Oh really?

"Explorer's name traces back to its inception in 1990 as the first sport utility wagon to provide the cushy comforts and push-button conveniences of a conventional sedan."

(The Tennessean, 19 December 2005)

And so ends another long break without a post. I'll use the Thanksgiving holidays excuse. I was busy giving thanks for my Rangie, of course.

And miles to go before I sleep

Fast approaching 129,000, and using almost no oil since the engine oil cooler lines were replaced. I've done two oil changes so far and I can already see a difference in the condition of the oil when I drain it.

"...Hey, you all have the SAME CAR!"

Pictures from the latest dealer run are at Mud Club. See also the gallery of Miscellany for some silly pictures.

Sitting in an English car, waiting for the sun

I have been sorely remiss in my blogging. Pictures from my first Rover-camping trip are in my Mud Club gallery. It was cold (with a freeze warning and 28 degrees F overnight), but sleeping in a tent you will never see stars like you can see if you huddle in the back of your classic Rangie instead...and the colder it gets, of course, the more spectacular they are. The fall color at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area was beautiful and the mud was plentiful on the trails. I learned how to use a Rangie to make coffee: take one household drip coffeemaker, one 12V power inverter and one Rover V8. Add petrol to taste. My little backpacking "kitchen" was a source of some amusement. But guess who ate breakfast (and had coffee) FIRST?

I noticed a trend on this trip. Classic Rangie...classic Svea Climber stove...classic Nikon FM manual SLR camera...yes, I "still use FILM?!" as one friend put it.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

So, I was sitting at a stoplight...it turned green, and seeing no traffic coming straight on, I commenced turning left...only to have a near miss a late-model Range Rover that came roaring out of the car park across the street.

I had seen the selfsame Rangie before, barrelling out of the very same car park, and wondered if the driver noticed my own lovely vehicle.

I'm thinking...no.