So I got ‘er. She’s big … she’s bad …
Drivin’ ‘er back up to Baltimore on I-95 it’s truly amazin’ that after all the modifications she still handles like before. No loss of power, steerin’, brakin’, ride quality, or overall handlin’. Yet she’s substantially stronger and more capable off road. Lookin’ like a most excellent build at this point.
But she’s also ungawdly expensive. The huge pile of money I had stashed away just weren’t enuf. So had to break my “cash-on-the-barrelhead” rule and take on some short-term debt to get ‘er done.
If I had known the final bill right from the get-go … would I’ve proceeded? … No way.
But the project became kinda like walkin’ ‘cross an unknown river when ya can’t swim. The dream I been chasin’ for all these years is on the other side. So I started walkin’. As the far bank got closer and closer, the waist-deep water weren’t no concern. When the water got up to my chest and the bank was still out of reach, concern became very real. When it got chin-deep and I was close … but weren’t there … what do ya do? Ya can’t stop. And turnin’ ‘round is a damned poor option. I know. Cuz that’s what I keep doin’. And ya know where ya get when ya keep turnin’ ‘round?? Fawkin’ nowhere … that’s where ... on your death bed askin’ “What if ? …”.
This dream haunts me and I’ve grown weary of chasin’ it. So I made it across this river. I’m cold, tired, and beat down like a stray dog. But I made it across. I ain’t turnin’ ‘round no more. Only the passage of time will determine my sanity. Will the truck hold up? Will the camper hold up? Will the entire dream just turn into a friggin’ nightmare??
Or will I finally have a unique place for my wanderin’ soul to seek shelter and find peace?
This has been a very stressful month or so. I waited with y’all each and ev’ry day in anticipation of the progress pics. Giddy with excitement as evidence of Vince’s skill was presented. But at the same time, usin’ them pics to try to track the project completion status and guessin’ at time remainin’ … multiplied by the shop rate for labor. It sucked when the pile of money was gone. Sucked bad. But I ain’t turnin’ ‘round. And without a doubt, I consider myself fortunate to have had the rig stumble into the very talented hands of Vince.
And I still gotta good job so the short-term debt will be covered soon enuf. The camper’s paid for and waitin’ to be fetched.
To be all you can be … you gotta dream of bein’ more. And By Gawd … I’m fixin’ to go catch me my dream.
Cheers and a hearty Thank You to Lance and his fine crew at Iron Pig.
