Goodbye Y-Chromosome. Hello Minivan.

Way back in November of 2007, Smitty announced not only his incoming twins, but the impending purchase of a …gasp...minivan.

I reflected back on this post to see what crap I wrote about minivans and to see how much shit I gave Smitty about buying the darn thing. At the time, I said:

“You have to hand it to a guy who has enough confidence in his manhood to drive a minivan.

I just couldn't handle a mini being my daily driver. I am sure they ride and handle much better today, but the last one I drove made my pick-up feel sporty.

Oh, I will have to eat my words one day as a growing family will make the usefulness of the minivan unavoidable...dammit.”

Eat my words indeed. Tonight I pick up the glorious minivan.

The funny part is, I had talked my wife out of the minivan and into a three-row SUV…er crossover thingy. Then I priced them out. When a decent van is 6 to 7 grand less than a stripper Chevy crossover, the minivan gets pretty attractive.

I would never put this thing in the sporty category, but the new engine an transmission combo they just added can about tear the tires off the rims.  The engine has 283 HP for gods sake.  My old Mustang with a built 289 c.i. V-8 had about 240 HP. 

It ain't cool, but its the most practical vehicle for hauling around a bunch of people and stuff and the price was decent.

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Dads and Sons

If the guys out in ATK-land are anything like me, their relationship with their Dad isn’t always the easiest. My 71 year old Dad is a great guy. He taught me patriotism, civic duty, a good work ethic and many of my morals. Unfortunately, we are a little too much like each other, which can sometimes strain a relationship. The things we talk about are fine, which includes our common interests in home improvement, cars, woodworking, etc. That said, there aren’t too many fun activities around those otherwise superficial interests that allow Dad and I to hang together.

I am not attempting to turn ATK into a male version of We Television or The View. Instead, I am looking for some recommended father and son activities that you and Dad (or Mom for that matter) might have done that would make a memorable trip or event.

Any suggestions?

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