A "Would Be" Adventure

Master and I are leaving this morning to drive to Denver -- a visit to my two children and my grandson, who is now just over 14 months old.  Our plan is to arrive tomorrow afternoon; visit on Tuesday and Wednesday; and then drive back on Thursday and Friday. 

Originally, when we first began to discuss this trip, we planned to turn it into an adventure, and drive the SMART car.  For those who do not know much about these little cars, they are just 8 feet-2 inches long -- shorter than a VW Beetle (14 feet) or a Mini Cooper (12 feet).  The 2-seat passenger cabin is surprisingly roomy and comfortable.  There is a very small luggage space behind the seats, and that is IT.  We were figuring we'd have to pack extremely lightly, but that it was doable.  Master figured it would be like traveling by motorcycle except that we'd skip the bugs in our teeth.

Unfortunately, eight weeks ago, Master got into a relatively minor accident in the SMART.  After the encounter with the fire hydrant at a speed of about 10 miles per hour, the car needed both body and mechanical repairs.  That process has become a nightmare of epic proportions.  We are discovering that, while SMART sells these vehicles with the pitch that their various snap on panels make repairs quick and easy, the reality is that there are serious supply issues with parts.  Our car has been in the shop all of this time and is still not ready.  We are aware of at least one other car that was waiting for parts a month before ours was damaged, and remains un-repaired due to a total lack of the needed parts.  To say we are frustrated is a serious understatement! 

So, we will be driving the much roomier Hyundai Tucson to Denver.  We won't have to worry about what we pack or what we take.  In some ways, the trip will be easier, and probably more comfortable.  It just won't feel like quite such an adventure.  Sigh.

swan