Quality Plus Automotive - May 2021

Quality Plus Automotive - May 2021

May 2021

The Vacation of a Lifetime

Growing up, our family went on a vacation just about every summer. We packed up the car and headed out, usually with other family members like my aunt, uncle, and cousins. It was always a great time and something I looked forward to. On our road trips, we often skipped the fast-food and roadside diners. Instead, we packed picnic baskets. Along the way to our destination, we’d stop for a picnic lunch. It really added to making those trips special to my younger self. May is the most popular month for road trips, and May 22 is National Road Trip Day. I imagine this year, a lot of people are thinking about getting out of town and taking a road trip to somewhere great, whether it’s the beach, the mountains, a theme park, or across the country. Of course, as much as I loved those road trips as a kid, the older you get, the less those trips seem to happen. Even as I started a family of my own, they didn’t happen as often as I would have liked. But those things happen. The bills are rolling in, you get busy with work, and road trips and extended vacations take a back seat. Thankfully, we’ve been able to make up for it a little bit later in life. I remember back in 2015, my wife and I took a trip down to Cancun, Mexico. While it wasn’t a road trip, it was certainly a memorable trip. It was a business trip/vacation that turned into a nightmare! Shortly after we arrived in Cancun, Hurricane Wilma hit. The hurricane was forecasted to miss Mexico, but Cancun sits on the very tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Wilma hit Cancun head on, and the strongest part of the storm passed right over our heads. It was unbelievable. The winds even blew off the top of the hotel where we were supposed to have stayed.

We were bussed into town and evacuated to a small school with no windows. We stayed there for three days. I was in survival mode the whole time. We didn’t have food or running water, and we had to work hard to track anything down. Thankfully, the military made it in by the second day with food and water, but there was a lot of uncertainty. At the height of the storm, the wind was blowing nearly 200 miles per hour. It poured a good 50 inches of rain on top of the extreme wind. As we waited in the school with no food or water, it really put things into perspective. You don’t know how lucky we are in America until you’re outside of the country and you have zero basic necessities. After about five days, we were able to get home and we put that trip behind us. As scary as that was, I still look forward to traveling more. Whether it’s a road trip or flight, it’s important to take time off for a family vacation. This summer, I hope you get a chance to go somewhere fun and make a few great memories with your loved ones (and hopefully no hurricanes will be involved). Who knows, maybe I’ll even make it out to Pebble Beach!

Wake Forest • 919.453.0345 — Raleigh • 919.231.6164 -Randy Bunn

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How to Live to 99 BETTY WHITE’S SECRETS OF LONGEVITY

Get Your Car Ready for With road trip season kicking off this month, it’s time to ask that all-important question: Is your vehicle road trip ready? The last thing you want on your road

Beloved “Golden Girls” actress Betty White is still enjoying her golden years. The famed actress celebrated her 99th birthday this January. While she told People magazine that she’s “blessed with good health, so turning 99 is no different than turning 98,” she also had a few tips for folks looking to make it to their centennial birthday. Keep Laughing “Don’t take yourself too seriously,”White says. “You can lie to others — not that I would — but you cannot lie to yourself.” White has undoubtedly provided many laughs to viewers over the years, but she’s not just playing it up for the camera. Laughter is part of what keeps her young.

trip is to run into car trouble — especially avoidable car trouble. In the weeks before your next road trip, be sure to check these four parts. The Battery This is a quick check. Look for any corrosion or loose connections. If there is corrosion, it may be as simple as cleaning it off with a wire brush. If you notice excessive corrosion, it may be time for a new battery, or you may need it checked out by your trusted mechanic.

Be Optimistic White says a good sense of humor also helps her keep a good attitude and look for the positive rather than “dwelling on the downside.” Avoiding negativity also gives her energy. “It takes up too much energy being negative,” she told People magazine.

The Brakes You never want to go on a road trip without a brake inspection. If you recently had a brake inspection or had new brakes installed, a quick look should be sufficient. But if it’s been a while — or you can’t remember the last time you had your brakes inspected — it’s a good time for that.

Stay Busy With nearly eight decades of acting

under her belt, six Emmys on her shelf, and over 120 screen credits to her name, White is no stranger to hard work. As she told Parade in 2018, “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.” Exercise Your Mind In addition to her busy work schedule, what keeps Betty White sharp? Crossword puzzles! She told Katie Couric in an interview, “I’m addicted. An admitted addict. I just can’t put ’em down.” Find a Cause White is a lifelong animal lover. She calls her golden retriever, Pontiac, “the star of the house.”While pet ownership itself comes with proven health benefits, White has channeled her love for animals in bigger causes. She’s been a trustee and board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for over 40 years and has done work to help protect endangered species in the wild. Funds raised fromWhite’s official fan club, Bet’s Pets, all go to support animal charities. Embrace Your Vices White told Parade she loves hot dogs, which just goes to show that you don’t have to forgo your favorite snack to live to 99.

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8 Must-See Roadside Oddities for Every Road Tripper

r Your Next Road Trip!

The Fluids Your vehicle requires a number of different fluids to operate efficiently and effectively. If you haven’t had

Summer is right around the corner. After a year of living with all kinds of pandemic

an oil change recently (or in the last year), now is the time to take care of it. It’s also a good time to top off brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, and wiper fluid. The Tires Just like everything else on this list, if you haven’t purchased new tires recently, take a good look at your current set. You never want to take a high-mileage trip with questionable tires. Check tire pressure and tire tread. Pressure is easy enough to fix, but if your tread is getting worn down, it may be time for a tire investment.

restrictions, people are ready for a vacation. They want to get out of town and take a break from their daily routines.

And the perfect way to do that is a road trip! You can go anywhere, and all you need is a car (and maybe a few snacks). The truly great thing about a road trip is the journey — and all the obscure and fascinating attractions along the way. Here are just a few attractions you don’t want to miss! American Classic Arcade Museum (ACAM) Arcades have declined in popularity since the ‘80s, but ACAM keeps the memory alive. With hundreds of arcade games and pinball machines, this New Hampshire destination is considered the world’s largest arcade. Carhenge While England may be home to Stonehenge, Nebraska is home to Carhenge. North of Alliance, Nebraska, off of Highway 86, you can marvel at the replica of Stonehenge as a tribute to American car culture. Four Corners Ever wanted to stand in four states at once? Do just that at the monument built at the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, right off of U.S. Highway 160. Enchanted Highway This unofficial highway, situated south of I-94 and Gladstone, North Dakota, features a series of large sculptures. Drive along and see massive pheasants and the world’s largest grasshopper. Thermopolis Though the name of this central Wyoming town may sound like a place out of Greek mythology, the distinction is well earned. Thermopolis is home to the world’s largest hot springs as well the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. World’s Largest Ball of Twine Call it a cliché of the American road trip, but you can gaze upon the glory of twine in Cawker City, Kansas. World’s Largest Maze As far as road trips go, you might have to cheat a little to complete this journey. The hedge maze is the main attraction at Dole Plantation on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, along Kamehameha Highway, 30 minutes north of Honolulu. World’s Tallest Thermometer Standing in Baker, California, this gigantic working thermometer was built as a tribute to the area’s ridiculous temperatures. 3

With all that said, one of the best things you can do before a road trip is schedule routine maintenance. That way, your vehicle gets all of its systems checked out and if there is an issue, you can get it taken care of worry-free. You’ll know your vehicle is ready to go when you’re ready to go!

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INSIDE This Issue

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The Vacation of a Lifetime 99-Year-Old Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity Is Your Car Road Trip Ready? Take a Break Roadside Curiosities You Don’t Want to Drive Past Brighten Up Your Space With These May Flowers!

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Bring Spring Indoors THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAY FLOWERS FOR YOUR HOME OR OFFICE The April showers came and went, so now we get to enjoy May flowers! You might not buy flowers for yourself often, but it’s totally worth treating yourself and your visitors, all while supporting your local florist! To start off, anemones are the most mythological May plant around because of two famous Greek myths surrounding these jewel-toned flowers. Anemones are said to have sprung from blood shed by the death of Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis. The ancient Greeks also believed that the god of the west wind favored anemones — hence their second name, the windflower. Attach them as pops of color to any bouquet for a classic, romantic, or modern arrangement, or mix them with roses and trailing greenery for a more boho look. Carnations are also fantastic flowers to display in May. Some people may see carnations as a cheap flower, but, when used en masse, they can have a truly breathtaking effect in a room. Try using natural- colored carnations to create a fresh, contemporary space.

You can also freshen up the room with sweet peas , which have a wonderfully mild perfume. They come with an enormous range of colors — one of the biggest ranges in the flora kingdom, in fact! Delicate, ruffled, and feminine, sweet peas are sure to delight anyone who sees them. Lastly, although tulips or orchids would be classic choices for your arrangement, consider surprising your visitors with lilies of the valley . These beautiful, peaceful little blooms only grow in white, which is often seen as the color of renewal and innocence, and they wear it well! Their adorable little bell-like flowers will be sure to put a smile on your face. We hope you will consider these gorgeous flowers for your space this year. A small purchase at your local small businesses can make a big difference, just like how a few flowers can make a big difference in your home!

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