East to West Coast Roadtrip!!!! Captain's Log

[Rufblackbird]

Alright guys...it's time to get out of here...time for the roadtrip to begin!! I'm in a time crunch right now to post any pics, but will be updating this thread throughout the entire trip. I'll be taking mainly Interstate Freeways from Aberdeen Maryland all the way to Ardmore, Oklahoma (mainly I-70). First update will hopefully be on the first gas stop, so stay tuned!!

More info on the trip can be found on this thread

[MotoSook]

Have a good trip!

[84porsche]

See you out west - well maybe. Drive safe.

[plain fan]

Hey, what brings you to the plains of OK?

[Rufblackbird]

Thanks guys...actually just left base and stopped for lunch, gas, and water.

Wow...who knew it'll be such a pain in the ass to pack all my crap into the tight confines of the 911? Later on tonight I'll make post...and you shall see that travelling light cross country in a 911 is usually a good idea

A buddy of mine lives in Ardmore, and I promised he would see my 911, since I bought it after he left the school here (he was a couple of classes in front of me).

I'll keep ya'll updated...hopefully that screeching sound from the left rear wheel when I turn the wheel towards the left isn't anything too major

[1973911s]

When are you in LA?

[Jim Richards]

Originally posted by Rufblackbird
...hopefully that screeching sound from the left rear wheel when I turn the wheel towards the left isn't anything too major

Huh? Please provide a better description. That way we can do all the worrying for you here on the Internet while you keep moving westward.

[Rufblackbird]

Running a little bit behind schedule, as we met up with a pretty bad thunderstorm in Ohio. Right now I'm in a Best Western...what other motels would you guys recommend? This would be the first motel I've ever been in...

Too bad it's raining hard...now my carpets are gonna be soggy Drove around 400 miles so far today; if it wasn't for the weather, we would've gotten farther.

Jim,
I'm not exactly sure what it is, but it's a metallic squeal, almost sounds like the brake rotor dust/water shield touching the rotor. Here is a clip of the squealing sound.

As far as getting into LA it'll probably be in a week, or a bit less.

some pics:
ready with the concealed V1


a tightly packed 911


mom with a bunch of stuff in the passenger footwell


sitting lonely outside the motel room

[Grady Clay]

Jeff,

Good! You are on your way. Where did you spending Saturday night (city, mile marker)? We’ll be ready for you Wednesday afternoon on US-285 Kenosha Pass for an overnight Pelican Party.

It might be worthwhile to diagnose the noise while you are close to help. You don’t want to have a failure in the middle of nowhere.

Have you taught Mom to drive the 911 yet? If so, you can get on line or vise versa. See you both Wednesday.

Drive safely.

Best,
Grady

[Rufblackbird]

Grady,
I don't exactly know the mile marker, but we are at the Cambridge Ohio Best Western Motel. I've never seen lightning so close, and thunder clap so loud and crisp in my life!!

According to the microsoft software I might be getting there late Tuesday, but I can always slow the pace down and be there...in fact I'll probably be there early to help out. How many are we looking at so far? I might diagnose the problem at a buddy's house in Oklahoma, but that's if he's not at work. We shall see. Or I could always do it tomorrow, whenever it would take to slow the pace down so I arrive at Kenosha Pass on Wednesday.

So far mom has not wanted to learn stick yet. She also said she's scared to drive on the mainland, as the pace is so much faster than Hawaii, plus the big trucks scare her as well.


I just wonder if she'll fit in the recaro seat

[azasadny]

Jeff,
My wife and I were in the same nasty thunderstorm last night just outside Cleveland. Drive safely and have fun!!

[rdane]

mom with a bunch of stuff in the passenger footwell

Jeff you must be a good guy because most Mom's wouldn't put up with this drive! See ya in Seattle

[Grady Clay]

Jeff,

OK, so you are the designated driver. Can Mom go on line and keep us posted?

Drive safely.

Best,
Grady

[Rufblackbird]

Short bathroom break...we breezed through Indiana and Illinois today, right now we are in Missouri, just past St. Louis, right off of I-44 West where a Sam's Club is. We will be continuing further west on 44, for probably an hour to hour half more. I didn't get much sleep yesterday, so will try make up for it today. Instead of going to Ardmore, OK, I spoke with my friend and he'll be working at Tinker AFB starting Monday. Whew...that's 2 hours I don't have to drive now.

Actually, I wish I could have my mom stay online and keep everyone posted. However, she's not all that internet literate...only knows the basics. Besides, she has no idea this post and this bulletin exists...at least I don't think so.

One minor (I hope...) setback so far today... Was on I-70 West just getting into Indiana this morning when the wipers stopped working halfway. Super weird....motor probably went out in the worst of times. Good thing either the windshield is really smooth, the previous owner used a lot of Rain-X, or the aerodynamics of 911s are awesome, as the rain droplets just glided off (more like up) the windshield. Hopefully no more rain for a long time...

[1973911s]

Where are you doing these post at? Wireless internet?

Michael

[Jack Olsen]

Check the wiper fuse.

[Joeaksa]

Jeff,

Please do not tell me you are really carrying a set of jackstands in the back?? And a HP printer???

They have several companies who can help you! Stop by a Mail Boxes or UPS store and get rid of half of that stuff you have packed in the car! Would make the trip a lot more enjoyable as well as safer in the event you had to stop fast.

JoeA

[Jack Olsen]

And then lubricate the mounting points for the wipers -- you can use light oil.

[Rufblackbird]

Michael,
I've got the wireless internet from T-Mobile, $30 a month for unlimited internet access (PCMCIA card on laptop) as long as there is a T-Mobile signal.

Joe,
Actually....why yes I need the printer so I can print out a rebate that I'm waiting for from Microsoft, also directions for the routes I'm taking instead of having the computer heating up my mom's lap the whole time. That, and I need to get a letter from the bank telling the shipping company that they know the car's going to Hawaii.

Right behind her seat there's a new harbor freight aluminum jack...with the C2 body kit, it's impossible to jack the car up with the factory jack (rocker panels are covering the jack recepticles on each side) so I figured I'll have it just in case. When I get to my aunt's house in San Jose the jack stands will go to my cousin, while the jack will get shipped back, along with a lot of the extra stuff that's in the car. I've been keeping my distance so I'll be prepared if I need to slow down suddenly. Thanks for the precaution.

Jack,
Thanks! I'll check. The fuses seemed ok this morning (not quite sure which one is the wiper one; standing on the side of a interstate highway in the rain was not fun at all. As soon as we check in to our motel I'll check. Thanks again.

Right now I just "breezed" through almost half of Missouri. Who knew the speed limit was 70!? There was a new Jeep haulin' ass...so I played along. Many points along I-44 west is definintely very nice! Right now I'm in front of the Motel 6 (exit 161) by Ft. Leonard Wood, and will go get a room as soon as mom gets off the phone with sis. We thought it'd be cool to call her up, as she went through basic combat training for the army right here. I can smell the gunpowder in the air...

I'll post some pics tonight

[Rufblackbird]

checked out the wiper fuse...looked ok to me. I haven't taken the front blower off before, but if anything I'll do it tomorrow evening before heading out to Kenosha Pass in Colorado Wed morning. Some pics...scenic ones mom took; I was either going too fast for her or she just didn't know how to work the camera.

leaving Ohio this morning:


The blurry St. Louis arch...thanks mom


kills bugs pretty fast:


I-44 in Missouri


Pride and joy (with exception of squeals and non working wipers), at the McD's by Ft. Leonard Wood. Lighting makes the car look great, even when it's filthy



and a surprise on the car