Mule or Gator, this is the question and I know many of you are wondering what in the world is Charles talking about now?

When I moved to Virginia (going on 10 years ago now) I went from .25 acres to now 14 acres of land. Well there is a lot to do on a piece of land, cut trees that have fallen, clear brush, create gardens, make trails, fish, hike and explore.

After a short time I realized with all this fun and work, I needed the right tools and one of them is a utility vehicle. So I started to look at options.

There are a lot of people who are "John Deere" die-hards and I am now on my 2^nd John Deere riding mower. The first one was a little small and I beat the heck out of it!!!

John Deere makes a "Gator" and there are several versions of the Gator. Plus it is (as the song goes) "John Deere Green".

Well I looked at the Gator and talked to a lot of people and it is a fine utility vehicle.

Kawasaki makes a "Mule" and the rear bed tilts and it has a roll cage.

There is also a bench seat and a little higher ground clearance.

My property is rather hilly. In fact I would call it steep! So I looked at all the options and talked to a lot of people and I bought a "Mule".

I am so pleased with it's performance on the hills it is hard to explain. It will try to climb a tree if you let it. We have a grand time with the Mule and even use it to pull sleds in the Winter.

The main thing when looking at a Mule or a Gator is to consider your property. How steep of hills do you have? Are you going to be in river beds, etc...

I think if my land were flatter, I would have gone with a Gator. But I can tell you, after flipping over in a Mule and being able to walk away from it (that is another story). I am sold on the Mule!