K2R2 Turns Two
Part II
As we saw in the previous post the K2R2 is an all American phenomenon. This is because the wanderlust is rooted deep in the American soul and van life is on fire. In part one we explored the K2R2 in TV, Movies, and digital media. In this episode we will talk about “the money”.
When it comes to money there is no limit to the hilarity that ensues when people approach us with questions regarding the K2R2. While we would never consider asking a stranger or family member how much they paid for any big ticket item as it would seem like rude behavior to us, the general population is not so restrained. It is enough to say that money is a very sensitive subject but, whether it is a pound of bacon, gallon of gas, a house, or a vehicle the old adage is: “If you have to ask”…. A few examples are included below for your enjoyment.
There have been several offers of aquiring the K2R2. But by far the best occurred at the Buc-ee’s in Melissa, TX. My back was to the pumps and Rebecca was inside shopping for grandchildren when on the opposite side a man’s gravelly voice said, “It don’t get no better than that!” nodding towards the K2R2. I turned around and returned his comment with a smile and said, “Yepers.” As he and his wife headed into Buc-ee’s he suddenly wheeled around and said, “Tell you what. I will trade you straight up; my wife for your van.” His wife places her hands on her hips and gives him a shimmering glare, snatches his arm pulling him towards the store entrance. Later Rebecca had returned to the van and the K2R2 was spooling up for departure when the couple came back out towards their car. I lowered the window and pointed to Rebecca and said, “Sorry, as you can see I already have one.” This required a lengthy explanation for Rebecca as we rolled down the road towards Leah and Zach’s house.
This behavior is not limited just to couples but also people and their dogs. At Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania a well healed lady was walking her schnauzer by the van. The pup stopped and looked up admiringly at the K2R2. She looked down at her pet to see why he had suddenly stopped. Realizing that the curious canine was covetously eyeing the K2R2 she sternly says to the well manicured pup, “No, we are not buying that!” Pulling up on the rhinestone leash they marched off and she said looking down at her dog with a loving smile, “Besides we already have a tent.”
My favorite money questions involve valuation inquiries typified by an occurrence in the HEB grocery store in Wimberly, TX. Across the parking lot a hippy, dippy, man from a hippy dippy van, marches straight towards me and asks with almost no preamble, “How much did this baby cost you?” I chuckled and referred him to the Sportsmobile website. He then persisted and pressed me for an answer, “I know it’s personal but, come on man, how much?” My reply was, “Well, you know what they say…If you have to ask.” He took umbrage and marched off to the store.
Lastly, while we were stopped giving the K2R2 a drink in Mexia, TX and we overheard another man fueling his vehicle unaware of our presence talking to his mother while refueling say, “Look at the badass van mom” and guessing on the cost! One thing is certain: most of these folks have not priced pickup trucks or vans in the last decade or so.
After telling Jason about this he said, “You should just lie about it and give them an unreasonably low cost.” This has been by far the most fun I have had. If they ask me about gas mileage my response is, “Oh, 30 to 40 MPG”. If they ask me about the cost of the K2R2 I’ll respond, “We found it on Ebay for $25,000.00 as the result of a divorce settlement”. It has been much more fun this way.