Around here 2
I traded in my Mustang for a Ranger. The pony was pushing 10 and starting to manifest intimations of mortality. There were just a few Rangers for sale at the dealer, I was surprised to find. Seems the little 4-cylinder classic is moving, albeit slower than in years past, so I got a pretty good deal. There were rows and rows of F150s and their bigger siblings. My first fuel-efficiency calibration on the new truck revealed an mpg score of 22 in mixed driving. About the same or a little better than the Mustang. The scooter gets close to 100.
Inspired by one of Uncle Zoloft's comments, I sprang for the pickup as a companion for Firefly, my main wheels now, which I can load on the Ranger, as a means of extending the scooter's range... and other truckin' tasks. Then it's on to some nearby town for a little leisurely and aimless exploring. I wouldn't be surprised if this agreeable pair of internal combustion companions were my last.
I generally have only a secondary interest, on these outings, in a place's claims to fame... its Opera House or Big Bridge. What I like most is cruising around the neighborhoods, the back streets, local parks and beaches, habituations of commerce, soaking up everyday life, taking in novel variations of the mundane. Living near affluence makes for a nice ride, the endless tree lined streets and waterfront enclaves. At first it posed a challenge to me as a photographer. What can one say about the pleasant? Eventually I got over it. They have their moments, really, these gulf coast suburbs, no less ravishing than a canyon's, as quirky as a cat's.
Along the way, I'll stop at a fast-food place for a burger and coke, a pizza stand for a slice and a beer... quietly reveling in the joy of the readily available. It's an off-the-shelf life for me. On these treks the spirit, and my monkish temperament, join to appreciate, and sometimes bless, the world they see. I don't linger, indulge entanglement. Though in practice the meaning of those terms for me is more intuitive than not. You play it by ear, by heart, play it as it lays...
32 tracks in the sand:
I can't imagine that a truck gets better gas mileage than a mustang--but welcome to the truck club (but if I had drive much, I'd be selling mine)
I think every guy needs a pick-up truck. Even girl guys like me and Sage. I love my pick-up truck.
Sage, EPA data that I've seen on the Mustang and Ranger show the pickup with marginally better fuel economy. A ten-year old car is going to widen the margin, of course. Bear in mind that the base Mustang is 6 cylinder. The Ranger comes in a 4; it's tied with the Tacoma, the fuel economy leader. Modern 4 cylinders can be torquey. Mine gets off quick and gets mostly recreational use. Light duty. The Ruckus is under 200 lb. I haven't bothered with a hitch, but my brother wants me to get one - he's convinced they ward off tailgating. Sounds like folklore to me, but folklore can be sound.
It's my boy-toy, Java. So to speak. Did I mention that you're humorous? I'm diggin the tall saddle and recreational vibe. I love throwing stuff in the box. I may have to join Costco. Sorry Manny is on the fritz, you must miss him. The Ranger is named Frog.
Joe, Manny is sitting right outside in the driveway. I sit in the cab sometimes just to reconnect with the truckishness I so desperately need.
My mistake vis-a-vis Sage and the girl thing. I thought it was Sage-web, who is a girl of the lesbionic variety and quite butchy.
Frog seems just right as a name for the Ranger. Frog Ranger. Has interesting possibilities.
Java you're really hard core! But I'm there. I like my roll-down windows. And best of all... it runs on mosquitos.
Sage is a frabjous blogger who writes good stories, not the lesbion of whom you speak.
It's like you have a backpack for your scooter; tuck it in and take off! As usual, I like those pics where the sun and shadow are strongest. Favorites: the boys.
(My sisters like trucks. Years ago, my brother asked my mother why. She sighed, "I don't know.")
When I was buying a car two years ago I thought it would either be the Ranger or Focus, I decided on the Focus since it would only be to drive to work and get groceries. Still a man and his truck is very sexy Joe! ;)
One day while passing a dump truck that was slinging small stones everywhere, I said out loud "lets go Molly" so from that day on I call the car Molly.
"Backpack..." What an apt metaphor, mon bird. That's it exactly. "She sighed, 'I don't know..." Yes. Truckishness and its effect on some of us is ineffable.
When the boys spotted me, they started hot dogging. Of course I didn't mind.
"Still a man and his truck is very sexy Joe!" Steven, I didn't quite hear that... maybe if you whispered in my ear... :-)
Molly somehow told you her name. I love when that happens.
A truck and a scooter. You are a study in contrasts.
Oh, and as ever great pics!
Yay for new cars!!
Art illuminates life, Jazz chick.
Hey, John... yay! But I'm itching to muddy this froggy up a little
...not meaning to read over your shoulder here but...roll down windows? Fabulous! I blew out a power window last week and it cost me a few bucks to have a new motor installed. Technology, is not practical at times.
I love the monkish, simple breezy life of yours. You dine, you ride. You observe, you snap photos.
Never lingering, for entanglement is so last year.
xoxo
Gill - exploring is the new entanglement! You're so savvy.
When the power window on the pony started acting up last year, I knew it was just a matter of time. We live in an electronic age, but I have always admired well-made purely mechanical things. I still have a working camera that doesn't have a single electronic part in it, a thing of beauty. I think of Frog's roll up windows as a statement. Everything old is new again.
The Firefly and the pickup, a genius pairing! I love it.
My Toyota minivan and Yamaha VStar are pretty well contrasted too, but your Firefly gets much better milage than my bike.
I've always liked that you avoid the Opera Houses and Big Bridges - we can visit Chamber of Commerce websites for those. YOUR slideshows take us somewhere off the beaten path and "straight" into the heart of real life...and that's what I love.
Well, that and those boys. ; )
What fun they showboated for you!
I also like that collection of barricade caution lights, just waiting for the next improvement project.
Beautiful eye, as always. Enjoy your time on the open road with your two vroomy friends!
It seems like you have the perfect vehicle setup. I miss having my scooter, it used to get ridden both summer and winter. I had great camping adventures riding hundreds of miles through the mountains to the coast.
Petrol here is now over £5 ($9) a gallon, so even scooters are getting expensive to run!
Phogolile! (As 'that one' used to say, heh) Firefly is the runt of the litter compared to Red Molly. But like little brothers everywhere, tries to keep up with a little extra attitude.
Vroom, Greg! You always did get it... my notes of a vernacular tourist. The caution lights reminded me of orange hard candy.
Barkfoot, $9 would put a very painful crimp in my ride. Gas prices are down almost a dollar around here from last year, about which I have mixed feelings: delighted, as a vernacular tourist (much like yourself), skeptical as a citizen and sometime naturalist (though equally skeptical, as a profane old catholic, of unnecessary scruples).
You gotta be prepared for those truckin' tasks! ;-)
Congrats on the new ride. A perfect transportation combo if ever there was one.
Fun slide show. I miss narrow, palm lined walkways between pink buildings...
It's in the boy scout pledge, piff! It's a jungle out there.
Aw. You threw in a Gawpoism at Logo.
I'm feeling the void.
(Snifs)
Come back to us brother Peaux!!!
Joey~
Tis you who are savvy.
I leave for NYC in one week.
When I am there, I plan to breathe in the cold, dirty air for you, k?
xo
Nice looking truck. I'm waiting for the first serious long-distance electric car to be built. If the "Big Three" are forced to re-tool nad build them, I would be interested in taking a look.
Perzackly, mon bleux. Come back frere peaux! Miserere nobis...
This time next week you'll be breathing in some Big Apple. I'd love to be there with you, my dahlink. Show you my New York, the fab and the funky, which sits gleaming in a corner of my urban soul forever. I can see us reflected in Tiffany's window, in the wee hours, still in our party clothes, munching bagels and sipping coffee from paper cups...
Butch, Ford actually produced an all-electric Ranger for several years. It had its problems, and was available for lease only, but its fans were so desperate to keep them that many harangued Ford into letting them buy them. They're discontinued, but Ford could probably re-tool production pretty quickly.
There's an award at my blog for you if you do awards...
I'll be right over...
Your comments to my comments are a commentary unto themselves. I love your wordy visuals. Coffee and bagels. Party clothes. You lay it out simply yet there it is, screaming a thousand words worth.
There will always be a spot on my hammock for you Jeaux.
Tink! To you, and your delightful beach respite.
You just close your eyes and click those ruby slippers anytime, mon bleux.
A man after my own heart.
I've been thinking about you all this past weekend.
I wonder what that means. Blessings to you, Joe. Many blessings.
companionship is always a good thing. i'm sure frog and firefly will be very happy. (there's a power ballad in there somewhere.)
And many to you in return, Curtis.
Cat, I think Three Dog Night wrote that song...
Look, I know I'm late weighing in here, but geez Jeaux, I am undone. Your writing. Your picturing. And your you. What's the plan? Is there one? You gonna still blog?
Make like I'm an abandoned rock quarry and...fill me in.
G
I'm clicking my heels together Joe to no avail.
:(
I loved the new additions to the slideshow, the cannabis, the Harley, and the banana peel left for dead.
I love your statements.
***
I thought of you a few nights ago. I went to see "We Will Rock You". It was neat, kind of artsy, and didn't take itself seriously, thank God! But the singing, Joe! The singing! It was almost (I would imagine) as good as hearing Freddie sing it himself...'who wants- to live-, forevah?'
xoxo
Hi Po, good to see you anytime. The muses are at rest. Meanwhile, I'm hanging out at Chez Jeaux... which you named. Come and see.
Gill, the "cannabis" is actually a false aralia, or what folks in the plant business sometimes call "false alarm." ,oD
Well, yeah, life is temporary for a reason. But I always remember what Tennessee Williams said... "Everybody wants eternal life, but they want it here on earth." But then, I believe the gospel promises something like that in due season.
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