On the road... - DPChallenge Forums

09/19/2010 01:12:38 AM · #1

I left Alaska on Wednesday the 15th, and have so far made it as far as Vegreville, AB, Canada.
The hardest part of the journey is behind me - driving across three mountain ranges: the Matanuska, the Wrangell, and the Canadian Rockies. Beautiful scenery, treacherous roads, and so far sunshine filled days.
My old van is doing good pulling a 5x8 trailer packed solid, and safely transporting me and my pack.
While Canada is a gorgeous country, I will be happy to finally make it back into the lower 48 states. I should arrive there by mid week. No photos to post as I have just been trying to make it back safely and with the van in one piece.
This is just an update for anyone who may have been wondering.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

09/19/2010 01:30:58 AM · #2

Thanks for the update, Linda. Glad to hear the trip is going well so far. Do keep us up to date!

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

09/19/2010 01:32:12 AM · #3

Thanks, and it is good to hear that things are going good so far.
Wishing you sunny days and safe miles.

MikeO

Fujifilm x100

09/19/2010 04:44:28 AM · #4

Safe journey Linda.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/19/2010 04:58:03 AM · #5

Take your time and enjoy your trip Linda. It is nice to hear that you have not encountered any problems. Good luck to you when you reach your destination and here is hoping you find a job right quick.

Ray

09/19/2010 11:35:10 PM · #6

Left Vegreville (town that is just outside Edmonton) this morning around 8 am. The plan was to stop in Regina, but then I still felt like driving. I made a slight adjustment to my route, and stormed the border crossing around 7:00pm. I'm spending the night in Plentywood, Montana.
Still doing fine with the old van. Pugs and Waldo are all doing well, though I think they are getting tired of traveling.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

09/20/2010 09:00:51 PM · #7

Made it to Fargo, ND tonight. I can see why now they didn't film the movie here as it is much bigger than the movie portrays it.
I get into Fargo thinking they're some little town like in the movie, lol. No piddly widdly motels. I decide oh well I need a room for the pugs and waldo. I check out this one big hotel place and they say no problem with the dogs. Room rate being a week day is $79. Not too horrible. Then they tell me they don't have any ground floor pet rooms. I tell her lugging 4 dogs up and down stairs or into elevator is too much and I'll just check next door hotel. She upgrades me to a ground floor Whirlpool room for the same price! BIG room, king bed, kitchenette, full bathroom, and a really big whirlpool tub in the sleeping area. Sweet!

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

09/20/2010 10:23:03 PM · #8

Hang in there Linda, Get all the kinks out in the whirly-pool, then head on East!

R.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

09/20/2010 10:50:16 PM · #9

Woo hoo! Nice score on the good digs! Enjoy the stay.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

09/20/2010 11:04:37 PM · #10

What an odyssey. Glad you're back in the good ol' U S of A again.

After reading this thread I sure hope none of your dogs can write!

09/20/2010 11:54:47 PM · #11

Originally posted by sfalice:

What an odyssey. Glad you're back in the good ol' U S of A again.

After reading this thread I sure hope none of your dogs can write!

lol too funny! The US Border guy looked at me funny when I handed the health certs for 4 dogs to him since they weren't making a sound, and they were in the back of the van in crates, with all kinds of crap on top the crates. You really couldn't tell they were there at all. I had t tell him they were there, then show him.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

09/21/2010 12:13:24 AM · #12

Happy to hear that everything is going ok, and that you got the upgrade to the 1st class room! Rest well, and thank you for the update.

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/21/2010 05:02:41 AM · #13

Oh yuck - such a long trip and no HUMAN company to share it with :-(

I'll cross fingers that you'll get to your destination quickly and safely, and that you'll feel all settled in again before too long.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

09/21/2010 05:45:34 AM · #14

*waiting for a photo of four pugs in a hot tub*

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/21/2010 07:49:47 AM · #15

Originally posted by Beetle:

I have my music :)

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

09/21/2010 08:56:50 AM · #16

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

*waiting for a photo of four pugs in a hot tub*

ROFL! I was thinking the same thing. Safe trip Linda!

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

09/21/2010 09:16:01 AM · #17

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

*waiting for a photo of four pugs in a hot tub*

hehe!

Way to go, Linda! You're making spectacular progress!

CJinCA

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/21/2010 09:23:38 AM · #18

Sounds like you and the pugs lucked out in Fargo with that nice room with the whirlpool. We ended up in a Motel 6 with our dogs :-( but it did only cost $40!
Good luck with your travels and have a safe trip!

09/21/2010 09:24:48 PM · #19

So, I went a little past Madison, WI today and stopped in Lake Mills - after all I do prefer small towns.

Was on the phone with my mom this morning telling her how well the van was doing on this trip for a 1998 with 242k miles on it. JINX
The van has always had issues with the dashboard gadgets going out, but you simply thump the dash with your fist and they come back on. Not this time....20 thumps later came back on, went back out, 60 or more thumps, back on.
Stopped for gas, grabbed keys from purse and tosses purse on seat and locked doors as usual while I pumped gas and went to the restroom. Ooops...wrong keys! Locked out of van - man had his friend come buy with the proper tools and for ten bucks he got me unlocked.
Pulled out of station and noticed engine making ticking noise for the first time ever! Stopped and checked oil...was a quart low so I added a quart. Still making ticking. ugh...this trip may be taking it's toll on the old thing now.
About 45 minutes outside of Madison, the damn dash goes out again! 80 or so thumps and it is back, but my fist feels bruised. grrrr.
Oh - and forgot that while driving the ALCAN highway back in Canada my windshield got a new crack :/

Aside from all that me and the doggies are doing well. Relaxing in your typical small town motel tonight. No whirlpool :(

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

09/21/2010 11:46:47 PM · #20

Glad you're still going strong.

Re the ticking, sometimes a fan belt coming apart will have a string hanging out making a ticking sound as it goes by things in the front of the motor. If the ticking is inside the motor, you can stop at any auto parts store and get a pint bottle of "Marvel Mystery Oil" to put in the engine oil. That stuff has been fixing that sort of problems almost as long as there have been automobiles on the road. You just put it in as you would to add oil.

If you have a GPS, you can use that for a speedometer if your dash does stop working. You might want to pick up a small rubber hammer at the parts place too LOL. Most dashes have one wire plug on the back where the wire harness plugs into them, and if one connection in that plug starts getting scratchy, it can cause the exact problem you are describing. It has happened to one of my work trucks before, and the fix was relatively easy.