We made it to SA! The trip from LA to here went pretty well - until about 40 miles outside of SA when our radiator hose slipped off again. I thought the first time was a freak thing, the second time was just weird. Fortunately, we were prepared this time. Got fluid in it and then I replaced the old spring clamp with a screw-type hose clamp. I hope that hose doesn't come off again.
The visit with my sister went well. It was nice to see her since we haven't seen her in at least 4 years - since she has never met Nora. She has 2 kids and our kids had a good time unwinding for a few hours at there home. This sister keeps moving away from us. When we moved to CA, she moved away. When we come to TX, she's moving again. This time to AL. I guess that means we'll be PCS'ing to AL next, but probably not. :-)
As for the girls and Tracy's first impression of the new house...They liked it, aside from some of the wall colors, which can be remedied before our HHG's (House Hold Goods - for you non-military types) arrive here on Thursday.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Another day down - 1 more to go!
I am glad to announce another day of successful travel without any new car troubles to report. Thanks to the time change (going from Eastern to Central time) we were able to wake up early and hit the trail sooner, kind of.
We made great time crossing AL, MS, and into LA. We have seen some incredible country along the way since we have crossed MD, VA, TN, AL, MS, LA and finish in TX. We crossed the Mississippi river today before entering LA. This is the second time we have got to cross that river. It feels cool doing it, like we are a modern day Lewis and Clark expedition.
LA is interesting. I knew there was lots of swamp land here but I never imagined how much. It's truly amazing seeing all the swamps with the tree stumps sticking up all over. Pretty cool! We ate at a local Cajun-style restaurant tonight, which was very tasty! I wanted to eat some crawfish but it was a bit expensive so I had to settle for chicken and shrimp. This trip has been culturally enlightening.
We made great time crossing AL, MS, and into LA. We have seen some incredible country along the way since we have crossed MD, VA, TN, AL, MS, LA and finish in TX. We crossed the Mississippi river today before entering LA. This is the second time we have got to cross that river. It feels cool doing it, like we are a modern day Lewis and Clark expedition.
LA is interesting. I knew there was lots of swamp land here but I never imagined how much. It's truly amazing seeing all the swamps with the tree stumps sticking up all over. Pretty cool! We ate at a local Cajun-style restaurant tonight, which was very tasty! I wanted to eat some crawfish but it was a bit expensive so I had to settle for chicken and shrimp. This trip has been culturally enlightening.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Our move - it's half OVER!
Yesterday we embarked on our 1,600+ mile journey from Maryland to San Antonio, TX. We are covering 400 miles a day and plan on being in SA on Sunday. Our first night we spent in Bristol, VA. Tonight we are in beautiful downtown Tuscaloosa, AL. Tomorrow we will be in Lafayette, LA. Then Sunday, sunny San Antone! Before we get there on Sunday, we plan on making a slight detour to visit one of my little sisters that lives in Houston. Sunday will be the day that Tracy and the girls get to see our little castle for the first time. Sunday will also be the day that I receive a great deal of praise or rebuke, depending on how Tracy likes the house! At any rate, we are stuck with it since we have closed on it. :-)
Yesterday, we had a little hiccup along the trail. As we were climbing a big hill in Virginia - passing cars, trucks, and vans - we noticed a spray of fluids coming out behind us. At first I thought it was like a comet's tail or a vapor trail from a jet's stream but then I realized that it was something more than that as I noticed the temperature gage start to climb. We quickly pulled over, in the middle of nowhere, and assessed the damage. I prayed it wasn't a busted radiator hose - and my prayer was answered. Our radiator hose merely slipped off the radiator. I guess the pressure from the engine and the G's we were pushing in the Ford Expedition (a.k.a. Percy), while towing the pickup (a.k.a. Grandpa Whitey) must have pushed that hose right off.
Unfortunately, I did something stupid and left our antifreeze/coolant at our house in MD. We decided we would call for roadside assistance. What a joke! I asked them to bring me out some radiator fluids - they offered to tow me to the nearest town. Wow! That would be a great big help - I'll be dropping that coverage. Tracy, the super packer, brought a case of bottled water with us so we ripped the tops off those bottles, filled up the radiator, and hit the road. So far, we haven't had any more mishaps.
The girls are traveling well. They get a bit fidgety but who can blame them. This is the second big move they've made in 2 years. Hopefully the next move will be shorter distance, and a few more years from now.
Yesterday, we had a little hiccup along the trail. As we were climbing a big hill in Virginia - passing cars, trucks, and vans - we noticed a spray of fluids coming out behind us. At first I thought it was like a comet's tail or a vapor trail from a jet's stream but then I realized that it was something more than that as I noticed the temperature gage start to climb. We quickly pulled over, in the middle of nowhere, and assessed the damage. I prayed it wasn't a busted radiator hose - and my prayer was answered. Our radiator hose merely slipped off the radiator. I guess the pressure from the engine and the G's we were pushing in the Ford Expedition (a.k.a. Percy), while towing the pickup (a.k.a. Grandpa Whitey) must have pushed that hose right off.
Unfortunately, I did something stupid and left our antifreeze/coolant at our house in MD. We decided we would call for roadside assistance. What a joke! I asked them to bring me out some radiator fluids - they offered to tow me to the nearest town. Wow! That would be a great big help - I'll be dropping that coverage. Tracy, the super packer, brought a case of bottled water with us so we ripped the tops off those bottles, filled up the radiator, and hit the road. So far, we haven't had any more mishaps.
The girls are traveling well. They get a bit fidgety but who can blame them. This is the second big move they've made in 2 years. Hopefully the next move will be shorter distance, and a few more years from now.
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