I liked throwing all the camping stuff in the back: tents, sleeping bags, Coleman stove and lanterns, fishing poles, rifles and pistols, dogs, kids, and heading into the mountains for a spur of the moment camping trip. I liked the way it fired right up at 5 am to take the chill off of a cold November camp.

I liked hauling a load of boards home for a weekend backyard project.

I liked going to the Golden feed store for some bales of straw.

I liked loading and unloading horseshit by arm and shovel, with hopeful visions of next year's garden in my mind. Then in summer hauling load after load of mulch to protect my plants against the heat.

I liked the powerful purring of 360 cubic inches blowing through headers and dual exhaust; the way it passed everything on the road up Mt. Vernon canyon.

It fit my style, rust and dents and all: an old Western pickup truck with rodeo and eagle country and grizzly country and Ralph Stanley stickers all over the tail gate and bumper. Walking back to it I would see two border collies in the cab smiling and tails wagging; happy to see me return after our 5 minute separation.

Some things make no sense though; it must be my middle age adolescence showing again. I know I have spent too much on this old truck that could be falling apart (brakes, electrical, tranny.) And next will probably be a starter or a valve job.

I told the mechanics at the brake shop that I think my wife loves this old truck, because when I told her about getting the brakes she started crying (poor lady, to be married to such a fool).

Oh well, what was I just writing about life being simple??. I can rent a truck for $20 to $30 a day on the times I really need one. I still have my old Plymouth 2 door I bought for $970 5 years ago and have driven over 60,000 miles. It runs strong and hopefully has years left in it. It is much cheaper and more practical.

Let me think, what are my options. If I donated it to charity the expenses on it would cease : no more insurance, repairs, license fees, gas. Money would be saved. The brakes and u joint I just had fixed would not go to waste. Perhaps somebody who needs this truck more than me will get some use out of them. But why try to justify a donation to charity????? Gifts by their very nature make no sense.

I cleaned out my pickup and drove it over to Salvation Army and signed over the title. They were happy to get it.

See ya, good old truck.

11/12/96