8:30 am ... After a
brief strategy session we decided to carry on without taking a look
at the t-case; we figure if it's gonna die, it's gonna die and
having a look at it won't do a whole lot since we don't have parts
to fix it or time to wait for them to get here anyway.
Our rear wheel bearing is making a whole lotta noise too so needless
to say, its gonna be an intense and interesting day.
We have decided to try and make it to Florence, OR where Will has a
buddy. If we can make it that far then we will have a look at the
t-case and fix the wheel bearing.
 11:05
am ... It is COLD! We thought we were making really good time today
until; while we were stopped for road construction for 5 minutes the
dude on a 10 speed bike that we passed while leaving town just rode
past us. I swear to god!
 12:00
pm ... Mile 1,547 we made it to Oregon!
We just phoned our NAPA support team and asked if they could phone
ahead and see if the NAPA in Florence has an axle bearing and
possibly a shop that will be willing to press the old one off and
the new one on after we get the axle shaft pulled, providing ours
lasts the next 160 miles to get us to Florence. At that distance we
are almost guaranteed to be asking a shop to stay open late while we
work as late as we have to in order to get this done today.
Not sure if we have a new noise or if that's just the clatter of our
teeth chattering! It's a beautiful day, the temps are below 50
degrees and we are getting the mist from the ocean. If there is one
thing that is lost in translation thru the computer is the feel of
the air on our skin and the smells ...absolutely amazing!
 Well
folks ... We have made it to and are now traveling the Oregon coast,
JeepBrokers Road Trip Wonder #5.
1:24 ...pm We got our call from NAPA and we are good to go when we
get to Florence, these folks have taken great care of us along the
way and even more so before we left. We are sure glad they have the
large chain of stores so we can pop in and grab what we need when we
need it. The guys at Surplus City Jeep parts are also willing and
able to ship us what we need as well so a big Thanks to both of
those sponsors!
1:40 pm ... Mile 1,600 So far this year we haven't found any turtles
to save but there was a small squirrel in the road that Vance
narrowly avoided thanks to the Indy car characteristic handling of
our Willys, only to watch the poor lil guy get totaled by the truck
behind us. I tried to get to the camera to video the kamikaze dance
he was doing in hopes of getting his escape on film... Hope we don't
see any elk or Bears!
 2:20
pm ... Mile 1,624
We died! Running very rough, overheating, black smoke from the
muffler. It don't look to good right now. Not only that, we are
nowhere near a town. I gotta go pee and then we'll figure out what's
up and what to do about It. We are both cold, tired and frustrated
at this point!
2:45 pm ... We got it running, but barely, there is definitely
something wrong with the old girl. We are going to see if we can
make it to the next town. Oh, the clutch seems to be el-fucko all of
a sudden too!
 3:45
pm ... Mile 1,655
We made it to Coos Bay and we are still running, but not very
strong...it is a real struggle to get 30 mph out of her. We have
stopped at the Burger King to warm up and have a late lunch.
For me, today has been the most challenging day so far. I am cold,
tired, sore, sick of restaurant food and hotel beds and most of all
mentally drained from listening intently for any new or unusual
noise from the Jeep for every one of the 1,655 miles! There' no
place like home...there's no place like home...there's no place like
home....
...Well, that didn't work so I guess I'll go climb back in the Jeep
so we can carry on to Florence or break down somewhere between here
and there.
Oh well, at least we haven't got a flat tire...yet!
 6:00 pm ... Mile 1,701
We made it to Florence, OR and checked into the Best Western.
What a long day! It is not going to be a late night tonight.
TOTAL MILES
TRAVELED TODAY: 255 |
