31 March, 2006 (Friday)
Warning - large posting
Finding a vehicle
Up until this week my search for a vehicle has been relatively passive. I’ve spent almost half a month doing the research, getting an idea of what’s on sale and what I really want. I've been putting out feelers and identifying the places I need to look, but I haven't really examined that many cars. It's a little intimidating, and my energies have been diverted elsewhere.
First viewing
It was the first car we viewed. Initially I thought the asking price was too much, but seeing it
drive up to the CIBC branch in Orchard Plaza, it did look in pretty good condition. We met Paul and his cute little girlfriend Tash. Paul is studying next semester and looking for something smaller and more economical. Tash is along for the ride.
Sean takes it around the block. No suspicious clunks. Brakes feel good. Engine does its thing without labouring. A little more compact than what we first envisaged, but it could work. After we complete our inspection Paul offers us a lift to our next location. The drive across to Westbank passes quickly, weaving through Kelowna and over the bridge. (Picture: Lake views from the Westbank)
Second viewing
Duncan owns and manages one of the 5 RV dealerships in the area. He’s all slicked back hair, loud voice and neatly pressed black polo shirts. A real salesman. He picks Sean and I up in his new big black Honda pickup and takes us to his place to inspect the Jeep.
His 1987 Jeep Wagoneer has been in the family a while, but he’s recently acquired a company car and needs to sell. $1,250 sounds reasonable. It’s a slightly longer version of the Cherokee. Dark blue with fake wood paneling and a lot of lower-body rust.
It is only a 4 cylinder, but has a meaty roar. It doesn’t start so well, but the engine looks in alright shape having been rebuilt a while ago. We take it for a quick around the block. The brakes feel weak. They were only replaced in December. Not a good gut feel. Duncan drops us back off where we met him. (Picture: Sean on the bus - lining up the next viewing)
Third viewing
We catch a double-decker bus back into Kelowna downtown. Two younger gals in front try to mimic my accent. They seem to think I’m British. Not too bright. On the ride back I call up Bill, who has a 1991 Ford Explorer that he wants to sell for $2,300. He agrees to pick us up from Prospera Place – the local stadium.
Bill turns up in a red old pick-up truck. It’s a cosy fit in front of the pickup, but the vehicle seems to be running well, although showing some wear. He’s an older gent, a big frame, white hair and a friendly face. Along the way to his place he tells us about his retirement and bee keeping hobby. He owns a few properties in these parts, has a few pickups that he uses for the bee keeping, and no real need for the Explorer anymore.
Sounds good so far.
The Explorer looks the right size. As Bill takes us up and down his road it seems to run okay. Maybe a little rough around the edges. The interior is ruby red and has lots of space – front and back. The only thing is, the engine doesn’t look like it’s been touched in 10 years and runs a bit bumpy. The outside shell is showing wear and not a little rust. Seems to go alright today, but possibly hasn’t been looked after too well. (Picture: Upstairs view from a double decker bus - Westbank bridge)
Sean and I deliberate. We like the Explorer’s size, but we want something we can rely on. Perhaps if Paul is willing to be more flexible on the price… I call Paul, our first seller, and suggest that while we like his car, it’s smaller than we want and a bit more expensive- say, by $400. He immediately brings down the price.
Bill takes us back to Orchard Plaza, he’s got some errands to run. So we’re back where we started. Time to talk over some coffee. I bring out the Capital News, the local rag, and ring around. Unfortunately none of the vans that we’ve circled are available today. The coffee girl is cute though. Cheeky grin too. Some of those Canadian girls… Anyway, that leaves us at a quandary – it’s almost 2pm and we’ve got to decide whether we buy today or take the bus back up and try again this weekend. Spare days are hard to come by. Is there a vehicle we want bad enough?
At the bank we withdraw our cash for a purchase. Sean and I have somewhere along the way tacitly accepted that we’re road tripping together and will split the cost. I’m not too sure when this happened – perhaps during our conversation at Raakel’s the past week? Whatever the case, we want this done. We know that somehow the purchase will make our post-season plans real. Solidify it in a way that the passing days are unable to.
The decision
As of Thursday I’m the 50% owner of a car – a 1988 Jeep Cherokee. It’s in near mint condition, with a roaring V6 motor, 4 wheel-drive, leather interior, sunroof, CD player and power everything.
“Fully loaded” as they say in these parts. It runs great for a 18 year-old vehicle and having looked it’s last owner in the eye (and bargained him down $300), I’m feeling pretty good about it. Dave hasn’t had a gander yet, but I think we did okay. Insurance was a killer, about $200/month because we took out full insurance with $5 million excess. Apparently that’s the cost of traveling through the litigious US of A. (Picture: Sean, Moi and Paul with the Jeep)
Celebrating our purchase
We didn’t get back to Big White until 6pm. Sean drove us back up. It’s different driving a 4WD. It’s different driving on the other side of the road.
By 7:30pm we are sitting at our dining table in the Ptarmigan 311. I’m in the midst of cooking a peanut inspired stir fry; I just have these moments of genius. The refrigerator calls me, or rather the dry Riesling that I’ve been keeping for a special occasion in the bottom. It’s sat there for at least a month and a half. Yes, this is an occasion to celebrate. Sean is still working his way through a Canadian (thanks Dave), but I decide to test the bottle of Quail’s Gate – it’s the best excuse I’ve had this week.
Sean and I are having a great chat, a rarity up here on the mountain. It must be the lack of smoke and bad music. We talk about home and growing up, university days, girl problems and directions. His parents originally met in Canada, but they moved to New Zealand while he was growing up, and he completed his final years in Brisbane. At heart he considers himself an Australian. It’s those formative years. He’s a good guy to chat with. I think to myself that I’m looking forward to a road trip. The company should be fine, no stress. We’re both chill enough and I think we can accommodate each other’s sight seeing needs.
Off to Carvers
We do away with the bottle of wine and make our way out. It’s hitting 9pm, just the right time to see what’s happening on the mountain tonight. Sam’s looks empty, and a few minutes later we discover that Raakel’s isn’t much better. But then we run into Kiwi Kate, “Maybe you guys should check out Carvers. There’s a few people out tonight. It’s the (Kiwi) boys’ farewell” she says. Nice one. Thanks Katie!
There are more than a few familiar faces at the bar when we walk in. Lauren and Precious are off to one corner, plotting away as usual. 
Carla is at the bar, and I spot Jess and Cam, Emma and Sarah. Yes, definitely some familiar faces. (Picture: Sean, Moi and Sarah @ Carvers)
The night passes in random conversation, face pulling and a few drinks. The bar staff at Carvers aren’t used to the crowd and are struggling to serve fast enough. I introduce Sean to some of the group and he’s soon mixing it up. Emma gifts me with a gasp and dirty look when I ask her not so innocently how she’s doing with Ski Patrol. Carla gets friendly for a photo. Lauren and I argue who is more attractive:
“You’re pretty”, I say.
“No, you’re handsome”, she replies.
“No, you’re more pretty”, I declare.
“No, you’re definitely more handsome”, is her measured reply.
We continue on for a good five minutes. 
The conversation doesn’t really seem to end as much as disperse.
If I stay out much longer I’ll turn into a pumpkin
It must be after twelve by the time we start to shuffle out of the bar. Josh is on duty at the front desk. I pose for a final picture with the twins. Cheese or cheesy? Wandering out I feel around my jeans pockets for my keys, but they aren’t there. Have I lost them? The next half hour is passed treading through the snow looking for a red lanyard and Ptarmigan keys. I manage to slip and twist my left thumb convincingly. No keys. (Picture: Sean & Moi - "cheese!")
I’m tired and it’s cold, so I pop into the Château and find Jae and Sean deep in conversation on the comfy chairs. It must be important. Nonetheless I ask Jae if he can spare his keys since I seem to have misplaced mine.
“I don’t suppose you left them back at condo?” Jae asks innocently. Perhaps he’s having flashbacks to my first evening on the hill.
“Umm.. no. I don’t think… well, maybe.” My synapses aren’t working so well. It’s sleep deprivation. 
He hands over the keys. I head off home. It’s about 1:30am. It’s definitely past my bedtime. I wonder where Cinderella left her glass slipper tonight? Walking in I thank the powers that be that my little bowl of stir fry is still sitting on the counter wrapped in plastic. It smells so good. But, there are no noodles left. So I pop it in the microwave to warm and turn the stove on to boil some water. Investing in breakfast is a good thing I’ve found. (Picture: Security Tim & Carla - illicit kiss)
The food is delicious and the water is boiled so I start the noodles going. Time to get changed for bed. I wash up and slip into the pjs. The noodles are still going. I fall asleep. When I wake I smell peanut butter. Mmm… I smell good. I wake again around 7:30am, yes definitely smelling of peanu... wait a second! Did I turn the stove off? I stumble out of bed and the peanut smell follows me. In fact, it gets stronger. I look at the stove, then the sink. There are my noodles, all solid. And my peanut stir fry? It’s barely recognizable. Just charcoaled lumps in a pot. I’ve got some scrubbing in front of me, and some apologizing to do to Dave. Eeek!
Our condo now smells of cooked peanut butter.
Finding a vehicle
Up until this week my search for a vehicle has been relatively passive. I’ve spent almost half a month doing the research, getting an idea of what’s on sale and what I really want. I've been putting out feelers and identifying the places I need to look, but I haven't really examined that many cars. It's a little intimidating, and my energies have been diverted elsewhere.
First viewing
It was the first car we viewed. Initially I thought the asking price was too much, but seeing it
drive up to the CIBC branch in Orchard Plaza, it did look in pretty good condition. We met Paul and his cute little girlfriend Tash. Paul is studying next semester and looking for something smaller and more economical. Tash is along for the ride.Sean takes it around the block. No suspicious clunks. Brakes feel good. Engine does its thing without labouring. A little more compact than what we first envisaged, but it could work. After we complete our inspection Paul offers us a lift to our next location. The drive across to Westbank passes quickly, weaving through Kelowna and over the bridge. (Picture: Lake views from the Westbank)
Second viewing
Duncan owns and manages one of the 5 RV dealerships in the area. He’s all slicked back hair, loud voice and neatly pressed black polo shirts. A real salesman. He picks Sean and I up in his new big black Honda pickup and takes us to his place to inspect the Jeep.
His 1987 Jeep Wagoneer has been in the family a while, but he’s recently acquired a company car and needs to sell. $1,250 sounds reasonable. It’s a slightly longer version of the Cherokee. Dark blue with fake wood paneling and a lot of lower-body rust.
It is only a 4 cylinder, but has a meaty roar. It doesn’t start so well, but the engine looks in alright shape having been rebuilt a while ago. We take it for a quick around the block. The brakes feel weak. They were only replaced in December. Not a good gut feel. Duncan drops us back off where we met him. (Picture: Sean on the bus - lining up the next viewing)Third viewing
We catch a double-decker bus back into Kelowna downtown. Two younger gals in front try to mimic my accent. They seem to think I’m British. Not too bright. On the ride back I call up Bill, who has a 1991 Ford Explorer that he wants to sell for $2,300. He agrees to pick us up from Prospera Place – the local stadium.
Bill turns up in a red old pick-up truck. It’s a cosy fit in front of the pickup, but the vehicle seems to be running well, although showing some wear. He’s an older gent, a big frame, white hair and a friendly face. Along the way to his place he tells us about his retirement and bee keeping hobby. He owns a few properties in these parts, has a few pickups that he uses for the bee keeping, and no real need for the Explorer anymore.
Sounds good so far.The Explorer looks the right size. As Bill takes us up and down his road it seems to run okay. Maybe a little rough around the edges. The interior is ruby red and has lots of space – front and back. The only thing is, the engine doesn’t look like it’s been touched in 10 years and runs a bit bumpy. The outside shell is showing wear and not a little rust. Seems to go alright today, but possibly hasn’t been looked after too well. (Picture: Upstairs view from a double decker bus - Westbank bridge)
Sean and I deliberate. We like the Explorer’s size, but we want something we can rely on. Perhaps if Paul is willing to be more flexible on the price… I call Paul, our first seller, and suggest that while we like his car, it’s smaller than we want and a bit more expensive- say, by $400. He immediately brings down the price.
Bill takes us back to Orchard Plaza, he’s got some errands to run. So we’re back where we started. Time to talk over some coffee. I bring out the Capital News, the local rag, and ring around. Unfortunately none of the vans that we’ve circled are available today. The coffee girl is cute though. Cheeky grin too. Some of those Canadian girls…
At the bank we withdraw our cash for a purchase. Sean and I have somewhere along the way tacitly accepted that we’re road tripping together and will split the cost. I’m not too sure when this happened – perhaps during our conversation at Raakel’s the past week? Whatever the
Aside on Sean:
Sean completed his education in Bris-vegas, majoring in Graphic Design. At 21 he’s done a bit of multimedia and web work but enjoying a break in the snow (like the rest of us up here?).
Sean started off in Canada. His parents met and settled in Calgary (I think). They then emigrated offto New Zealand, before moving to Brisbane in his teens. Currently he’s working the night audit shift at Cen Res, with a few 8pm – 4am shifts. Him and Jae skated a lot together earlier in the season, before the rink melted. I guess he’s looking forward to our road trip as much to see daylight as to see more of North America.
The decision
As of Thursday I’m the 50% owner of a car – a 1988 Jeep Cherokee. It’s in near mint condition, with a roaring V6 motor, 4 wheel-drive, leather interior, sunroof, CD player and power everything.
Celebrating our purchase
We didn’t get back to Big White until 6pm. Sean drove us back up. It’s different driving a 4WD. It’s different driving on the other side of the road.
By 7:30pm we are sitting at our dining table in the Ptarmigan 311. I’m in the midst of cooking a peanut inspired stir fry; I just have these moments of genius. The refrigerator calls me, or rather the dry Riesling that I’ve been keeping for a special occasion in the bottom. It’s sat there for at least a month and a half. Yes, this is an occasion to celebrate. Sean is still working his way through a Canadian (thanks Dave), but I decide to test the bottle of Quail’s Gate – it’s the best excuse I’ve had this week.
Sean and I are having a great chat, a rarity up here on the mountain. It must be the lack of smoke and bad music. We talk about home and growing up, university days, girl problems and directions. His parents originally met in Canada, but they moved to New Zealand while he was growing up, and he completed his final years in Brisbane. At heart he considers himself an Australian. It’s those formative years. He’s a good guy to chat with. I think to myself that I’m looking forward to a road trip. The company should be fine, no stress. We’re both chill enough and I think we can accommodate each other’s sight seeing needs.
Off to Carvers
We do away with the bottle of wine and make our way out. It’s hitting 9pm, just the right time to see what’s happening on the mountain tonight. Sam’s looks empty, and a few minutes later we discover that Raakel’s isn’t much better. But then we run into Kiwi Kate, “Maybe you guys should check out Carvers. There’s a few people out tonight. It’s the (Kiwi) boys’ farewell” she says. Nice one. Thanks Katie!
There are more than a few familiar faces at the bar when we walk in. Lauren and Precious are off to one corner, plotting away as usual.
The night passes in random conversation, face pulling and a few drinks. The bar staff at Carvers aren’t used to the crowd and are struggling to serve fast enough. I introduce Sean to some of the group and he’s soon mixing it up. Emma gifts me with a gasp and dirty look when I ask her not so innocently how she’s doing with Ski Patrol. Carla gets friendly for a photo. Lauren and I argue who is more attractive:
“You’re pretty”, I say.
“No, you’re handsome”, she replies.
“No, you’re more pretty”, I declare.
“No, you’re definitely more handsome”, is her measured reply.
We continue on for a good five minutes.
If I stay out much longer I’ll turn into a pumpkin
It must be after twelve by the time we start to shuffle out of the bar. Josh is on duty at the front desk. I pose for a final picture with the twins. Cheese or cheesy? Wandering out I feel around my jeans pockets for my keys, but they aren’t there. Have I lost them? The next half hour is passed treading through the snow looking for a red lanyard and Ptarmigan keys. I manage to slip and twist my left thumb convincingly. No keys. (Picture: Sean & Moi - "cheese!")
I’m tired and it’s cold, so I pop into the Château and find Jae and Sean deep in conversation on the comfy chairs. It must be important. Nonetheless I ask Jae if he can spare his keys since I seem to have misplaced mine.
“I don’t suppose you left them back at condo?” Jae asks innocently. Perhaps he’s having flashbacks to my first evening on the hill.
“Umm.. no. I don’t think… well, maybe.” My synapses aren’t working so well. It’s sleep deprivation.
He hands over the keys. I head off home. It’s about 1:30am. It’s definitely past my bedtime. I wonder where Cinderella left her glass slipper tonight? Walking in I thank the powers that be that my little bowl of stir fry is still sitting on the counter wrapped in plastic. It smells so good. But, there are no noodles left. So I pop it in the microwave to warm and turn the stove on to boil some water. Investing in breakfast is a good thing I’ve found. (Picture: Security Tim & Carla - illicit kiss)
The food is delicious and the water is boiled so I start the noodles going. Time to get changed for bed. I wash up and slip into the pjs. The noodles are still going. I fall asleep. When I wake I smell peanut butter. Mmm… I smell good. I wake again around 7:30am, yes definitely smelling of peanu... wait a second! Did I turn the stove off? I stumble out of bed and the peanut smell follows me. In fact, it gets stronger. I look at the stove, then the sink. There are my noodles, all solid. And my peanut stir fry? It’s barely recognizable. Just charcoaled lumps in a pot. I’ve got some scrubbing in front of me, and some apologizing to do to Dave. Eeek!
Our condo now smells of cooked peanut butter.
posted by the wastrel @ 10:29 PM
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