I think it's a wise decision to go with 4WD or at least AWD. Not only does it give you added capabilities, it opens up your options.

You may want to go somewhere other than where you originally mentioned. Or, you may wake up one morning in a campground after rain has come through unexpectedly overnight, and changed the ground conditions.

We have always had 4WD. We've always lived where it has been necessary, and we own rural property where it's sometimes crucial in terms of even being able to gain access.

My most recent example may be a bit extreme but it gets the point across of being able to get the job done versus not. In February of last year, we had plans to go up to Colorado and pick up a horse. A snowstorm blew through the night before. It wasn't too bad down here outside of Santa Fe, but when we got to our destination about 6 hours North, it was a different story. Heavy snow, and serious cold- about zero upon arrival.

The ranch owner we were buying from told me she'd "plow the driveway for us." HAH! What that meant was running a Bobcat over the driveway, a long, long stretch into the valley to the homestead. There was still a lot of snow on the ground even where she "plowed."

We reached the foot of the drive and I assessed the situation. Without 4WD and the heavy front end of the diesel pickup, there would have been NO CHANCE of making it in. With 4WD it was a non-issue, even pulling the horse trailer. It would have been a long walk in without 4WD, or if we had gotten stuck.

I can't imagine not having the option, given the choice.