The rains have stopped in Upstate New York, but the over-capacity streams continue to churn in their quest for the Atlantic. This means that the lovely hamlet in which my country house sits is about to be ravaged by the mighty Delaware River, which crested late last night. It also means: Disaster Touring! But what to drive?
Fortunately, this week, I am in possession of a 2012 Mercedes SLK Roadster. Because nothing says prurient-asshole-from-The-City- cruising-about-ogling-ruination-simply-for-sport like a bright read Benz convertible. Let loose with other suggestions in the comments below.
After Katrina, you’d have been eaten alive — assuming you’d have even found a road you could drive that car down. The best vehicle then? An old pickup equipped with 4WD, a tarp with tie-downs to conceal multiple containers of precious gasoline, and a toolbox to stash your granola bars and bottled water, lest you get ransacked by the desperate masses. Disaster porn post-Katrina was interactive. For your purposes, in the aftermath of Irene, I’m sure the red roadster will be perfect.
I can get you a good deal on a used tank from the Libyan Army Store
In New Orleans, they did it with giant tour buses. Well buses and airboats — anything puncture-resistant.
Personally, I’d opt for the Terrafugia — but then, I’m a little uppity.
If you’re shamelessly ogling, you’d want something open and with a bit of a lift (you’re good on the first point, not so much on the second.).
Also, I suppose what comes to mind when touring a disaster area is the offhand chance that you might somehow become a participant in the disaster, especially one still developing like this. A bit of preparation and capability is a good thing.
Ergo, tp pick for the Disaster Porn Tour ’11 is a soft-top Jeep Wrangler.