Plymouthy Adams Posted April 21, 2011 Report Posted April 21, 2011 that get up on the 4 wheels..reckon that is some kind of moniotring system for an all wheel drive traction system, gathering data on slip and spin..differetial load variations etc Quote
randroid Posted April 21, 2011 Report Posted April 21, 2011 Chris and Jerry, FYI, this morning I learned that the road you were on with the snow (287) was closed last night due to the weather. Sounds like you made it through just in time. -Randy Quote
bamfordsgarage Posted April 22, 2011 Author Report Posted April 22, 2011 Hello All, Day 12, Laramie WY to Columbus MT, 486 miles today, 3,520 this leg. Car almost perfect today (if you're 50 ft away and squint real hard). It was good to get another long day of driving in and be a lot closer to home. We battled strong head and cross winds through most of Wyoming, which combined with the many climbs to push our heat gauge near the 212 mark a few times. We had to stop once to cool down a bit but there was next to no coolant loss. I imagine if we weren't carrying all this extra ballast the heating would be very little problem. They say Wyoming is the least populated of the 50 states, boasting a population of less than 600,000 souls. It's easy to believe after traversing most of the state today from south-east to north west. There sure is a lot of desolation out there. We were driving past a wind farm this morning when Jerry and I commented that we had never seen one of these big generators up close. Moments later we saw an access road — ungated, no warning signs — to a whole bank of 'em and we figured now was the time. After a good look around we met up with a site employee who was happy to answer our many questions... this particular farm consists of 74 GE turbines, which are 280' high with blades 121' long. Despite the height, workers must don safety harness and climb internal ladders to reach the nacelle while tools and supplies are brought up in a lift bag by electric hoist. Windspeed today was a typical 13.3 metres/sec (30 mph) at nacelle height. Each generator produces about 1.5 megawatts of electricity, and the whole farm was generating 105 mW this morning (4 units were down for scheduled maintenance), which is enough juice to supply about 30,000 homes. Tomorrow we visit a Model T connection in Helena and high-tail it north to get close to the Canadian border by nightfall. Today's pictures: Bio-mower squad in Medicine Bow, WY; Pacificor wind farm in central WY; Too bad about that padlock on the door; Everybody's heard of this place, who knew it actually exists?; Wyoming — a whole lot of very little. Quote
Kevinb71 Posted April 22, 2011 Report Posted April 22, 2011 Really enjoying your drive! Maybe someday i can do the same type of trip. Good luck the rest of the way home. Quote
greg g Posted April 22, 2011 Report Posted April 22, 2011 (edited) Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and Immigation and Customs Enforcment have been notified of your movements, they might have some interesting questions you should be pepared to answer, regarding your movements, your puchases, and especially regarding some nefarious characters you have been in contact with while on your "holiday trip". Answer them truthfully and calmly, and your re-crossing of the border should pose very few problems. However. copies of this log are probably already in thier files so becareful when they ask you if you have anything to declare........... Enjoyed being able to share your travels with you thanks for sharing, and good luck at the border. Edited April 22, 2011 by greg g Quote
Captain Neon Posted April 22, 2011 Report Posted April 22, 2011 Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and Immigation and Customs Enforcment have been notified of your movements, they might have some interesting questions you should be pepared to answer, regarding your movements, your puchases, and especially regarding some nefarious characters you have been in contact with while on your "holiday trip".Answer them truthfully and calmly, and your re-crossing of the border should pose very few problems. However. copies of this log are probably already in thier files so becareful when they ask you if you have anythig to declare........... Enjoyed being able to share your travels with you thanks for sharing, and good luck at the border. No matter how hard it may be, do not refer to the CBSA officer as "Ranger Gord" while in his presence. When my wife and I crossed the border back in 2002 for a trip to Toronto and Niagara Falls, I had to use every ounce of restraint not to say, "Hello, Ranger Gord," as we pulled up to his station. "Ranger Gord" inquired as to just about every weapon possible, asked us if it was in our possession and then announced after our confirmation in the negative that said weapon was illegal in Canada. I can only assume that he felt it necessary to inform me of this since we were residents of Arkansas at the time sporting Arkansas plates on our red convertible. Quote
P-12 Tommy Posted April 22, 2011 Report Posted April 22, 2011 Like Bob said...I would love to be in the back seat. Tom Quote
No Bux Rod Posted April 22, 2011 Report Posted April 22, 2011 Chris, Glad to see the old flathead make up the peak. Slow but steady. We all would like to see a picture of you climbing on the the platform. When you stopped at the wind farm you were supposed to park by tower "D24" not "D54" That is cool to get so close to such a large piece of machinery. Thanks for inviting us along on your adventure. //dave Quote
bamfordsgarage Posted April 23, 2011 Author Report Posted April 23, 2011 (edited) Hello All, Day 13, Columbus MT to Shelby MT, 519 miles today. The car is still running perfect as far as running goes, but there is more tire trouble again. Although the right rear has been losing 2 lb pressure per hour since Helena, we chose to press on and fill up the gas and tire every 100 miles or so. We expect to find it flat tomorrow morning and will install one of the two spares from up top. Won't bother getting it fixed before home unless another one goes flat in the meantime. Google puts the drive from Columbus to Shelby at 300 miles, but we took the small roads this morning to avoid heavy snow reported on the I90 pass near Bozeman — we ended up with light snow on US191 up through the Helena National Forest but the winds were lighter and the scenery very pretty with new snow in the trees and a fast brook beside the road. This would be a wonderful road to wander in summer weather. After lunch and an interesting visit with a Model T guy in Helena we drove up the I15 to Great Falls. From here we did the bulk of our extra miles, driving 109 out of our way to get to Havre MT for gas and a picture of the sign. We've been putting vintage travel decals on the Dodge for every state visited, and our Montana decal features the town of Havre — didn't quite seem right since we hadn't actually been there. Now we have and I can sleep easy tonight. BTW I've been buying these decals on eBay, and we now have one for every state visited (34 total including the California trip in '08) plus Washington DC. They are all originals 40-60 years old so they don't all go on — or stay on — in one piece. That would be bad for a show car, but here those rough-looking decals blend right in with all the other patina. Tomorrow we have a leisurely drive up to Lethbridge for lunch with RobertKB and Ralph D25cpe and another 300 miles home from there. Can't wait — this has been a great journey but it is always so nice to be home again. Sunday the local Edmonton club will have our annual Easter parade and the Dodge will be there in all its road weary, grubby and top-loaded glory. Greg, thanks for the warning about crossing the border. By the way, I called the DEA and told them I was your neighbour and they might want to drop in on you for coffee. Nobuxrod, we climb up via the front left fender (me) or the left rear (Jerry). Sounds nutty but don't forget we also drilled 16 holes in the roof to screw down the car top carrier. The guy who gets the car from my estate can worry about it. Today's pictures: Helena National Forest; heading NE to the mountains (yes) on US87 with the wheatfields glowing in the low evening sun; Proof!; Can you find your state here? Edited April 23, 2011 by bamfordsgarage Quote
P-12 Tommy Posted April 23, 2011 Report Posted April 23, 2011 You had great luck threading the needle with the snow. Tom Quote
Jim Yergin Posted April 23, 2011 Report Posted April 23, 2011 Chris, Your windows were pretty full with the decals when you were here in Virginia. Where did you find space for any additional ones or are you now covering the windshield? Jim Yergin Quote
Don Coatney Posted April 23, 2011 Report Posted April 23, 2011 I dont see Tennessee. But at least you got a ride in a Tennessee car. Quote
bamfordsgarage Posted April 23, 2011 Author Report Posted April 23, 2011 (edited) Hi Jim — the left rear door and quarter windows were near full when we were at your place with only a few on the right. I've added three on the left and pretty much filled the right rear and quarters since. We might be finding room for Alaska next year, but the New England states are a long way off if ever. Don — yes, regrettably, no Tennessee sticker. I sure enjoyed the ride in your car — it was an eye-opener how peppy and fast these flatheads can be with a few tweaks and a newer rear end and transmission. Edited April 23, 2011 by bamfordsgarage Don Quote
bamfordsgarage Posted April 24, 2011 Author Report Posted April 24, 2011 Hello All, Day 15, Shelby MT home to Edmonton AB, 444 miles today, 4,483 mile from Tim's place, 9,756 since we left home in September. Yahoo! Started the day in Shelby as expected by changing out our flat RR tire, then headed for the border and experienced possibly the easiest, friendliest, and fastest crossing ever. We postulated later that border cops realize smugglers and scoundrels know better than to show up looking like us and driving what we do full of all the stuff we carry. We had plenty of time before lunch at Chez RobertKB so got our flat fixed in Milk River, stopped to admire what is apparently the only town in Canada to have five wooden grain elevators, and drove our last gravel of the trip around the Milk River Ridge Reservoir south of Lethbridge. Then it was into Lethbridge for a visit and BBQ with RobertKB, the Lady KB, LKB's sister-in-law, and RalphD25cpe — fine folks all. Robert has an assortment of fine Mopar iron in the garage, and I was particularly taken with his beautifully restored 1938 Chrysler Royal sedan and the gorgeous paint on his D25 coupe. Who knew these things could be that shiny? Ralph left the D25 at home today and drove his 1948 Nash sedan over to Robert's place. I don't think I've ever seen one of these close up and it one fine looking machine. It was obvious both these guys are pretty particular about their rides. After lunch, dessert and pictures out front we took off for home with a stop at the town of Vulcan for gas and pictures — as you can imagine, this burg makes a very big deal about their name and a certain TV series co-starring a guy with big ears. Less than a half-hour later we were beside the road, hood-up, faces glum, and contemplating the auto club for a 250 mile tow home. I'll start a new thread on this tomorrow, but suffice to say the problem got solved and we got a little bit smarter in the bargain. Today's pictures, part 1: There must be a reason I keep packing the jack in the front of the trunk, but I forget what it is; Canada in our sights; As if we didn't have enough trouble keeping up with traffic in the US; Sentinels of the Prairies, Warner AB; Dusting the car near the Milk River Reservoir. Home at 11:00, dropped off Jerry and went to the hospital to see my beloved (an RN working the night shift tonight) — it sure is good to be home. Quote
bamfordsgarage Posted April 24, 2011 Author Report Posted April 24, 2011 (edited) Interesting (or not) Road Trip Statistics: Edmonton to Warrenton VA 3,757 miles, Warrenton to Elko GA 1,516 miles, Elko GA to Edmonton 4,483 miles — grand total 9,756. Last leg: 4,483 miles, 318.6 USGal @ 14.1 mpgUS (265 CdnGal @ 16.9 mpgCdn). Cost of last leg only (excluding airfare): approximately $3,100 for food, fuel, lodging and incidentals. Oil consumption: 3 USGal in 4,200 miles, 350 miles/qt. Car weight, loaded, 2 souls aboard, 1/2 tank of gas: 5,040 lb. Open road speed: 50-55mph secondary highways, 55-60 mph Interstates, grades permitting. Vehicles passed on the open road, last 4,483 miles: 3 Mechanical troubles since leaving Edmonton 9,756 miles ago: shorting horn wire, 4 flat tires, 1 broken rim, 1 stuck thermostat, 1 AWOL cotter pin (shift linkage), and an ongoing tendency to overheat from hills, headwinds and high ambient temps. Tools and supplies used: Jack, lug wrench, screwdriver, pliers, 3/8 socket set, combination wrenches, borrowed welder, angle grinder, electrical tape, gasket goop, bent nail. Fine Forum Folks met: 17 Fine Forum Folks who gave our car shelter: 2 (thanks again Jim and Tim) Acts of theft, vandalism and general messing around with the car: Zero. People who had one like it, or their father/uncle/buddy/neighbor/teacher did: 4,337 Times asked about mpg, age, model, where we're from, what's under the hood, etc.: 23,445,672 Today's pictures, last batch: Sure the other guy's paint is shinier, but we've got more doors; Impromptu old car street festival; Can you find three bunnies in this Easter photo?; Contemplating something a little more exotic for the next road trip; Address plaque. Edited April 24, 2011 by bamfordsgarage more data Quote
1940plymouth Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 (edited) Glad you both are home safe and sound, thanks for sharing your trip with us This photo is fantastic Some friends of ours growing up had a '48 Nash 4dr, lots of rides and good memories in that car Have fun today at the Easter Parade. Thanks again, Bob Edited April 24, 2011 by '40Plymouth Quote
PatS.... Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 Welcome home to Alberta...I hope you waved as you passed through Cowtown. You guys had an amazing trip...thanks for taking us along with you. Quote
Jim Yergin Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 Chris, Congratulations! Fantastic trip. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Jim Yergin Quote
Don Coatney Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 Glad you made it home safely. It was a pleasure meeting up with you. My hats off to you for undertaking such a journey. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 Thanks for sharing the trip with us, Chris. I looked forward to your posts every day. I told friends and family about it and occasionally, I'd say, "The Canadians are in Oklahoma," or "The Canadians are in Montana." It's amazing to me how sturdy that engine is. Gives me a lot of confidence for when I take mine on a similar trip. My question is, what are you going to do now? Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 I can see it now as they scream around some big 18 wheeler heading for Prudhoe Bay..at least the overheating will not be an issue..and there would be little need for other stickers for the glass.. Quote
oldodge41 Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 Chris, Thanks for the updates. You guys are an inspiration. Glad you had a safe trip and made it home on time. HAPPY EASTER! .........Tim Quote
RobertKB Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 (edited) Chris and Jerry, it was great meeting you guys and having you for a BBQ lunch (first BBQ of the year). I think you are crazy but in a wonderful way. I really admire what you did on your trip and the toughness of that old flathead. I think you have shown a lot of us what our cars are capable of doing. Sorry to hear you had some trouble after leaving Lethbridge but it sounds like you got things sorted out. Any time you are in Lethbridge, you know you are always welcome to stop by and we can trade more stories. Looking forward to meeting up with you again at the Red Deer swapmeet. Edited April 24, 2011 by RobertKB Quote
greg g Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 Congratulations to both you fellows, and especially to your faithful mechanical partner for putting up with and carrying you so many miles with so little fuss. Now for those of you that won't go more than 25 miles away from home, Whaddya Waitin For???? Get out and enjoy. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 retirement is the first thing that comes to mind.... Quote
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