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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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Over the last year I've been fighting cancer (prostate). Toughest year of my life.

But to keep my spirits positive, I've been writing a blog about my hope to make a cross country trip in the old Mercedes-Benz I'm restoring.

So if anyone's interested -

Realizing my parents' dream trip

Amazing coincidence that my parents couldn't make their cross-country retirement trip due to cancer. Now I'm going through the same thing 30 years later.

Hangin' in there.
Tom
 
Hey, Tom -

Just ducked in for a quick check while at a conference. Will be sure to read your blog when I get a bit more time at the computer.

In the meantime, good on ya for keeping the dream alive! And don't forget Clarksville on your tour!

:cheers:
Mickey
 
and thanks for sharing - added to my prayer list (you and the trip - but mostly you)
 
Hey Tom, resident of the Nutmeg state and home of the Charter Oak. Are you impressed? I hope your pc fight is going well but I don't want to pry. Your blog is/was interesting. As to your trek I so hope you will be coming thru the mother road a/k/a Route 66 and New Mexico is one of your pass through states. You are more than welcomed to stay in our home or the 'garagemahal.' Our esteemed leader Basil and I/we will make your trek a trip to remember in the Land of Enchantment.

F/Y/I husband and I are former New Englanders, he Massachusetts and me Massachusetts/Connecticut. Small world.

PM me if you are so inclined. I would hope and assume that your other half is joining you. I would look forward to meeting the both of you.
 
Good for you Tom, have a grand time. I hope to make such a trip myself some day. If you should find yourself in my neck of the woods look me up. I know the area. --elrey
 
Best to you in your fight, Tom. We'll be thinking about you, and looking forward to pictures from that trip.
 
Tom,

Thanks for posting that.You'd better come through Eureka
on your trip!

- Doug
 
Nice blog, and a real nice looking pontoon.

My father has been dealing with cancer for the last 13 years (lymphoma-in remission for 8 or 9 years now, but so many health problems as a result that he could write an encyclopedia... I do however have an idea what your last year was like. All I can say is keep the up your spirits and take your dream trip. All our prayers for you
 
Tom-
You CAN and you WILL make this trip. Nice blog, but now that I'm hooked, it needs the travel portion!
Hang in there!
 
Best wishes to you, Tom, sorry about the cancer thing.

Follow your dream! :yesnod:
 
Thanks folks. Really appreciate the encouragement, both for the health situation and the cross country trip.

I actually feel pretty good about the cancer treatment (brachytherapy). But if you've had radiation, you know what I mean with "the side effects can be unpleasant". Wish I could just go to sleep for a couple months and wake up when it's over.

Onward through the fog!
Tom
 
kellysguy said:
Where y'at with the car? Is it ready to go yet?
Click to expand...

Hey - thanks for asking. Far as I can tell, the car is in "ready to go" condition. Which is better than I can say for myself!

Over the last year I've done a *lot* to that car. All new rubber (suspension, tires and hoses, etc.). Adjustment, tuning and/or rebuilding of engine, carbs, brakes, Hydrak (automatic clutch), transmission, electrics, fuel system, etc. Cleanup and refurbishment of interior. Runs and drives really well.

Jeez - when I first found the car, it would take 15 minutes just to get it to turn over. Now it starts on first crank. Yeehaa! (Sure hope the starter doesn't bite the dust.)

Interior:

DSC00463.jpg


Engine before:

OldEngine.jpg


Engine today:

newbay.jpg


Actually, my gut tightens up when I think of heading out for a month of interstate and "blue highway" driving in a 50+ year old car. No problems for an afternoon drive in the country ... but 6000 miles is a horse of a different color.

Visions of loud clanks, puffs of blue smoke, and a grinding vibration, followed by a silent and swift coast to the shoulder in the middle of Omigoshgolli Nebraska ... yikes!

Sometimes I think I'll just head out and DO IT despite the health issues and radiation side effects. But then sense gets me back on track. (or does it ...?)

Tom
 
Relax and enjoy the adventure... gives you material for your blog.
 
Plot/Plat your trip using every friendly soul on the BCF. You can get free accomodations and probably some knowledgable folks to help you should you need it. You will find we are nice accomodating folk. I have found that thru this forum I've made friends. Tell us the route you would be taking and post it. You could start a new thread "Realizing My Parent's Dream Trip." List the states/routes you would be taken and each of us can sign up to be responsible for a part of it. I for one will be more than happy to accomodate you on the interstate in NM, that section from Clines Corners/Albuquerque/Belen. Our esteemed leader is also being volunteered.

So, what are you waiting for?

My sign up would be Interstate 40 as mention above or Route 66 when you get tired of the interstate. No hotel reservations just our guestroom in a fairly nice log home. Also have the Garagemajal which will shortly be ready for guests. Your choice!
 
Did wheel bearings, u joints and such yet? If you're worried about the starter now, it might be a good idea to change it before you leave. Plan the route yet? Coming down south? No room at the house, but I can get you up on a lift if need be and help patch it up if things aren't working right. Come by and we'll hoist it up just to make sure everything is still under the car. Gotta buddy that deals in MD parts just around the corner from work that we can get you any parts you may need. Can't guarantee he'll have it in stock, but he'll find it and get it coming our way. The company is called Brinson, you may have heard of it before.
 
Wheel bearings, ujoints checked and lubed, etc. Think I'll pull the starter and have it rebuilt. That 1950s starter is a simple bit of engineering.

Here's the "route" planned:

Starting and ending in Connecticut, the target areas on the trip are: Annapolis MD, Clarksville TN, Fort Worth TX, Tucson AZ, San Jose CA, Yakima WA, Edmonton AB, Appleton WI, Metamora IL, Athens OH, Allentown PA, Glens Falls NY. And points in between. Family, friends and former students along the way.

About 50/50 interstate and "two lane blacktop". Route is roughly circular, so if I leave in the Fall, I'll go the northern half first. If I leave in the Spring, I'll go the southern half first.

I should probably start a new topic (Other Cars? Pub?) when I feel I can handle the trip.

Tom
 
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