---------------------- Forwarded by Dan W May on 07/19/2001 09:06 AM
---------------------------
From: "David Butry/SRS/USDAFS" <dbutry@fs.fed.us> on 07/19/2001 08:50 AM AST
To: Dan W May@AMEX
cc:
Subject: Re: WHOAH!!!!!
I was driving on highway 54 toward Chapel Hill last night, I had to pick up
Char from school, and smelled a bad smell--either rubber, brakes, or
clutch. Upon slowing up for a light, I noticed a construction truck
carrying tar. They were stopped at the light (in the middle lane, I was
approaching on the right) and some guy ran out from the side of the road
and jumped onto the side of the truck--much like garbage men do. I noticed
lots of smoke billowing out of the back of the truck. When they started
forward they cut me off, as I hadn't quite caught up to the intersection
yet, the guy on the side of the truck yelled something at me. Of course
the act of using a turn signal or hazards was beyond their capabilities, so
I drop it to second and waited for my opportunity to blow it around these
idiots. I slowed up so I was way behind them, then I noticed the back
right tire of the truck was on fire! The whole tire hadn't yet caught,
'cause I could see the fire go round and round, but it was getting worse
every rotation--big fire. The brillant truck operator then passed up two
parking lot entrances, a store and an apartment complex, and chose the
third--a gas station! It was at this point I decided it was prudent to
invoke--scirocco power.
I haven't heard about any gas stations blowing up, but I haven't checked
the news yet.
________________________________________________________
David T. Butry
Economist
USDA Forest Service
Southern Research Station
PO Box 12254
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Voice: 919.549.4037
Fax: 919.549.4047
Email: dbutry@fs.fed.us