Growing up my Dad had all sorts of toys including dirt bikes, a speed boat and the most impressive truck you have ever laid eyes on (at least in my opinion). But when I was 10 my Dad was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. After that we sold all these things to help with the cost of doctor bills, except for his 1977 Chevy Scottsdale short-bed, step-side, 4×4 Pickup Truck. He had been driving this truck since high school and modified it with chrome and all kinds of accessories until it was truly one-of-kind. This was the one thing that no matter how far his health declined, he refused to give up.
Dad kinda nailed the Jesus look right?
As his ability to walk soon faded away, it was up to 12-year-old me to make sure the truck was fired up once a week. As time went on and I acquired my driver’s license I was permitted to take it out of the garage and take a spin around the block which eventually lead to me driving it to high school on a daily basis. When I got home from school I had to report on how it ran and if it made any funny noises but I always enjoyed the daily engine check with my Dad. When I was 20, my Dad finally lost his battle with MS and passed away, leaving me the truck, which I still drive to this day.
I am not one to draw attention to myself but I always enjoy the attention the truck garners. I am constantly approached at gas stations by strangers asking if I would be willing to sell it and how it reminds them of their old jalopy that their spouse made them get rid of. The truck even has more game than I did. (No joke, I came out from my apartment to a note on the windshield that said “nice truck! Call me XXX-XXX-XXXX”) I’ve had the some of best times and worst times in that truck. I’ve had the brakes cut out me and the engine fry leaving me stranded, but driving it reminds me of my Dad and for that, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Which brings me to the whole point of this article. In the quest to become the ultimate outdoorsmen, having a truck is invaluable. Not to say you can’t accomplish what you need to without one but it sure makes things a hell of a lot easier. A truck makes hauling gear and getting into remote areas a breeze. This opens up a world of opportunity for hunting, fishing and hiking. This last summer I got a taste of how difficult it is to get into the wilderness with a low-profile car. My truck was getting the seats re-upholstered and I was left with my 2011 Ford Fusion as my adventure vehicle. As I thought about the approaching hunting season, I soon realized how limited I was.
This was going to be my first year so I doubted I would really kill anything, but if I did, where would I put the deer? I don’t think shoving a trophy buck in the back of a sedan would really be a feasible option. So I decided fishing would be an easier sport to start in on. So gathered my tackle box, rod and reel and head for the CJ Strike Reservoir in Mountain Home, Idaho. As I headed up a rocky dirt road and as a approached the peak I could see the water in the distance. Unfortunately the road down to this reservoir had so many dips and divots that I had to chicken out and head back. A truck would have easily made it down the road and I would have had some sweet small mouth bass pictures to post. But these quick lessons taught me that a truck is a valuable asset to have for exploring the outdoors, and if you have the option, get a badass one like mine.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.