If you live long and well enough, The Universe will open itself up and present a magnificent view of things. We are, however, obliged to pay attention and be willing to listen…carefully.

This past year for me has been a prime example of that thought. As most of you know, I took a big hit last spring…literally. My 2016 Sprinter van was lost in a horrific head on collision. Thanks to decades of design and safety knowledge by Mercedes-Benz, I walked away with minor ankle damage. Lily, as I had named her, gave up her life for me. Airbags, impact zones and solid construction probably saved my life.

The process then was to re-evaluate everything.

I’m too old to upfit another Sprinter van. The last one nearly wore me out. Unless you’ve built out a large vehicle to live in, it’s hard to realize the blood, sweat and tears involved. I’m an amateur hack with moderate tool skills. Working in small weird spaces and odd angles is physically really hard work. I didn’t have it in me again.

These days Sprinter vans in particular are all the rage. Since the Pandemic, every vanlifer and their rich cousin has one. Campsites are flooded with remote working Numpties driving over-built War Wagons that would be fine on African Safari. As a result, to get one professionally built out runs $250,000 plus options. Stupid money.

I’ve spent many earlier years living out of the back of pickup trucks and cars. Why not take another look. Simplify, adapt, I Ching.

The result of insurance companies and lawyers from the accident resulted in a generous if not completely exonerating dollar amount. I had enough to warrant a top end Mercedes SUV. Yoazaa. Last August I ordered a 2024 Mercedes AMG GLE 63S. Alpine Grey. Look it up. An industry pinnacle. Truly.

After a brief break-in time, I came to realize that this was perfect. Fast and smooth beyond belief, remarkably comfortable on long drives, plenty enough room to live out of. Albert Einstein. A Pinnacle of automotive genius. Albert for short; Einstein a bit overused.