2 Kids,2 Dogs,1200 Miles: 2 More Weeks in FL 2 - Finished with a Blast! P40

[kate_wdw]

I just read about the bike incident. Yikes! How scary for all parties involved! I'm so glad that everyone is okay and that she was able to get back on. What a resilient, spunky kid!

 

[Kat in GA]

Yippee...another TR! We were there at the same time - and for 2 weeks as well. Instead of dogs, my girls brought friends

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Aha! That explains why I keep hearing women complain about guys being led around by their...

Ba Da Bum {rimshot}

^^Yeah, what she said ^^

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Really? I thought maybe one of Doofenschmirtz's "-inators" finally worked based on your foreboding teaser about the next update.

Why do you think we brought Perry along?

That might be a good idea. I doubt you'll ever see that statement again.

Challenge Accepted!

I like your doggies.. My small dog thinks he's a cat as well.. Know how cats go in and out through your legs when you're trying to walk.. Yeah my gizmo does that.

Oh man! That would get pretty dangerous with my 50 pound Pepper!

I'm in! Love your trip reports! My favorite part is how as I'm thinking something like, "I hope he explains why there's a plant in the far back." the rest of my mind keeps reading ahead and finds the answer is there! Thanks for sharing your stories!

Welcome!
I was working on this whole "I'm clairvoyant and knew exactly what you'd be thinking while reading along" response, but I started sounding kind of creepy so I think I'll just scrap it and go with "Thank You!"

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Barry and Bambi - Trying to get caught up with posts today and just had to comment on your scary experience with Madison and her bike. So glad that everyone was safe after that adventure. How scary it must have been for you all. And what a brave young man Evan was taking care of his mom and pulling her back from the edge. How sweet. And that Madison was able to get back on her bike and conquer it, good job.

Again, glad no one was injured seriously.

Now, back to page 4 to catch up!

Thanks. Evan truly is the unsung hero of the story.

I just read about the bike incident. Yikes! How scary for all parties involved! I'm so glad that everyone is okay and that she was able to get back on. What a resilient, spunky kid!

I'll make sure to tell you that you called her spunky. She'll get a kick out of that!

Yippee...another TR! We were there at the same time - and for 2 weeks as well. Instead of dogs, my girls brought friends

Can't wait to hear more!

Dogs or extra kids...hmmmm...I think I'd rather have the dogs.
Welcome!

 

[buckeev]

...............
I drag raced a State Trooper in Georgia.
And WON!.......

Well Mr. B...maybe it is best if you avoid Texas on the next driving trip.
There would've likely been a MUCH different outcome with our Texas DPS folk.

Plus, our "other Smokey" (wildfires) average at least 60 miles an hour!

Sure glad y'all came out OK after your "Stunt Dude-n-Dudette training".

 

[PrincessBetsy]

I'm joining in and definitely looking forward to this one! Your dogs are real cute! And the only thing I have to say about that lone cheese doodle is this:

I just read that story about you and Madison falling down that cliff. I'm so glad no one was seriously hurt. That must have been quite a scare indeed.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Well Mr. B...maybe it is best if you avoid Texas on the next driving trip.
There would've likely been a MUCH different outcome with our Texas DPS folk.

One of the guys here on the DIS is a former Georgia State Patrol officer, so I like to bust his chops every once in a while. (Ok, every chance I get).
I know better than to go more than a few MPH over the limit in Georgia - they love their speed traps down there, and it makes for a looooong drive though the state!

Plus, our "other Smokey" (wildfires) average at least 60 miles an hour!

I saw pictures of some of those - holy moley!

Sure glad y'all came out OK after your "Stunt Dude-n-Dudette training".

Thanks. I'm glad that she didn't pop up say "That was awesome! Let's do it again!" I have a strong feeling that Evan may have done that.

I'm joining in and definitely looking forward to this one! Your dogs are real cute! And the only thing I have to say about that lone cheese doodle is this:

Welcome!
I'm starting to think that doodle was some kind of spy, sent to infiltrate the cheese ball empire.

I just read that story about you and Madison falling down that cliff. I'm so glad no one was seriously hurt. That must have been quite a scare indeed.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

OK, it's a grocery list written on the back of McDonalds receipt. Whatever.

KAAAAAAHHHHHNNNNN!

Star Trek 2

Is this the cow that delivered the mail to Delaware??

Did you see that scar? I think I'm still bleeding...

Now Barry will be walking up to random people and asking, "Wanna know how I got these scars?"

 

[FreezinRafiki]

It was early afternoon on arrival day. We stepped out into the hot, muggy Florida air, took a deep breath, and ... headed for my in-law's air conditioned house.

We unloaded most of our stuff, grabbed Grandpa (Grandma was still at work) and headed over the a local (air conditioned) Bob Evan's for lunch. The food was fine. I don't think I could tell the difference between food from Bob Evan's vs. Denny's vs. Perkins. It's all edible, and since we were hungry from the long drive, it tasted better than it should have. As we sat there and ate, we watched an afternoon rainstorm make it's way through the area. Which was good, because the conditions just weren't sauna-like enough.

Well, after getting back from lunch, I had a daunting task in front of me - but first - a little background. About a year or so ago, I noticed my van was leaking coolant. From behind the right rear tire, of all places. The coolant lines (along with A/C lines) run back there to supply heating and cooling to the rear passenger compartment. Well, the steel lines run up and over the right rear tire and are held in place by some steel brackets. Guess what, folks? Steel rusts. I had replaced a chunk of rusting steel with some rubber heater hose. Because of the condition of these lines, I always like to keep a jug of coolant tucked away in the van for long trips.

It was somewhere in Southern Georgia, early Saturday morning. We stopped for gas, and like I always do, I checked the coolant. The reservoir was empty. I checked by the tire, and sure enough, there were a few drops of coolant back there on the pavement. I filled up the coolant, we grabbed some breakfast items from our cooler and we hit the road.

Just about every gas stop after that, I was adding a quart or two of coolant. At the rate it was dripping, we'd be able to make it to Lakeland. But with the rust on those lines, the tiny holes could grow to catastrophic size at any time. We did make it, but with almost a dozen 45 mile trips to Disney World and 1,200 miles back home looming on the horizon - I had to get this fixed. So I settled in with Grandpa's tools in the carport to get to work.

There won't be many pictures in this update, but that one is with the tire off, looking at where the coolant lines disappear back into the van. This was the "before" picture that I sent to my mechanically inclined brother back in Wisconsin. The response I got: "Good Luck, Buddy!"

Upon initial examination, it looked like I would only need to replace about 6 inches of steel line with rubber hose. I ran to Autozone, got 12 inches (just in case) and assorted hose clamps. Wrong size hose.

So I ran to NAPA, got there 2 minutes before they closed, and got 12 inches of the right size hose. I got that on, but in doing so, another area that was rusting started to give way. Then another, then another, then another.

And it was hot. And it was sticky. And I was supposed to be on vacation. The hardest part was working in such tight quarters with the A/C lines right next to the coolant lines. I knew if I so much as nicked one of those we'd lose the air conditioning and that I know I can't fix. Nor would I be able to fix the lump on the side of my head where Bambi would wallop me with a frying pan for destroying the Air Conditioning in Florida in July.

The hours ticked by and I was making slow progress - but progress none the less. At one point, Bambi came over. She had her "I'm going to be serious here" look on. She gently asked if it would be better for us just to go look for a new vehicle. I was was astounded that she would suggest that! I was appalled in her lack of faith in my mechanical abilities. I was .... giving it serious consideration.

The thing I had going for me was that parts for this job were cheep - I had less than $30 in parts (but considerably more in sweat equity). I had one more last ditch effort - replace all 6 feet or so of steel hose. If that didn't work - well, I didn't even want to think about car shopping while on vacation. I spent 6 weeks researching which camera to buy - how do you think I'd handle buying a car on the spur of the moment?

By this time, it's getting late. All of the auto supply shops had closed except for Pep Boys. I went there, bought their last 10 feet of heater hose and a few miscellaneous odds and ends. Another hour or so of cussing under the van and it was time for the ultimate test. I poured in the coolant, started the engine and expected to see a shower of green coolant blowing out from somewhere. But I didn't. The was a drip here and there, but they vanished with a quick tightening of a hose clamp.

After roughly 5 hours, less than $100 in parts, countless skinned up knuckles - but most importantly - not having to buy a new car - our van was fixed* and we could get on with vacation.

Up Next: The Van's first road test - 120 miles round trip to the Gulf.


*Was it really fixed? I know the guy that fixed it - he really doesn't know what he's doing - so I spent the next 2 weeks being paranoid.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Now Barry will be walking up to random people and asking, "Wanna know how I got these scars?"

That particular scar is in an area of the body that is covered by clothing in polite society. That would have given the Joker a whole different kind of shock value...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I don't think I could tell the difference between food from Bob Evan's vs. Denny's vs. Perkins. It's all edible, and since we were hungry from the long drive, it tasted better than it should have.

I think these places serve to underline the universal truth that breakfast food always hits the spot.

About a year or so ago, I noticed my van was leaking coolant.

Sounds like my usual tactic when it comes to car repairs as well. Buy more fluid and hope it lasts another year!

Just about every gas stop after that, I was adding a quart or two of coolant.

This was the "before" picture that I sent to my mechanically inclined brother back in Wisconsin. The response I got: "Good Luck, Buddy!"

You can take comfort in the fact that if you'd sent me that picture, I would have sent the same response.

Nor would I be able to fix the lump on the side of my head where Bambi would wallop me with a frying pan for destroying the Air Conditioning in Florida in July.

She's not a fan of 4/60 air-conditioning?

She had her "I'm going to be serious here" look on. She gently asked if it would be better for us just to go look for a new vehicle. I was was astounded that she would suggest that! I was appalled in her lack of faith in my mechanical abilities. I was .... giving it serious consideration.

I see this as a sign of respect. If I had started trying to fix my van by myself, Julie would have been on the phone to the nearest dealer immediately.

If that didn't work - well, I didn't even want to think about car shopping while on vacation. I spent 6 weeks researching which camera to buy - how do you think I'd handle buying a car on the spur of the moment?

I know this feeling well.

I poured in the coolant, started the engine and expected to see a shower of green coolant blowing out from somewhere. But I didn't.

Instead, I saw a shower of gasoline spraying everywhere.

After roughly 5 hours, less than $100 in parts, countless skinned up knuckles - but most importantly - not having to buy a new car - our van was fixed* and we could get on with vacation. [/QUOTE]

Nice work Barry! You saved vacation!

That particular scar is in an area of the body that is covered by clothing in polite society. That would have given the Joker a whole different kind of shock value...

 

[grahamfam3]

Ok, spill it. The max speed was achieved with whom behind the wheel?

I'm guessing Perry.

Every time my mutt gets in the car, he heads for the driver's seat (yes, I know you have a "license", but it doesn't include driving).

Pepper. Although Allie was working the pedals.

Ok, my bad, this is what I get for posting before finishing the thread.

I drive the same way, with cruise control set between 65 and 70. DW just sits there and tells me about all the cars passing us.

Yes, but I"M getting the gas mileage AND not getting the ticket, but when you take over and drive YOU can go just as fast as you would like!

 

[afwdwfan]

It was early afternoon on arrival day. We stepped out into the hot, muggy Florida air, took a deep breath, and ... headed for my in-law's air conditioned house.

That might be the smartest thing you've ever done.

So I settled in with Grandpa's tools in the carport to get to work.

Barry + tools = bad news

The response I got: "Good Luck, Buddy!"

Sounds about right.

Wrong size hose.

I got that on, but in doing so, another area that was rusting started to give way. Then another, then another, then another.

The hardest part was working in such tight quarters with the A/C lines right next to the coolant lines. I knew if I so much as nicked one of those we'd lose the air conditioning and that I know I can't fix.

That would most definitely be bad news. But at least you weren't working in close proximity to those rocket fuel lines.

At one point, Bambi came over. She had her "I'm going to be serious here" look on. She gently asked if it would be better for us just to go look for a new vehicle. I was was astounded that she would suggest that! I was appalled in her lack of faith in my mechanical abilities. I was .... giving it serious consideration.

You're never going to find a rocket van in Florida though. And just think of all the work you'd have to do stripping your after market upgrades and transferring them.

I spent 6 weeks researching which camera to buy - how do you think I'd handle buying a car on the spur of the moment?

A little indecisive, are we?

I poured in the coolant, started the engine and expected to see a shower of green coolant blowing out from somewhere. But I didn't. The was a drip here and there, but they vanished with a quick tightening of a hose clamp.

Serious question here... did you make sure your rubber hose isn't rubbing on anything anywhere??? Don't want to be doing this again in 6 months.

*Was it really fixed? I know the guy that fixed it - he really doesn't know what he's doing - so I spent the next 2 weeks being paranoid.

I'm glad I wasn't a passenger in that death trap... I mean van.

 

[katoot]

Hey, you're a better man than me when it comes to fixing cars. One of the worst car stories I have is having to hold the driver door shut for about 6 miles until I could get it to a repair shop (the latch to keep it shut broke off one day when I visited my mum). As for DIY stuff, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say I qualify for CDIY (Can't Do It Yourself)

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm excited to see if the van made it through its next journey. I have faith that it did.

We had a conversion van that would overheat constantly and the side effect of this would be that we constantly had to have the air conditioning off, because air conditioning = overheat. This would not be extremely pleasant on the road trips we took it on to California and to Florida. I feel the pain of not having AC, I truly do.....

 

[grahamfam3]

As for DIY stuff, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say I qualify for CDIY (Can't Do It Yourself)

I like to think of myself as "mechanically differently-abled".

 

[E3yore]

She's not a fan of 4/60 air-conditioning?

No, I am not. This was not even an option. I would have taken my parents car gone to the nearest dealer and bought a van without test driving (except the AC of course).

Barry + tools = bad news

As much as I hate to admit it and it will likely ruin my reputation of being hard on Barry...he really is very handy to have around. He gets frustrated and slightly irritating and when I say it's time to buy a new car or call a plumber he keeps working at it and always comes through.

A little indecisive, are we?

 

[Poolrat]

No, I am not. This was not even an option. I would have taken my parents car gone to the nearest dealer and bought a van without test driving (except the AC of course).

That's my girl!!!!

As much as I hate to admit it and it will likely ruin my reputation of being hard on Barry...he really is very handy to have around. He gets frustrated and slightly irritating and when I say it's time to buy a new car or call a plumber he keeps working at it and always comes through.

Barry - you have a good one! Bambi- you are my hero! Way to go girl. You know when to fold 'em butknow when to stand by your man. ( And to think I don't really like country music)

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I think these places serve to underline the universal truth that breakfast food always hits the spot.

Any place that serves bacon 24 hours a day gets 5 diamonds in my book.

And yes, this book is also the back on an old McDonald's receipt. Which stops serving bacon at like 10:30.

Sounds like my usual tactic when it comes to car repairs as well. Buy more fluid and hope it lasts another year!

How much fluid did you have to dump into your catalytic converter?

You can take comfort in the fact that if you'd sent me that picture, I would have sent the same response.

I don't know if I'd be more scared or impressed that you figured out how to send and receive picture messages on your phone.

She's not a fan of 4/60 air-conditioning?

It's more like 4.25/60. Those back windows crack open a little bit, so I'll score each of them .125.

And No, she's not.

I see this as a sign of respect. If I had started trying to fix my van by myself, Julie would have been on the phone to the nearest dealer immediately.

I'm stubborn. I'm cheap. And I know just enough about tools to be dangerous.

Instead, I saw a shower of gasoline spraying everywhere.

When that happens, there're nothing left to do but flick a lit match at it and enjoy the show.

Nice work Barry! You saved vacation!

Thanks!

Every time my mutt gets in the car, he heads for the driver's seat (yes, I know you have a "license", but it doesn't include driving).

Every time we stopped along the way, I'd take the dogs for a little walk, then put them back in the van while I went and used the same tree - sorry, I mean when I went inside and used the restrooms. Anyway, every time I'd come out, Pepper would be sitting in the drivers seat. I'd open the door, he'd look at me with the same blank expression. I just have to say "Well?" and gesture to the back, then he'd move. I wonder what would happen if I just went and sat in the back one of these times...

I drive the same way, with cruise control set between 65 and 70. DW just sits there and tells me about all the cars passing us.

Yes, but I"M getting the gas mileage AND not getting the ticket, but when you take over and drive YOU can go just as fast as you would like!

I typically set the cruise around 72, depending on how fast the rest of the cars are going. I usually start out the trip wanting to get the best gas mileage I can, but that only lasts about 10 miles or so - then I want to make it as fast as I can.