Yes, I can hardly believe it. The end of August is only two weeks away, and then I hit the road. Plans are not all in place, and I'm okay with that. If they were, it would defeat the point of the trip really. This is about leaving preconceived expectations behind me. This is about trusting myself. This is about new roads, new paths, healing my soul, being spontaneous, facing fear, and accepting change.
Naturally, that requires a new car, then, right? Right? I'm right, aren't I? Don't answer that. Of course, I am!
I happen to be an excellent vehicle purchaser. I go in knowing what I want, loaded down with research, brimming with confidence, and topped off with a big smile. I get exactly what I expect for my trade-in, and I never pay more than I know a car is truly worth, and I charm my way into a financing package that meets my needs (good credit doesn't hurt, but I swear the smile and respect go a long way). Loan officers are my peeps. I can talk the finance talk with them, and they don't feel so alone in the world. Yeah, whatever. Somehow, I get what I want, and I leave feeling very proud of myself.
So, meet Sandy Pants!

She's the newest car I've ever owned. Just a mere eight miles on her odometer when I left the dealership (and that was after my test drive). We passed 100 today. Soon my little girl will be beyond her first break-in period. sniff
In case you don't recognize her, she's a Toyota Prius III, color Sandy Beach. I think she's beautiful, and we're going to have a blast on our cross-country adventure. You'll probably be seeing a lot of us in future photos.
Surrounded by tons of air bags (even a driver-side knee airbag), I will safely (if not super swiftly) and economically traverse the byways of America. Worry not, my friends, she has a navigation system! This means, you know, that I will finally have to break down and buy an MP3 player. I haven't the faintest idea what I would put on it. I haven't bought a CD in I don't know how many years. I believe I might be categorized as a music neophyte. That's another hurdle to overcome. But, again, that's the point of this trip!
Two weeks. The future unfolds. Now, if I could just make contact with some rollergirls in Knoxville and St. Louis. . .

View Original Post at robinlbernstein.blogspot.com

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