It's been a long winter of vehicle issues. First, the motorcycle, then the van, then the motorcycle, then the van, etc.. Seemed like the trendline was continuously negative. So often I found myself wasting a weekend with wrenches in my hands and grease everywhere else.
Well, it wasn't wasted. Let's be honest here, I had a ton of fun. But, spring's just
around the corner, and I wanted a toy I guess. So, last Saturday I decided to take the bike and head over to an auto dealer who had been advertising a car that looked like I might like it.One thing leading to another, we wrote the deal, and now I am the proud borrower of a 1998 BMW Z3 sports car. Teal green, or hunter green, I'm not sure. It's not British Racing Green, I can be sure of that, because it's German, and in any case I saw an MGB on the ferry last week which WAS British Racing Green, and mine's much darker.
Tan leather interior, all in good shape. Big six cylinder engine, five speed manual transmission, low and fat tires, great stereo system, analog gauges for an old-timer like me (got lots of fancy computer screens in the airplanes, so don't need more in the car...).
I am FULLY engaged in my late-middle-age crisis, and loving every bit of it. The roads around here are ideal for sports cars. They're basically in good shape, but twist and wind around obstacles instead of bulldozing through them. Lots of hills, lots of valleys, lots of curves, nothing in the way of traffic, no traffic lights, not too many stop signs, no pedestrians, a few motorcycles and bicycles, and best of all, not a police officer in sight. But I DID budget for that first, very expensive, speeding ticket. Just hope it doesn't happen for a little while.
So, the morning commute is basically an exercise in precision high-speed driving, at least as far as the ferry lineup. Then it's sit and wait of course, but it's worth it.
Now, I'm going to go looking for a used WaveRunner, and that way I'll be able to commute across the pond without the intermediate step of a car or a motorcycle. I figure I'll be able to drop it in the drink in front of the house off a winch, and then run it right up the Duwamish River next to Boeing Field, then just use a motorcycle or bicycle that I leave at the marina to go the last mile or two to work. That's the plan, we'll see what happens.
Then, some time, a Cessna 140 to be left at the grass strip airport near the house here. That way it'll be a sports car ride to the airport, a quick flight, tie it down right outside my office door, and walk in to work.
Life, at the moment, is a bunch of fun.
Be well, look forward to spring, live it like you want to.
