When our Grand Caravan died, we went without a second vehicle for a few weeks but, while Larry had a compact car for getting to work and which I could use when he was at home, we found ourselves quickly at a loss for all the outdoor maintenance on our one-acre lot. I was itching to buy a truck but Larry was uncertain. When I was out-of-province for a week, he surprised me on my return with a second-hand, black Dodge Dakota, a mid-sized truck that was perfect for me.

I quickly came to love that truck – it was just so darned handy!! Some 3 years later when our youngest son moved across Canada, we gave it a good check-over, handed over the keys, and sent him on his way.

When the first Caravan was laid to rest, we went right out to purchase a truck. But at the last minute (so “last” that we’d actually ordered the new truck but the one we wanted was not available for a few weeks and prompted us to rethink our decision) we realized that another Caravan, albeit considerably more spacious, would suit our needs better. It could carry our family and visitors or our dive gear or youngest son Adam’s drum set for his frequent “gigs”, and still be useful for yard and garden purchases.

I clearly remember a good friend showing me her family’s new purchase at around 1985: a Dodge Caravan. It wasn’t quite a van, higher and squarer than a station wagon, and had an adaptable 3-row interior. My immediate thought (although I tried to tone it down for her benefit) was, “Well, it’s obviously useful but… boxy… and boring…”

Some three years later, Larry and I obviously thought otherwise and considered it the perfect vehicle for our family of three children, then 9, 7, and 1. The passenger-side sliding door allowed easy access to the kids in whichever row they sat, and the ability to remove or fold down those same seats gave ample storage space when we needed it – plus easy access through the hatchback.