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Road Trip!

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  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    Leaving for Orlando Saturday mid morning. Asked me to work this weekend but had to turn it down as the family rally wanted me to come & spend some time with them. Decided that family must come first, work enough already & being gone just this weekend won't be an issue. Our lead is leaving Monday for a to week vacation so I know I'll be working both those weekends which is fine with me, the extra income is always welcome.
    We've already got one hotel room and ill decide Saturday who stays where. Will just be nice to get away as we were last there in October for a couple of days. We'll leave after a later lunch Monday as I've got to be back at work Tuesday morning. We're closed on Monday it seems but luckily, don't work Mondays.
    Decided on taking the Hyundai as it's the newest vehicle in the family fleet and truthfully, it's super easy to drive and gets great fuel economy. Since I do all the driving up & back anyways, have no issue driving the kids vehicle. Has cruise control which is great. Probably will take the turnpike to Yeehaw Junction and then go in the back way to St. Cloud. Safer to go in daylight as it's pretty rural out there without many street lights & no gas stations. Would never do that drive at night though. And even though it'll save a good half hour, we're really in no rush at all since it is the holiday weekend.

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,092
    Funny road trip update, BIL checked in with costs - they are headed home now. I think he said they put ~2000 miles on the car, supercharging cost ~$200. Of course he's over the moon, comparing that to what the fuel costs would have been on the Suburban it replaced. You know, apples to apples ;)
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,729
    fintail said:

    Funny road trip update, BIL checked in with costs - they are headed home now. I think he said they put ~2000 miles on the car, supercharging cost ~$200. Of course he's over the moon, comparing that to what the fuel costs would have been on the Suburban it replaced. You know, apples to apples ;)

    That's like a Prius owner saying the Tesla (their 2nd car ever) is the "best car they've ever owned."
    '15 Audi Misano Red Pearl S4, '16 Audi TTS Daytona Gray Pearl, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,092
    It's warm on the road here (admittedly, this was when parked, cooled down to 105 once I was moving):



    Had an unfortunate meeting with a small bird, I hope it was OK - left nary a trace on the car, when I drove back, didn't see any bird carnage. This road is undulating with a rough tar snake surface, so when there's nobody incoming, I move towards the middle/crown, as the edges are especially bad:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMEy5zbHXn0


  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    The best "damnit" ever uttered. Well done!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,092
    edited July 2022
    I had thoughts of a broken headlight or big gouge in the paint - nothing, or if there was anything, I confused it with a bug that met an unfortunate fate.

    Hearing that makes me think of this classic:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW63KKSUyU4
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    fintail said:

    I had thoughts of a broken headlight or big gouge in the paint - nothing, or if there was anything, I confused it with a bug that met an unfortunate fate.

    Well, that's why it was so good! I mean, it sounded like you could have been concerned about the well-being of the bird or confounded by its actions (e.g., "why were you so stupid as to flutter down to get hit by the car?!'), or perhaps you were concerned that its size could have damaged your car. It was just this nondescript and well-timed sigh of frustration that put a bow on the clip.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,092
    Funny, I recall a couple birds caught the corner of my eye a split second before the one decided to go for it, I might have thought the "don't you dare" line I say when I suspect an idiot is going to pull out from a side street in front of me as I'm moving at a good clip. I didn't expect it to take the chance. I just hope the risk taker was just stunned and continued on - my car wasn't hurt, so I am fine :)
    xwesx said:

    fintail said:

    I had thoughts of a broken headlight or big gouge in the paint - nothing, or if there was anything, I confused it with a bug that met an unfortunate fate.

    Well, that's why it was so good! I mean, it sounded like you could have been concerned about the well-being of the bird or confounded by its actions (e.g., "why were you so stupid as to flutter down to get hit by the car?!'), or perhaps you were concerned that its size could have damaged your car. It was just this nondescript and well-timed sigh of frustration that put a bow on the clip.

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    I may have spaced mentioning that I’m off on the Ohio trip now. Just made it to Ohio today, in fact, but not quite to our house yet. About 5,000 miles so far!

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    We left early in the morning (0200) on August 6th. Drove to Watson Lake, YT the first day. Stayed in a campground there. Second day took us to Buckinghorse River in BC. Third day, we stayed at a campground in Jasper National Park. On the fourth day, we crossed into US at Kingsgate (Idaho). My family went to Wallace, ID, and stayed in a cottage for a couple nights, while I went to my mother’s place in Salem to drop off my trailer.

    After a short nap there, I drove back to Pendleton and visited with my father and brother for a couple hours, then drove up to Wallace. My family made up a nice dinner for my birthday and my wife made a wonderful apple pie!

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Thursday had us crossing the mountains and staying in Sundance, WY. We pushed to around Des Moines IA and camped last night. Now we’re in Toledo. It was still a few hours to final destination, and made sense to call it a day. 🫣

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,498
    Good to know there's still someone on here who actually drives their vehicles. As far as I know, you and I are the only ones who drive (or drove, in my case) like this. Last I checked my total was on the order of 1.4 million miles.

    Stay safe and keep us posted.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 235,175
    I put on about 400K in ten years of work, from 1986-1996. :)

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  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,849
    edited August 2022

    I just did some some quick math and on the cars I’ve owned it is coming up under 400K. I did tons of driving in company cars and rentals but absolutely nowhere near 1M, probably not even close to 750K. I started driving in 1995.

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 235,175
    600K-700K is a rough estimate, other than the 400K of work.

    Over a million, easily. (but, I've been driving for 48 years)

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  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,498
    Well, I've been driving for 58 years, and two years or so of that was over-the-road trucking to the tune of about 90K miles per year. Before I retired four years ago I travelled a lot for work and generally flew to a central location then drove from place to place -- Boston, Montreal, CT, that sort of thing. Out here in the west it's still possible to find plenty of empty peaceful roads. Good times.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    I don't know how many miles I've driven, TBH, but it would most certainly be under a half million. Granted, that's far few years that some of you, but I'm quickly closing in on thirty years of licensed driving, anyway....

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    As far as the trip goes, we finished up that last day of driving on Sunday, but we didn't make it to our Conneaut cottage. Instead, my wife decided to forsake it (due to water being shut off and not having access to the city until Monday morning anyway). We drove down to Pymatuning Lake and visited the earthen dam there, walked along a trail, and visited the Linesville spillway on the other end of the reservoir.

    This also afforded us the opportunity to stop by Hank's Frozen Custard stand near Meadville, PA, followed by a stay at a crazy hybrid RV/Trailer/Campground place near Erie. Thankfully, really nice weather for tenting at the moment... not too hot and not too humid!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    edited August 2022
    A few images along the way....


    Hello, Canada! 8/6/2022 @ ~0930 hrs


    Stopped at Stone Mountain, which is just across the way from Summit Lake Campground (another nice place to camp and/or hike).


    I keep telling my daughter that she is growing like a tree. Well, turns out I'm wrong. She is growing taller than the trees!!!!


    Enjoying a beautiful stream at Stone Mountain


    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    The lake next to Kelly's Bathtub. Haha; try finding THAT!


    The edge of the ice field covering the mountains of Jasper National Park.


    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    Sundance, Wyoming, at sunset.



    Miniature sunflowers growing as weeds in Sundance, Wyoming.


    I'm telling you, they're tiny!

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    Pymatuning Dam (Ohio)




    Gatehouse at Pymatuning

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    Ah, and check this out! I filled up with fuel just as we stopped at the campground near Sundance. The next morning, after about 21 miles of driving....



    Sadly, I can only get mileage anywhere near this when I'm driving at or under 65 mph. In the interest of time, I kicked the speed up to 80 (SL through South Dakota is 75-80 along I-90), and I ended up at around 27 mpg on the day.

    I found that I averaged around 18 with the trailer, 27 without it (but with the top carriers on), and I get 40+ strictly highway with the top clear.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Thanks for the pictures. Great!

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    Drove up to Detroit for the weekend. We managed 40 mpg on the way up, but only 34 on the way back. However, even after over 400 miles on the tank when we arrived home, the needle was still pointing at a half tank.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,729
    xwesx said:

    Ah, and check this out! I filled up with fuel just as we stopped at the campground near Sundance. The next morning, after about 21 miles of driving....



    Sadly, I can only get mileage anywhere near this when I'm driving at or under 65 mph. In the interest of time, I kicked the speed up to 80 (SL through South Dakota is 75-80 along I-90), and I ended up at around 27 mpg on the day.

    I found that I averaged around 18 with the trailer, 27 without it (but with the top carriers on), and I get 40+ strictly highway with the top clear.

    Red line under 5K is definitely diesel. The Macan S just starts getting going at that RPM.
    '15 Audi Misano Red Pearl S4, '16 Audi TTS Daytona Gray Pearl, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    edited September 2022
    Yeah, it's a pretty rare moment when the RPM is even near 4,000. There is simply no need for such excessive rotational force. :p

    Unfortunately, the on-board calculations seem to be all out of whack and extremely optimistic now. Not sure why. Calculated economy based on fills is typically 29-31. So, when on-board says I'm in high 30s or even 40, I'm actually about 25% under that. Still not terrible economy, I suppose. I run 600-700 miles per tank.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Well, here we are, on another road trip. This time, headed back home to Alaska. As per usual, we were burning the candle at both ends getting ready to leave.

    We left at about 0800 on Wednesday morning from Conneaut, OH. The first day saw us to Elias’ neck of the woods on Michigan’s UP.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    edited September 2022

    Our crazy convoy at dusk on the first day:

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Dawn of day 2, on the shore of Lake Superior.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Day 2, we went the rest of the length of Michigan across the UP, across the top of Wisconsin, and into Minnesota. We stopped in western MN, at a little place called Wolf Lake.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    We’re on day 3 now. At a little place called twelve mile dam outside of Miles City, MT.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Fairly nice weather so far! The sky was astoundingly gorgeous on the UP. So many stars…

    It was a bit chilly that morning though:

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 19,024
    Great pics, @xwesx.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,498
    xwesx said:

    We’re on day 3 now. At a little place called twelve mile dam outside of Miles City, MT.

    Not far from where my dad was born. I was born in Circle, which isn't far away either.

    Travel safe(ly).

    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,849

    Thanks for sharing!

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    tjc78 said:

    Thanks for sharing!

    X2.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • jpp75jpp75 Member Posts: 1,535
    Great pics @xwesx! Safe travels home.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    edited October 2022

    Thanks, y’all. Still driving; sorry I didn’t pop in earlier. We stayed along US12 in Idaho the night after Miles City. Almost unbelievably, it rained on us ALL THE WAY THROUGH Montana! Like 550 miles; I couldn’t believe it. However, the rain tapered off into Idaho, and the night at “Knife Edge” campground was beautiful (and warm) once again.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    There were many large cedar trees in the forest, and it smelled soooo wonderful. I slept well that night.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    We slipped into Oregon the next morning, visited my father and brother in Pendleton, then we headed off to Stayton to see my “moms.”

    Strangely, both live in the same area now, and they both attended the birthday dinner my bio mom hosted for my daughter (15).

    After that, I hastily prepped things for Monday morning tire appointments on the cars, then we repacked for the trip north.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Went to bed early yesterday and got up at midnight. Our goal was to be through Seattle by 0600, which we had no problem doing, and traffic was relatively light for us.

    We’re now at Cache Creek, BC, and it isn’t quite noon yet! 🤭

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,498
    I'm with you in spirit, having done those roads myself several/many times. It's a good time of year for long-distance travel.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,250
    Wife took the Explorer to CT for the weekend for a baby shower. After visiting some friends, they send a pic of what looked like oil on the ground.
    Wife called me from the shower to tell me about it.
    I told her to check the spot where she parked to see if there was fluid on the ground there and if so, have someone check under the hood.
    She told one of my BIL's and he went out and checked and confirmed more fluid on the ground.
    He then went out and bought some oil and a filter and they went to one of his son's house to investigate further.
    Son opens the hood and dip stick is not seated and oil in engine compartment.
    He cleaned it up a bit and they added some oil.
    Wife got back yesterday and dipstick still seated and no additional oil leaking.
    I cleaned up a bunch under the hood and checked the oil level which was ok.
    Decided to clean the windshield which had some bugs on it, then decided to clean rear window too.
    It was hard to clean and I realized there was oil on it and a couple of inched below in on the hatch.
    Took a look underneath and there was a bunch of oil under there coating various components.
    Went to the carwash and it's all cleaned off now.
    I had the oil changed a couple of weeks ago, but I guess my local driving wasn't enough to cause any dripping on the ground. Will have to remember to check the dip stick after next change.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Could have been someone not seating the dipstick. Also possible there was excessive crankcase pressure that caused it to pop out. Given the age of the vehicle, hopefully (and more likely) the former.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Stayed the night in Quesnel, BC. We took a side excursion to see a space aptly named, “Chasm.” Seriously, this thing seems to appear out of nowhere. 🤨

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Whew! Busy day yesterday.

    Took some time to get to our intended stop, Bell Lodge on the Cassiar, but they snubbed us. Drove into the night and ended up stopping at some random pull off.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    This morning, we stopped at Boya Lake for a bit. So beautiful there.

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756

    Then, just a short way onto the Alaska Highway, one of my roof panes exploded! Seemingly random; may have had something to do with gusty winds.

    Stopped at a pullout to clean up the glass, but we were very lucky that my daughter had closed the sunshade some time earlier. We got some “glass dust,” as she called it, in the car, but the shade caught all of the chunks.

    Then, stopped in Teslin to seal it up. We ended up taking all of the stuff off the top of the car, and my wife and son figured out how to squeeze it all into the trailer so we would not have to get it back on top.

    Life’s little adventures, eh? 🤦‍♂️

    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
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