Explorer Ally pays homage to one of the vital under-appreciated items of journey gear – her 4WD.
To my Jeep Wrangler,
I used to be by no means a ‘car girl’ till I met you. Each automotive I owned earlier than you was out of comfort, not out of selection.
My first automotive – a Toyota Corolla Seca – was white, overwhelmed and bruised. Nevertheless it was low cost and it bought me the place I wanted to go (albeit slowly).
My second automotive – a pink Suzuki Alto – was nimble and cute, and allowed me to parallel park with out an excessive amount of crying.
My third automotive – a silver Mazda 2 – was a beneficiant reward from my Papa who might not drive it.
However you… you’re the primary automotive I selected primarily based on what it might do and the place it might take me.
The day I introduced you dwelling (properly, to my mum or dad’s home as a result of I couldn’t determine the way to park you in Newtown)
Rising up, I by no means paid a lot consideration to what vehicles appeared like or their options – till at some point, I noticed a Jeep.
It was so boxy and effortlessly cool, standing out amongst all the opposite 2WD vehicles on the street. It made me consider an epic safari automotive (which as we all know, Jeeps are generally used for).
And I assumed, ’That’s my excellent automotive’.
Keep in mind after we went to Lake Lyell collectively?
This sense really got here out of nowhere, but it surely turned an simple itch I simply needed to scratch. And after a lot scrolling by means of carsales.com.au, I lastly discovered you.
My excellent journey automotive – a stunning yellow Jeep Wrangler.
Did I understand how to drive a 4WD? No. Had I ever been 4WDing? As soon as … in an Indian jungle. Was I gonna purchase you anyway? You bloody betcha.
With plenty of trepidation, I drove you dwelling. You had been a a lot larger automotive than I used to be used to.
On the time, I used to be dwelling in Newtown. And if anybody is aware of the streets of Newtown, they understand how disgustingly slender they’re. Did I’ve a minor panic assault making an attempt to manoeuvre you thru the streets of Newtown? Sure. Sure, I did.
However as soon as I’d safely parked you, I leapt onto my laptop computer and began researching all of the unbelievable locations we might go collectively – locations most different vehicles might solely dream of accessing…
Mungo Nationwide Park with its historical, otherworldly landscapes, excellent for a 4WD journey. Or Okay’gari, the place I might drive by means of lush rainforests, swim in crystal-clear freshwater lakes, and cruise alongside the well-known 75 Mile Seashore. And let’s not neglect Alice Springs, the gateway to the Outback. With you, I might discover the guts of the Simpson Desert, navigate rugged tracks, and marvel on the hanging pink dunes.
These locations had been not simply daydreams – they had been actual adventures ready for us to take them on.
Oooo and keep in mind our first huge journey to Tasmania?
Because you’ve been in my life, we’ve run amok on Bruny Island and traversed the east and west coasts of Tasmania. We’ve pushed throughout numerous stretches of sand, from Smoky Seashore in South West Rocks to Ocean Seashore in Strahan.
We’ve bush-bashed by means of Victoria’s Excessive Nation and explored numerous NSW forests – visiting nooks and crannies solely a 4WD might attain.
Off the overwhelmed observe and into the bush we go!
Now, we’re all set for an upcoming journey to Mungo Nationwide Park. We’ve barely scratched the floor, however my gosh, I’m excited to see the place we head subsequent.
However first… there’s one thing I must confess…
At one level, I used to be fascinated with promoting you. The price of dwelling disaster, and all that. However each time I thought of not seeing your stunning yellow physique parked on the street, I felt bodily sick.
You’re now part of me, in a approach I by no means imagined a automotive might be. Regardless of your whole creaks and grunts and “Uh, oh, what was that sound?” moments, our adventures collectively are a few of my favorite recollections.
I couldn’t allow you to go, and I’m so glad I didn’t.
Simply take a look at this smile! That is how comfortable you make me!
You’re greater than only a automotive. You’re my gateway to a few of the greatest and most particular locations in Australia – locations reserved for essentially the most daring of Explorers.
So, pricey Jeep, although you can’t learn this love letter, I simply need to say: I fucking love you. And thanks for the recollections.
Love,
Your redhead in a Jeep
