We'll miss you, Old E

Ye Olde Ford Explorer

This past weekend, our beloved 1995 Ford Explorer finally came to rest.  It has been an Elliott vehicle since it was new, and Cheryl will forever miss how comfortable the seats were.  There are, however a few more things we'll miss about Olde E.  Namely,

1. The magic radio.  You think it's off, but when you go over a bump (even a small one), it magically turns back on.  It also had techno speakers.  Only 1/2 the speakers worked at a given time, making for a quite unexpected surround sound listening experience.
2. The extra secure child safe doors.  Only the driver door opens from inside the car.  Many a friend has been "stranded" in the car when we forgot they couldn't get out.  Sorry friends!
3. The high tech suspension system*.  The suspension was one of the things most tired on this car.  So tired that you kinda felt like a bobble head going down the road.  *I must clarify that it truly is a high tech suspension system, but it took a beating during the life of this car.
4. The way Olde E bounced back regardless what hit it.  For some reason, this car LOVED to hit deer.  It hit 3, although there are no trophies to show for it.  I think it was just trying to fit in as a Californian living in Montana.  In the 5 years we've had Old E, there have been no "deer incidents" in the family.  {knock on wood}.
5. The forever leaking tires, regardless of what tires were on it.  On second thought, we won't miss this part at all.  Especially Mike - this was becoming a most irritating chore that was done at least 1/week, if not twice. 
6. The reminder of its time in Montana every time it rained.  It rains a lot in Seattle, and even after 5 years, it still oozed red Montana dirt in our driveway after every rain. 
7. Old E took snow and ice like a champ.  No joke. 

On the bright side, there is finally truck back in the family. Woodworking projects, here we come.