Jeep Wangler 2024 Willy’s Edition 4x4 2 door

I am pleased.  First day of spring . I have been wanting to trade in my wonderful Mini Cooper because it doesn’t dinghy tow behind my Thor Hurricane motorhome.  I’d gone with Laura to look at the Maverick Hybrid weeks before and liked it, However when I went back again I thought it was bigger than I needed and had decided I didn’t need a box. I’d thought  brefgore I could load my motorcycle in the box but decided I didn’t want to be loading motorcycles anymore.  I shared my “first world’. ‘Cadillac’ problems with my men’s group, what we call a ‘gift of recovery’.  Quite the change from how am I going pay the rent or will I have money for sardines or tuna for lunch. . I’ve been very poor and hungry three times in my life.  When I first left home, when I arrived in England after bicycling across Europe, when I left my third marriage and entered recovery.  Now I’ve just bought a motorhome worth hundreds of thousand with the help of a bank and want to be able to tow a car behind it rather than a motorcycle.  

I was sitting with Neil, Jack and Terry at the meeting and Neil said ‘why don’t you get a Jeep. They’re the best for towing and what everyone has for that reason.”  The motorhome repair guys I’d talked to all said the same.  Now here was Neil a fellow whose advise I really respected saying the same.  There’ a joke about a guy asking God for help and God sending repeated messages until the fellow finally acknowledges what God had been telling him all along. 

Laura had her Smart Car repair and maintenance done at Merecedes Benz so could drive out to be with us for the weekend.  I suggested when she arrived that we take a drive with Madigan to at least ‘sit in a jeep’ to decide if it’s right.  The nearest Jeep Dealer was Journey Autogroup on Dominion in Port Coquitlam.  They had a 2026 on display but I’d decided I wanted a 24 0r 25 jeep with low mileage , the advise my father gave us, because driving a new car off the lot depreciated it by 10 %.  

Laura and I looked at the  White Jeep Wangler Sport and we liked it. Great look. I liked the sturdy build like a Rolls Royce. It’s built tough for off road.  It seemed high and hard to get into but Sina the salesman who came to helped us said that that particular one had really big special ‘off road ‘ wheels.  

I have a quad. I’ve done all the off road driving in my life with my original Broncho II then later vans and cars and four quads and a couple of off road Honda enduro  motorcycles. I hunt and still do but my friends all laughed when I bought the  a 300 Win mag for long distance shooting as back up to my Ruger 30.06 claimed I could shoot as far as a sniper now.  They said that I wasn’t young anymore and unlikely to be climbing over mountains shooting deer or moose and packing them out. They knew that with my quad or truck I’d taken to being mostly a road hunter who shot grouse by the side of the road and sat in ambush but wasn’t going to haul back an 2000 lb moose from the woods. The last 300 lb mulie I’d shot a few hundreds yards into the bush had taken me all my strength and energy to get back to the truck.  Then it was next to implossible to get it into the truck. I finally used the winch to load it.  

Getting old is not for the young. They lack the courage and stamina. 

I want a 4x4 so I can drive on logging roads hunting and fishing and doing photography. The best part is the jeep tows so well behind motorhomes.  Traveland who sold me my motorhome told me they sell the Blue Ox Flat Towing Systems and that the famed E&H Hitch folk next door do the installing there. 

I told Sina what I was looking for. He called out a vehicle that ticked every box.  Laura and I went out to sit in it . It did feel so right. Laura said “It really is pretty. :  With regular wheels it was no problem getting into the vehicle though Laura with his short legs used the hand hold to pull herself in.  Madigan jumped right up and loved it. A very dog friendly vehicle.  I loved the comfort of the seat. My back has rebelled with aging after being in truck crashes and plane crashes and wrestling violently insane. So a comfortable seat is a must. I’m 6 feet and the mini had little head room and I had problems seeing the lights when I pulled up to a stop light.  Still when I bought the mini I felt like I was in the cockpit of a Sopwith Camel and it was the best high way rally car. I loved my mini but with my neck stiffness and getting in and out of the car I got spoiled the last 3 months of driving my Thor Hurricane motorhome 2000 km south.  The class A motorhome view is incredible by comparison. Now the Jeep had that ease  of entry and exit an old guy like me likes  and that incredible view.  I felt like I was in a mini hummer. I liked all the positions of steering wheel and lights. The only peculiar thing was the windows up and down buttons  was on the centre console.  

Sima explained that the doors come off and the roof comes off for summer driving. Wow.  I’d had a Mazda Miata I loved for its convertible roof but this Jeep was like a regular transformer. Sedate city car to Baja transformers. I really could see enjoying that.  I ride a Harley and we call a car a ‘cage’ but this can transform to being as close to an enduro motorcycle as can be.  Wow!

The back up screen is really good, just like my sister in law Adell’s  Volvo.  That’s what I first did when I had the keys , drive a little forward then back up into the same spot. Fantastic!  I had the Miata and the Mini for when I was working in a downtown clinic and parking in the city was a nightmare. I can’t take my Ford F350 long box truck downtown without really planning for a parking lot.  The Jeep’s maneuverability is incredible.

Sina and his manager offered to let us take the car for a ride but I’d seen enough. Laura and I loved it. But I’d only planned to look .   I really didn’t need a car to tow till my next snowbird trip south.  In LA when Laura joined me I’d rented a car and now I wouldn’t need to do that.  

“I just need to go for coffee and think about it.”  I said.

Laura and I drove round the block to the Macdonald’s where I got 2 quarter pounder with cheese meals for the humans and one meat patty for Madigan.  This is when I miss my Dad and Brother Ron most. Dad knew everything about cars and houses and Ron knew everything about business.  Dad helped me buy my first house and it’s the house I still miss today.  I was devastated when my ex wife said she saw it as a ‘starter’ home.  But thanks to Dad I knew what to look for in buying homes and he was always there to advise me on cars.  I could always count on Ron for advise about investment and finances .  I phoned Anil Auluck, my accountant. He’s helped me for years and had the best financial advise. I know medicine.  They say if you want to know where to invest, find out where doctors are investing and invest elsewhere. We are so invested in learning about anatomy and chemistry we simply don’t have time to focus on these others matters. I phoned Anil and ran my plan byt him and he said, “it’s a good idea. We don’t ‘t like you riding motorcycles and a jeep is a good investment”.. Thank you Anil.

My sister in law doesn’t like me riding motorcycles at my age. I think she imagines me have a stroke at high speed on my Harley. I come back from Spokane on the free ways last year and loved it. But I didn’t enjoy my beautiful Vespa 300 on the freeway doing 70 mph this winter as I had the year before. Its light weight makes it easy to load and off load but it’s a bit scarey with crosswinds. In the city it’s the perfect run around.  I still love my Harley for the highway but I traded my big 1600 lb Electroglide I rode to Sturges for my gutsy 500 lbs Nightster Special.   It’s a great motorcycle.  The dog rides in a little box behind me on the Vespa or the little Harley. 

George is my all round wise man. He’s got a new car but I love his little red thunder bird. I’m the Beatles era guy and George would  definitely Elvis/Sinatra era. He sings all manner of songs with his internationally famous barbershop quartet but just got back from touring Route 66.  Laura and I this winter  texted him  a picture of us at the Santa Monica pier , the end of  Root 66.  

‘The mileage is good for second hand. The Jeep is a good vehicle. I think it’s a good plan. Laura likes it. It’s better to have a car than depend on a motorcycle carried behind your motorhome.  Good Idea”. He said. Thank you George. 

I worry I’m being impulsive. I have the money in the bank but the bank and my accountant prefer I borrow and pay off.  

Back at Journey Sina was really helpful.  His manager, a delightful young Sik man with Turban had explained how a car insurance loan worked so I could pay off any time. I’m planning on selling my truck. Downsizing.The insurance guy was great. The jeep insurance was only $50 more than my mini. I phoned Thawn at Rand and McNally. He takes care of my insurance. He told me it was a good deal.  Then the most beautiful tall young woman explained the options for extended warranty. I love extended warranty and I got a great package. The trouble with buying anything from gorgeous women is you wonder how much their looks influence your decision.  Thankfully Laura was there to say it was all good.I didn’t get cosmetic coverage but mechanical and such I’m covered for years to come.  RBC bank gladly extended the loan with reasonable payments.  Madigan was with Laura impatient the whole time.  

My new ‘Willy’s’ Jeep was driven round to the front.  Sina handed me the keys. We unloaded the little I had in the Mini. Then Laura and I were sitting in the Jeep with Madigan. Loving it!!

The only trouble was we couldn’t n’t get the windows down so I had to go out and ask the manager where they were. He laughed and showed me already had Sina had. . “They are on the front console because the doors come off. It’s a common question new buyers ask even though we always tell them”. He said. 

The navigation screen interfaced with my iPhone with CarPlay and blue tooth.  I put in the route home and off we drove.  What a day! What an adventure!

I’m really the proud owner of a racing green Jeep Wrangler 4x4 . Given’ my name is William we liked that the Jeep is the ‘Willy’s” edition. Also when I worked with my brilliant spiritual colleague Dr. Willy Gutowski he’d leant me his Jeep for a month while he was off island. I have such fond memories of working in the Northern Marianas Islandsand Willy was such a profound Christian inspiration I love that my Jeep is called ‘Willy’s’ .  A bit of Jungian synchronicity. God is good all of the time. 

Now all I want to do is ride in my Jeep. When we got back to my motorhome and got out Madigan went round the front and peed on the tire a very long time. “This is mine,” he was saying to all the other dogs.  .  

I’m happy too. Laura’s happy.  A good day was had by all.  All I have to do is make some money to get the Blue Ox trailer system attracched by E&H Hitch and Traveland RV. 

Thank you God. Thank you Jesus. 

Fifth Wheel to Class A Motorhome

It’s exciting I can say that. I signed the papers on the Thor Hurricane 29 m at Traveland.  Then the whirlwind began. I have been two weekends and evenings purging my home. Friends have benefitted most when I found I had two or three of things Like battery chargers and grinders. I’ve taken a half dozen green garbage bags to the Diabetes Bin for clothing. I’ve thrown out as much and have plastic boxes and bags lying about waiting for this Saturday when I empty this RV into the smaller motorhome.  

Meanwhile I’m waiting for an eye appointment to confirm I’ll have sight the next ten years at least and perhaps book surgery. I decided to be optimistic and proactive, buying the motorhome before I had confirmation my sight would last. It’s that time of year in life when each decision is weighed against potential life and as importantly well being. Only a couple of years ago I thought I’d not be able to hunt much more because of the Edinburgh fall, the back pain and weakness. This year I have far more stamina though persisting chronic pain.  I say that it’s anger turned inward or that which I can say in no other way. It wakes me when I turn over at night.  I plan within limits. I don’t believe I have a n endless reserves of energy and immortality.

Kenny Rogers, the salesman at Traveland who told me of his east coast experiences of Atlanti hurricanes when we talked sailing and adventure,”There are rules with motorhomes. No more than three hours without a break and plan for the night at three pm”.  I appreciated the cautionary tale having motorcycled across the country in three hours stretches and mostly finishing the day before dark and the deer on the road night concerns.  

Driving the big ‘bus’ was challenging the first time. I really was uncertain if I could do it despite Peter and Ernest cheering me on. Kenny Roger’s was so kind in guiding me. I was able to do a circle in the parking lot and see that I had the ability to do a tight turn. It wasn’t hard as long as I didn’t think of the length. The cameras were a godsend.  I did it and now am continuing on with the trade.  

I have money in the bank and a trade in and Ryan the finance fellow has been setting up the sale. It turns out that finacncing is better than cashing in mutual funds as the government vultures half the savings especially the present government caught up in monstrous scandals such to give even politicians a bad name.  

Trudeau the leader resigned in shame and ignomy to be replaced by Mark Carney a banker and board member of the WEF and friend of the Communist Chinese. I voted in the advance elections from Pierre Poilevre for PM.  That’s been a major Canadian issue with Elon Musk manning DOGE for Trump and the Republicans in the states. The graft corruption and theft of money being found and all the criminal enterprises in the US seem likely to be worse in Canada especially as Trudeau wouldn’t even address infiltration of the government by Commusti Chines,e Cartels and Mafria.  

I’m continuing to work and most of my patients are feeling the loss of government mismanagement of money. Pensions and inflations. I’m just downsizing and hoping for the future.  I’m working long past the oldest in my family and long past the age of retirement. Fortunately I like my work and feel privileged to serve but the whole administration and government issue is as appalling ast the ‘friendly fire’ of war.  

Now Laura is up. She slept with Madigan chaperoning us. When he’s not trying to lie on one our heads he’s wedged between us.  It’s cozy.  L

It’s cherry blossom season and quite beautiful with the glorious sunshine and blue skies of spring.  

I am blessed.

Laura and I were at St. Barnabas Anglican for Easter Sunday church.  There was a baptism.  Madigan was disruptive so I spent most of the service at the back with him.  Otherwise he’d be whining to be let up on Laura or my lap. When there are two of us he’s a brat. Alone with me he’s manageable .  He really is excited by family.  His girlfriend Bella and her sister Luka have been here with Peter and Larry. Peter and I have been walking the dogs while Peter advises me of important aspects of motorhome ownership. They have the Tiffin Allegra. 

Ernest and Nicolina who’s Thor I saw and fell in love with have been about too.  They were happy to take my expedition boat I’d had stored on the side of the RV.  Dave came to the rescue and sorted out the under RV garage.  I’d had doubles of come along and air compressors and so much more. I told him I only needed one for the new Motorhome. As Dave has an RV himself I could trust him to know what tools I’d need.  

I feel like it’s a west coast Potlach in some ways , this purge. I feel lighter and was amazed at how many doubles of things I had accumulated over the years.  Not unreasonably. I had a yacht and camper and RV and remnants of houses. I found 4 coffee bean grinders stashed here and there.  Camping, hunting and fishing gear kept appearing Willy Nilly here and there.  

It’s closing in to the finish.

Laura just left in her little Read Smart Car.  That little Smart Car served to jump my battery this weekend when the parking lights on my Mini got tripped.  Madigan barked woefully at her departure..  She said before she left that this would be here last time in the Fifth Wheel.  It’s the beginning of a new era.  I never did use this toy hauler lor hunting or to carry my Harley to a different place. The garage turned into an office. I survived Covid here and Madigan was a puppy here.  2017 Keystone Fuzion 371.  In some ways it seems just yesterday and yet in others so much has occurred.  More years of sobriety and increasing tunneling spirituality.  

Throughout it all I’ve worked. The Snowbird trips south, first with car and then truck and camper and now next year I’ll be doing that trip in the Thor Hurricane. Having survived a winter Pacific Ocean solo sailing hurricane experience I find the Hurricane name apropos.  Thor the Vikings god. Well I likely have Vikings blood on the Irish sides along with the Celtic blood.  

I’m looking forward to Kevin coming tonight to take the gun cabinet. I’m passing on a couple of rifles for him and Anna and the kids. Purging. There’s just not space for the hunting gear as well though I’ve taken guns and ammo to the rifle storage.  I’m liking the idea of paring down.  The incredible lightness of being.  I read a blurb by a backpacker who’d scaled down in Henry David Thoreau and was singing the praises of no maintenance .  There’s always maintenance. Even God needed to have Adam tend the gardens.  It’s just that now I’m glad to have less maintenance.  I think of Anna and Kevin with 5 children and how they’ll appreciate the 4/10 that Anna had once told me she so liked.  

A simpler life.

Anil’s been doing the taxes too and getting all the book keeping materials this year was a challenge because of my travelling.  I’m looking forward to that being completed. Big events each year.  

Meanwhile the Men’s Meeting on Wednesday continues .  I was pleased to be able to introduce George to Laura on the weekend when his car was in front of Burnaby Fellowship and we could stop on the way to drop off laundry at Tiki Poo Launderers.  

So much to do, so much done, transition and changes.  It’s overwhelming at times but I used the ‘tools’ in the toolbox, breathe and do the next right thing.

I barbecued chicken for us last night as we watched old NCIS LA series with Hetty and Granger. 

Thank you Jesus. Thank you Christ.  Thank you God. 

I’ve been continuing to work and patients are kind and grateful. I appreciate their consideration when I’m stressed.  But even there I am just plodding along, steady.  I shared in an online doctors meeting that I was thinking about Slouching Towards Bethlehem more .  At times it’s like moving through molasses. I want to pull out my hair and scream but that nails scratching on chalkboard feeling passes and I just keep praying and givening thanks.  A new day has begun.

The air was so fresh this morning. I woke at 5 and couldn’t get back to sleep so got up for 6.  Laura said the same for her and was up to leave early at 630 rather than the 730 she often does.  Work days.  Structure and service.

Thank you Jesus.