WAGON HOOOO! WESTWARD BOUND!

[GotSmart]

After 9 months I am hitting the road.

I started out with a basket case, and now have a fine running machine.

I installed the engine, all new fluids, (including dropping the gas tank) complete brake system, rebuilt the front end, new shocks, replaced all rusty metal, New paint on the roof, 4 house 6v batteries, fantastic fan vent, shelving, cabinet, new floor with insulation,

I recently saw the guy who brought me the van on a truck, and he was shocked.

I have a total of $1,800 invested so far. I still need a inverter, solar controller, and solar panels, but that will come in time. I have the batteries wired into a controlled charging system, and limited access to the power. Enough waiting~~~ I am heading West tomorrow. Denver will be my first stop.

Any members wanting to meet up for coffee, let me know. I am in no hurry.

 

[akrvbob]

What is your itinerary?
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

After Colorado, Southern California. Long Beach, then North.

 

[GotSmart]

On the road!

 

[wagoneer]

Thats great, to be rolling along at a easy pace. If you need some pointers when your in the SF bay area let us know caseyc and wagoneer are here, he has had a lot more experience than i .
WE CAN GET TOGETHER for a cup.

 

[GotSmart]

I was born in the North Bay, (Calistoga) and spent many years working all around it. I have been gone almost 20 years though. I will be announcing my progress. I am always up to meeting the posters in person.

I spent last night in Kansas. 500 miles the first day. 14 mpg. Right now I am having breakfast in Limon Colorado. Rain, cool weather, I am loving this.

1/2 hour out of KC on 70, I ran into a heavy rain that lasted about two minutes. Half an hour later the weather alarm went off with the warning to get off the roads and take shelter in that area. Another reason to go West.

 

[caseyc]

Let me guess. You're a wannabe tornado chaser?! Kidding. Good luck to you. I'd head West too, young man. I've lived in the East Coast before. No more of that.

1/2 hour out of KC on 70, I ran into a heavy rain that lasted about two minutes. Half an hour later the weather alarm went off with the warning to get off the roads and take shelter in that area. Another reason to go West.

 

[sassypickins]

Congratulations and kudos to you!

 

[user 423]

Right now I am having breakfast in Limon Colorado.

Close...I'm in Pueblo. Provisioning for stays in San Isabel, Gunnison,Rio Grande NFs for the next month. We have the same van.

Trying to get my little Honda trail bike ready for a (possible) trip north on the Continental Divide Trail.

 

[GotSmart]

It seems my posts from yesterday did not come through.

The city park in Denver is nice. No overnight camping, but I spent most of the day there relaxing.

I am in a Walmart parking lot using home depot wifi. I got permission from security to park here, then decited to cover the windows with blankets. Good thing, because he spent the night driving around with his light bar flashing~~~

I will be heading south today. I was thinking west, but I really do not want to go through Utah while loaded with a bunch of my ex wifes junk~~~ LOOONG STORY!

I might end up in Colorado Springs or Pueblo. Depending on how long the gas holds out. My kids were supposed to replace some of my funds~~~

No rush is the theme of this trip.

 

[GotSmart]

Landed in Pueblo. The Springs was crazy fast. I was able to see The garden of the gods. It has turned commercial with Segway rentals!

Anyone in Pueblo Colorado today?

 

[GotSmart]

Heading south and West. I40 through New Mexico and AZ.

 

[akrvbob]

I'm just outside Flagstaff, you should plan on stopping by!

Are you doing your solar here?
Bob

 

[Patrick46]

Great to hear that you finally off and running GS!! Woo-Hoo!!

sounds like your putting quite a few miles on already...and yet, you keep mentioning that you're not in a rush. Hmmmmm....slow down son and smell the flowers!! (which is the whole point of this anyways.......right???)

Be safe out there!!

 

[GotSmart]

I am heading for Long Beach because of family. The real trip starts there, as I plan on heading up Highway 1 for my Walkabout. The Coast Highway all the way to Washington. Perhaps a month or two. ~~~

Bob; I'll be in Flagstaff in about 4 hours. I will PM my phone number so we can meet up for a cup of something.

No solar this round, as I only got a small piece of payback. We can discuss the wiring set up.

---

Bob, Your pm and email are disabled. Could you remove this number after you have it please?

John

 

[akrvbob]

John, I'm having trouble with my phone so I PMed you a map to my location.

Here is my email:
[email protected]

Here is a map to my camp just west of Flaggstaff off Exit 185 off of I40.

It's last years map, right now after you turn onto Forest Road 9202K I am about 1/4 mile down on the left. I have a white cargo van and Judy has a gray Chevy Express. We are the only ones on the left. The sign for Terry is gone this year.
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

No luck finding you. No road with that number, Just cows and mud,

Using Mcd;s wifi,

 

[akrvbob]

If you hang around overnight we can get together tomorrow. You can sleep at the Pilot or head west on the frontage rd and you can camp anywhere once you get into the forest.
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

I am gassing up now. I finally got my bank to unfreeze my card. (It's not stolen, I ran away!)

Another 500 miles today to LA and then family time.

 

[GotSmart]

15 MPG!!!

Right now I an at a McDonalds in Lake Forrest CA I am at a group of tables with 15 retired Japanese business men. I feel like a tour guide! (Except they know the territory and I don't!)

This is a stranger place than I remembered. I was on a 6 lane (each direction) freeway, packed with bumper to bumper, and no houses in sight! This went on for miles... Then the giant flyovers and crazy exchanges in the middle of nowhere!!!

I will be visiting with family for a couple days, then up highway 1.

I almost was able to see Bob, but since I spent 2 1/2 hours fighting with the bank, I blew all my discresionary time and needed to cross the desert before it got too hot. Perhaps next time. I still need to set up the solar.

---

The only real scare so far was when I went looking for my cat after a long drive. I looked in all his hiding holes, then panicked and was looking at backtracking 100 miles.

He was in his house in plain sight. Rotten critter did that to me three times already!