A friend of mine is retired like I am and struggles to survive on his $1,000 per month Social Security check. That used to be a lot of money but a part of this Monopoly Game Plan is as more players are allowed into the game, the money is devalued. So we do what we can. This guy knows about trucks and can tear them apart and put them back together. He knows a good value when he sees it. He buys them, fixes them and turns them over for a profit. The American Way.
These trucks are always someplace else. You never find a good deal next door or down the street. I am often the driver that gets him there. Yesterday we took off for Seattle, Washington, a little over 400 miles from here! The total trip was close to nine hundred miles, there, running around, and back. I have my "TOM-TOM" and absolutely love it. Figuring out where you are going is not stressful at all, TOM-TOM will always get you there and let you know when you are going 3 miles over the posted speed limit during the trip. We left at about 4am and found his truck by 9am, bought it after a short test drive, had some lunch and were back in Springfield by 4pm! I have not done that much driving since I was 21 years old and, like a fool, drove from here to Washington DC in 54 hours! I think that might be some kind of world's record!
It is nice knowing that I can drive 900 miles in a day but I sure wouldn't want to make a habit of it. I am not one of those Americans who love to drive or find my ego behind the wheel. My little truck is a work truck and looks the part. The good news is the mileage I got! It is a 1998 Nissan, although I still think of it as a Dotson, and it got 38 mph on the freeways, going a "little over" 70 miles per hour all of the way! My truck is dirty and has its share of dents and nicks and scratches. It is not the kind of truck that people would buy as an investment to resell at a profit. The truck my friend bought is a 1996 Dodge, 3/4 ton diesel with the contraption in the back bed to haul a fifth wheel trailer. Not a ding on it, not a single scratch! I have never understood why someone would buy a "work truck" and then not use it, afraid to scratch it or put gravel in it, treating it like a fine car, an ego truck? Mine's a tool and we have a good relationship. I change her fluids, put gas in her, toss crap with abandon in her back bed and she gets me to where we need to go.
I'll keep her until she is just too tired. She is not for sale.
The advantage of being retired is lack of schedule. My friend thanked me for the ride and I let him know that I was so happy that he asked me! That was the best part of all.
These trucks are always someplace else. You never find a good deal next door or down the street. I am often the driver that gets him there. Yesterday we took off for Seattle, Washington, a little over 400 miles from here! The total trip was close to nine hundred miles, there, running around, and back. I have my "TOM-TOM" and absolutely love it. Figuring out where you are going is not stressful at all, TOM-TOM will always get you there and let you know when you are going 3 miles over the posted speed limit during the trip. We left at about 4am and found his truck by 9am, bought it after a short test drive, had some lunch and were back in Springfield by 4pm! I have not done that much driving since I was 21 years old and, like a fool, drove from here to Washington DC in 54 hours! I think that might be some kind of world's record!
It is nice knowing that I can drive 900 miles in a day but I sure wouldn't want to make a habit of it. I am not one of those Americans who love to drive or find my ego behind the wheel. My little truck is a work truck and looks the part. The good news is the mileage I got! It is a 1998 Nissan, although I still think of it as a Dotson, and it got 38 mph on the freeways, going a "little over" 70 miles per hour all of the way! My truck is dirty and has its share of dents and nicks and scratches. It is not the kind of truck that people would buy as an investment to resell at a profit. The truck my friend bought is a 1996 Dodge, 3/4 ton diesel with the contraption in the back bed to haul a fifth wheel trailer. Not a ding on it, not a single scratch! I have never understood why someone would buy a "work truck" and then not use it, afraid to scratch it or put gravel in it, treating it like a fine car, an ego truck? Mine's a tool and we have a good relationship. I change her fluids, put gas in her, toss crap with abandon in her back bed and she gets me to where we need to go.
I'll keep her until she is just too tired. She is not for sale.
The advantage of being retired is lack of schedule. My friend thanked me for the ride and I let him know that I was so happy that he asked me! That was the best part of all.
2 comments:
Well, you did a good thing Jerry.
Helping a friend is always a good day.
I like the sound of your truck, I can see it now... oh yes, and you getting out of it with those sandals and socks..
So glad you have a Tom to get you there and back..
and yes, the trucks that are not used for anything? Definetly an ego trip for some ... You would get your fill of that here in Central Florida... BJ
Oh I do love Seattle! Had I made that trip I'd have had plenty of detours, methinks. And Jer? I'm too old and tired to fight much anymore either.
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