{"id":34192,"date":"2021-05-29T08:10:36","date_gmt":"2021-05-29T14:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34192"},"modified":"2022-04-03T08:45:41","modified_gmt":"2022-04-03T14:45:41","slug":"end-of-an-era-farewell-g6-hello-rav4-5-8-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34192","title":{"rendered":"End of an Era – Farewell, G6! Hello, RAV4! (5-8-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 1-3 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico!<\/em><\/p>\n

4-30-21, late afternoon<\/em> – Grandma’s computer was on the blink.\u00a0 Seemed to SPHP like the Wi-Fi wasn’t working, in part because a little message on the monitor said so.\u00a0 What the message didn’t say, or even hint at, was how to fix it.\u00a0 Windows 10 – so cryptic!\u00a0 Fiddling with the Wi-Fi gizmo plugged into the back of the computer in case there was a bad USB port or loose connection didn’t seem to make any difference.<\/p>\n

Lanis<\/strong><\/span><\/a> will know what to do, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yep, Lanis is our ace in the hole, Loopster!\u00a0 Guess I better give him a call.<\/em><\/p>\n

Luckily, Lanis answered right away.\u00a0 He asked a few questions, then told SPHP what to do.\u00a0 So easy, when you know how!\u00a0 A couple of clicks and Wi-Fi was working again.\u00a0 Grandma’s computer was as good as ever!<\/p>\n

Thanks, Lanis, we’re golden!\u00a0 How are you, anyway?\u00a0 Been months since I’ve talked to you.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, life’s been exciting, SPHP!\u00a0 The usual work grind, and my van got stolen a week ago.<\/em><\/p>\n

What?!\u00a0 Your van got stolen?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah.\u00a0 From work.\u00a0 Yvonne went out to bring it around at the end of the day, and came back asking where I’d parked it, because it wasn’t behind the building.\u00a0 Thought she was joking, but sure enough, it was gone.\u00a0 We reported it stolen right away.\u00a0 The very next day, without realizing it was stolen, police in eastern South Dakota tried to stop the van for a minor traffic violation.\u00a0 A high speed chase ensued all the way to Mitchell where the police blew the tires out with some spike strips to stop it.\u00a0 Whereupon the van promptly burst into flames and burnt to a crisp.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s terrible!\u00a0 Sounds like a movie!\u00a0 So now you’re without a vehicle?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 Gotta run, SPHP!\u00a0 Been waiting for a ride home, and it’s here now.<\/em><\/p>\n

OK!\u00a0 Thanks again for helping with Grandma’s computer, Lanis!\u00a0 Sorry to hear about your van.<\/em><\/p>\n

Just one of those things, SPHP!\u00a0 Glad to help!<\/em><\/p>\n

5-7-21<\/em> – Lanis sounded terrible on the phone.\u00a0 So down!\u00a0 Only yesterday he’d been all excited.\u00a0 Was he sick?<\/p>\n

I’m sorry, SPHP, but I can’t go tomorrow.\u00a0 Have to work.<\/em><\/p>\n

Work!\u00a0 But tomorrow’s Saturday, and we’re all set!<\/em><\/p>\n

I know, but the store is open.\u00a0 The owner usually comes in on Saturdays so I can get the day off, but she’s attending a graduation tomorrow.\u00a0 She’s not coming in.\u00a0 We’re way behind on computer repairs, and Yvonne isn’t fully trained yet, so I’ve got to be there.\u00a0 I’m sorry, I was really looking forward to it.\u00a0 Yvonne can go, though.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I’m so sorry you can’t come, Lanis!\u00a0 Loopster and I were really looking forward to this trip with you.\u00a0 It’s been forever since we’ve gone anywhere together.\u00a0 Of course, we’re glad to have Yvonne come along, but it would have been so much better if you could have come, too!<\/em><\/p>\n

I know it, SPHP.\u00a0 Feel the same way, but that’s the way it is.\u00a0 Nothing I can do about it.<\/em><\/p>\n

A crying shame.\u00a0 I’ll call you tomorrow morning sometime between 5:00 & 6:00 AM to let you know when we’re ready to come pick Yvonne up.<\/em><\/p>\n

5-8-21, 5:45 AM –<\/em> Hard to believe this was it.\u00a0 Last time ever setting out from home on a new adventure in the faithful G6.\u00a0 An incredibly sad moment.<\/p>\n

Alrighty, Looper!\u00a0 Guess, it’s time.\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m in back, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 Since we’ll have company.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to set off in the G6 for the last time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5-8-21, 6:04 AM<\/em> – Lanis and Yvonne were ready and waiting.\u00a0 Loopster’s exuberant greeting was so loud, that SPHP had to plead for some degree of restraint.\u00a0 A bit early on Saturday morning to be rousing the entire neighborhood!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lanis, Yvonne, Lupe, & the G6 while stopping by to pick up Yvonne.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Greetings and a few moments of pleasant conversation were exchanged, then everyone except Lanis, resigned to his fate, piled into the G6.<\/p>\n

For 350 miles, the G6 purred reliably along as always.\u00a0 A couple of brief stops in Wyoming at the Mule Creek Junction rest area and a Subway in Wheatland were it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the beloved G6 at Wheatland, Wyoming.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5-8-21, 12:30 PM, Pedersen Toyota in Fort Collins, CO – <\/em>SPHP lowered the windows and provided water.\u00a0 Fortunately, not a particularly warm day.<\/p>\n

Wait here in the G6, Looper, while Yvonne and I go find Megan.\u00a0 This might take a while, but we’ll come and check on you now and then.<\/em><\/p>\n

Go do what you need to do, SPHP, but don’t take too long!\u00a0 I’ll be chillin’ here in the meantime.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Chillin’ in the G6 waiting for the world of high finance to come to a conclusion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Petersen Toyota was busy!\u00a0 Megan Alayon, internet sales manager, whom SPHP had been dealing with, was tied up with other clients at first, but soon appeared.\u00a0 Super friendly and energetic, she had the RAV4 that SPHP had settled on all spiffed up and first in line out front ready for a test drive.<\/p>\n

A few minutes explaining any features SPHP had questions about, and Megan turned over the keys.\u00a0 Yvonne hopped aboard as navigator, while Megan remained at the dealership to tend to other business.<\/p>\n

The RAV4 was all so different!\u00a0 13 days from now it would have been 12 years exactly since SPHP had bought the G6 brand new.\u00a0 An awful lot had changed technology-wise in that amount of time.\u00a0 Brand spanking new, though!\u00a0 What’s not to like?\u00a0 After 5 or 6 miles of tooling aimlessly around Fort Collins, it was back to Petersen Toyota.\u00a0 The RAV4 was a go!<\/p>\n

Megan confirmed the previously agreed upon price.\u00a0 There were papers to sign and insurance to set up.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Yvonne checked on Lupe.<\/p>\n

5-8-21, 2:44 PM<\/em> – Done deal!\u00a0 Lupe, Yvonne, and Megan Alayon gathered in front of the American Dingo’s blazing blue, brand new adventure toy to commemorate the occasion.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Happy Pedersen Toyota client, Lupe, with Yvonne (L) and internet sales manager Megan Alayon (R) out in front of the new 2021 RAV4.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Megan extended congratulations on the purchase of a terrific vehicle, and offered to help anytime SPHP ran into a problem or question.\u00a0 SPHP thanked Megan for all her help and tremendous responsiveness.\u00a0 Soon Megan had to head off to assist other clients.\u00a0 The G6 and RAV4 then got moved to the back of the lot where Yvonne helped SPHP transfer all the adventure gear from the G6 to the RAV4.<\/p>\n

A certain Carolina Dog transferred, too!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
We might be losing the good ole’ G6, but as consolation prizes go, this will do nicely!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster ready to roll in the blazing blue RAV4!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And that was it.\u00a0 SPHP’s turn to hand over some keys now!\u00a0 The G6 was being donated to Lanis, and Yvonne had come along to drive it back to South Dakota for him.\u00a0 SPHP gave Yvonne the keys.\u00a0 Fond farewells, and Yvonne started the journey back N in the G6.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo wasn’t going N, though.\u00a0 Upon reaching I-25, SPHP turned the gleaming RAV4 S.<\/p>\n

Where we off to, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, not that much farther today, Looper.\u00a0 Arvada!<\/em><\/p>\n

Hotel Dusty?<\/em><\/p>\n

Precisely!\u00a0 The weather is supposed to turn cold and dreary, so we’ll hole up with Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty for a couple of days.\u00a0 Then it’s off in the new RAV4 on 2021’s first Dingo Vacation!\u00a0 How does that sound?<\/em><\/p>\n

Fantastic!<\/em><\/p>\n

5-8-21, 5:26 PM, Arvada, CO –<\/em> Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty all came piling out out as soon Lupe arrived.\u00a0 Uncle Joe, especially, was both astonished, and very enthusiastic about the new RAV4.\u00a0 Lupe hadn’t been to Hotel Dusty in more than 3 years, but she clearly remembered what it was all about.\u00a0 In no time at all, Lupe and SPHP were ensconced in Hotel Dusty’s luxurious Cowboy Room.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Arriving at 5+ star Hotel Dusty<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the luxurious Cowboy Room<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since the weather was still good this evening, there was a group walk around the 100 acre field.\u00a0 At nearly 15, Cousin Dusty didn’t want to chase tennis balls or fetch gigantic sticks anymore, but she was still up for a swim in Ralston Creek, an idea that Lupe wasn’t as keen on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dusty cools off in Ralston Creek<\/strong>, while Looper decides maybe not.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This momentous day ended with a short evening trip to Golden in the RAV4 for frozen yogurt and a sniff at dusk along Clear Creek.\u00a0 By the time Lupe got back to Hotel Dusty, a thunderstorm struck with snow granules that fortunately did not turn into hail!<\/p>\n

The next 2 days were gloomily overcast with occasional rain.\u00a0 Too soggy for walks around the now muddy 100 acre field, but there were journeys on the bike path with Cousin Dusty up Ralston Creek to Jungle Bridge or Utah Bridge.\u00a0 On the last evening, Lupe got to visit friends Dave & Beckie Covill in their lodge-like home up in the mountains.\u00a0 May was nearly a third gone, yet it was snowing up there!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Christmas in May upon arriving at the Covill’s!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dave peers out from the garage of the Covill Lodge<\/strong> while Loopster enjoys the wintry weather.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe received a warm welcome from both Dave and Beckie.\u00a0 They even presented her with a package of Dream Sticks.\u00a0 Naturally, the Carolina Dog had to try one right away.\u00a0 It proved to be an instant hit!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dave & Beckie welcome Lupe into their beautiful home.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Shaking paws with Beckie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dream Sticks<\/strong> – Dingo tested and approved!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loopster then got to relax on the comfy black couch while Dave, Beckie and SPHP enjoyed a delicious dinner of pizza, salad, and a beer followed up by ice cream for dessert.<\/p>\n

Beckie was into birding, so there were birds to watch flitting about the feeders out by the big deck.\u00a0 Dave had plenty of news about upcoming peakbagging expeditions he was going on this summer, including Denali<\/span><\/a> (20,310 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in early June!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing on the comfy couch before dinner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was all very interesting!\u00a0 The time flew.\u00a0 Soon it was getting dark and starting to snow hard.\u00a0 As Lupe and SPHP prepared to depart, Dave and Beckie both had presents for SPHP, too.\u00a0 So super nice of them!\u00a0 What a great evening it had been!<\/p>\n

5-11-21, 8:04 AM, Arvada, CO at the Jungle Bridge along Ralston Creek<\/em> – Still cool, overcast, and drippy this morning.\u00a0 Lupe and Cousin Dusty had made it to the Jungle Bridge, but it was time to turn around.\u00a0 Both Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea were back at work.\u00a0 Basking in the luxury of their hospitality at Hotel Dusty was coming to an end.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With Cousin Dusty at the Jungle Bridge<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An hour later, the Carolina Dog was on her way.<\/p>\n

Where to now, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

As cold as it is, we’re going to keep going S, Loopster!\u00a0 Farther S than you’ve ever been before!<\/em><\/p>\n

The mighty RAV4 cruised onward, Lupe perched high up on the usual pile of gear, pillows and blankets.\u00a0 Dingo Vacation time!\u00a0 On the road to adventure, now with more room, new capabilities, and new horizons ahead!\u00a0 So much to look forward to!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This RAV4 is gonna be totally awesome!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yet the G6 and hundreds of fabulous adventures in it were in mind, too.\u00a0 Fantastic times now in the rear view mirror, but never to be forgotten.\u00a0 Hopefully, years of happy days in the G6 were still ahead for Lanis, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The G6<\/strong> (R) at the Arctic Ocean, Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada 8-19-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 233 – Meeting Dave Covill, Lead Director of the Highpointers Foundation & the Mighty Dingo Missile Launch (6-21-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Megan Alayon,<\/span> Internet Sales Manager – Pedersen Toyota<\/span><\/a>, Fort Collins, CO:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

email: malayon@pedersentoyotavolvo.com<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

mobile: 970-691-1624<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2021<\/span> Dingo Vacations to New Mexico, Wyoming & the West Coast Adventure Inde<\/strong><\/span>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 1-3 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico! 4-30-21, late afternoon – Grandma’s computer was on the blink.\u00a0 Seemed to SPHP like the Wi-Fi wasn’t working, in part because a little message on the monitor said so.\u00a0 What the message didn’t say, or even hint at, was how to fix … Continue reading End of an Era – Farewell, G6! Hello, RAV4! (5-8-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34182,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1416],"tags":[1420,296,1286,987,1423,1418,1137,1421,1422,1419,1285,1417],"class_list":["post-34192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1416","tag-beckie-covill","tag-colorado","tag-cousin-dusty","tag-dave-covill","tag-fort-collins","tag-g6","tag-lanis","tag-megan-alayon","tag-pedersen-toyota","tag-rav4","tag-uncle-joe","tag-yvonne"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_0261.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34192"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39203,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34192\/revisions\/39203"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}