I'm donating my 2009 Subaru Forester, which I nicknamed "Roo". Roo was my first "adult" car, I got it when I was 24.
I'm donating my 2009 Subaru Forester, which I nicknamed "Roo". Roo was my first "adult" car, I got it when I was 24. Roo took me everywhere in the country as I pursued a career in geology- 2 summers in Yellowstone National Park, 1 winter ski bumming in Vail, grad school in Arizona, a postdoctoral research fellowship in New York, and dozens of road trips in between. Roo made it to 39 states over 195,000 miles; I drove it through Manhattan, next to the U.S. Capital in Washington D.C., past Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach in Los Angeles, over Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, and went off-roading in Sedona and Durango. Roo has been to Canada and Mexico.
Roo has taken me, my wife, my friends, and my dog Smokey to powder days, beach days, lake days, and every other adventure imaginable. Roo was my work commuter the entire time too, from staring down bison and elk and bears when I worked in Yellowstone, to weaving confidently through stuck cars during blizzards in New York and Flagstaff, to enduring dust storms and monsoons in Phoenix and Tucson. I also play ultimate frisbee, where road-tripping with teammates to play in weekend tournaments is one of the best parts of the sport. Roo brought me and my teammates to over 75 tournaments through the years. Roo was more than a vehicle to me, Roo allowed me to do the things I loved most, with the people I loved most.
I listen to NPR and KUAZ during my work commute. NPR was also a constant on road trips in Roo as I traveled the country, I have many memories of Car Talk, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell me, Science Friday, Radiolab, and other shows helping me push through long stretches of Interstate. I decided to donate Roo to NPR and KUAZ because I wanted to do one last good thing with Roo, I didn't like the idea of trading it in or selling it just for it to be scrapped. Even if that's what happens (it's still a great, reliable daily driver, but its road tripping days are over due to some oil leaks), at least Roo's last act will go to a great cause.
A few photos attached. Thanks for asking, this was cathartic to write.
Brett donated a 2009 Subaru Forester to KUAZ through the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program.
Thank you, Brett!