These two processes play an important role in extending the life of your tires and keeping you safe on the road. Front tires wear out more quickly than rear tires because pressure is applied to them every time the steering wheel turns. Rotation helps even the wear on the tires.

Generally, tires must be rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Check the owner’s manual for more specific recommendations or see your mechanic for additional expert advice.

Tire alignment means your car’s tires are perfectly positioned parallel to one another and perpendicular to the ground. If they aren’t, your vehicle could have trouble moving down the road smoothly and safely, and you’d have difficulty steering. Misaligned tires pull in the direction they’re pointing, working against the other tires on your car. Fuel economy will be reduced, and suspension and other components on your car may be damaged.

You’ll need to be especially aware of your car to know if you need alignment. If you notice an uneven wear pattern on your tires, if the vehicle pulls to one side when you take your hands off the wheel, or if you have had an accident, you may need to have an alignment performed.

Once your alignment is complete, take your car for a drive on a level, straight road. See that your steering wheel is positioned correctly and that the car moves in a straight line. If it doesn’t, return to the automotive shop for additional tweaks to get the alignment correct.

On the way home we stopped at a couple cemeteries and a 2nd hand shop that will make you laugh when you see some of the details.

I finally had a chance to start editing the photos that I took that day tonight.

I love rural feeling photos so when I saw these silos I made sure my sister and I pulled over to photograph them. I love the conversions on some of these. The brownish tinted one is definitely my favorite action lately.

The next place featured below from our stops along the way home is LJ Herman’s Second Hand Shop in East Windsor, NJ. “Second hand” prominently displayed with a giant painted hand on the front of the mossy green colored building.

I had to photograph this place…I passed it so many times throughout my childhood while traveling down Route 130. I don’t know why…maybe it’s my love of old places with peeling paint that look abandoned but once I really got into photography last year I promised myself that I would stop and photograph it one day. This was the perfect day with the most perfect blue sky all day (the circular poloarizer made it even more of a perfect blue sky that day).

My favorite part of LJ Herman’s 2nd Hand Shop isn’t that it’s FOR SALE – it’s the sign on the door where you would normally find someone’s shop hours. Looks like the hours used to be there on the poster board with an additional note that says “and whenever my truck is here.” Now how great is that!? It just had me giggling!

The other door on the shop has what looks like the owner’s phone number along with another great sign that only says “Open when my truck is here.” I guess if you were interested in visiting the shop you had to swing by to look for the truck.

Not sure if you find it funny but some reason it cracked me up.

There’s just something about this green old second hand shop that I love.

I better start capturing all the places I’ve always loved around New Jersey before they are all gone!

To view more of my rural feel shots (barns & abandoned buildongs galore) click here:

http://jenweaverphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/3228604_XJiob/1/257337223_cPaqT