Pretty uneventful few days as we just continue tooling along in a southerly direction. Last week I mentioned 150 miles as being our daily limit, but now that we’re in warmer weather and not in such a hurry in the mornings, we’re realizing that the number is more along the lines of 80 to 100 miles.
I haven’t talked about it, because it hasn’t been an issue, but the bus has performed great these first couple of weeks. The only hiccup was that dead battery on day one. Since then not a single problem. The engine still has that hesitation when it is cold, and I’ve got a few things I want to do to try and alleviate that as well as maybe squeeze a little more out of the MPG—which remains at 8, or 7.8 if you want to get technical. And we really want to get the solar panels set up soon too so we can begin getting off the grid. But these first two weeks have been nice, just easing into the new home and the new lifestyle.
Found this little beauty hiding underneath the bus near the gas tank a while ago. Apparently they just throw fuel filters in anywhere—there is one in the engine compartment as well. Changed it out today. Looked clean.
A few days ago I changed the oil and filter. It was the first time I changed the filter because it’s the first time I’ve gone underneath the bus in temperatures above freezing. Anyway, I’d just like to say that there is a special place in hell reserved for people who over tighten oil filters. I eventually had to go with the old “pound the screwdriver through it” method of removal. But even with that I was basically tearing the filter in half before it finally let loose.
Sometimes I really have to laugh at just how committed Ali and I are to the idea that people are good, and if you’re good too, then what’s the problem?
I didn’t think one thing about pulling into this parking lot yesterday for a 12 pack of beer. We were out, and the store’s sign said beer—end of story. Only tonight, looking through pictures, do I realize how ridiculously out of place I must have looked climbing out of our big blue bus and walking across the parking lot in my t-shirt and baseball cap.
Even funnier is that I had a conversation with the guy sitting there next to the garbage can about the bus. What year, what model, what engine.
Inside, on my way to the cooler at the back, I passed a group of women browsing the wigs, talking and laughing. Half the store was devoted to wigs. They don’t even mention that on the sign out front.
In the beer cooler I found a wide assortment of domestic 40s. What? No IPA? All right, Coors it is. Desperate times, desperate measures, and all that.
Back outside Lowe was sitting in the drivers seat honking the horn and laughing hysterically.
This is me trying to do a little bit of work on the bus. See those little green things on the ground? Water balloons being dropped on me while I was underneath. I was also being tied up while I was under there. I’m pretty sure the kids needed help on both fronts—Alison.
15 Comments on “Bayou Segnette State Park”
Looks very similar to the official Greyhound bus station here in Spencer, NC. The lettering is a little more professional. Gas-up there all the time.
people pay good money for jeans like that in orange county.
Coors. Desperate time alright. Desperate times.
Did your momma ever say you were “gettin to big for your britches?”……. love the pics and your skinny jeans.
Water balloons and getting tied up. Payback for a certain series of photos from a couple of days ago? (*cough* the slide *cough*)
Keep having fun!
We love that spot too. The kids got a kick from the ferry ride that goes into the French Quarter. Great, note I’m craving beignets! Hope to cross paths one of these days 🙂
7.8mpg!!!! It is a different world. It’s not much bigger than your old VW, but our 2003 5-cylinder 2.5 litre diesel VW van does 40+ mpg all across Europe. Why? Because it has to.
That bus is huge, compared to a VW bus. Huge. Also, the engine is close to 50 years old.
what is it with kids and tying knots and tying stuff up??? Now that my youngest is 12 i’m looking forward to finally having knot free strings, rope, shoelaces, etc. 🙂
It may soon be time to lube the grease fittings on the front axle – I think the interval is 2000 miles for those kingpins. Its probably 4000 miles for the other grease fittings; spring shackles, driveshaft, etc. Lubing the spring shackles was the slowest, since I had to take the weight off each spring to get the grease in.
I recommend carrying plenty of extra fuel filters – unless you know the fuel tank (or tanks) have been cleaned and treated. I only put filters into the unpressurized part of the fuel system, i.e. upstream of the fuel pump. I like the plastic see-through kind Fram makes, so I can see the amount of sediment in them. On bumpy pavement ours could get lots of rust in them in less than 100 miles.
I see the tire shop put a lot of balance weights on the front wheel. Balanced wheels are important to prevent shimmy at 45-50 mph; so is lubing the steering grease fittings. If you ever see more of those 6 bolt split rims, you should get an extra one or two. They seem rare.
Each time we would stop the RV for fuel, lunch, etc; I would go around and put my hand on each of the tires. This was my method for checking for proper air pressure. An unusually warm tire meant a problem, though of course they would be slightly warmer on the sunny side.
Yesterday’s ‘comments’ became a sad example of the point you were making in your posting. But the rescue was also vital training for the sailors and guardsmen, in the need for ‘readiness’; so it was a benefit to the military. Since they have to do continual training in readiness, I think the net cost to the national defense was probably $0. The boost to morale would be priceless.
If you want any help with mechanical issues: I sent our residence address/directions to your email.
If ya’ll are still in the area you picked a great time if you want some festival activities. I recommend checking out French Quarter Fest this weekend (you can park somewhere on the Westbank/ Algiers (like Mardi Gras world or a neighboring warehouse) and walk to the Algiers Ferry to ride to the French Quarter. Also check out the Irish/ Italian parade in Chalmette on Sunday- they throw food in the parade!
Wonderful pics. Loving the new bus. The picture of the bus’ reflection with Lowe playing on the bench looks great. Such imagery. I love how the bus looks like an old postcard in that pic. Keep having fun!
Holey moley, thank goodness that wacko lurker is gone. Poof , it was 24 hour media sensationalism. We return you to your regular programming. Now about that compound and wax. Any job I really don’t want to do, I tell myself to just do it for five minutes the first day. Five goes to ten the next, etc. Presto it’s done. Hey, make it a family project.
Hi P, A, O & L – We have been tailing you since the early days. My husband used to stay at work and print out the catamaran blog and sneak it home….many pages!! Congrats on the bus – LOVE it!! We are from Vancouver BC and are currently cruising around the US in our 1993 VW Eurovan.
We also stayed at Bayou Segnett at the end of February. Great park, just a bit colder when we were there. We have done 2 years touring through Mexico and are jealous we are headed there.
Have a blast! Kids are gorgeous!!
How many days can you go without a swim?