Dean Dog

 Miss you, buddy. Hard to believe it has been a month without you, after 14+ years by my side. We had a good walk today - lotta birds and squirrels and probably some old deer scent. Bella tried to get after it but she’ll never have your legs!

Goodbye, Old Friend

 It’s been a long month of downers around here, but one of the low points for sure was putting down Dean Dog, the namesake of this Blog. Things had gotten too tough for him and all the spark was gone. He laid down in the family room with his whole pack, and Sam howled cries of anguish at his passing. 

He was a good dog. One of the best. Thanks for all the adventures, buddy. 

Dark Horse Project, post 2 - baby steps

Swapped out the chrome Denali grille for a black body-matched painted version. $28 install at the dealer!

Installed Tuffy’s locking under seat storage box. Holds the 870 and an old .22 very securely on the 60% split (drivers) side, along with towing / recovery gear on 40% passenger side access.

Swapped out the factory black tow hooks for red versions from GMC

Installed BDS steel skid plate and front diff cover in place of the factory ABS plastic “splash guard”

And, added the all-important Red USMC front license plate!

Dark Horse, post 1 - breaking her in

Here is the delivery documentation, from last month:

Took the new lady for a few rides over the last week, kids and the dog had a blast. 500+ miles round trip to OBX went like a breeze, averaging 15mpg if I am paying attention, 12.5 if I drive hard and have some stop and go. Pretty decent for 6500# curb weight. 

More importantly, the dogs and the kids all got to go for a ride in Dad’s new digs. Pretty sweet. Half a dozen trips to the farm and the storage unit and Lowe’s and the decision to get a truck is quickly validated. 

Now, what do I do with the 4Runner?

Dark Horse Project Build, post zero

 I've got a new-to-me truck on order, to be delivered next week. GMC Sierra 2500 Crew Cab, 4x4, V8, vinyl seats - what every old-ish man dreams of:

WE are going to build this out into the family into the woods haluer -- I've got a GoFast camper on order, will need to get a Wilco hitch mount for the spare and the bikes, and then build out the interior with some 80/20 aluminum. Am planning to put a roof rack on the cab, and once the GoFast is on I will mount the Yakima LoPro SKybox, a Renogy 175W flexible solar panel, spare battery, fridge, etc. Project goal is stealth camper and family adventure machine. It'll sleep 5 comfortably!

Should have it all finished by 2030 or so...