Moby, Moab, and more Moby

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Depart Seattle, WA, USA 26-April-2001 15:45
After a day of rushing around town getting last minute things together including returning two new, but useless rebuilt smog pumps, I finally make it back home to begin the packing. Fortunately, my girlfriend Amanda was there to help me gather everything together and make it fit in the cruiser. Time was ticking, once the last item was tossed in, I hit the road...Thinking I would manage to skate through Seattle before rush hour began...boy was I wrong...it was a gorgeous day in Seattle, and I think everyone in town decided it would be a good idea to go home early. I sat in bumper to bumper traffic for almost three hours trying to get to Olympia (which is normally a one hour drive). I even went so far as to take some side roads, just so I could see the speedometer move between stop lights!

Depart Olympia, WA, USA 26-April-2001 20:00
Finally Arrive at my buddy, Ben Walters residence. We load his stuff in the cruiser in record time and head out to go say goodbye to his girlfriend and pick up a few more last minute items.

We stop to see Brandi at Ace Hardware, were I was able to pick up two metric bolts I needed to mount my new CB antenna as well as some soft drinks that were on an amazing sale. Who would have thunk to buy beverages at a hardware store??? After we said our good byes, it was a quick stop at Costco to get some beer (I was thinking ahead for the problems we would encounter in Utah) and some road food. Finally a quick gas stop and we were southbound on I-5.

I was quite impressed, the cruiser was making great time on the highway. We were keeping up, if not passing people. The 2F was pulling 3000 RPMs, which translated to about 70MPH with the new gearing. We were even pulling off close to 15 MPG for a good portion of the trip!

We drove until we couldn't safely hang on...

Arrive Southerland, OR, USA 27-April-2001 03:00
After a long first night of driving we hit Southerland, Oregon to gas up...but decide it is time to call it a night. We see a fine establishment called the Southerland Inn across the street from the gas station. After a quick conversation with our gas attendant (remember you can't pump your own gas in Oregon) we decide to kick it at the Southerland Inn.

Depart Southerland, OR, USA 27-April-2001 09:00

Arrive Oakland, CA, USA 27-April-2001 17:00

Arrive Los Gatos, CA, USA 27-April-2001 21:30

Metal Shop 101: Los Gatos, CA, USA
We arrive at my buddy, Luke Porter's mountian side estate just in time for dinner. As requested I had brought some famous Flint's BBQ from our layover in Oakland. Unfortunately I placed the Flint's in a less than optimal location in the back of the cruiser and the firey hot nectar of the gods sauce had spilt all over the back of my cruiser...with my one track mind, I grabbed the Flint's and headed inside to grind on some Q.

After my tummy was full of pork, chicken, beer, and broccoli we headed out to the "Vinyardshack" to begin what would turn into a number of long nights working on preparing the cruiser to withstand the beating Moab was destined give my cruiser.


On the thrid day, the cruiser gods looked down apon our hard work and said it was prepared for Moab...and off we went into the darkness...

Depart Los Gatos, CA, USA 30-April-2001 02:00
Yes, that is correct, we left at 02:00 on Monday. I hit off the first round at the wheel until the I680-I880 interchange where I had hoped we would be able to get a burrito at Taco Bell, but every fast food joint on that strip was closed! What kind of operation is that???

Ben jumped behind the wheel for his virgin cruiser navigation. He quickly got up to speed and we were northbound on I880 to I80 to finally crash tough just outside Roseville.

Arrive Roseville, CA, USA 30-April-2001 04:30
We find ourselves in the fine city of Rosevill about 04:30 looking for a place to crash and shower the last three days of funk off our bodies...

We pull into the Best Western and ask about a room...the woman behind the counter says we can't check in until 07:00...I just about went postal, but we quickly came to the understanding that if we checked in now it would mean we would have to check out the same day. Since we were just there to shower and sleep, we signed up and asked for a late checkout. She said we were all set with a 1PM check out. Just as we arrive in our stinky ass "non smoking" room, the phone is ringing with the woman from the front desk letting us know that apparently we now have the room until 11AM the following day...I would have loved to sleep for a couple of days, but we had places to go and people to see!

It was quite nice to wash off the gunk that had collected on my body over the last three days of working on the cruiser. The downside of the room being stinky was almost eclipsed by the warmth and power of the shower! Finally all clean and snuggled up in bed...lights out!

Depart Roseville, CA, USA 30-April-2001 13:30
So we slept for a little too long...

Hit Taco Bell for a little breakfast/lunch at about 13:00, then hit the grocery store, then finally hit the road again.

Highway 50...lives up to its name as the loneliest hiway.

Another long day of driving, but a lot of ground covered!

Arrive Delta, UT, USA 1-May-2001 03:00
An evening at the Delta Inn...well at least there was a bed and running water...

Depart Delta, UT, USA 1-May-2001 09:00
Get the hell outta dodge!

So close we can almost taste it!

Arrive Moab, UT, USA 1-May-2001 14:00

Vacation Begins!!!!

Depart Moab, UT, USA 6-May-2001 14:45

Arrive Twin Falls, ID, USA 6-May-2001 23:00

Depart Twin Falls, ID, USA 7-May-2001 08:45

Arrive Olympia, WA, USA 7-May-2001 20:30

Arrive Seattle, WA, USA 7-May-2001 22:00

Home Sweet Home...