A new truck, a new adventure. It started today.
We didn’t actually pack the truck until the night before, and were not too surprised when everything didn’t fit in there just the way we had hoped. It’s easy to overpack a truck when you’re bringing pretty much everything you own in the world. Things only got worse this morning. There are so many little odds and ends that don’t actually get packed until the morning you hit the road. Of course, we’re just tooling around the States right now, so nothing is too urgent or important. We ended up just stacking things in the best we could, knowing full well that we’d be tossing stuff like crazy in the coming weeks.
A few minutes before taking off, Ali’s dad and I were under the hood setting the timing. I’m embarrassed to admit that I never knew how to use a timing light. I’ve had one for a couple of years, but never used it. I figured I could do it well enough by ear. A couple days ago we hooked it up and took a look. Oops. Timing was at twenty-five degrees, and was supposed to be at zero. We turned it back to where it should be, and it was a pretty noticeable difference. Hopefully that will help with everything from fuel consumption to cooling.
We made a bunch of jokes about how we hoped the truck would start, and how we would just need a small push out of the driveway, and then we waved goodbye to grandma and grandpa.
Twenty miles down the road the truck sputtered and died.
Fortunately, it was only because I failed to go out last night and fill the gas tank like I had meant to do. And because, as is the case with all of our vehicles, we don’t have a working gas gauge. I do, however, have two gas tanks, so we were right back on the road headed east. A most unusual direction for us, and something I’m still not entirely sure I’m comfortable with.
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. We stopped off at a park in Eau Claire, had Dairy Queen ice cream cones whose size should be called “American,” and then continued winding in a generally easterly direction before calling it a day in Marshfield.
The first thing jettisoned from inside the truck was the water bottle. We had made space behind the fridge for a 5-gallon water jug, thinking that would be nice to have in South America. However, it’s simply too much space to give up. There is so much room underneath the truck that I may as well install a 10 or 15-gallon tank down there instead.
The truck is purring right along. The kids are happy in their ginormous backseat. Ali is stuck in the sun on the south side of the truck, headed east. And I’m contentedly cruising along, feeling all the while like I’m living in some sort of distorted reality, where I’m moving through a 2016 world in a 1968 life. I love old cars—they transport me in more ways than one.
21 Comments on “Back At It”
So does everyone sleep in the tent on top, or is there sleeping in the back of the car too? I would think you’d want some privacy now and then. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge…)
Are you really bringing a dog along, just to add expense and difficulty to your traveling?
Old cars transport you, while your writing style and photos transport me. Whenever I read one of your posts, I am lost within it, following every turn and tumble….the mark of a compelling writer. I am happy to be “back at it” right along with you.
Right?!?!
Yep! You’re right!
Beautifully said, Suzanne! My sentiments exactly!
Fair winds guys. Could that Bug really have a turbo diesel installed?
Wow, the truck looks amazing! Cuidate!
I love the fender on the Beetle held on with electrical ties 🙂
Mark and Cindy
Looking forward to your new adventure! Love the farm picture.
Well if your easterly discomfort persists, feel free to head back west where the Nebraska State Fair would love to have you at the end of August or early September 😉
I use a Frontrunner Outfitters water tank that sits in the footwell of the back seat. It holds around ten gallons just some food for thought.
As commented above, your writing style and the photos transport me too. Your kids are having the best kind of education possible along with the adventure of a lifetime.
Yay, the next adventure has begun! So exciting!
I am interested in hearing how your ARB fridge works on this new adventure. I’m thinking about putting on on my Sailboat.
Drive Safe Have Fun!
I love the way you write.
You have a fox!
Cheers to being on the road again! Stay outta the South for a while. The humidity is horrible!
Congratulations on the new adventure, and thanks for sharing with all of us here.
Coincidentally, I’ve been following another “overlander” who has added a water tank under his Jeep. He has a pump, filter and UV treatment for the water inside the cabin. It’s at 3:34 in his video: Africa Jeep Wrangler Build Part 2 (here it is linked from his blog: http://theroadchoseme.com/video-africa-jeep-wrangler-build-parts-1-and-2). The first video shows his storage system, using some tubing to create a framework for bins and a sleeping platform, something else that may give you ideas. I’m sure he would answer questions if he has internet access.
Great pictures, I love old cars too, there sound, the feel on the road, everything. But yours is a beauty! I can feel with you. Can you take a picture of what you pack in the back, camping gear, etc.? It looks really spartanic but perfect for you. I think that has been on my mind since you first wrote about the trip. How are they going to get everything they need in the car. I need that much room just to pack the clothes my son goes through in a day. 🙂
Finally headed east! Let us know if you’ll be near Baltimore. It would be great to buy you a pizza after reading about you and your family’s adventures all these years.
That Travelall is a beauty!! I had a ’69 4X4 about 40 years ago. One piece of advice if applicable. My IH had rear axle bearings that needed to be greased like front wheel bearings (every 30K?). They were not lubed by the 90weight in the rear end. I found out the hard way, far from home and in the rain!! Ever tried hitching a ride with an axle over your shoulder? HA!! Just double check, might not be the same in your 2 wheel drive. Best of luck in your journey.
Guy