Hi Jer,
I actually got an 040 not the 045. I wanted a black unit and found one through Cabela's. I'm south of you, a little outside of Richmond. Did my first smoke yesterday, a small bison brisket and some turkey laegs and everything turned out very good. This is a learning experience for me. I've been using a large offset firebox charcaol and wood pit for the last 5 years.