THE END OF AN ERA

I BOUGHT THE BIG RED MOUNTAIN TRUCK EIGHTEEN AND A HALF YEARS AGO TO TOW MY 32 FOOT CAMPER THRU THE MOUNTAINS OF THE WEST. IT WAS A FORD F-250 WITH A GAS V-10 MOTOR. I KNEW WHERE EVERY GAS STATION WAS IN EVERY STATE WE EVER TRAVELLED THRU.

TODAY, I TRADED IT ALL IN FOR A COMPACT “NEW TO ME” TOYOTA PRIUS.  IN ALL THOSE YEARS, THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 102,000 MILES ON IT.

SCOOTER

THE SCOOTER CHAPTER DIDN’T WORK OUT THE WAY I HAD DAY DREAMED IT. I THOUGHT I’D BE RIDING THE SCOOTER ON LOT’S OF TOURING ADVENTURES IN RETIREMENT. IN THE THREE YEARS I WENT ON ONE FANTASTIC TOUR WITH BOTH MY BROTHERS FROM WISCONSIN AROUND NORTH WESTERN ARIZONA.- INCLUDING THE GRAND CANYON. ONE PERFECT TOUR IN THREE YEARS? SO THE SCOOTER AND THE CARGO TRAILER WENT AS WELL.

TOYOTA PRIUS

THE “NEW TO ME” COMPACT CAR IS A MIX OF THE OLD AND THE NEW IN MY MIND. IT REMINDS ME A LOT OF THE GREMLIN I BOUGHT IN 1970, WITH THE FOLD DOWN REAR SEATS AND CARGO AREA.  ON THE NEW SIDE I’D HAVE TO SPEND A WEEK WITH MY 14 YEAR OLD GRANDSON JUST TO UNDERSTAND THE ELECTRONICS AND SCREENS. APPARENTLY IT WILL PARALLEL PARK ITSELF IF YOU KNOW WHICH BUTTONS TO PUSH AMONG A MILLION OTHER FANCY THINGS. SHIT, I CAN’T EVEN TURN ON THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS. WISH ME LUCK!!

  “SUNNY & 80”