When
I graduated from Colby, I decided to take the Land Rover to California
the hard way - on its own wheels.
Here I am, leaving Camden Maine with a bike and way too much junk on the
roof.
I convinced my friend Jennie Record to come with me, which I realize afterwards was an act of mercy on her part.
|
Trip facts: General Route: Maine, Great Lakes, Idaho, Washington (Seattle), Oregon, California. Duration: 5 weeks First interstate: Idaho-Washington (no alternative!) |
Leaving Camden, ME
The car and I shared many romantic vistas.
Can you see the spike in my tire?
... and some more significant ones.
Ironically, it was at the site of the nation's largest hydroelectric site - Niagra Falls - that the car's electrical generation system failed and prompted three days of electron-free motoring.
For three days, only my credit card charged while I hand-cranked the car in the mornings and charged my batteries at service stations. (Still a free service!)
Replacement alternator installation at a state park in New York State.
Some freelance work
Vehicle jealosy a chronic problem
(That's a Land Rover Discovery on the billboard)
But when it rained, I had a great set up:
1. 15 Gallon water tank rigged to a spigot over the rear door.
2. This "sink" was on a pull-out drawer
3. Two burner propane stove, rigged to 10 lb propane tank on roof. Stainless steel heat shield behind.
4. Continuous sleep surface from rear door to front windscreen. Storage underneath.
5. Side-facing "desk" space.
I liked to call this bowl-on-a-drawer my 'sink'
Everything had its place. Notice the plates and bowls (two each) recessed under the hinged sleeping platform. There was a similar rack for the french press coffee maker and my utensils, etc.
The entire rig was installed without drilling an additional hole in the car. (This car came with lots of convenient holes).
