ROAD TRIP! Where you going in your Wagon?

We're heading up the east coast from Georgia to Barryville, NY at the end of July. Should be a two week trip.

Just me and the wife. No kids. I'm sick of their crap.

Just kidding - the youngest graduated and the oldest two don't like me any more... me making them get jobs and all.

 

We drove the old wagon 5145 miles and got a picture of her parked on the Santa Monica Pier! Repairs along the way included repair of broken brake light wire in Lebanon, IN, replacement of AC compressor belt in Chicago, IL, addition of chrome tips on the exhaust to keep the fumes out of the car west of St. Louis, installation of a new starter in Barstow, CA, repair of the AC switch in Sun City, AZ, addition of 1 quart of gear oil in the transmission in Oklahoma, replacement of the brake light switch in Sikeston, MO. Other than that, it was a perfect trip.

 

My friend and I got back from the first two stop of the Power Tour on Monday afternoon. The drive to Knoxville was fun. Lots of tight twists and turns. The trip was enjoyable despite the problems. The rear main seal was leaking and oiling down the underside and back of the Vista. Also started overheating when not moving so I need to look into that. Met a family in a 67 F-85 wagon. A lot of wagons this year.

 

Well, made the trip successfully in spite of Government efforts to derail it via. confusing regulations...



But in all seriousness the trip went very well. On the legs with mostly interstate cruising at 70-75 mph we averaged just under 20 mpg. Could probably squeeze out low twenties if I did the rolling road block thing at around 60 mph. She ran fine at sustained speeds of 80 mph and showed no reluctance to do more if I had the guts (I did not). She loves to stretch her legs and gets it done with no drama.

We had a great time while we were there. One might think that a denominational business meeting would be quite dry but it was not the case in part due to the organizers providing very interesting seminar sessions etc. to break up the business sessions and also due to our new moderator who is quite a joker and helped keep it light.

I also got a little bit of a peak at something to tickle one of my other passions...



Unfortunately I didn't get an opportunity to play it but we did get to hear a little bit from it. A very nice Schantz Pipe organ with beautiful voicing. Unfortunately they kept the organists on rather a short leash so I wasn't able to hear them cut loose. They sort of got to play along with the "Happy, Clappy Praise Band" but occasionally one got to see glimpses of what it was capable of.

mike

 

The wife and I had the weekend to ourselves, our kids went with their grandparents until Tuesday, boy do we miss them, but we took the chance today to take scenic hwy 90 from Slidell, LA to Biloxi, MS and a few detours on back roads while at it. Ended up cruising right at 200 miles and never got on the Interstate. It was a nice Sunday drive!