving him my permit, we invite the officcer to follow us home where we could clear, at least some of his fears up. Calling off the tow vehicle, we made the short journey back to our residence and invited the officer inside. Proving that I owned the truck, he explained that he couldn't really site us for the minor things (dangling lights, etc) unless he touched on the big stuff (no registration, insurance, etc.). He said that the whole time he was following us home he thought of how it was when he was my age doing stuff like this with his dad and that he was just going to FORGET THE WHOLE THING! With that he stated that he wasn't going to waste anymore of our time and that he would be leaving (as he handed me my permit back
). He told us that our neighbor hood had things going on that he was "more against" than our traffic violation, and expressed that if it hadnt been for the dangling tail lights he never would have even spotted us. THEN HE LEFT! ALL of us ASTONISHED! no citation, nothing.
I can honestly say that without any doubt in my mind, God cares for me just as He promises, His Mercy is everlasting and Redemption is a free gift to all who choose to accept it
!
We leave the private roads for the township roads, everything is running smoothly. Winding our way towards the state road (no biggie, this is the typical 10min, 1 mile track we usually test drive on) and about 50 ft from the stop sign to make the second turn of the course a distinguished crown vic is staring at me with its headlights. With the experienced warrior at my side, the suggestion was made to keep cool and keep driving. the adrenaline rushed, a legal turn was made, no problem. the shifting got a little sloppy with nervousness, but we continued, reaching a maximum speed of 55mph, where it was running a little unusual (undeterminably). Instructed to shift into overdrive, just for the experience, we rapidly approached the third turn of our loop. Kicking it into neutral, applying the brakes, and slowing down, the engine died. not good!!!! no power steering pump and I was unable to make the turn. Drifting into the valley of the "staight road" we were on, and trying to move to the shoulder, a quick attempt to refule proved futile as it appeared that there was a fuel leak. Crawling on the cold ground (20 degree air temp) in nothing but a sleaveless undershirt looking for the leak, it was discovered that the tank was full and we were over-flowing it. ok, check the shrader, AIR! How did it get there? Still wouldn't start. Knowing that there was a police officer in the area made the situation even more critical, a phone call was made to send another of the fleet to tow the NightMoose back. Miraculoulsy, for no reason, the Nightmoose starts. great! Dad's driving, I hop in, we start moving, there's the policeman, 150 ft. behind us at the turn I was supposed to make. We pull up to the intersection, he follows. Now on the unintended part of our route, we are immediatley pulled over. Dad has NO WALLET, I only have a permit, and neither of us are wearing seatbealts (just hopped in), in an unregistered vehicle that has no rear marker lights, no plates, and no insurance. We explain to the puzzled officer
(obviously not what he was expecting-NO PLATES??) that we had just built the truck and were out on test drive (including all the details of the test drive). Having no proof of ownership with us (all back at the house) and giving him my permit, we invite the officcer to follow us home where we could clear, at least some of his fears up. Calling off the tow vehicle, we made the short journey back to our residence and invited the officer inside. Proving that I owned the truck, he explained that he couldn't really site us for the minor things (dangling lights, etc) unless he touched on the big stuff (no registration, insurance, etc.). He said that the whole time he was following us home he thought of how it was when he was my age doing stuff like this with his dad and that he was just going to FORGET THE WHOLE THING! With that he stated that he wasn't going to waste anymore of our time and that he would be leaving (as he handed me my permit back). He told us that our neighbor hood had things going on that he was "more against" than our traffic violation, and expressed that if it hadnt been for the dangling tail lights he never would have even spotted us. THEN HE LEFT! ALL of us ASTONISHED! no citation, nothing.I can honestly say that without any doubt in my mind, God cares for me just as He promises, His Mercy is everlasting and Redemption is a free gift to all who choose to accept it
!
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