Good morning all... It's gonna be a great day! Going to try to keep this breif as I am about to start driving home day 2. Heres the run down: Flew to Redmond, OR on Thursday, met the PO of our new bus Friday morning, went out to inspect the bus, seats were removed as he said he would do, had an independent mechanic meet us on site, bus checked out great, fired up cold no problems, mechanic gave me a green light, (will need a new tire up front.... in about 5 months of solid driving!), to it for a test drive with the PO, he gave me the run down, he drove into town, I drove back, payed the man and at about 12:00 PST I was on my way.
Stopped in La Pine, Or. for fuel, (126 gallons to "top it off"), ate some lunch and hit the road again. Took it slow, stopped every 100 miles to check it out (but at this rate I can probably cut that back to when I get fuel, just nervous ya know).
Stopped early for the night as it had been a long day, (and I could use a cocktail or three). Currently in Anderson CA, it's 4:30ish in the morning, grabbing a shower, packing up the bus and hitting the road!
Here is a video of the walk around and a second of driving the bus.
if I did the insert video wrong, sorry, here are the links: MOV04989.MPG (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvoHYRd9Uck#) and MOV04999.MPG (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qy0sfsAIfo#)
Will not be checking this till next overnight stop... Email is happening on my phone though so tell me what ya think.
Paul,
That sure is a clean looking MCI! Good job, safe travels.
Brandon
Looks like a nice MCI! Keep us updated on your trip status!
Boyce
here is a link to my driving schedule:
http://cid-ce003f95f7d9475f.office.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/Anderson%20to%20Houston.htm (http://cid-ce003f95f7d9475f.office.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/Anderson%20to%20Houston.htm)
when you het on that page, just click on the icon that looks like a page with the world on it.
Nice looking MCI. Welcome to the madness.
Quote from: James77MCI8 on March 05, 2011, 04:52:59 AM
Nice looking MCI. Welcome to the madness.
Paul, good choice! Nice looking bus. The video's were super.
BCO
Nice looking bus-now the fun begins. One suggestion-when you do the conversion-do it the way you want it the first time. I have a friend that bought a 102A3 that's a nice bus with a 8V-92TA in it. He's done a "temporary" conversion using old funky chests of drawers bolted to the wall and using the old bus bathroom. It has been several years and he still hasn't gotton the bus done. So the "temporary" furniture has become the using furniture on the road. Some just can't wait to get on the road-be patient-it is much better to git-r-dun right and then enjoy your conversion when done right. Good Luck, TomC
You hit a good window in leaving Oregon, there is snow on the ground in La Pine this morning. ;D
Nice video and clean looking bus. Hope to see more. Thanks for letting us in on the ride. Safe traveling.
Nice lookin bus! Good for you! I know you gotta be very happy! What MCI is this, a 5 or 9 or whatever? Im not too familiar with them but I like the way the bay doors open and close on yours. Is that factory? For my transit, I have to put bay doors in later down the road and have been exploring ways to open and close them....
Nice clean looking bus.... Enjoy the Ride!!!!
Jimmy
Happycamper - If you watch in the video the owners manual is on the seat and it says 9. I wouldn't know any other way but thought I'd let you know my observation.
Paul - Thats a nice looking bus! Safe Travels!
Mike
Quote from: brando4905 on March 05, 2011, 04:43:46 AM
Paul,
That sure is a clean looking MCI! Good job, safe travels.
Brandon
Thank you sir
Quote from: TomC on March 05, 2011, 08:13:09 AM
Nice looking bus-now the fun begins. One suggestion-when you do the conversion-do it the way you want it the first time. I have a friend that bought a 102A3 that's a nice bus with a 8V-92TA in it. He's done a "temporary" conversion using old funky chests of drawers bolted to the wall and using the old bus bathroom. It has been several years and he still hasn't gotton the bus done. So the "temporary" furniture has become the using furniture on the road. Some just can't wait to get on the road-be patient-it is much better to git-r-dun right and then enjoy your conversion when done right. Good Luck, TomC
Damn, and I been going round the neighboorhood picking up some of the good stuff people throw away.... Guess I'll just have to pitch it all and do it right! HAHAHAHA..... (can you tell I just drove in rush hour, on a SATURDAY, in L.A., no.... maybe it's the maniacal laughter HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA), oh, and whats wrong with the bus bathroom? If I can squeeze my fat as* in there anybody can and, it's all nice and shiney and all, (jeez, just can't please some people) ;)
Hey all, thanks for the comments, appreciate them all though my video skills leave something to be desired, (that whole laying down sideways at the end of the first video just DID NOT WORK) just wanted to show off our new baby.. I was like SO hyped it wasn't even funny!
Now as I sit here in beautiful Palm Springs, (long story, my GPS is less than my friend right now), at the luxurious Motel Six, (they left the light on) sipping that oh so tasty Vodka and Cranberry, reflecting on the UTTER HELL driving through L.A. was on a freaking Saturday no less was, I can honestly say that I WILL NEVER DRIVE THROUGH L.A. AGAIN.... EVER... NOT EVEN IF YOU PAYED ME CASH MONEY, in a new to me bus.
After 2.5 hours o go maybe 40 miles, well lets just say FULA....
Other than that the ride was great, (did I mention except for LA), this bus is a runner! I'm gonna have to put Nike's on it instead of tires! 65, 70 handled t all no problems. Not a hic-cup (so far), no weird noises, no holy shi* moments, (except for LA but I think you get the gist of that story, the LA Story). Hold on, my cocktail is empty, be right back....
Ah, much better now... anyway, bus runs great, it's been a long day and so far, all is well in busville. A little loose in the steering but not sure yet if thats from the 81 steering set-up as opposed the the modified steering in the 82's but we shall see once I get her home...
Thanks again for all the comments and I will keep you posted! Oh and on the weather, I made the final call on weather (get it thats a joke son...) or not the weather was better going west then souuth or straight south than east.... South than east won out..
Quote from: 2xclutchin on March 05, 2011, 08:50:36 PM
Happycamper - If you watch in the video the owners manual is on the seat and it says 9. I wouldn't know any other way but thought I'd let you know my observation.
Paul - Thats a nice looking bus! Safe Travels!
Mike
GREAT EYES MAN!!! Outstanding! You are correct, MCI MC 9 (and I have a complete original maintenence manual to prove it)
Very straight looking coach!
I know about the pucker factor, white knuckles and sheer madness when driving through LA. I lived in Burbank when I bought our Eagle and driving on I-5 during any time of day is like a slow moving parking lot going nowhere! Not fun unless you have good tunes to listen to. Your coach looked like ours after I gutted it, a bowling alley with windows! ;D
Safe travels and may you have a trouble free trip!
Paul
People who live in LA are more fortunate than the rest of us ... they can see the air that they are breathing!
This trip thing you are doing is a breath of fresh air, keep it up. I cannot wait for the report when you "rip out the bathroom" in the old hoopie, that ought to be a real gas (pardon the pun).
Nice post. It reads well, take two atta-boys out of petty cash for a job well done.
BCO
Guess that your GPS didn't tell you about the back way around LA. That is why i prefer maps. ;D
Quote from: Ed Hackenbruch on March 06, 2011, 06:26:06 AM
Guess that your GPS didn't tell you about the back way around LA. That is why i prefer maps. ;D
At one time or another we have looked at all of them, trucker models, private, but I just cannot seem to wrap my head around them, or rather, "learn to trust them." They just kind of spook me for some reason. My kid has one and it shows my house on the other side of the road, and friend of mine says my house doesn't even show up on his ... Guess I am old school, but I am sticking with the Rand McNally.
Now days, we head to four corners, just west of Barstow and turn north. The rest of it they can have.
BCO
My friends brand new Garmin Nuvi was going to send us 25 miles out of our way, taking the long way around on a 30 mile trip. When I turned left instead of right, like his Nuvi wanted, he got excited. When we saved 45 minutes and 30 miles of driving, he didnt have so much to say about his new lil toy.
Makes ya wonder if the database isnt created by a subsidiary of the oil companies, lol.
I live in L.A. and am a salesman doing around 25,000 miles a year in the city. RARELY is the time I spend in traffic jams. I also have the luxury of going when the going is good and know the traffic patterns. If you consult sigalert.com, it will show what is goofed up or not. L.A. has a great system of freeways and when they are not jammed-work great. But-most do not have that luxury to go when the traffic is not there.
When coming down from Oregon to Palm Springs, I would have headed east on 58 from Bakersfield to Four Corners taking 395 south to I-15 south to I-215 to highway 30 back to I-10-well past the L.A. traffic scene. But-you'll learn these tricks over time driving your new toy. Good Luck, TomC
Well glad to hear all is going well! And I can second the not trusting GPS's when I drove a truck those goofy toys were not even thought of yet. (for the public anyway)
I too would have shot east out of Bakersfield and gone over to Barstow and stayed east to Needles then gone south to 10 on 95. But that is just "my way" and everybody does things different!
Have fun, be safe & enjoy!
;D BK ;D
Paul,
I live outside San Antonio. I looked at your itinerary. Why are you going around the Anderson Loop in San Antonio? It is a longggg way around that loop with lots of stop signs, and lights and lots of traffic. I don't recommend that. Your best route is to stay on I10 through downtown San Antonio. If you are afraid of going through downtown, then take IH410 south (or west) and go around on that loop. When you get to the east side of SA there are lots of big truck stops just outside Loop IH410 at Akerman Road. This is inside Loop 1604. I believe there is a Pilot and TA Truck stop to name a few.
You will not like Loop 1604 :o
David
My wife can't read a map to save her a$$ and it has led to some rather spirited conversations between her and I. So she bought me a Garmin. Now I yell at that bitch on the Garmin instead of my wife!! I guess it was worth it! ;D ;D
My wife can't read a map either, so what i do is sit down with the Rand McNally and see where i want to go and write down any info i need for turns/hiway changes/exits, etc. on a sticky note and put it on the dash so i can read it as needed. ;D
Quote from: David Anderson on March 06, 2011, 06:05:46 PM
Paul,
I live outside San Antonio. I looked at your itinerary. Why are you going around the Anderson Loop in San Antonio? It is a longggg way around that loop with lots of stop signs, and lights and lots of traffic. I don't recommend that. Your best route is to stay on I10 through downtown San Antonio. If you are afraid of going through downtown, then take IH410 south (or west) and go around on that loop. When you get to the east side of SA there are lots of big truck stops just outside Loop IH410 at Akerman Road. This is inside Loop 1604. I believe there is a Pilot and TA Truck stop to name a few.
You will not like Loop 1604 :o
David
Oh, I know the Anderson loop! I'll be staying on I-10. Been through it pulling my 5er with no problem on our way Garner. Thanks for the heads up though. Funny, Once I hit Texas, it'll be just like being home. I'll probably stop just on the other side of SA to top off before heading home.
Quote from: Chopper Scott on March 06, 2011, 06:39:02 PM
My wife can't read a map to save her a$$ and it has led to some rather spirited conversations between her and I. So she bought me a Garmin. Now I yell at that bitch on the Garmin instead of my wife!! I guess it was worth it! ;D ;D
WELL worht it I would say! LOL..
Quote from: Ed Hackenbruch on March 06, 2011, 07:36:33 PM
My wife can't read a map either, so what i do is sit down with the Rand McNally and see where i want to go and write down any info i need for turns/hiway changes/exits, etc. on a sticky note and put it on the dash so i can read it as needed. ;D
Heres a trick I learned from a trucker friend: (should a used to in Cali but thats a nother story, using it now). The trick is to use a Black DRY ERASE marker and out of your direct line of sight but easily seen at a glance, write it on your windshield, (for example, I am tracking my stops/time in the upper right of the drivers side windshield and I have my directions (off ramps, major freeway numbers, etc. written on the upper left side.) I'll post a pick when I get back as my cam is currently out of batteries till I stop again.
Ok, gonna try to keep this short and sweet... In Lordsburg NM getting ready to head out for the day, will probably make it to San Antonio and drop anchor for the night rather than push through to Houston. Don't want to make it home at night as I will never get this big bitc* in the driveway at night so will wait for daylight.
The drive is great and unremarkable at the same time. great because it is so cool to be driving our bus home, the scenery is awesome, and the weather is kickin'. Unremarkable as the bus is doing great. No issues as of yet. Went through Quartzsite yesterday and saw a few conversions in the RV areas along the way, (layed on the horn as I went past every one!) Saw a few conversions on the road as well... We WILL be back to Arizone, never been and was unaware of the beauty of that great state.
The only thing that got me was: finally comfortable enough to crank some tunes, jacked the Iphone/Ipod into the radio, (all internal tour speakers still in bus, and was jammin along then, all of sudden I'd hear this funny noise, one of those "what's that, a flat, engine knocking, did I just drop something" kind of noises.... you know what I mean, right? Turns out it was just a backbeat or drum sound or bell or some stuff in the music! Soon as I turn down the tunes, it disappeared.... Felt stupid every time it happened, (more than once I will admit).. Turns out a empty echoy bus carries sound in a much different way than a full one....
Other than that, thats all to report from the road, all systems go for a complete re-entry into Houston on Tuesday morning... Wish me luck. If anybody wants to meet up between say el-paso and Houston, my phone number will be in my profile, just drop me a text message and I'll get back to you...
HOME! - Made it! - Finished! - Complete! - Parked!
Paul,
Allow me to say congratulations!!! It is a great feeling to finally have it home.
I am glad that the trip was uneventful.
God bless,
John
Congratulations Paul on your safe trip home.. How many miles did you end up driving and did you calculate the mileage to see what your MPG's were?
Jimmy
King of the road
Quote from: Highway Yacht on March 08, 2011, 04:05:45 PM
Congratulations Paul on your safe trip home.. How many miles did you end up driving and did you calculate the mileage to see what your MPG's were?
Jimmy
Total miles for the trip home was 2401, running down 97 from Redmond to 5 to I-10.
Left on Friday, 3/4/2011 around 1 in the afternoon and arrived Home 3/8/2011 around 1 in the afternoon (stopping each night at a motel)
Fuel mileage works out to 9.3 MPG for the MC 9 with no seats driven flat out 70's whenever the road would allow.
That was better than I expected but the PO had told me when I left to expect 10 MPG. He said it was a runner and it is. I hate to jinx this project by saying anything optimistic at all so I won't but it was a great trip home! And, I even got her put in the driveway all by my lonesome on the first shot, (which, if you saw the street/driveway/gate opening/etc. in my neighborhood you would understand) so..... Life Is Good!
:o ;D :D :) 8) ::) ;)