Thursday, July 19, 2012

Why Change?

This summer I have been driving around Iowa a lot. As in ... a lot, a lot. I was in Sioux City yesterday. That is about 3 hours west of where I live. Sioux City is on the Missouri River. Here is a picture I took from a hill overlooking a small river that flows into the Missouri River.

The little red thing far below is a semi tractor trailer rig. The road is an interstate that goes along the western edge of Iowa.



Recently I was in Davenport and Clinton. Those towns are 3 hours east of where I live. Both of those towns are on the Mississippi River.

I have been north and south. East and west. Up and down. And my constant companion has been my camera and my car. The two pictures here are not actually MY car as I am too lazy to take a picture of my car right now - but my car looks identical to this one. It is 2006 Nissan Altima and has all the creature comforts - leather seats, built in navigation unit, Bose stereo system (which someone I know pronounces "boy-see"), and so on.



Today I was at a Nissan dealership looking at newer cars. I like the Maxima a lot as it is a bit bigger and a little easier on my back. However, the dealership gave me an insulting offer for my car and I said the heck with it. Actually I used a bit stronger language but you get the idea.

So tonight I took my little red car and washed it all up and tomorrow I will wax and polish it. It is a great car and there is no need to trade it in. That car and I have been through a lot together and we both have a few more miles to go before we are done with each other.




Sometimes we feel the need to make a change just for the sake of change. In my case my car now has a little over 100,000 miles and my warranty is expired. I start to get concerned that this or that will start to wear out or will need to be replaced.

Yet there are times when it is better not to change. I will keep my little red car and see what we find down the road and over the next hill. And, yes, we actually have a few hills in Iowa. Not a lot but a few.

A lot of Iowa looks like this though, to be honest, most of the state is not really as flat as some people think. It has a lot of gently rolling hills.



I did see this sign south of Sioux City which caught my attention. I am not exactly sure why someone put this up but it was ... interesting. Strange but interesting.



I guess in the grand scheme of things deciding whether to keep or trade in a car is not a huge deal, but the idea of being happy with what you have is something I like. Too many people seem to be rushing around trying to acquire things or do things that will make them happy. Sometimes the best thing is to just slow down and truly enjoy what and who you have around you.

Often the most beauty is right in front of us.

Thanks for stopping by.

6 comments:

Leslie: said...

Great philosophy - if it ain't broke...etc. I still have my 2000 Buick Regal. It's the best car I've ever owned and I was/am the first and only owner. I've taken great care of it and it's wonderful. It's comfortable and has a sun roof, leather, and all the other perks that came back in 2000. I am not trading it in until it breaks.

A Lady's Life said...

I have an ASTRo and they stopped making it now so I worry about parts as well.
However many people who own they told me they drove 600,000 mi on it with just the regular maintenance that once they did have to change cars they'd buy another one.
Well I have 170 km on my van now and went in the change the brakes but the brakes are only 80 used. They told me I changed them already and I had to laugh. Then they said my shock leaks. But when they hear you will be taking it to GM to check they back off because GM will say nothing is wrong with it. lol
If you know your car and do the right things by it, chances are, it will keep paying you back every day.
Trouble is its hard to buy a home made car to support our own people's jobs today.Thats why I stick to ford and gm but....

Hilary said...

If you love and appreciate what you have, I would have to agree that there's no need to change it. I'm glad you're taking some interesting day trips. There's nothing like finding new interests to photograph.. for me, anyway. :)

muthu said...

loved the sign. Kind of satirical placed on the road!!

and yes, the best of us is always right in front of us!!

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Leisa said...

This car is a very lucky red car! You treat it like how a mother treats her baby with love. ^__^ But why trade it for little amount if you can make use of it for more years to come?

Leisa Dreps