Who knew a guy could nearly be assassinated for trying to pump gas.
I forgot that in Oregon, basic human rights don’t exist. Oh sure, you can marry whoever you want and ride around on bicycles without any clothes, but try to pump gas by yourself, and the Calvary brings out its firing squad.
It’s illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon, so the job is performed by attendants who run ragged between cars, grabbing credit cards and swiping with reckless abandon while barking things like, “Fill ‘er up?” and “Regular or premium?”
It’s like living in 1955.
Speed limits in Oregon are from the same era. Even four-lane Interstate highways are limited to 65 miles per hour.
Yes, Oregon is automotively oppressed. But they sure have nice cars.
I spent the last two days in Bend, Oregon, and the cars there surprised me.
Like anywhere, Bend has the occasional rust-yellow 1974 Datsun pickup, but for the most part the cars are late-model Hondas, Toyotas and Volkswagens, along with plenty of newer Audis and Porsches. Luxury dealerships dot the main drag, and school parking lots are packed with Lexus and Mercedes-Benz SUVs, with Tahoes and Escalades mixed in for good measure.
Like any city, my hometown in Washington has pockets of wealth, but I don’t see the volume of nice cars and luxury automobiles that I saw in Bend.
Head to Seattle, though, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by Teslas and Maseratis.
Even the used cars in Bend seemed to be priced higher than they are in my town. Shoppers there would be wise to open their searches to nearby cities, which is probably good practice for all used car shoppers.
I loved being surrounded by wealth and good taste in Oregon, but I’d rather be able to drive fast and pump my own gas. Washington, here I come!
Do you like the car culture where you live?
-tgriffith