Bye Bye Blue

  octtarts 038 
  Originally uploaded by lauragayle.

Yesterday morning I said goodbye.  Some folks may think I'm silly, but this was hard for me.  The transmission on Big Blue died Friday and Friday night Joel and I had a discussion about whether or not it was worth it to put a couple thousand dollars in a nearly 20-year old vehicle that got at best 12-13 mpg.

I didn't argue.  I loved Blue, but it was pretty expensive to run and in the months that gas was close to $3/gallon, I spent over $300 a month on gas.  That's the better part of a new car payment.  If you're a regular reader, you know the tranny had been fussy for some time and the truth was that I knew it wasn't going to last.  I was a little fearful every time I started up the truck -- sometimes it didn't want to start, and of course, when I put it into drive, I wasn't sure what would happen - smooth start or a cranky start.

Why did I love Blue?  Well, Big Blue was originally my Dad's truck.  Mom bought it new for him in May 1987.  He kept sheets on the seats when he drove it to work to keep the upholstery clean and new looking.  He loved how it looked and how it drove.  He loved the V8 engine and we enjoyed riding the back roads of Franklin County, Va. in it.  When Dad died in 2001, Mom gave me Blue.  I put a lot of miles on Blue.  I drove it to Virginia and back several times, drove it to a few MLA Midwest Chapter meetings, MLA Board meetings, and just enjoyed driving it.  The guys at work really enjoyed watching me successfully parallel park -- I got ribbed about my "skillz" quite a bit. 

But it was time to say goodbye.  I got a new car on Saturday.  After the break-in period, it should get about 40 MPG.  It has that lovely new car smell.  And when I push down on the accellerator, the same thing happens every time. 

I felt sad yesterday when I took off my vanity plates.  But it was time.  Time to say goodbye to Blue.  You've been a good ol' truck.

Comments

[Suzanne]

I've had a couple rides that I was sorry to say goodbye to even though I knew it was time to move on. I had an old '69 Chevy pickup that was seriously tempermental but I loved it anyway.

The new car is a _____________?

[Mary]

It's red and pretty. Show Suzanne the pictures!

[squigs]

The end of an era, for sure. I will miss you, Old Blue.