Signs of spring in Maine

1.  Mud

2.  We're half-way through the damned garden show.

3.  Flock of geese (20-30) browsing in a field on the way to the garden show this morning.

4.  Song sparrows at the nature center.  Also red-winged blackbirds.

5.  Humongous (precise birdwatcher term) flock of robins scattered across an entire neighborhood yesterday.  (Some number in excess of 100.)

6.  Frost-heaves and potholes morphing into new and exciting configurations on the roads.

Car question for the group mind

We are, as previously noted, prospecting for a replacement for my '95 Subaru.  Preferably something that will last us ten years or so -- we (as indicated by '95 Subaru) tend to keep cars until they die the real death.  Which, in Maine, can be rapid.

Does anyone have experience with either the Toyota Matrix (AWD version) or Toyota RAV4?  And in Subarus, experience with the Imprezza model wagon, as we have only done Legacy/Outback types?

We are considering a possible brand change because we feel that the local Subaru dealership has deteriorated in the last ten years or so.  Maine geography being what it is, going to another Subaru dealer would involve a 30-40 mile drive, each way.

Lest we forget

SGT. Nicholas Robertson
3rd Special Forces Group, U. S. Army
Zahn Khan, Afghanistan