On May 2, 2015, I bought a Subaru Outback 3.6R. It was the first step in my nascent plan to retire early, buy a tiny trailer, and travel the country. As you can see by the photo on our first day, I was happy to meet Bella. If you must know, her full name was Isabella, the Blue Bird of Happiness, although Bella was what I called her most of the time.
In April 2016, Bella and I drove from Seattle to Quebec to meet Breeze and complete another big step in the vagabond plan. Fitted out with a Torklift Ecohitch and Fastway weight distribution bars, the three of us slowly made our way back to Seattle that May. I was a nervous vagabond, never having towed a thing in my entire life, but Bella and Breeze were a strong unit, even in the windy conditions on the way to Sault Ste. Marie and again going across South Dakota. Both Bella and Breeze met their first real snow on that trip, at Yellowstone. And so it began, the intrepid trio making it up as we went along.
By the end of August 2016, I was free and clear of employment and we headed to the coast to begin our fulltime vagabond life. Over the last four years, I put 72,000 miles on Bella and visited 41 US states and six Canadian provinces. We definitely had adventures, from ice and snow in Denver (on two different trips!) to beautiful waterside camping in Nebraska, from the deserts of the southwest to the beaches of the western and southern coasts.
We crossed the country in 2016, then again in 2017, and in 2019 and finally in 2020. At campgrounds, I drop off the trailer and take Bella in search of daily adventures. Breeze has been my home, but Bella, well, she’s been my ride every mile. I couldn’t have asked for a better car or a better traveling companion. I trusted my car with my life and all my worldly possessions and Bella never, ever did me wrong. When the gusty winds of west Texas shoved us around, Bella did what a car should do: protect the driver. I was fine, not a scratch on me, but Bella’s front-end was a mess. The next week, while headed home, the latches gave way and the hood flew up while I was driving on I-10 in eastern Texas, adding to the damage. I got her to Florida, and then to the best body shop in town to get everything fixed up.
While the body shop was doing their thing, I moved up my 2021 plan to move to a tow vehicle with more storage space and I bought a 2019 Honda Ridgeline. As much as I loved Bella, I knew I needed to start a new chapter in my vagabond life.
On March 27, 2020, I set Bella free to find new adventures with another owner. Some people don’t name their cars and when they sell them, they don’t cry. But I’m not one of those people. Bella saw me through everything these last five years, She was the last car my Dad and I roadtripped in, she handled snow and rain and dirt roads, and she put up with all my mistakes in towing and backing. You were the best, Bella, more than my words can say.
How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.
A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh)
Hi Annie. I so deeply understand your affection for Bella. I cried when I sold my dad’s Ford F-150 10 years after his death, and was outraged when the callous youth who bought it was incomplete and thoughtless in his care and feeding of it, and tossed it aside. Harrumpf.
I gave away my dad’s Nissan Maxima to his step grandkids and mourned when they wrecked it. I had bought it (used) for him with my first real money, and as his first nice car.
The list goes on for an embarrassing length: his handicap van, my Mazda 626, my husband’s Forester…. -all owned simultaneously mind you…to my “Bella”, my beloved Mazda Miata MX 5, purchased new first season.
Since we travel full time now, half with our (capacious, comfortable, competent) Kia towing Erratic, our Alto R1713, keeping Ruby 2 makes no sense. But, I am most myself in her, and love every minute. Top down, hair blowing, sunglasses in….. I think I’ll be buried in her. It goes way beyond practical to being irredeemably in love with her.
Glad Bella has a new home, hope it goes well but, you can be sure, she misses you as much.
Jeanne
That was very well written and I could feel your attachment to Bella. My daughter Molly names her cars and she had to say goodbye to Jake, her Jeep Liberty, on Monday. It was time for Jake to move on but it was a tough day for Molly.
That’s how I felt when I said goodbye to my 66 Candy Apple Red Mustang. I never named her but I loved her. ❤️
Bella was the best for you, when you needed her. She was faithful and strong when you needed that, and you had many ground-breaking, life-changing adventures with her. Of course it’s hard to say good-bye! It’s hard to let go of one of the rocks of your life. It’s hard to make big changes like that.
When I sold my first minivan, I cried. I had spent 186,000 miles in that van, driving my beloved German Shepherds all over the place for 10 years, enjoying several jobs in that time, having many life experiences. In that last year with that first minivan, I was also driving my infant around everywhere. I logged many, many miles and hours in that vehicle and had many experiences with her in a formative time of my life. She was dependable and wonderful, even though she wasn’t particularly fancy.
When the junk guys came to pick up my beloved minivan, it was dark out. As they strapped her and put her on a flatbed trailer, the tears started. I felt like a part of me was being taken away with her. An end of an era.
I had my new minivan already, but it wasn’t beloved yet. And that 2nd one wasn’t a “she.” It was a great vehicle, nicer than my “she,” but … it was a vehicle. It came at a different phase of my life, and the change wasn’t as tough to navigate. The 3rd one is like the 2nd one to me – love the comfort of it and the drive, but it is a vehicle. It’ll never be like that first one.
Aw, yes. Cars are full of memories. 42 years ago, we got married and the first car we purchased together was a Subaru. Memories of that car were so great that when Bill retired, 5 years ago, I wanted to begin again in a Subaru. We have that 2015 Subaru Outback that has taken us through some fun adventures! We recently purchased a Honda Ridgeline….and planned to pick up our Alto in July. Schedule may change but we look forward to more adventures. We than you for your knowledgeable posts and introspective blog.
Sad to see Bella goes. You will love the combination of your future tandem. We have a 2017 Ridgeline towing our 2018 Alto 1743. A lot of storage. Best duo ever. Happy travelling… Bons voyages!
That was a good read. A lot of things changed in cars over five years. I think they are much safer. Enjoy your new ride. Honda’s are good vehicles.
Since we JUST went through this, I know exactly what you mean. I was so sad to let our old car go. They are the key to so many adventures and your confidence grows with each trip. Bella was obviously a terrific car and did exactly what you needed her to do. And it’s great that she was strong enough to give you the time to find your next car with no real pressure. We also moved on to a Honda and so far, it’s been great. I hope your Ridgeline is just as dependable and takes you on lots of fabulous adventures!
Yep, she did her job well taking care of you and vice versa. May both of your new stories be as wonderful!
Oh wow, Luna, huh? Beautiful.
Onward soon! Stay safe.
our Bella was a rescue that we picked up in La Rivera de Belen in Costa Rica. Someone has left her with a collar and cut cord. The local village for squatters had just been razed. We kept her until her heart gave out about three or four years later. Bella Bella we miss you!
Thank you for sharing all your adventures with us Annie. I loved that you road tripped with your dad in Bella. On to your next adventures!
I feel that way about cars, some more than others.
Oh my goodness Annie, we r practically in tears- your words, shared experiences with Isabella, The Blue Bird of Happiness was so heartfelt. Bella oh Dear Bella we too will miss you. Thx for keeping Annie and Breeze safe every shared mile along the way. We share this on a heartfelt level because we actually get-it. Our Subie has 199,700 miles on her. Dec last year our Subaru technician advised us we should seriously start looking for another vehicle as Subie is now requiring life support interventions. We have a newer model Subaru as well but our Ole Gal Subie an ‘06 is a cherished friend. Each adventure, every rattle, scratch or dent all reflections of life giving moments shared on the road. All this to say,
Cherish the Memories shared with Bella. We look forward to hearing, seeing the new marriage between Breeze and _______ 🙂 your new TV Ridgeline. Which by the way is on our short list as our next TV ; Since we started looking and researching last Dec. Our love and loyalty to Subaru resulted in test driving a new Ascent but we no longer need the ability to transport more than 4 people- as the Ascent we tested could carry 7 ppl.
Congratulations on your new Honda ;Bella no doubt will serve new owners well.
Sorry for long verbose comment.
-betty lou
Thanks, Betty, for the heartfelt comment. I know every scratch and scrape on Bella, and what those miles represented in my life. It’s also the last car my Dad was in, so one more link to the past has gone now and that makes me sad in a way hard to express. But life goes on, even with Covid-19, and Luna, the Ridgeline, is getting a bit antsy just sitting in front of Breeze with nowhere for us to go yet.
Since I just found you I haven’t become attached to Bella, but I know how you feel. Every time we sell a car I’m sad, remembering all the adventures and people I’ve shared it with. I’ve never named one…but if I was on the road full time and on my own I certainly would! I’m looking forward to coming along on your adventures going forward!
Hi, Dawn, and thanks for leaving me your note. I haven’t named all my cars, but Bella, yeah, because I knew were were going into a big new life and I’d need a constant friend. I can’t count the times I got through a hairy stretch of driving and said “good job, Bella” and meant both her and me had done well!
Sweet Bella! She was the beginning of your journey and many chapters there after and provided you with everything you needed. She did her job in protecting you. Bella was awesome, however, we all grow in life and it is the time for a new chapter and growth in yours. You will always have fond memories of Bella. Now onto the Ridgeline and many more adventures to come for Annie! Stay safe and keep posting.
Thanks, Sally! It’s kind of like a friendship that you outgrow and then find a new friend, or so it seems. Now I just need less lockdown and more campgrounds open to restart the adventures with Luna, the Ridgeline!
Bon Voyage Bella! May your next owner love you just as much. Hugs to you Annie.
Your photos are outstanding but your words! Oh my. They move me! Good bye old friend Bella.
I think I’m going to miss Bella 🙁
but I am looking forward to your statistical analysis comparing the two in the future…
Thanks for always bringing us along for the ride!
Congratulations on purchasing a new tow vehicle. I also find it hard to say goodbye
To my vehicle Babushka.
May you have many wonderful adventures ahead with your new TV.
Looking forward to hearing her name.
I love this so much, Annie! Keep telling your story sister…you’re the best. Happy trails with the Ridgeline…think you’re going to love it