Only two weeks until I leave for my summer travels. That means I am once again working through my “pre-flight” checklist. Dentist, Tango shots, stocking up on pantry staples, topping off the propane tanks. This year, I added to the list a stop at Michaels during a big sale to acquire more paint and canvas paper. I plan to paint my way across Washington this summer, learning as I go and documenting my travels in a new way.

It is also time to change the oil in the van. Lately, I just pull the fleet into the Walmart Auto and Tire Center, where you can arrive without an appointment and be gone less than 30 minutes later. Several people here have told me about Sequim Auto Center and urged me to go there if I ever need work done. “It is the best place ever”. That is a high recommendation since most of us hate going to an auto shop. So, even though I don’t need anything done to the van, I scheduled my oil change there. Why not? The van has 140,000 miles on it, and I worry that it is heading for a major repair or, worse, ready for retirement. The van has worked hard for me, even pulling an RV for the last 3 years. Maybe the people at Sequim Auto Center can do a “once over” and let me know if expensive repairs are on the horizon? I have kept up with regular oil changes and replaced things along the way. Alternator, brakes, batteries, tires, spark plugs and assorted sensors that trigger the dreaded “check engine light. Vehicles can be fickle, and I don’t want to be stuck by the side of the road this summer.

If it sounds like I am building up to a disaster, let me tell you the end of the story first. The van is fine! They tried to find something wrong but it is doing “great” according to the guy who changed the oil and inspected the engine and the underbelly thanks to his headlamp. He looked more like a doctor doing surgery than an auto mechanic. His only advice, “Switch to better gas and come back in 6 months, even if you don’t pile on many miles this summer. Oil breaks down after 6 months”. I was relieved but still nervous. So, I asked the guy at the front desk (the owner, Marv) if he could please look in his crystal ball and tell me how long the van will last. I thought he would tell me I was crazy. Instead, he laughed and said that he read an article recently that listed the top 15 cars that will last 300,000 miles. The 4.6 liter Ford engine in the van and many Ford F150s was one of them. Woohoo! Of course, there is no guarantee this will happen, but the future is bright for the van. I only use it as a tow vehicle now and don’t expect to put on many miles each year. Barring disaster, it could last as long as I care to be an RVer. Okay!  I can breathe now. There is a good chance that the RV needs brakes, so I can spend my “mechanical repairs” savings there, instead. The RV guy here, who will check it out on May 1, is not convinced a newer RV needs brakes but I am prepared for that. I was told in New Mexico that it would need brakes soon, and it is time to take care of that before I head out. I read recently that a leading cause of fires in RVs (while traveling) is failed brakes and/or wheel bearings. I had the wheel bearings replaced less than a year ago so I am good there, and they will repack them when replacing the brakes.

Here is something else exciting: when I got home yesterday, I googled “cars that last 300,000 miles” and found that my Honda Civic is also on those lists. It has under 80,000 miles, so it could last longer than my ability to drive it! The body, which is dented, dinged, and even a bit rusty, might fall off, but the engine will be going strong. Just change the oil and buy good gas (Chevron and Texaco), a Marv-elous gospel!

All of which brings me to an important revelation. Who knew that having sturdy, reliable vehicles was a good retirement strategy? It never occurred to me, but I am thankful that I bought a good van 10 years ago and also that I snatched mom’s car after she died. I seem to have a knack lately for acquiring good cars, and they should stay with me for many more years. Who knew that my cars would be more loyal and reliable than the men in my life or even family members? With a good van and a loyal dog, what more does a woman need? Seriously! Life is good, and we will be on the road soon with a bucket load of paints and brushes! And, if you don’t know it already, I have not found anywhere in the US as beautiful as the State of Washington (except for Alaska)!