05/06/2026
I am now a proud owner of an 80 Series Land Cruiser
I’d sold the best vehicle i’ve ever owned for far too cheap to get it. That was another Toyota that i’d put endless work and love into. It was immaculate and had 0 issues. I’d named it Cedar - I always name my cars after dogs I know and Cedar is a 3 legged aussie whom i’d befriended while working as a fedex driver.
The Sequoia (Cedar) took me and my dog Hank everywhere. It was the most dependable and capable vehicle i’ve ever owned. He lived in that thing, refusing to get out sometimes. When we were hiking, if Hank got tired of waiting for me to take pictures, he’d just head on down the trail alone. He’d blaze on past people, not even acknowledging them. Hank would get back to the Sequoia, post up underneath it and wait for his dad. He had separation anxiety, except when in that Sequoia. One time he chewed his way out of my camper and was waiting outside for me underneath of it when i’d returned. But If he was in that Sequoia, he knew he was safe.
When Hank passed unexpectedly last summer, and for the last almost year, I have felt that a part of him stayed in that Sequoia. I couldn’t drive it without thinking of him. I couldn’t sit in the front seat and see his nose smudges still on the windshield any more. It wasn’t fair to my three dogs now. They deserve to have something of their own.
So, the day I sold it to a friend - I finally cleaned off those nose smudges. I gave her the keys and saw a look of wonder in her eyes - that reminded me so much of Hank. He was such a kind, loving and adventurous soul. I’m excited to see where that Toyota takes her, and I hope someday she has her own Hank riding inside of it.
