Last weekend – which started on Friday, the husband, son and I decided to take a trip to Pick-n-Pull.  The son had been in a small accident, that bent the bumper and side panel of his car but fortunately didn’t damage much else.  So off we went to the Pick-n-Pull yard to see if we could find another intact bumper that matched his make and model.  Now I just want to say right now that I have love Pick-n-Pull yards!  I’m not a mechanic and I have really no experience in restoring vehicles, but there’s just something exciting about looking out over the vast amount of cars that are just waiting to be examined and possibly re-used.  It’s like looking at potential with limitless possibilities and the hope of restoration, redemption even.  True, some cars have been in terrible accidents; it’s unmistakeable to miss when you see the damage to the vehicle.  I have struggled with the idea of benefiting from someone else’s tragedy.  But then I think, well at least there’s a chance that something postive can come from even this – if you find the part, big or small, that can help you out with your own car.

You might be wondering what A&W has to do with this.  So here it is:  We found a car with a bumper and side piece and removed them.  We drove home and the husband and son set to work replacing them on his car.  But … sadly, they didn’t fit.  Apparently some sizes of parts do change from year to year, even with the same make and model.  So on Saturday, the husband and I set out to another Pick-n-Pull, this time in Stockton and had the luck of finding the right  size and color of bumper and panel.  And by the way, did you know that Pick-n-Pull allows for exchanges?  So we didn’t lose money in picking up the wrong size the day before.  As we drove back toward home, the husband reminded me that the owner of the St. Helena A&W also owned the one in Lodi … and we were driving right past that restaurant.  Why don’t we stop by, he said.  So we did.  At first I intended to only enjoy a root beer float … any size is just $2!  But then I saw vegeburgers on the menu, and cheese curds … and well we ended up ordering a full meal.

As we were finishing up, the owner, Pete Knight, spotted us and came over. We had a nice conversation … and he reminded me that the A&W in St. Helena is accepting applications for employment – $12 per hour with flexible hours.  So you should spread the word to your reliable friends to check it out!  Just stop by their store on Main Street in St. Helena.  And go ahead, indulge in a root beer float – they make the root beer on site … and you can get any size for just $2!