Thursday 25 September 2014

Blue Thunder

From what I understand, my partner has always been a unique individual. In the relatively short time that I have known him this has proven to be true. He likes to do things differently. Always. If there is an alternative way, that may seem a little obscure albeit has the potential to work better, he is probably going to do it that way. His brother has said "[Partner] would drive on the other side of the road if there were no lines!". Seems apt.

When it comes to ranching, his uniqueness translates to methods of practice that are occasionally shaking-of-the-head worthy. But he loves what he does and he wants to improve upon what he does to make it work more smoothly, be more cost effective, turn a higher profit, as well as be more environmentally friendly. As a city-goer I find his methods both entertaining and educational.

Case in point, "Blue Thunder". A 1980-something (who cares its ancient?) Mercury Topaz with a missing grill, one working headlight, no antenna, and questionable bio hazard status....This is his bombing around the ranch vehicle. Where most ranchers have a truck, or a quad, he has the blue car. But what the heck! It was free. And for the amount of beating this thing takes, it still runs! I begrudgingly admit that it works out pretty well for him, yet I still feel the need to inspect for spiders before I get in and wash my hands when I get out.

It is loaded to the ceiling with a wild arraignment of miscellaneous ranch equipment, such as: ropes, syringes, wrenches, fence posts, broken fence posts, fencing wire, binoculars, fly dope, fence testers, empty buckets, water bottles, latex gloves, coffee mugs, flashlights, drill bits, pliers, band castrators, a chewed up shoe, dirty rags, branding irons, dehorners, a full set of golf clubs?, and I'm betting on a 1/2 dozen Mick Dundee-esque knifes... you know, just in case.

Also it triples as a way to transport kids, dogs, and dead livestock.

Partner  "joked" about getting insurance put on it so that he could bomb to town or up the road. I told him that we may break up if he did that. That's not exactly true, but it adequately demonstrates the severity of my feelings toward this car. It's a good ranch car, for Partner, but it's not a vehicle to be seen in public in.... Its like the Uggs of the car world; sure its comfortable, but its ugly as hell, and you should be embarrassed.

No comments:

Post a Comment