WILSON'S GARAGE

I spent some time both seated and standing around this today, with a couple of very gentle, happy dogs, and some very good people.

The mighty Dodge needed a vehicle inspection to complete the registration process, something required here in North Carolina.  An inspection includes making sure the brakes and lights work, no massive leaks etc.  For Cheri’s Mini (i.e., gasoline-powered vehicles), a smog certificate in addition to the safety checks.

I choose Wilson’s Garage for several reasons.  I always prefer to use a small local business over a big chain whenever possible.  The shop is about two miles from my house and very easy to find, on Old Yadkinville Highway, across from the Vienna (pronounced "VIE-enna" here) Volunteer Fire Department.

If you look in the bottom left corner of the photo below you will see one of the shop dogs:

All three of the guys working at the garage are firefighters with the Fire Department, Station #21.  When they open the garage each day, they also  walk over to set up the Station in case of emergency.  The radio is going in the background  with the tones, and calls for service, providing an interesting stream of information.

They knew where our new home is located, and had gone to the callout several years ago when the former owner of our new home turned his tractor over - on top of himself - in the creek that runs through the property.  One told of holding Mr. Millsaps' head above the flow of the water while others worked to pull the tractor  off.

I love the old stools with the auto parts advertising on them.  This is what I remember from growing up.  These types of stools were in the shops and auto parts stores, grain and hardware stores of Palo Cedro, California, where I grew up.  Cheri had an uncle who had an auto parts business in Sacramento, California with these stools to sit on.

As I was sitting by the stove talking I noticed the spark plugs sitting on top of the stove.  I asked the owner, Tim Lasley, what was the story with the plugs.  He picked them up and explained they could tell you a lot about how an engine was running.  If the rings were leaking in the cylinder, if the mixture was too rich or lean, you can see it by how the plug looks.

It's great to have actual mechanics working on your vehicle, not just guys pulling and replacing parts without thinking.

They had some local honey for sale as you walked in the door.  I bought some, then got talking and left it sitting on the counter.  When I got home and was telling Cheri about it, I realized what I had done.  Luckily it is only a few miles down the road so I went back and got it;, ended up standing by the stove and talking a little more.

If you need work done on your car, or truck I would highly recommend:

Wilson’s Garage
www.wilsons-garage.com
6395 Yadkinville Hwy, Pfafftown N.C.
(336) 945-5727.

(California readers:  If you bring your vehicle here, don't leave without giving us a shout-out ahead of time!)