Helen FieldsScience Writer

My car had its biennial emissions test today:

Right after I took this picture, I found out why the inspection guys were crawling all over my car – they couldn’t figure out how to open the gas tank cover. It’s a complicated maneuver. I stick my left arm in the trunk to pull on a plastic lever and use my right hand to push on the little door on the outside of the car. “You gotta do that every time you get gas?” one of the guys asked. I told him it’s one of the special features of my car. I think he was impressed. Or perhaps that look was pity. Anyway, my car passed.

Important tip: Go to the D.C. Vehicle Inspection Station the day after Christmas. I had a big pile of knitting to entertain me for an all-day wait in line, and I practically had the place to myself. I saw three other cars the whole time I was there.

To the driver I met while waiting for the inspection to finish: Hello! Great to meet you! This is the work I did in the Bering Sea.