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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Commercial Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

{'Ravy', my Toyota RAV4 is 15 today!}

My 'Cute Ute' has another birthday! You can find a link below photos, about last year's post with lots of info and photos. But today 'Ravy', my Toyota RAV4 turned 15! Still love him and keep him. Such a loyal Mini SUV, so why ditch him? As written about in a magazine in 1998, for being a small, spunky, head-turner - to me that's still valid. The New Car Test Drive in 1996 called it: The new king of the minis. It's a shame that they discontinued making the 2-door since 2000. Even now, with high gas prices it would be even more relevant for having a car with such good fuel economy. 
The Chicago Sun Times wrote: Toyota's new, hot-selling RAV4 small sport/utility vehicle is terribly cute, practical and more affordable than larger sport/utilities. AMEN to that!
Ravy looks still cute and is in excellent condition. Always being loved, even though he worked hard for us... When this 2-door launched, it became hugely popular in France. 
That's me on July 13, 1997 after Ravy's first 1,000 miles. This is at the Philadelphia Franklin Mill's Outlet Mall. We parked, and funny enough, there were two RAV4 4-doors parked as well; Ravy's big brothers...
Here we are at the Delaware river in Philadelphia, with the Benjamin Franklin bridge in the back.
Ravy did bring us all the way to Pennsylvania, from Georgia, to visit also Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Our second visit, but now as Americans and it meant a lot.
Visiting the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Pieter in front of the Liberty Bell...
Me in front of the Liberty Bell...
Oh, Ravy hauled many a load with this cute trailer that Pieter himself has put together. He ordered it from Northern Tool + Equipment and added the upper part himself.
I still love Ravy today...  together we age!


Related link:
'Ravy', My Toyota RAV4 is 14 today! | previous post by me

27 comments:

  1. that's adorable, mariette. a match well made. happy birthday ravy!

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  2. Hi Mariette,
    Well Happy Birthday to your dependable Ravy. Nothing better then a excellent vehicle. You look adorable next to your 4 wheeled friend. Best wishes for many more happy and safe miles ahead with your Ravy. Still looks brand new too.

    Have a great week dear friend.
    Much Love, Celestina Marie

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  3. the RAVA is still cute and still looks new and beautiful...

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  4. Hello Dear Mariette,
    Your ravy looks great, although it hard work. I wish you and your husband, to continue many- many trips with this cute car! The photos are wonderful!
    Have a nice week
    Olympia

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  5. Happy B-day for Ravy!
    Ik vind het (nog steeds) een mooie auto!
    Hopelijk heb je er nog lang plezier van!
    Lg, Nicole

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  6. Liebe Mariette,

    wundervolle Fotos!

    Sonnige Grüße

    Elisabeth

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  7. Wat grappig de verjaardag van je auto......liefs Ria...xxx...

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  8. Lijkt me een lekker autootje, ja en je gaat je ook aan een auto hechten vind ik.

    Groetjes Janny

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  9. Lovely photos and what a cute little car! Have a nice monday.

    Hugs
    Elna

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  10. aww sweet!! Lovely pictures!! I never want to get rid of any car I have, but never managed to have obne as long as you!

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  11. Hej Mariëtte, dat is een lange en liefdevolle relatie.
    Lieve groet,

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  12. Hej Mariëtte, dat is een lange en liefdevolle relatie.
    Lieve groet,

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  13. How wonderful to have such a reliable vehicle! You both look very cute and sporty! :D
    xo Catherine

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  14. Happy birthday to your Ravy :-) 15 years old and still in good condition, how great! I had to leave my previous car (also Toyota) after 10 years, but I think I could keep longer if I brought it to dealer for regular maintenance as many times as I was supposed to.
    The previous post about copy cats is so cute!! I think they learn lots of things from each other. One of my boys does not bury after using bathroom...I hope other boy does not copy that ;-)

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  15. That is a cute Ravy and still looks so nice after all these years. It looks like it is fun to drive. I have always wanted to see the Liberty Bell. You look so sweet standing with your reliable little car. Hope you have many more adventures together. xx

    Thank you for your very kind comments on my blog. It means so much. xx

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  16. My dear friend Mariette,
    You Ravy rocks! Such a wonderful car that you still use after 15 years, no wonder why you are still in love with it.
    Thanks for your nice comments in my blogs, I send you a big hug.
    Love,
    Laura :0)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dearest Mariette、
    Oh, Happy birthday to your Ravy♡♡♡
    My husband said that this is the very car he would have bought if he needs 4WD. We enjoyed the picture, my dear friend(*^_^*) Thank you very much,
    Sending you lots of love from Japan, xoxo Miyako

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dearest Mariette,
    what a lovely post for your Ravy :O))))
    Hope you still willhave wonderful years together ;O)
    Have a happy week,
    love and hugs,
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nog heel veel jaren samen met je Ravy Mariette !!!!Prachtig vind ik deze foto's...hij heeft je al heel veel diensten bewezen en ik moet zeggen hij ziet er nog wel jong uit hoor voor zijn leeftijd...Maar hij wordt vast ook goed verzorgd en jij staat natuurlijk ook super mooi en vooral zomers op de foto !!!Jullie zijn samen een mooi stel....Ik vind het trouwens een heel mooi model Je Ravy...Die zie je hier bij ons niet !!!!Lekker stoer hoor !!!!!!Wil ik ook wel zo''n car !!!!!
    Ik wens je een hele fijne dag en ik mail je binnenkort nog even !!!!!Lieve groetjes ELLY.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Isn't it great that you don't have to buy a new car all the time since your Toyota RAV is still so reliable. My Toyota Celica was totally flooded out once in New Orleans, but after it was fixed up, it never gave me any problems. I have an Toyota Aurion now -- unfortunately, in Kuwait, someone is always banging into it. And the roads are harsh. Something always seems to be happening with it. Have a great day! Tammy

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  21. Cara Mariette,
    auguri!!;DDDD
    Io adoro i SUV,io ho una Jeep!!;D
    E la amo tanto!!
    Vi auguro di continuare ancora tante belle avventura con questa auto!!
    Grazie anche per il bellissimo messaggio che mi hai lasciato,penso che tu sia una donna dolcissima e ti ringrazio per questa amicizia speciale,speciale come te!!
    Un abbraccio cara amica mia!!
    Sabry!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. YAY!!! Happy bday celebrations to your Ravy 4.... I love this post for so many reasons. It is truly an example of living simply, enjoying life and not disposing of things just because one can.

    Great photos my friend. And wishing you many more years of dependability from your totally cute Ravy 4.

    I have been going back and forth about upgrading my SUV and your post has inspired me to keep it ... it has been good to me and it's only 4 years old.

    Hope you and Pieter are enjoying this great summer weather! much love to you both xo C. (HHL)

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  23. happy annyversary for your ravy Marriette dear..
    happy summer...

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  24. My dear Mariette! you do look wonderful and stunning everywhere! and your beloved Ravy too.
    Have a nice time dear Mariette. You are a special person and friend to me.
    Love

    ReplyDelete
  25. We also own a RAV4, but it's a 4-door. Very reliable car!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...

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MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS © 2009. All rights reserved - Text and images may not be copied for distribution or sale.

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