Happie Flies South for the Winter - OTish

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Messages 1 - 19 of total 19 in this topic
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 10, 2015 - 12:20pm PT
It's that time of year again, and though we have had incredibly unseasonably warm weather for the last few weeks, it can't last forever. It's time to pack up the cabin and find a warmer clime. Looks like I will leave on Thursday.

Not going to Joshua Tree this year, due to van weakness. Poor Penny is leaking a trail of oil like Hansel and Gretal dropped breadcrumbs in the forest.

So, I am going to limp along with a destination of Asheville, NC in about a week after departure. Stopping along the way to enjoy local hiking with Lucas. Once I get to NC, I am definitely interested in climbing in some of the many places, and will wander around the state and going south as cold gets worse. Hoping not to have to get below northern Georgia, and then head west and come up the other side of the Appalachians in spring.

To prepare for the trip, I did what I usually do - fire up the sewing machine and run up some new chalkbags. I think I chose some darned nice fabrics this time. They make a nice present, and holidays are coming. Pack them as a gift basket - fill with gear, warm gloves, candy like a Christmas stocking or whatever your imagination comes up with. Or....just buy a chalkbag for it's own sake. I am told by many that they really - really - like these bags.

I am migrating chalkbags off the ClimbAddict website for now, because the platform is slow as molasses to edit. So - click http://www.ClimbAddictDesigns.Etsy.com to see the new collection. I do have some more in Big Dipper size, and will be putting them up in the next few days.

There are still some of previous designs on the ClimbAddict website at http://www.climbaddictdesigns.com/shop-chalkbags
Roots

Mountain climber
Tustin, CA
Nov 10, 2015 - 12:32pm PT
You make nice chalk bags.
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 13, 2015 - 08:58am PT
Thank you Roots!

Well, here I am, ready to roll.... Just checking emails and stuff before heading out. Not going for today - thinking to be around the Delaware Water Gap for evening and do some hiking tomorrow. Taking it Slooooow and easy!
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Nov 13, 2015 - 09:17am PT
Happy, Nice bags. If I didn't already have six I would buy one right now.

Girl - Get a new car!!! Sheesh. Not that hard.
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 13, 2015 - 03:24pm PT
Girl - Get a new car!!! Sheesh. Not that hard.

Is that so? How much would you set aside out of a $10K/year income for such a purchase?

How about accepting that I may know my deal better than you do and assuming that if it was "not that hard" I would have certainly done it.


Meanwhile - first day out has gone well. Drove down the east side of the Delaware Water Gap/Appalachian Trail - pretty driving. I stopped for a few dogwalks on hiking trails with Lucas. Seems every few miles there was a trailhead.

Tonight I am camped in Chainburbia outside Bethlehem, PA. Not the most inspiring of places, but I don't enjoy driving n the dark, and since I don't use artificial light much my clock is set by daylight. Now I just have to research a park to make coffee in tomorrow morning and set for the night.

Regarding the cold....I am getting a lot of conflicting reports on this. Some people say it will be bad and others have spent winters in vans in the region and said it is fine. They say - when a storm hits, yeah - sucks. But that the storms don't come and stay for the next four months, like they do further north.

I will get to Asheveille and dilly dally around there and get my bearings. If it gets too cold, then yes, I will go further south. But I prefer not to do so unless I have to.
Evel

Trad climber
Nedsterdam CO
Nov 13, 2015 - 03:54pm PT
Have a great trip Happi! And consider Cattanooga. Went there on a whim and stayed 7 years. T-Wall is tough to beat for winter cragging.
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
Nov 13, 2015 - 04:59pm PT
Good luck and safe travels. Love to you and Lucas. I'll miss seeing you guys this winter.

Susan and Michael
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Nov 13, 2015 - 11:17pm PT
Cheers Happie; you will do fine.

Peace.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
Nov 13, 2015 - 11:44pm PT
Good luck and you are not missing anything from places like this
[Click to View YouTube Video]oops the other recommend Video was the movie clip for the song
On TheRoadAgain,. . Your Milage may vary but my remark would be more in line, anyway be safe, have fun post up
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Nov 14, 2015 - 12:20am PT
hey there say, happiegrrrl...

say, happy safe road trip...

hang in there... we are all rooting for you!!!
and little lucas...

take care and rest... we want you safe!
amen!


i'm sure you've heard this before:

[Click to View YouTube Video]


play BOTH VIDEOS at the same time, happy, :)

[Click to View YouTube Video]
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 14, 2015 - 04:38am PT
Haha! Leave it to Neebee to find such a cute video. I am not sure I will let Lucas try driving though.....

Parked at Walmart and while walking Lucas spotted a bagel place, so I am here this morning, at EZ Bagel and Deli in Bethlehem, PA. Independently owned, and really good, authentic bagels, and reliable wifi - who would have guessed!
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Nov 14, 2015 - 07:58am PT
When I told you to just get a new car, I mean that with compassion. I do understand how hard it is to let go of old relationships. What's left of it is held together with a promise of continuance.

I have friends who get by on $700 vehicles once or twice a year. It can be done that way.

Look into it. There is a way.


I like your winter plan. Get out of the Joshua Tree rut. It's just going to rain and snow there all winter this year anyhow.

Be sure to spend some time at Stone Mountain Georgia. It is very beautiful. Except for that abomination carved in the side of it. Technical climbing is forbidden but there are a few days worth of scrambling. Climbing can be done if you keep a very low profile.

Best of luck and have a great time.
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Nov 14, 2015 - 01:16pm PT
Swelly, I had a layover day after a trade show and went out there and bagged the summit, then hiked round the entire base. It's a beautiful park. I enjoyed the old quarry workings and found a few old bolts and fixed gear. SE end has a steep 4th-low 5th route that I came near to soloing but held off.
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 14, 2015 - 05:16pm PT
In Frederick, MD tonight. Van is running smoothly and not using as much oil as I worried. the 40W must make a decent difference.

Regarding 1 $700 car 2 x per year - this van cost $1200 three years ago. So, doing the math, I can't see how switching to a "disposable cars" strategy would be very wise. But whatever works for your friends - that's great.
Braunini

Big Wall climber
cupertino
Nov 15, 2015 - 04:47am PT
Regarding 1 $700 car 2 x per year - this van cost $1200 three years ago. So, doing the math, I can't see how switching to a "disposable cars" strategy would be very wise. But whatever works for your friends - that's great.

You could find a car for the low low price of free, but it doesn't really do much for you if it doesn't run. Unless you just enjoy putting three hours of wrench time in for every hour of driving. Kinda defeats the purpose.

Oh well, hopefully it at least keeps the rain out
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 15, 2015 - 06:22am PT
Ya know.....yesterday I was walking Lucas and I heard a Toyota 4runner idling while they waited at a drive through line. This car seemed to be less that 5 years old and The thing was tapping like crazy. Loud and rattly and if my van sounded anything like that you can be damned right I'd be afraid to drive it to the mechanic, much less longer distances. Yet here was that person seemingly oblivious....


There was a guy at the Pit last year who had a truck that was practically held together with Duct Tape and Gorrilla Glue, and no one ever said once that the man was a fool, should get a better job, or any of the other things I seem to get here regularly. I wonder why that is.

Anyway - it has been spectacularly warm weather for November these days. But looks like some rain coming. I don't mind so long as the snow and ice holds off.

Braunini

Big Wall climber
cupertino
Nov 15, 2015 - 06:37am PT
get a better job, or any of the other things I seem to get here regularly. I wonder why that is

That's easy.This site is predominately male, and you have just presented them with a problem to fix.

Here is a little primer on the subject. I think it will clear things up a bit.

[Click to View YouTube Video]












Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 30, 2015 - 12:36pm PT
That linked van has a hole in the catalytic converter. Doubtful it would pass an inspection, I'd think.

Anyway, the van is doing okay(knock on metal). I am still fearful of every sound that seems out of the usual, and I will be until I get back home in April, but the change to 10W40 has cut down quite a bit in oil leakage.
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Nov 30, 2015 - 04:26pm PT
hey there say, hang in there happiegrrrl...

and hug the pupdog, too... so glad you have him there to
travel, this year, with you...
Messages 1 - 19 of total 19 in this topic
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