We are driving a 2000 Nissan Frontier. It is either gray or silver, depending on the mood. Modest aftermarket stereo and one of those covers that go up and down which make the truck bed into a big, not quite animal or dust proof trunk.

Over the nearly two decades, we’ve definitely considered other vehicles, though there has never been enough confidence our lives would actually improve if we spent the money. That said, this year has seen a bunch spent on the truck, mostly on a new clutch and rear brakes. And new shocks. And the things that make the windows go up and down. And a new power steering pulley. We are told that stuff is due to normal wear and tear. We bought fancy all terrain tires maybe 2 years ago which, per blue book, were half the vehicle’s resale value.

The truck has about 135k miles. I write “about” since the new tires are larger than the original and we didn’t think the expense of calibrating the speedometer was justified. Per the internet, the modest 4 cylinder engine is good for another 265ish thousand miles. At our rate, by then we’ll have gotten ride of petroleum cars I reckon.

What I like the most about it is how well I fit. Seriously: the plethora of comfortable arm positions and generous ceiling height leave nothing to be desired.

Slow day for me, mostly looking at where to go next. Top two options are Colorado Springs, with limited camping, and Breckinridge, which is colder. Yes, as you figured, I made more pancakes.

Our evening was spent in a clever house filled with details and well thought out. Unusual for what I’ve seen in the US, this one actually collects rainwater. Passive solar of course. Fireplace air intake, like with a rocket stove, is outside; also the fireplace itself had a blower which extracted more heat from the chimney. The studios windows faced NE and NW for that nice diffused light all day. Some of the studio’s walls were angled to provide a reflector to even out the light through the windows. There was a mud room. The rooms orbited the central fireplace. Can’t confirm bike storage though. While inside, we chatted with many people and enjoyed a poetry reading for two paintings.

This was not the normal crowd with whom I hang out. One gentleman translated a phrase into Sanskrit. Then the architect who designed the house. And Mme H. And a poet and a painter whose work the poet translated into words. They are the inspiration for a dance performance in NY. The poems will be read as dancers dance with the paintings projected against a white background.