Silver linings

a year ago tomorrow, there was a mix up and I was the last minute driver for four youth on the way to Hoop Fest.  Everyone in our car saw a green light, but others saw it differently.  The Honda Pilot was t-boned and totaled.  Thankfully no one had serious injuries, (though based on the insurance adjudicator comment, the other party claimed significant loss.)  Our four fearless team plus one, coped amazingly considering two passengers had autism, one had a propensity for fainting under stress, and another had a bloody nose. Alas, the team would not make it to play that year, and I committed to never driving to Hoop Fest with 4 excited and somewhat uncoordinated carpool plans every again.

The silver lining of this tragedy was a new Honda Ridgeline 2019. 

Like the pilot is generous in the cabin, but brings the bonus of truck bed complete with hitch and towing capacity installed. Roomy and practical, with a high safety rating. "Tula" like her name is a gift of strength, and tranquility. Driving in her we tease that sometimes "Tula" is a little naughty, occasionally rising above or below the speed limit, as suits her mood. She has been a welcome companion for carting Costco size groceries, nursery plants, family members, pets, red bark mulch, and many other things.  We demonstrate our appreciation with frequent trips to Mister Car Wash, and the gasoline pump. 

One of the true gifts of Tula is that because of her many amenities, we were able to team her up with a long desired companion we call TJ.

We took our maiden voyage with Tula and TJ to the Indian Creek Campsite at Priest Lake, Idaho on June 6, 2020.

We wanted to have some time to acquaint Tula with TJ and ourselves with the two of them, without the added pressure of family and friends.  We are not the best of planners and tend to live life a bit more spontaneously, taking guesses and gambles, learning through trial and error.  Fortunately Tula and TJ were stable and patient companions as we made wrong turns off of educated guesses instead of a sound map.  We drove miles out of our way, needed assistance to back up on more than one occasion, and once settled into campsite # 15 discovered we left our pillows and blankets neatly piled on our bed at home. 

It was our first adventure, a beautiful location, and we enjoyed many laughs together. Neither Van nor I like our pictures taken, but since I included hi, I have to include mine at the lake.

Setting up for our next adventure... July 2-5, 2020 Heyburn State Park for the annual BOG July 4th campout where we hope to learn how to take selfies that we like :-)