Van down! Van down!

Well, it has been a hard two days. Who would have thought going from Bellingham to Seattle would be such a long, arduous journey.

Visiting B-ham was fun - if wet, but it was time to move on to the Big City. I was keen to find out how the van would do in a truly urban setting. Well, the fact is - it apparently disagrees with it violently. 1 hour into my drive on I-5 (doing 68mph!), I smelled gas. A very, very strong miasma of gas that was NOT dissipating. I pulled onto the next off-ramp into a convenient parking lot next to a gas station and across from Lowe's.

Getting out of the van I immediately noticed a trail of wet spots following my van. Peering underneath, and holding my breath, there was a large pool of fuel accumulating as more dripped from my now silent VW. I pulled myself into my old overalls (or should I say I stretched the overalls to partially cover my corpulent flesh) - and immediately felt bad about my weight. Sigh. First - confirm it was fuel and not oil. Yup, smelled like fuel but checked the oil level anyway - it was very, very low. So maybe that was the problem?? Continue to troubleshoot...

Anyway crawling around, and tearing up the engine cover, I quickly (ok, not so quickly) discovered the main fuel supply line to the carburetor had fallen free. The fact that the van's engine and body did not burst into flame is amazing.

Remember Lowe's? Hurray - higher power looking out for me. I ran across and got some clips. A lot of clips (just in case) and got to work reattaching the line. Feeling good about my ability to find and fix a problem, I pulled over to the gas station and refueled (back to 12mpg, but most probably spilled onto the road). So I returned to I-5 determined to fix the other problem. You did remember the low oil level, right? Did I mention the bits of metal (hopefully from the o-rings seating around the new pistons). Hello, Jiffy Lube.

A bit of advice - Jiffy Lube may be convenient but it is staffed by people, kids usually, who are not familiar with VWs. I was told, "They don't make 10w-40 anymore. How about 20w-50?" Well, I might be ignorant, but I know what I don't know. I tried some folks - parents (no cells???), mechanics (no pick up), strangers (ran away), and the Jiffy Lube database. No guidance. So I searched the car again - it was no longer organized, anyway - and found some 20w-50 Dad had left in from 1995. Ok, good enough for me, "Fill her up, guys" I saw authoritatively.

$50 worth of fuel, clamps, oil, and oil filter later I was ready to resume my trip south. But now when I drove down the road the car made a new noise. At this point I had highly tuned senses, a decent degree of paranoia, and no music on. Though the VW continually generates a veritable cacophony of whistles, clicks, and chugs that would impress a horde of blind Swahili speakers, this was a NEW sound. A heavy thumping that increased in direct proportion to the pressure I applied to the accelerator. I thought, "I bet that oil is too thick. The sound will go away once it heats up." Guessing and rationalizing is a bad combination.

The BBB's thumping did go away - in the middle of the intersection of Yelis and 6th Ave. My local expert told me later that this was not a good place for a van to lose its forward momentum and will to live. But with every dark cloud, a silver lining seemed to appear. I was pointed downhill with an empty parking lot within coasting range. I even had a homeless man help me out - what a great city!

So 24 hours later my bike rack is on my friend's car, my stuff is in his house, and the van has been fixed of a busted set of bolts that connect its mechanical hipbone to its legbone (I'm paraphrasing here). Apparently these should be tightened down by the person working on them. Whodathunkit? Nothing that money can't fix.

Still, I think it might be time to reconsider the reliability of the BBB for a long distance trip across the West. It could be prudent to test it out locally, Montana locally, before trying again to negotiate the steep hills and mountain passes with a cranky, cantankerous relic. Its not that I don't trust it. Okay, I don't trust it.

More to follow, I promise.

Note to self - new trucks apparently have either no hip bones or those titanium suckers that can be used to rebuild the $10B man. Check 'em out.

Popping the Top in Bellingham

Took a big step today and stayed in one place long enough to pop the heretofore, and long-closed, camper top only to discover 2 pillows that have been sitting, moldering, gathering the necessary ingredients to form intelligent life for nigh-on 14 years. Needless to say, I did NOT pick them up - I'm waiting until I can find two long sticks to serve as tongs to be grasped in my sweat-drenched, latex covered hands.

So yes, Bellingham is a nice-enough place to hang out for a few days. Sure, its rained 28 of the last 32 hours but I'll give it a nod on account of its massively disproportionate share of coffee houses and Thai restaurants. Natasha and I walked the streets of Fairhaven only to discover a great gelato shop serving up lemon and mango. All this and Pad Prik King - no, it's not heaven, its Washington.

A word to the wise, though. Dress warmly if you're going to work from inside a VW van all day. Damn, but it is hard to type without mistakes when your fingers are cold, cold, cold. What a nice change from a cubicle, though, in my pop-top tent, listening to the drip, drip, drip of the falling rain.

Chillin in NW Washington State

Another night "camping" in Wal-Mart. Sigh. Can't beat the price - and this time I managed to avoid dropping too much scratch on goodies in a midnight run. This time I was in Wenatchee, Washington. One of many industrial/agricultural towns along the Columbia and its tributaries, the town seemed to have a large number of hispanic immigrants. I even ate at an authentic Mexican restaurant - a very nice change from sandwiches.

But why, do you ask, did you visit Wenatchee?! It is in the middle of nowhere. Yes, true. It is. BUT, it is - therefore- off the beaten trail somewhat. Getting off of the Interstate improved the quality of my trip and the mileage. I passed some amazing gorges that looked like the South Dakota badlands, climbing in and out like a heavily-encumbered hiker. Gorgeous gorges ;)

The evening was divided between Starbucks and reading in my darkened van by headlamp. Within the close confines of the Blue Bed Bug's walls, I felt like a 6 year-old, bottled up safely in his fort made out of chairs and blankets.

Tear down this morning was much quicker than before so that is a good trend - assuming two lines are enough to signify a trend (they aren't). I resumed travel along the Cascade scenic highway and traveled through pastoral riversides full to overflowing with apples, apricots, and cherry orchards. The sun might not be shining brightly, but the weather is clement. The Cascades resemble the Appalachians of New England of 10 million years ago - before the mountains eroded into molehills with ambitions towards greatness. The highway winds through narrow avenues of gold, orange, and green - and everyone drives as fast (slow) as the BBB.

Tonight I hope to rest my car and clean up at a friend's place in Bellingham. The city has been around for more than 150 years and has been undergoing a huge brownfield renovation. I didn't realize how close it is to Canada's beautiful Vancouver island. I'm looking forward to visiting its many art exhibits and libraries as I tour the city by bike. I definitely enjoy that mode of transportation the most - best speed/noise ratio!

Hello Coeur d'Alene!

Well, I made it out of Montana and didn't freeze to death, or have to tow the car across the state line. My new VW should come with a tag line, "70 - Maybe. Heat - Some. Fun - Yes."

By last count my father and I have spent over $11k on getting the Blue Bed Bug to run, and it needs to do so for over 6000 miles as I traverse the western US. I'm trying really hard not to calculate the cost per mile. Even the gas on this thing is dear - 12MPG at last count. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the engine break in to net MUCH better mileage. "But when will that be complete?" he asked innocently.

So, on to the journey/adventure/geographic. I leave a Montana starting to show her winter slouch - cold and (finally) rainy with high winds BUT - and this is key - no snow! Hurray. After braving the mountain passes and emerging into Idaho, the rain picked up enough to have the Bug skidding across the highway's puddles like some poorly-designed, Cretaceous insect. So I abandoned my goal of Spokane for C'D and found the drive downtown to be delightful and resolved to bed down in the community.

Not to be. After consulting locals at a nice coffee shop (with a cover fee!?), we decided it would be best not to crash at a park in town but head out to Post Falls and its Wal-Mart. I may hate the company, but props to its allowance for people to park overnight. Of course, they are counting on us getting up in the middle of the night and going shopping for a four-pack of Diet Rockstar, granola, and an apple. Damn their scheming little minds.

Obstacles to overcome as noted at 10 a.m.: finding a quiet place to sleep, getting enough power to cook and recharge my numerous electronic devices, waking up early enough to put everything away, not spending huge $ at coffee houses along the journey, and ensuring I remain clean and healthy. Bottom line, staying at friends houses (or outside them - just need the juice, man, the juice) or KOA campgrounds during the week is going to be crucial.

Delightful discoveries: riding my Nirve bike around town is really, really fun. I highly recommend you, faithful reader, check 'em out and get going. I feel like a kid - which is a good thing at this point in my life.

Too Darn Hot

Hello to those of you reading this (hi Mom),

I've made it to Missoula, Montana. This is actually according to plan, so please - control your snickering. The boys at Bitterroot Bugs have stated - unequivocally - that the car must be observed and the oil changed after 400 miles. Ergo, unless I want to become the human boomerang, I needs must drive hither, thither, and yon but within towing distance of Columbia, Falls MT. Towing, by the way, does NOT contribute to the 400 mile target.

So I'm sitting in a Starbucks with a venti chai. If you recall in an earlier post I forecast this exact situation. But, you may ask, why on earth am I not in the Blue Bed Bug? Well, I'm still working out the, well, bugs of the electrical/networking system. While I can get a 3G signal, it is only so-so (time to check that wireless booster behind the drivers seat that I hear humming). While I can get into the local KOA, I'm not convinced that I should try to enter post-business-hours without some fortification by way of caffeine. And while I can get my stuff working, I'm not entirely sure if I'll be able to keep it all functioning for any significant length of time.

Apparently the BBB only has a group-24 battery. I was unaware that this is weak-chops. Luckily a family friend (hi Ken!) opened up the battery compartment and poked around. He pointed out, with a chuckle, the crazy wiring and manual switching system (say hello to the "switch") from battery to shore power. He also pointed out that with the gear I intend to run on a regular basis - you know, for work during the 8 ("10") hour day - will drain the battery in the timespan required to be groped in a crowded Tokyo train after entry. Same experience actually - you think your on your way only to feel really uncomfortable and unable to get away.

I'll be kicking around here for the next 5 days - come hell AND high water. Thanks to last minute, yet brilliant, work by my Dad on the hitch adapter and Ken on the arrangement, I was able to get my sweet bike, a Nirve, into the bike rack without it falling off the back or getting creamed by an over-eager tailgater. That is my in-town transport and I fully hope to get some use out of it before the weather drops to freezing. Bummer.

So wish me luck and thank my parents for their support up to and including last-minute adjustments, supplies, and supplication. We're off!

Might not be on the road, but I'm already a "Dad"

The VW is fixed but still 70 miles away. All it required was a furry (ok, cold-weather) alternator and starter. More money :( Maybe I should have invested in a tow truck.

Great news to share, however. My friend Stew has honored me by asking me to be the Godfather to his newborn daughter, Sofia Elena, born September 24 at 7lbs 10oz, 20" at 4:01 p.m. Yayyyyy! More reason to visit the East Coast.

Pictures of the van will be posted shortly.
...
Oh, I might be able to get pics of Sofia as well.

The Blue Bed Bug is Down with a Cold

To quote O Brother Where Art Thou?, Montana is a geographical oddity: 2 extra days are required to do anything. Turns out rekeying the venerable VW is not quite as straightforward as it might appear. Another day in the shop.

It is just as well. Last night the weather gods dropped 4 inches of snow in 7 hours and the temperatures dropped to the low teens (sub-zero for you Celsius fans). There's a winter storm advisory and high winds advisory - not exactly perfect weather to be taking out a thin-walled, poorly insulated, sailboat-cum-VW-van. I continue to pace...

The Blue Bed Bug is Alive!!!

Well, ya'll. I have some amazing news to share. After much anxiousness, slipped deadlines, unpleasant surprises, and gratuitous upgrades, the VW van is operable. In fact, I operated it today for approximately 14 miles. I had planned for 70, but had to stop to get every lock rekeyed. Oh well.

It is one loud, but smooth running vehicle. I don't imagine I'll be pulling up into any drive-through Starbuck's soon - not without risking permanent hearing damage to the barrista and me.

There are some final touches to apply - some sealant, some sound baffling material (WHAT DID YOU SAY?????), a nice privacy screen (read blanket-over-rope), and a bike rack. Then it is time to check out the many, many electronic upgrades and do-dads I've had installed. After working through the electrical, electronic, mechanical, and comodal (hey, I just invented a word) checklists, I will drive the beast into the belly of liberal western Montana. For no more than 400 miles. And then an oil change. Sigh. Not quite as romantic as Columbus, but even that (horny) bugger had to stop in the Canaries for "refueling" so I shouldn't feel so bad.

Still, I'm so very, very happy to have finally seen it running. The VW has only been a lump o'blue until now. My dream has finally got some functional wheels. Sweetness abounds.

Music, Ya'll

Ok,

I'm embarrassed to admit that my mother has exposed me to some new music (although I think I'm still up 20-1to Mom).

Check out Jason Mraz singing I'm Yours.

Other awesome artists to listen to on gloomy days - Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole 'IZ' 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'   and Eva Cassidy - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

All are absolutely freaking awesome!!!! Great stuff that makes me very happy ;)