Explorer Ally pays homage to one of the 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 automobile I owned earlier than you was out of comfort, not out of alternative.
My first automobile – a Toyota Corolla Seca – was white, overwhelmed and bruised. But it surely was low cost and it acquired me the place I wanted to go (albeit slowly).
My second automobile – a pink Suzuki Alto – was nimble and cute, and allowed me to parallel park with out an excessive amount of crying.
My third automobile – a silver Mazda 2 – was a beneficiant present from my Papa who may not drive it.
However you… you’re the primary automobile I selected primarily based on what it may do and the place it may take me.
The day I introduced you residence (properly, to my guardian’s home as a result of I couldn’t determine the right way to park you in Newtown)
Rising up, I by no means paid a lot consideration to what vehicles seemed 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 highway. It made me consider an epic safari automobile (which as we all know, Jeeps are generally used for).
And I assumed, ’That’s my excellent automobile’.
Bear in mind once we went to Lake Lyell collectively?
This sense really got here out of nowhere, but it surely turned an plain itch I simply needed to scratch. And after a lot scrolling via carsales.com.au, I lastly discovered you.
My excellent journey automobile – 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 lots of trepidation, I drove you residence. You had been a a lot larger automobile than I used to be used to.
On the time, I used to be residing in Newtown. And if anybody is aware of the streets of Newtown, they know the way disgustingly slim they’re. Did I’ve a minor panic assault attempting 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 unimaginable locations we may go collectively – locations most different vehicles may solely dream of accessing…
Mungo Nationwide Park with its historical, otherworldly landscapes, excellent for a 4WD journey. Or Okay’gari, the place I may drive via 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 may discover the center of the Simpson Desert, navigate rugged tracks, and marvel on the putting purple 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 large 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 via Victoria’s Excessive Nation and explored numerous NSW forests – visiting nooks and crannies solely a 4WD may attain.
Off the overwhelmed monitor 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 by promoting you. The price of residing disaster, and all that. However each time I considered not seeing your stunning yellow physique parked on the street, I felt bodily sick.
You’re now part of me, in a method I by no means imagined a automobile 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 automobile. You’re my gateway to among 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
