September 23, 2006
At the beach this weekend: I found an internet connection at the neighboring building so I'm sitting in a car with my laptop, the glow illuminating my face. It rained most of the drive down here but as soon as we arrived, the weather magically changed to sunny skies and gentle warm breezes. Today was absolutely gorgeous weather, with uncrowded beaches and gulls hopping in flocks around the beach. This is a great time of year to be here. Fall has welcomed itself to Birmingham, but summer is still hanging around in Destin.
I didn't drive my car down here, so when I go out to run errands, I'm driving this borrowed Toyota Sequioa. I have never driven a vehicle this large before. I'm having a hard time understanding why anyone would want a SequoiaSuburbanYukonMilitaryTankHunkOfMetalTonnage. The monstrosity takes corners like an 18 wheeler. It has so much momentum that I don't have to give it gas for three hours, once I've speed the thing up to 50 mph. The guard at the front gate yelled "MONSTER MOM!" when I drove through yesterday. And I keep wanting to leave notes on neighboring cars in the lot, saying "I'm sorry. I hate this thing, too." I imagine that even other SUV drivers (like JeepCherokeeToyotaHighlanderNissanPathfinder) are talking about how much they HATE SUVs when they see me driving by in The Tank.
I will also mention that the visibility in The Tank is crap. I can't see compact cars at all. Especially behind and to the sides of the vehicle. Keep that in mind so you don't get smooshed by one of these things. I doubt I would even notice if I ran over a compact sedan in this Sequoia.
The rear view mirrors? Like, 12 inches wide by 12 inches tall. Oh, and there are FOUR sunglasses cases in the ceiling - those things you push out and they drop down so you can put your sunglasses in them. Additionally, I bought a small powerboat and stowed it in the back.
The obnoxiousness rating of The Tank is through the roof.
I can't ever own one of these things, even if I have eight kids.
Tomorrow, I hope to avoid any further trips in The Tank. I think the weather is going to be beautiful, again.
Posted by megabeth at September 23, 2006 09:23 PM
Generally, with a tank, you don't worry about the odd small car squashing or running over a tree (unless you have a hatch (the sunroof) open and chiggers, ticks or snakes drop in. It is there responsibility to avoid you, that's why they are small and nimble. There is an advantage though - you can carry the large cooler to the beach without having to strap it on the outside.
Posted by: Outlaw3 at September 24, 2006 08:25 PM