The CR-V left us yesterday. All of our worries about getting her started and was she drivable or would she have to be towed were for naught. The guys from the station jumped the battery, started her up with no trouble, and in less than about 5 minutes, she was gone.
All rather anti-climatic, as I said my goodbyes a few weeks ago, sitting in the car, making sure we were leaving nothing behind. I found some seashells from our last visit to California, found some spare change in the one of the compartments.
She was very rusty – everywhere – and had been for a long time. We bought her in California, where snow and road salt aren’t an issue, so she had no undercoating. That initial purchase was made because we were about to move across the country and my beloved red Honda Civic Hatchback would not have been practical. Don was driving the truck with all our belongings. I had to transport two dogs. So we picked out a CR-V that was already on the lot. She carried Winston, Scout, and me on our first journey from California to NY State, Scout on the backseat, Winston on the passenger seat. They were surprisingly good travelers, those two. She was our main car for most of our 20 years out here in the East. Yes, we had her for twenty years. She was unbelievably dependable for most of those years, though she was declining a bit when Don said he was going to drive her back across the country a few years ago to work on Margaritaville in La Jolla, CA. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was determined.
Don got to do what he had always wanted to do, drive Route 66 at the age of 66.
And then, after his run there, she took us on our journey up the coast of California and back across the country to NY.
She transported lots of tables and chairs and vintage furniture and dollhouses and plants and groceries and antiques.
She carried our dogs to roads where we would park and take them for a walk or on an adventure. She carried them to vet appointments. And she carried all three of our beloved dogs to the places where we would make the decision to ease their pain and let them go.
So many memories. So much life and love, especially with our babies. Twenty years, over 250,000 miles, dependable and true. Thank you, CR-V.
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
nice tribute to a dependable car that was part of so many happy memories.
though i get attached to some stuff because of the memories, i remind myself that’s what to hold onto … the memories … … … and look forward to many, many more ahead.
happy, safe thursday! may it include time for painting!
kathy in iowa
Thanks, Kathy!
Stay safe.
I can relate to your post. We had a Jeep Grand Wagoneer Woody that I just loved. We took many camping trips up and down the California coast with our kids in that jeep. It had so much power. It took mountain roads with a breeze. I was very sad when we had to sell it. Our kids could no longer sit in the back comfortably. Their legs had become too long! We bought a mini van after that and I felt like I was betraying my jeep! How silly is that. Anyway, automobiles do become a part of our lives with so many memories. Thanks for letting me relive mine. xo
Some more than others, right? But you can’t help but have a lot of memories when you’ve had a car that long!
Stay safe, April!
Farewell, old friend. I’ll have to do the same soon with my little manual Corolla. I will miss shifting. (Until the next time I have shoulder issues.)
I miss shifting, too. That Honda Civic hatchback I had was a stick and I love driving with a stick.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
You certainly got your money’s worth out of that vehicle! What will you be driving now?
Don’t you remember that we bought a used Honda Pilot a couple of months ago for Don? That’s what he’ll be driving. I drive an Accord that I inherited from my father.
Stay safe, Ellen.
Sweet post. I get blasted for having attachment to material objects, but I get you … because the objects evoke the memories, and I need my memories. Imagine what I go through with my own car, which I’ve owned thru what seems like six lifetimes since I was a teen; she’s been with me now for 47 years. I practically ‘gave’ the car away to somebody three years ago or so, but the ‘deal’ still fell thru; so, every time something like this happens, I feel like it’s a sign that I’m not supposed to let go of her just yet; however, she’s not getting driven and should have a life with someone new who appreciates a vintage American car. (I just don’t want to see the dear old thing stripped for parts, which might be what’ll happen. Maybe I shouldn’t care. But, I do!)
I was fine once I said my goodbyes. We have no garage, so she couldn’t be stored. It was time.
Thanks, Vicki.
Stay safe.
I have had my 1998 Honda Accord since 10/10/98 when it had 16 miles on it. It’s been the greatest car in my lifetime. I think of the thousands of $ saved by not needing to replace it for almost 23 years now. 2 service advisors at my dealership pulled me aside when I took it in for maintenance to tell me to hang onto it, even if a transmission was needed, as it & the 1997 Accord were the best models ever made. I am so attached to it – it was carried a now deceased best friend, my deceased mom, my deceased aunt, all my deceased cats & been driven on several fun vacations from TX to MI & back. I’m old, & know I need to replace it with a new car with all the safety features, but not yet. It’s going to be really hard to walk away from it. By the way, I still have an old flip cell phone too. It’s not a matter of $, I have more than enough, I just don’t care about newfangled anything! LOL . So I relate to this post!
If it’s still working, keep driving it! I understand, I have an Accord, though it’s a 2012 model. Truth be told, I love the older Hondas and Toyotas. They looked like foreign cars. Now all cars look alike.
Thanks, Mary.
Stay safe.
Sweet memories of your vehicle! Hondas are wonderful. So are Toyotas. The only two models of cars we’ve ever had. My 20 year old Honda Accord coupe still runs and is stored in our garage as a back-up. It has less than 170,000 miles on it. Has only one teeny spot of rust above the back wheel well. It’s still shiny and beautiful.
I now drive a 2016 CR-V, purchased with just 29,000 miles on it May 2020. I absolutely love it.
Brian drives a 2008 Toyota Corolla which now has 270,000 miles on it! He will drive it until it dies, which is why we’re keeping the Accord for a back-up right now. He doesn’t want to have to buy a new car until he absolutely has to.
My very first car that I bought and paid for was a Toyota Corolla. I loved it. I’ve also had a Volkswagen and several Hondas. We have no garage, as you know, so there’s no place to store our cars other than on the driveway. Sigh.
Thanks, Melanie.
Stay safe!
What a wonderful car!
Thank you, Regula!
Stay safe.
What a dependable car. My CR-V is now in the hands of my former husband and he is helping Mom and I and able to pick up the Grands when I’m not available. I love its having another life. Not as many miles on it as yours but still much loved.
They are great cars, Linda.
Stay safe.