mikes metal mistress western tour

mikelutestanski · June 15, 2011, 03:37:29 PM

Hello: We are in Idaho on I 84 exit 147 for the night . Very windy here . cool THe weather has been lousy for the farmers this spring. Anyway we will visit a friend Denny tomorrow who has an mci 7 with a big cam 4 installed. He was one of several who inspired me to put the L10 in our bus. Then we have to turn East reluctantly but the money is running out. Fuel is $4.09 here . the most I've paid on this trip. So next back to colorado and a visit with Tom and Fran mason . After that we need to scout the weather to find the best place to cross the mississippi and back to florida..
The bus is running fine fuel average is 7.5 for 2500 miles or so.. Keeping the speed down to 60 or 65 mostly.
WE are planning for Alaska next year and more of the western states.
Regards and happy bussin from the road mike

Melbo · June 15, 2011, 04:43:55 PM

Glad to hear that you are doing well --- did you get to see the trains??

Thanks for stopping by on your way --- it was fun to see you

Wish I had more time I would have liked to see the bus too.

Melbo

luvrbus · June 15, 2011, 04:59:59 PM

You should have stopped in Twin Falls for fuel $3.64 a gal fuel is always high around the Hagerman and Malad valley area 10 miles west @ Bliss there is a Walmart that always has good fuel prices also

good luck

John316 · June 15, 2011, 06:38:21 PM

Glad to hear things are going well for you, Mike. I hope the rest of the trip works out just as well.

I love that area of Idaho. I do a lot of work out there. You are right, it has been a really rough year for the growers. Too wet....ugh.

John

mikelutestanski · June 16, 2011, 06:35:21 AM

Hello: Thanks for the fuel tip. Our last fill was @ springfield flying J below Salt lake city. WE will be looking again when we are into Wyoming . planning to cross I 80 across then drop down into Colorado .
Melbo we did take the Durango train and it really was spectacular. We paid a bit more to get the San Juan car with regular seats but the trip through the canyon was worth it. The guy sitting behind me was white knuckled when we went around the cliff face on the train; whilst I was hanging out the window snapping pictures. About 400 feet or so to the river below. The animus river was almost at flood roaring through the canyon. Sorry Jack no kyacking allowed . Too many people did not make the journey..
10 states so far ; probably 5 more to get home. Visited 3 national parks and I appreciate desolate now. It sure is different when heading through Utah through Canyonlands and Arches park. I never believed rocks and dirt could have so many different colors. I picked up the senior pass @ fort Davis nat.park for $10 bucks and it allows one carload in any national park day use .. That is the replacement for the golden pass.
I need to find a place to change the oil in the bus; I have the filter and oil .
Regards and happy bussin mike

Seayfam · June 16, 2011, 07:53:43 AM

Mike,
If you like riding trains and are planning on driving to Alaska next year, you should stop in Skagway AK. It is a really beautiful place and they have a old narrow gauge train that takes you on a 1/2 day tour up the White pass. That is a really fun trip!!! We travel down to Idaho from Alaska every year and finally stopped in Skagway last year for the first time. It was well worth it.

Gary

loosenut · June 16, 2011, 08:16:50 AM

I envy your adventure. It sounds like you are having a ball. As to weather, the service I subscribe to says the next front is moving off the Rockies and is expected to bring rain from North Dakota to Texas.

At this point, their best guess is if severe weather (hail) develops it is most likely to be in Kansas and Nebraska.

Shout out if you ever come to SoCal and don't forget to fill-up in Arizona.

Mike

mikelutestanski · June 22, 2011, 01:32:03 PM

Tour cont. Hello:
Well we left Idaho and started East. Today we are @ stillwater campground . White Eagle aka Tom and Fran are here for the summer. Having a nice visit..
The rockies are beautiful. It was a mite chilly this AM around 36 but it is 70 now.
Colorado is promoting bicycling as a tourist money maker but to me it is very dangerous.
Whilst traversing rabbit pass and the next mountain (EAst of steamboat springs) the westbound side of the road was full of bikers ..Some ignorant bikers I might add. Going up or down a 2 lane road three abreast with tractor trailers; cars; and Rvs, is a bit dangerous . Three times we almost got into trouble. the worst was a tractor was in our lane to go around bikers in his lane . we were going downhill and the drop off was on our side. I missed the rear of his trailer by a foot with my mirror. I thought we had bought it for a second. If I hit him I would have gone over. The pass has switchbacks so visibility is limited. We were about 30mph at the time.
On the way up I was behind a pickup with a full stock trailer. I had to put the bus into second and we crawled up after the trailer @2000 RPms and 25mph or so. THe temperature never moved and she purred all the way up. Needless to say we stopped at the summit and let him by.
The nex phase is route 70 from Denver East across the plains..
Regards and happy bussin mike

Ed Hackenbruch · June 22, 2011, 02:45:02 PM

Ahh yes, bikers. One of my pet peeves. I assume that most of them drive a car on a regular basis, but it seems like as soon as they put the helmet on they cut off the blood flow to the brain. I came around a corner one time on a two lane road and there were about 100 of them standing there, not riding, just standing there.......in both lanes, some facing me but most were looking the other way, and nobody moved. I was able to stop my car but if a hay truck or a logging truck or any other type of semi had been coming there at that time there would have been a bunch of dead people. To this day i have no clue as to what the hell they were thinking/doing. I also love when i see them riding with their tires on the white line of the bike lane and they think they are in their lane. 1/2 of their body is sticking out in my lane but they don't seem to understand that. Another good one is when they are riding in your lane 2 or 3 abreast and wave you around to pass them.......on a blind corner or before the crest of a hill. Anytime i ride a bike i watch ahead/behind and around me. I get over for a car and if it is tight i will stop and jump off the bike and get it off of the road if i have to.