So, ummm, I'm going to Seattle?? (Dajiban Content)

I-90 is a pretty easy drive. Minimum of two lanes, in each direction, of interstate highway through mountains. A couple of alpine lakes and plenty of places to stop with cell service. 

Highway 2 is further north and is a true two lane highway, with a fee passing lanes. Cell service is much more limited but it's a gorgeous drive. 2 will spit you out in Leavenworth and take you through my town (Wenatchee). From Wenatchee, it's really easy to get back to I90 for the remainder of the trip. 

Here's hoping the Dajiban is solid enough to permit random adventures on the trek home!

I love fly-n-drive threads on GRM!  Full of interesting vehicles, local support and help, great people and cool wheels!

So, the Fly-n-Drive won't start until tomorrow morning, at the earliest.  

The plane for the first leg of the flight arrived about 15 minutes late.  As I boarded they told me I could still make the flight if I ran fast. 

From B-6 at DTW to A-20 at McNamara.  Not so sure I could make that in 12 minutes, but the point was moot anyway, as my plane landed 3 minutes after my connecting flight took off.  Pretty sure I never was able to run that fast. 

But here is a Dauntless SlowButDeadly at Midway airport from this morning when I was so much younger, and filled with optimism.  

So you are stuck in Detroit?

I hate connecting flights, this is the kind of stuff that always happens to me. That and lost checked bags, I dont do checked bags anymore. 

In reply to Russian Warship, Go Berkeley Yourself :

are you stuck at DTW?  for how long?  I'm just up the road but not free til 6PM

In reply to Slippery :

Yup.  4 hour layover in Detroit.  

But they gave me a $15 meal voucher, so... yeah.

Oh, and I never check bags.  If I can't fit it in two carry-on bags, I don't need it. 

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to Russian Warship, Go Berkeley Yourself :

are you stuck at DTW?  for how long?  I'm just up the road but not free til 6PM

 

Well, p00p.  If I had known, I would have chosen a later flight out of here.  :/

Always good to meet GRMers. 

How much Popeyes did 15 bucks get you? 

In reply to logdog (Forum Supporter) :

4 piece. Mild with Cajun Rice. (it's FINALLY back) and a medium lemonade. 

I added two biscuits to get the bill up to $14.08. 

Your lunch sounds pretty good! I'm actually in Seattle today for work, but home all day tomorrow. Thanks for updating the thread...fun to follow along! I'm hoping that thing just fires right up tomorrow morning and you're good to go. 

We're all counting on you. 

I just flew in to SeaTac last night, and boy are my arms tired. 

No, really.  I'm broad shouldered, and the seats in "basic" cattlecar in the back of the plane are REALLY tight. 

Especially when you have a window seat, drop your phone at the beginning of the flight, and realize that your head hits the seat in front of you inches before you can touch the floor with your hand. 

Welcome to Seattle! Ignore the smell.

My nipples hurt. 

Always the sign of a good air conditioner.  

And yes, this thing runs and drives like a 50k mile van that was maintained maintained regularly by fleet mechanics that had to adhere to regulations for transporting children. 

Aww yeah! What's your plan? Roadside inspection? Or just give 'er? 

Eastbound and down!

Hope it's a smooth trip for ya!

In reply to Russian Warship, Go Berkeley Yourself :

Thanks for the update.  Following along!  

Glad to here it is meeting (or maybe exceeding) initial expectations.  

Seattle to Chicago is about 30 hours of driving ahead of ya.  Are you doing hotels or...  Stick to the northern route for cool temps.  Stop at Walmart for an air mattress, a blanket, and a pillow for van/camp/sleep along the way!   Though, being a kid hauler, the van will have all those bench seats.  You might consider some seat removal and stacking to open the floor up for the air mattress.  

Now, I'm not saying you should keep the seats, but I am saying you should cage the thing and install 4 rows of harnesses. 

The insanely huge REI-Coop store in Seattle by I-5 has a lightly used returns section. Prices are great. I'd swing by, buy a sleeping bag and sleep in the van ... by a river. 

I wish I had more upvotes to give

Some day a real rain will come and wash all these bugs off my windshield.

There are stories. 

And photos.  

Hopefully when I get to my hotel room in Fargo.  If I don't pass out in the bed as soon as I get there. 

Glad to hear it's going...  Not sure if it's going well, but it's going.  Sounds like you're confident it will make it to the hotel so that's good.