Busy, busy, busy, sticker shock, busy

[greatbear]

I've been rather busy lately here, along with Jeff and Kodi, so not much time to formulate coherent posts and multimedia to describe it all. A brief summary: The weekend was a back-to-basics camping trip to Hillside. By back-to-basics, I mean we camped in our tent rather than the uber-trailer. Two reasons, primarily the spot we were assigned was along a road that would not easily accommodate the rig, and the truck is still parked in front of the garage waiting for me to rip out the transmission and fix it. The tent camping was fun as usual, despite three nasty electrical storms that rolled through Friday afternoon and into the night. Things cleared up nicely by Saturday morning though.

In all the themed weekends that Hillside puts on throughout the summer months, we've discovered a gem among them for the past several years. It's "Wrestling, Car Show and Talent Contest" weekend. Seemingly a kind of catch-all grouping of unrelated activities, the weekend has continuous wrestling activities (everything from collegiate to pro styles, on large, expansive mats and a pro-style ring), a chance for car enthusiasts to bring their rides to show and shine, and a talent show that raises money for the local ambulance/rescue squad. Those who have permanent sites in the lower section (the "Village") get together and host a "Village People" party, this year had tons of incredible food, a DJ and various beverages with and without alcohol, free for everyone there. This also ends up being a sightseeing party as well, with wrestly wrestlers, big muscly muscleguys with lots of muscles, bears, car enthusiasts and their prides and joys, and everyone else hanging around and socializing. It's very relaxing, fun, and seems like everyone there is friendly and outgoing.

This was also Kodi's first trip to Hillside. He had a blast. He's also a babe magnet, and plays the part well. He also discovered the creek next to our site and eventually started bounding and splashing around in the water. I dont think I ever saw this dog have so much fun. He behaved well for the most part, and seems to finally gotten over his car sickness and only needs a stop every hour or two to relieve himself.

Today marked my first trip to a couple dealers to check out new trucks. My old Dodge, which has served me very well through 18+ years of hard use, is due for semi-retirement. I had an expected bout of sticker shock as I looked at the new rides that would suit my needs/wants. Looking at Dodges (natch) and the new Chevys, with diesel engines, four doors, long beds, trailer prep, four wheel drive and a modicum of 'luxury' appointments to make travel nice, I'm looking at around fifty grand for what I want. Yikes. It's a lot of money for a truck. I knew this going in, but still, seeing the prices in black-and-white on those window stickers is a bit off-putting. It's not that I cant afford it, I just dont feel it's quite worth it.

Lots of pics and some videos from the weekend. I hope to get some posted soon.

Cheers!

Comments

[sfmini.livejournal.com]

I remember when I bought my Expedition, I don't think I skipped an option. WHen I wrote out the check my biggest thought was that I was spending more for a vehicle than I paid for my first house!! I had only a slight gasp when I paid $29k for the MINI last summer. My first new car was a 1977 Honda Civic. $3300.

Storms in tents mean prime snuggle time. Unless the wet dog is in there!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

My Dodge was $17.5k in '89, and I got it loaded, with the diesel option being the biggie at $2300 bux. A lot for the time, but more than worth it, and I did not flinch at all then. Getting the equivalent nowadays is about 42k, and adding what I want pushes it up to the fiddy mark. Granted, it buys a lot of truck, but it's not chump change by any means. I paid the same as you did for my MINI as well.

I have to say that the storm in the middle of the night was very 'entertaining'. The sound of the thunder in those mountains is completely unlike how a typical storm sounds here. One strike will roll on forever, and then the next one is a single, short "BOOM" with practically no echo. I can sit and watch/listen to a storm for hours. Being that I was hit by lighting as a kid, I feel a strange connection. lol

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I hear ya. Not to brag, but I can pay it all off in cash if I wanted to, but I dont like the thought of dipping that much out of my savings in case some more drastic emergency need creeps up. Part of my calm, cool demeanor (lol) comes with having my 'security blanket' in savings. I've had to tread along the ragged edge of not being able to afford stuff because of some issue(s) and it makes me edgy.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I've been there too, and hated it. I made sure to build up a buffer of sorts for lean times. Last I needed it was when I was on disability and I was not getting paid (long, anger-inspiring story). It was ten months of potential hell, but I managed.

[sfmini.livejournal.com]

Wow, I hadn't remembered storms in the mountains in forever. Yeah, they do roll on forever. I also remember heat lightning was strange to look at, seeing silhouettes of the hills. I miss sounds here. We don't have any naturally occuring sounds. Just traffic. I've seen one thunderstorm here in 4 years. Fog doesn't make a sound and it sure gets boring quick ;-)

[cutepacub.livejournal.com]

I saw something in the newspaper the other day that Chrysler Corp was now offering a lifetime warrenty on their powertrains. I am not sure of the specifics of it, but I'll be checking that our when the Bonneville is due for trade in. We have a special program at work for employee pricing on Ford's and GM's as well. It's a hefty discount!

[gregbearphl.livejournal.com]

Great to see you both. Yes, it's was a nice weekend and I heard that the Woods got a lot more rain than we did. Oh, BTW, you forgot to mention that the theme of the Village People party was Alice in Wonderland, complete with hopping nekkid bunnies. I guess Hillside had to have something really gay to balance out all the butch wrestling and car stuff.

[wrascalism.livejournal.com]

It's "Wrestling, Car Show and Talent Contest" weekend.

For which event did you guys participate in?

:o)

[djmadadam.livejournal.com]

The Woods Campground, Lehighton PA

1-1/2 hours south of Hillside along I-476, closer to Philadelphia, but a bit north of Allentown. Bears weekend happens to be this weekend. I'm DJing there next over Labor Day Weekend.