The old Toyota 4x4 vans are actually pretty capable off-roaders, if you can stop snickering while you're doing it. They aren't minivans as in a car-based FWD unibody van like the Previa-- they're actually mechanically identical to the unstoppable old school Toyota 4x4 pickups.

The "Seattle Freeze" doesn't mean people are rude or anything. Seattleites are polite almost to a fault and will make small talk with strangers and help people in need and all that. But they're very insular mind-your-own-business type folk, which makes actually making friends somewhat difficult for newcomers.

It's partly because people in this town are generally pretty passionate about their interests, so a great deal of social lives are tied up in music scenes or outdoor clubs, etc. If you don't have something like that you're very into, it can seem very "cliqueish" and hard to make a social life for ones' self.

You should let us know what she says. I'm interested to hear what her commission is for sales.

Normally, I say it's never worth having someone else sell your car unless the idea of dealing with strangers just terrifies you. Generally, consignment lots charge so much that you can get the same effect (i.e. a speedier sale) by simply marking down the price of your car a similar amount. But I've never dealt with an independent auto broker so, who knows, maybe they are price-competitive.

What you say about hybrids and highway driving is theoretically true. However, despite this the Prius still has the best highway mileage of any car sold in the US. This is because the Prius is almost single-mindedly built for fuel economy, in everything from the tires to the shape. Presumably, if you could buy a Prius without the hybrid system, it would get even better pure highway mileage.

Yes, but are there service organizations that are secular and non-misogynistic AND have their own bar?

Um, an oil change. The only real difference is that most people don't put enough miles on their motorcycles for mileages to make much sense as a service interval, so usually they recommend something like twice a year oil changes.

Ah, you have not lived in rust land lately. A miracle has occurred, which is that the car makers have seemingly cured rust! Some cars still grow some surface rust, but cars don't completely rust out in a decade or less like they once did.

Back in the day, Carhartt used to make nothing but high quality work clothes, but they've sort of become a fashion label now (sort of like what happened with Timberland boots). It's really tricky because they make a lot of durable LOOKING clothes, but their genuinely durable clothes are harder and harder to find. I'd guess you'd have to go to some of the farm & ranch supply places on the outskirts to find them in the Seattle area.

If I may make a slight plug, this company makes (so I've heard) extremely good work pants specifically for women: http://www.redantspants.com/index.php

They're made in Seattle, although their only retail presence is at their headquarters in Montana so you'd have to do it mail order. I know some gals who swear by 'em though.

I have no clue what you're asking. I know plenty of hunters, but not a single one who ONLY goes camping to hunt, if for no other reason that hunting season doesn't coincide with most of camping season. So unless you're a poacher, I don't see why you can't take your nature lover camping any time from June-September when the weather is nice, but you aren't allowed to hunt.

Furthermore, I have no idea why your choice of campsite has any bearing whatsoever to your supposed dilemma.

There's just a replacement fee for the tabs, you don't have to actually re-renew your registration. Apparently it's $4.25.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/fees.html

EDIT: What they said!