Being a dog who likes to go for car rides, I never really put up much of a fuss when my mom, Wendi, gets my leash. In fact I get ants in my pants and can hardly stand still as she puts it on me. Depending on which leash she takes, I can tell if we are going for a walk, ride or doggie daycare. Thursday night she grabbed the car ride leash and I was like “bring it on!”
My dad, Bobby, came with us. Mom said we had some errands to run, but the first thing was to get her car washed. Now my mom is not known for washing her car. She might do it once or twice a season, but I think her philosophy is that it will rain eventually. However, she must have parked somewhere bad because her car was covered by brown spots, not bird poop but something from a tree. That bothered her, so uncharacteristically she wanted her car washed. And she got me and Dad to go on this errand with her. Dad suggested we try the new car wash that was built on Cleveland Road. It is called Goo-Goo 3 Minute Car Wash Express.
None of us knew what to expect. I can’t read very well and all Mom ever saw was that vacuuming came with a car wash. When she pulled in, the driveway led us toward the back of the property. Apparently Mom wasn’t the only one to park in an undesirable location, as we were in a line behind several other cars. I was eager to get moving.
As we inched closer Mom and Dad discussed which level of car wash to get. Let me tell you, I never knew there were so many options. The cost ranged from $8-18. The more you pay, the more you get. Mom wanted the Cadillac option, which included all the bells and whistles. Dad said it was OK, cause my mom is worth it!
When it was finally our turn, two guys in white shirts and bow-ties came out. One on each side of the car. They both had scrubbing brushes on long wooden handles that they plunged in soapy water and they did a sort of prewash on Mom’s car. Then one of the guys directed mom to a conveyor belt. He gave her an air freshener, had her put the car in neutral, take her foot off the brake and her hands off the wheel. The other guy put a plastic bag over her rear windshield wiper. Then the car starts moving.
I’m not even sure how to explain what happened next. The car was moving into what looked like a fun house with all these colorful lights. Then machine things started moving, water started spraying and the car became engulfed in a sudsy tunnel. After that these brushes ran over the car on both sides. I am not afraid to admit it, I was a little bit nervous. It was pretty loud and my ears are sensitive. But once I realized Mom and Dad weren’t worried, I relaxed a little and watched the show.
Three minutes later, we emerged from the sensory overload which must be a car wash. Mom’s car was all sparkly and ready to go. While we could then park and use one of the free vacuum stations, Mom decided against it. I think mostly because she was afraid I’d be too nervous. I don’t like vacuums and I don’t care who knows it.
When I think about the adventures I have had with my parents, this one ranks up there with the ferry crossing to Put-In-Bay. I am glad I got to go, but I don’t think I need to do it again. However, I think Mom might return now that she has seen Goo-Goo Three Minute Car Wash in action.
She’ll definitely want to take advantage of the free vacuuming next time!
