On days like today, I really miss the "Consplorer"

One of the most generous gifts I have ever received from anyone was the car I drove in college. In high school, I had the privilege of driving a fabulously champagne Geo Prism, which I reluctantly had to relinquish to my younger sister when I began college. Though I lived on campus, I worked off campus-- way off campus-- and this fact presented problems as I tried to navigate the P-town public transit system. There was a bus stop right by my work... but the bus only ran once every hour and would stop running before some of my shifts were over.

In the mean time, my grandpa, "The Colonel," decided to buy a new car. Now this was in event in of itself because The Colonel is legendary for his prowess in mechanics. I don't think he ever bought a car brand new; rather, he would buy a quality car and keep it alive for years. (And I mean YEARS.) At the time, he was driving a 1992 Ford Explorer (affectionately deemed "The Consplorer") that was rocking 100 thousand miles plus. Consequently, when he decided to buy a new vehicle, he also decided that his precious "Consplorer" would go to me.

I can't tell you what an absolute godsend this vehicle was to me. It took me to and from work. It helped me move from apartment to apartment. It had wicked bass. (And I love me lots of bass.) It nursed a broken heart and hosted copious amounts of introspection. But, more than that, the Consplorer represented the complete selflessness of my grandparents. They recognized that I had a need, and they lovingly filled that need. And I, in turn, appreciated and loved that car so much. I loved the fact that it still smelled like my grandpa's cologne for about a year. I loved that its 4 wheel drive saved me from many dicey situations at Point of the Mountain.

When the time came for us to go our separate ways, I was quite sad. And though I so love my Lola... on a wintry day like today... I miss the Consplorer.

Rollin' in the Con, circa 2005