Hey Connecticut, our everything hurts

Morning Connecticut

 

Holy cow, even that was expensive! I was going to go with Moog LCAs at like $100. I like that dude KFlo (I wonder if he's on here) and they seem to work well for him, thank you though! I'm glad to hear my decision to just go with new LCAs vs pressing in new bushings is the right one though, thank you!

 

For LCA that old, I think it's just a better to replace the whole thing.

 

Morning everyone

 

Morning all

 

Took the boat out of storage this week. Second time towing her and first time backing up a steep winding driveway. Time for the 2-Lo mod. That was a bear... Who's ready for summer!?

 

Morning everyone.

Happy Friday eve.

 

Happy sunny Thursday

 

Curious as to combined boat and trailer weight?

 

It’s about 5500 total. I could definitely feel it. The manual helps a ton.

 

Morning everyone.

The new stoptech rotors and pads are night and day difference. My truck brakes better now than it did when i drove it off the lot. The original rotors weren't machined right on the backside for sure.

 

Morning all

 

Morning everyone.

Happy Friday!

 

Gentlemen get ready it's the weekend is almost upon us!

 

Long post, but its been a while...

Made the trip out to help move my mom from where I grew up in Illinois, down to my Grandpa's in Arkansas. Lots of driving; lots of time to reflect on things. Thankful for good playlists, and for archiving episodes of my favorite talk radio guys when they were on together (Ron and Fez). In total, I logged 3,197 miles between 5/30 and 5/5; 227.13 gallons of fuel; averaging 14 mpg (dropped to around 10 with the trailer).

The drive to Chicago was easy, with the exception of arriving to Chicago right on time for Friday Rush hour traffic. Planned that one perfect... First stop before getting to my moms house was one of my favorite burger/custard chains out there; loved going there growing up; Culver's. So damn good. Also had on my agenda to get some Italian beef sandwiches from our local shop, but time was pretty short. I got there Friday PM, enjoyed a couple hours catching up with my mom since I haven't seen her in about 2 years, and got some rest.

Chicago traffic:


On Saturday, I was finally able to pay my respects and visit my Grandmothers grave, just over the border in Wisconsin. We lost her June 1'st last year and because of everything going on, I wasn't able to get out there for the services. On the way home, I picked up the Uhaul trailer, and some of my favorite beer to bring home- Spotted Cow- you can only get it in Wisconsin. My uncles came over to help my mom and I load the trailer; this thing got jam packed. Any furniture was opened and filled to the brim; 0 air space left in anything.Had my moms two dogs in the back seat, and the bed was filled. I wish I brought it to a scale to see what everything weighted because I am certain it was well beyond "capacity". Before departing, I checked the PSI in the trailer tires; 3 at 64 psi; one at 20. Filled it up, assumed it was fine.

Just before leaving my Mom's where I grew up; Loaded down:


We left for Arkansas Sunday morning early. The drive was mostly flat until you reach Missouri/Northern Arkansas where you hit the outside of the Ozark's. Despite being overloaded, the truck handled everything like a champ. Big shoutout to @BadDNA for letting me borrow his Ultraguage; will be buying one asap. I was able to adjust my driving habits to keep the torque converter temps as low as possible; topped out at 210 in the hills for just a moment; it was generally around 170-190 for the majority of the trip. Engine temps remained around 190 for the trip (ambient air was between 60-70). Still blown away by how well this little truck pulled all that sht. During the ride down, my mom's ford fusion had a hiccup; about halfway there she had a steering assist light pop up and actually lost power steering while merging from one highway to another. She pulled over in a sketchy spot so I also pulled over abruptly; after a restart her car seemed to be fine but I was a bit worried since we were only halfway there.. Ultimately arrived to my Grandpa's at around 8:30 pm central time.

Somewhere in the middle of Illinois:


Monday: Noticed the trailer tire was flat again- measured 8 psi.... Made sure to let Uhaul know what a joke it was to pay that much for a trailer with a bad tire. Unloaded the trailer and returned it. Was hard to be mad while returning it because they turned on the southern charm they have down there. While out, I grabbed ice for the cooler and a plant to give to my mom for Moms day since I wouldn't be there for that. My mom made my favorite meal that night- Chicken cacciatore. Spent the rest of the day with my Mom and Grandpa, talking to him about my Grandma, and random chitchat about his time in the Navy and beyond.

Tuesday: Departed for home at around 5:30 am central. The initial plan was to stop somewhere in TN/VA to camp, but I was too eager to get home to the wife, kid, and dogs, so I went straight through. Stopped just outside the smokies in Sevierville TN to take a look at Smokey Mountain Knife Works. Noted as the worlds largest knife store, I had to see what it was all about, and damn was it almost overwhelming. I have been on the lookout for a knife with Copper scales because I have had this copper bead/lanyard from one of my favorite patch makers @Bennett707 ; found the perfect match for it:


Got back to driving and pushed through the rest of the drive with adrenaline and those little Starbucks frappachinos. Once I hit DC, I knew I was golden since I have done that drive many times. Got back to town at Wednesday at 4:00 am eastern but couldn't go home because the dogs would wake up the wife and jr as soon as I hit the driveway. Did the responsible dad/husband thing and slept it out at a stop and shop parking lot until 630. After coming home, and seeing the wife, little one and dogs, I passed out for 4 hours, then unpacked, and ran to pay for our new windows that arrived at our lumber yard this week. WOOOOOO, new windows.

Feels great to be back home with the family. I feel utterly useless at work today. I am back today, Monday, and Tuesday, and am off next weds-fri for some actual r+r.

 

Sounds like an epic trip, great choice in blade steel too!! glad the new skinny 33's worked out as well

 

It really was a great trip. It was just so good to see family after so long.

I love the new knife. Its not the most practical because of the weight but I wanted something to match that copper bead. Should look beautiful once it starts to patina. Its a great addition to my small collection. I would like to get a benchmade eventually.

Current collection:


The sog is what I carry around regularly. The black spiderco was a walmart special (35 bucks iirc). The top one was won in a charity raffle and comes with me camping.

edit: and the 33s did amazing. Louder than my ats, but expected. Hit alot of downpours and they held firm even with the trailer.

 

I love a good road trip and hearing the tales of others. In 2019 we drove out to the Indy 500 and I am so glad we did that. My family is from PA except for me. It was great for my wife to see the house my Dad and his family grew up in and to take a coal mine tour and appreciate how hard my grandfathers worked to put food on the table. My Dad was a miner for a week and joined the army. Getting shot at in WW2 was a better deal than the mine.