This past weekend I spent in Hesperia with my folks and LOTS of cousins and second cousins, most of whom I haven't seen in 15 or 20 years. It was a good time and my helpful family pitched in to work on the Grumman, especially my Mom and Pop. We cleaned it up since it's been sitting in the desert for the past six months and was quite dirty inside. I think one of the windows was left a crack open and plenty of dirt blew in.
We checked out all the systems and discovered a number of things, like the shower doesn't work. The generator works great. We topped off the oil. Discovered the front brakes are totally kaput, nothing left. Gotta figure out how to get the water pump working properly and a few other things. For the most part though, this thing is tough as nails and ready to roll. It starts right up and is totally comfortable inside.
Well, after popping off the front tires and adjusting the front brakes, or lack thereof, I jumped behind the wheel and drove it 100 miles to Simi Valley. Kinda scary when your brakes don't exactly work. I made it though. Slow and steady.
So today, the Grumman is at Mike's auto shop getting new front drums, cylinders, springs, studs, and lug nuts. I expect my braking power to be much better now. While they were working on the brakes, my Pop and I took off two storage pods on the roof as well as a canoe loading apparatus since I don't own a canoe. Now it looks much cleaner and should also be a good bit lighter.
I'm off to the Bay area for a few days on bizness. I hope that when I return the brakes will be finished, getting me one step closer to my next destination, Washington.
Where did the Arvee come from? My most generous Pops! Thanks, Pops... You da best! I shall make the most of this vessel.
7:28:49 PM 
|
