The End Of The Road

The last time you'll see me in this car.

The Deathcab, finally passed away, on 12/31/2006; two days after my 28th birthday, and just a few hours before the arrival of the new year. We were on our way to a New Year's Eve celebration at a friend's house, in Boone, NC. Sadly, I was to arrive to the party alone...

The Deathcab stalled out, one last and final time, at a gas station (Hess/Wilco Station #285, E. King St, Boone NC), just two blocks away from our intended destination. Though I tried my best to revive her, I knew the Deathcab's time had finally come.

Final mileage - 226,185
Total miles traveled since 9/15/05, the start of this trip - 29,015 miles

I was, and still am, rather sad by the loss of my longtime friend, car, and sometimes home; but also extremely relieved - relieved the Deathcab passed away rather quietly, and not in a more disastrous "blaze of glory". She gave me numerous scares throughout our journey together, and again, on the day prior to her death - stalling out as i was turning thru the middle of an intersection (US221/US421). We managed to crawl through the intersection, rather slowly, and fortunately, without incident. I then got out and pushed her to the side of the road, where i was somehow able to revive her, at least temporarily, for one more final day.

And now that day has passed...

So, what now? What do i do with my freshly, and finally, 'dead', Deathcab, that just so happens to be resting peacefully at a gas station in the middle of Boone, NC?

Well, I shed a few tears, and then give her the grand farewell she so justly deserves...

LAST RITES CEREMONY - performed January 06, 2007
Sliced and Diced at the Hess/Wilco Station #285, East King St., Boone NC
(Thanks for letting me borrow the saw, Uijin!)

The heart and soul of the Deathcab! You betchya', they're stayin' right where they belong! In Daddy's loving arms!

And i'm taking some other mementos too!

"Rough Bunnies Saved My Life!!"

I came back later on that night, with the intention of leaving some flowers, to honor the recently deceased Deathcab. Unfortunately, there were no flowers to be found anywhere in the vicinity. So, i used the next best thing...

A christmas wreath! that my friends (David & Michelle) recently discarded.
(We were thinking of throwing the christmas tree under the hood too, but then decided against it, for whatever reason...)

One last look before we say goodbye...

Goodbye my sweet Deathcab. I'll remember you always...

{Sibylle Baier - The End (mp3)}

*NO JOKE - My car (what's left of it), is being donated to Habitat For Humanity's Cars For Homes Program. To briefly explain this program - They tow the vehicle for free, and sell off the car and/or its parts, to help finance the building of homes for the homeless. In exchange, you get a tax right-off in the amount of the vehicle's worth (in my case, that's probably not going to be much). I found this to be a worthy cause, and somehow fitting, since i once, and for a rather long time, called my car, "home". Now, the Deathcab can help others in need of homes! Hurray!!

THE END?!