Im Speckled (oops tickled) Pink

[G]

Last fall, I thought I spotted a speckled SJ at a house in the city I live in.  the next time through, it was gone so I never got to verify what it was.  Today, I drove the same route and there it was, within 20 feet of the roadside....a speckled SJ.  I pulled over, worked up some courage, and knocked on the door.  No answer.  I left but was determined to stop back later in the day.

After I left, I considered what I would pay for this old beauty.  My first thought was cash but then I decided to first try for a trade.  Since this was the only grill they had in the yard, I decided to go small.  I pulled a new blue 18" OTG from the herd that I had picked from CL recently.  I had used the ash ring and bucket for another project so had to add clips to the legs and a new ash pan.  After a couple of hours, I left with high hopes.  When I pulled up, a woman was in the front yard weeding some flowers.  I was in luck.  I walked up and fumbled through an opening statement as she stared at me in disbelief that I wanted her old smokey joe.  At first she said no...I asked if she would like to see the grill I offered as a trade.  She said its only her and her husband and they don't want a big grill.  I said it was blue and she said raised her eyebrows and said OK.  I think it was love at first sight.  We shot the breeze about work, life, and the town we live in for about 15 minutes and then swapped the OTG for the SJ.  Heres a few shots right off the truck.  given the age, its in very good condition. 

[zavod44]

Nice Stu, my buddy at work has one just like it and it's almost flawless....They look pretty cool....I see that handle is rough....

[mike.stavlund]

Awesome.  What a beauty!  Great story, too.

[javahog2002]

Cool grill and story.  Her twin lives in my garage locked up by her Evil Red Headed Step Mother away from the rest of the family.

[landgraftj]

Oh Stu, that one is nice

[Idahawk]

Those are cool . And having had that stare of disbelief when asking to buy someone's grill I can totally relate to the story , great job and congratulations on a great save .

[1911Ron]

Very nice and a good swap!

[reillyranch]

UPGRADED

Another happy customer, great score, great story. 

[Craig]

Man oh man Stu! That's a nice trade! Good going!

[bob hope]

Wow, That is a thing of beauty. Great story!

[glrasmussen]

Very nice! Great story to boot.

[Ted B]

Both parties walk away happy. Great story!!

[pbe gummi bear]

Hey G, sounds like everyone won that day. Great work snagging the SJ!

[Duke]

Nice score G! Now if we could just find the greenie and yeller we would have the full set.

[Jeff]

Great job and trade Stu.  That worked about great for both of you.   Cool grill for sure!  Is this the start of you collecting Smokies now?  You have an all star lineup of 18's and MTs!!!  I think me and Terry have the market cornered on Smokies though...Shaun has some nice ones too, but...I think we still have him!!! LOL