We got a late start
today because we had to get caught up with some things at our real
jobs. It sucks how work gets in the way of fun but since our "hippy
sign" hasn't been very fruitful so far, we gotta pay for this trip
somehow.
It is 11:30 am and we are just heading out. Holy crap it's hot. It
is already about 85F and not a stitch of wind. This is ideal
"overheat" weather so we will constantly monitor the gauges and give
the old girl a rest when needed.
 We
are cruising through the orchards which is really cool.
 12:05
pm ... Mile 1,233 we pulled into Oroville, CA.
3:20 pm ... We just wrapped up meeting with Bob and Chuck from
Surplus City Jeep Parts (SCJP)
and man were we glad we hooked up with them and stopped in for a
visit. We spent a few hours rummaging through their amazing
collection of stuff. Words and pictures don't do justice on
describing their vast collection of inventory that has everything
from Jeep parts to Tanks...Literally. SCJP is basically a
museum/store and I would challenge any guy to go there and stay for
only a minute! Neither Will or I wanted to leave after we had spent
2 hours poking around because we had only seen a fraction of what
they have in their warehouse and yard. If you are looking for "hard
to find" Jeep parts and these guys don't have it then chances are
you aren't going to find it anywhere.
Todays pictures are really going to
identify the hard core Jeep junkies. When you look at the
pictures of SCJP's back yard you are either going to think it is a
bunch of old Jeeps and parts, or you are going to think that it is
an absolute gold mine that you would love to spend hours poking
around in it. The latter are obviously the real Jeep junkies.
 After
we had drooled all over their Jeeps and parts we all went out and
had some fantastic Mexican food (what else) at Francisco's.
Apparently I had no idea what I was talking about when I said it was
"hot" out earlier. It is currently 101F and words cannot describe
what it is like to be cruising down the black asphalt with the
combination of heat, gas fumes and exhaust fumes. Its a little piece
of heaven to say the least and there is no place we'd rather be
right now. But then again, that could be the gas fumes talking...Or
the exhaust fumes...Or the heat stroke!
You know its hot when you can drink 14 bottles of water and not have
to stop for a single pee break.
4:25 pm ... Mile 1,265 Vance is taking
his turn at driving so I can stretch out for a bit, take a few pics
and post a few updates.
I must have missed the sign, but somewhere we crossed into hell.
Only in our travels can we find snow in the desert and triple
degree temps in the Vineyards. The old Willys is now cussing at us
for a break and in two hours when we hit the next town 20 miles away
we just may give it to her.
 Northern
California really has some scenic terrain to it. There is a mountain
range ahead of us that I suspect we will be crossing tomorrow in the
morning and if things go well we should see the Pacific Ocean late
tomorrow afternoon.
5:00 pm ... Mile 1,289 We pulled into
Red Bluff, CA and found the first Best Western we could find.
While we were backing up the Jeep into the parking spot we noticed a
new and unusual noise coming from the rear end (of the Jeep!).
"Noises" are never a good thing, especially coming from the rear end
(of the Jeep!) but we were too hot and tired to deal with it now so
we will wait until it cools down a bit and then do some more
research to see what's what.
There better be a Mexican restaurant
within walking distance...we're starting to get hungry again!
8:30 pm ... No Mexican restaurant, so
we suffered and ordered a Pizza and now we are heading out to take a
look at the Jeep and see if we can identify the new noise...wish us
luck!
9:50 pm ... everything checked out ok
and the "noise" seems to have gone away. We'll carry on and
hope that it was just a phantom noise or it fixed itself.
TOTAL MILES
TRAVELED TODAY: 80
CLICK ON THE PICTURES
BELOW TO SEE THE FULL SIZE |
