Killing time

[MrNoodly]

I'm in Blythe, California. I dropped off my van/home at the mechanic for some front end work. It's a tiny shop with no waiting area. Besides, I don't particularly want to spend two hours in an uncomfortable chair trying to be interested in daytime TV, as at most repair places. So, what could I do instead? I grabbed my laptop and started walking. I passed a park, but the only places to sit were out in the sun. Then there was a Starbuck's, but I don't like the aroma of coffee. So I ended up at McDonald's and nabbed a table by an electrical outlet. It'll do. For a while.

I wish every town had something like one of the areas in the Frankfurt, Germany air terminal. They have recliners for passengers killing time between flights. So civilized. 

What do you do when you're in a similar situation?

 

[lenny flank]

I too hunt for a place with wifi where I can plug in my laptop and hang around.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I like to walk, so I go for a hike.

 

[MrNoodly]

As for the mechanic, he was done sooner than he expected and charged exactly what he had estimated for the replacement of my inner and outer tie rods and an alignment.

Joe's Alignment.

Also recommended in Blythe: Villanueva Auto Repair.

 

[maki2]

It just depends on what the lobby at the repair shop is like and what is close by. I had a flat to get fixed a while back and decided might as well do the oil change too. It was going to take a while but there was a Lowes nearby so I did some browsing through various sections of the store. I always have fun exploring the section with all the tools. Looking to see what new adhesives have come on the market is also good. Plus they have a magazine/book section.

But waiting for me is all about how comfortable the place to sit is. My back has to tolerate the chairs. I always have an ebook going on my tablet with others loaded into it for when I get done with the one I was working on. Or I will take a nap zzzz zzzz zzzz

 

[Matlock]

I tend to look for creature comforts everywhere I travel and I've got no need for timelines. Can spend hours in hotel guest areas if I'm shopping on-line, pick out a comfortable chair close to an outlet. Always look for and ask about a hospital cafeteria, college library, any small town main street sandwich shop with those old red pleather booth seats.
In the warm months I stop often and walk around the town, find a bench, pull out the tablet and do a search about my location. Love the small town's in the mid-west.

Lately I've been in search for the best pie east of the Mississippi. It's not easy, but I am committed.

 

[lenny flank]

 best pie east of the Mississippi.

Head to the Amish country in southeastern PA, and get some shoofly pie.

Best in the world.   

 

[Sky King]

Just come to northern Indiana, Amish all over, I love the Shipshewana area. They have a great fleamarket. When the boys were home my wife & I had a 5 stop route for cheap food stores that started & E&S in Shipsi & ended at the Dented Can in Goshen. Could fill a minivan for $100 & have a blast doing it. Bought a pipeline 2 stroke DC welder generator for $15 at an Amish yard sale. 250 amp DC welder & a 2500 amp generator. New was almost $3k, still have it, weighs about 60# made in Italy.

 

[lenny flank]

I did run into some Amish in Ohio too.

 

[Weight]

You want an airport lounge you need go to airport. Towns have benches and parks. Coffee shops and McDonny. I like taverns, myself.