Chuck, my truck

Warning: The following photos are not for those with weak stomaches!

Look at what that deer did to Chuck. It kinda breaks my heart just looking at him, to tell you the truth. This is a whole lot of damage- like three or four days in the shop worth of damage. Which means three or four days without Chuck.

See that piece of metal in the middle of the frame that's bent? That's some kind of structural something-or-the-other. That's something- I'm almost positive- that is integral to the proper functioning of my truck.

There used to be another headlight down below the big one. Oh, AND A BUMPER.

Doesn't it just seem impossible that an animal could have done all that damage? It wasn't an elephant for heaven's sake. 

Revenge of the Deers?

Patrick and I were driving back up to the Vineyard from New York at 4 o'clock this morning, cause we had to make a 7 a.m. ferry. We were somewhere in Connecticut when a very large deer- another buck, but much larger than Friday's and with at least an 8 point rack according to Patrick- ran out in front of my truck. I braked and veered to the right to avoid it, and I would have had the deer not doubled back when it reached the center divider. 

Actually, the deer hit my truck, taking out the left side of the bumper, one headlight, the left front quarter panel and the left front fender. It also dented the hood and bent the driver's side door so much that it only opens about a foot. 

Luckily (?!) Patrick and I were uninjured,  the truck was still drivable and we were able to continue to the Vineyard. We even made our ferry on time. Woohoo.

I had been planning to write a blog post this week about how much I love my truck. It has never let me down, which is more than I can say for any other piece of farm equipment I've ever owned.  It's also really comfortable to drive. Lord, I love that truck.

I'll take a picture of the damage tomorrow so you can see it. 

Now, I'd like to take a moment to apologize to the deer population of the Northeast for whatever it is I have done to earn your wrath. I like deer. Honest, I do. I've never hunted in my life and I couldn't care less when you all come down into my yard and eat every single Tiger Lily. Patrick gets a little miffed about the Tiger Lilies, but as far as I'm concerned, they're all yours.

Truce?