After a week and a half, today I found out my truck is a total loss. They explained what all was destroyed and it really did a number on the front suspension. I guess the roof had some ripples in it I did not see so maybe the frame was bent; I never got an answer about that. At least I was unhurt and felt completely safe in that truck when the deer decided that day was a good day to die. It is a sturdy, safe vehicle especially for its size.

I got a decent ballpark amount on the loss but I will go talk to the local dealer tomorrow to see what they think the value is and if I can get more out of it. If so that is great, but if not there’s not much I can really do to fight it. Of course, about half of that goes to pay off my loan. I had 3.99% financing and hated to see that go away, but now my credit score is even higher after paying off my trailer so I might be able to do a little better.

Now I get to car shop all over again – and I hate it. Used rates are kind of high and a new one to get a better interest rate for around the same payment plus I would have something dependable. I will probably get another Tacoma but I will be lookiing around to see if I can find a good deal on a different one as well. I did like the truck but the thought of payments still annoys me and if I can lower my paymjents I would be foolish not to. However, used cars are ridiculously priced along with having a higher interest rate on a loan to get one. It is better for me to get a new one again but I will see if I can get a cheaper one with the few options I still really want.

This all is finally getting wrapped up no thanks to Progressive Insurance. Getting information has been a pain in the ass – no communication and an adjuster not being forthright with me. It was looking to be totaled LAST week but I did not know until today after I made many phone calls and chewed on some asses to get answers. I could have been looking at vehicles and possibly gotten out of my rental earlier & saved several hundred dollars. Once I am able I will be looking around for new insurance.

**********

With this vehicle twist, I have briefly considered getting rid of my trailer so I won’t have to worry about towing anything and can get a more efficient vehicle. Then again, it IS paid off now and when I get in it I start thinking how I would miss the freedom it brings me to do things that I really enjoy doing. Since I no longer have a payment on it it is only costing me insurance now along with the extra fuel only when I am towing it. I would also be back to hotels & eating out. Those things are fine when flying to US cities or going to foreign places but it is really not for me doing road trips. It does save quite a bit of money I learned after a few road trips moving things; I just did not enjoy paying way too much money for crappy accommodations and dining out is way too expensive.

After my friend Dave died I lost a little desire to camp for a short time. We only had a few trips but had so much fun and then all of a sudden he was gone and I was back to going alone. I went alone many time before but it is different when you are with someone else. I finally got to where I was able to put that to rest and started to enjoy my trailer again. I know that when I sold the house and was coming up his way I hated I had to rush bedause I was really enjoying being on the road again quite a bit. It was off-season, places were not crowded and very reasonably priced. I wanted to slow down and finally enjoy life again after the personal circus of the last few years. The trailer has been invaluable serving as my own personal space when covering for Meghan when she has been out on a fire assignment.

That is it for this post. See you next time.

Shawn