SL Diesel - Another Coast to Coast Road Trip
 

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1425011887

Heading out from San Diego to North Carolina in the SL Diesel. Unfortunately this time it's not pleasure and vacation - rather, my 90 year old mom fell and broke her hip - she's being released from the hospital following surgery and is headed to rehab. I'll be going to help out my sister with whatever needs to be done.

I'll be taking the southern route to avoid any wintry weather and so far things are looking pretty good. I'm going to try to make it in three legs, but maybe that's overly optimistic. I'll get as far as I'm comfortable each day, then jump on Expedia to grab a room.

Hoping to get some nice images to post and maybe some dash cam video as well along the way.

Really like open road cruising in this thing. Other road trips to date have been San Diego to Arkansas, San Diego to North Carolina and San Diego to British Columbia.

I'm jealous. How did you get a Sl diesel. I want one.

Here's the directions on how to make your own - http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/308791-380sl-diesel-conversion-project.html

Read all about it:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/308791-380sl-diesel-conversion-project.html

:lol:

The "Southern route," ensures nothing regards missing ANY wintry weather. :laughing:

We've been in and out of wintry weather for days here in Texas, and there's several more on the way!!!

Snow tomorrow, as has been the last three days, mostly under 32F, and more ice Saturday!!!

If you are driving through Jacksonville, FL I can offer a meal and a place to crash for a night. I am 5 minutes from the intersection of I-10 and I-95. I would LOVE to see the diesel SL and get a chance to meet the maker.

Sorry to hear about your Mom, hope she recovers ok. At that age things are iffy with recovering.

My mom is 93, and we have our fingers crossed every day.
Last year she flopped on her Butt, caught her leg on the lid of an open Card board Box.
Didn`t break anything, but did cut her leg. Took 9 months to heal, because she wouldn`t listen
to the doctors or take their advice.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip back, hope you miss the bad weather, especially the salty roads.

Charlie

Good luck on your trip, and I hope your mother gets better fast.

Next time you pass near Salem, I owe you and your wife a cup of coffee.

Sorry to hear about your mom. Depending on where you end up in NC, it might be possible for me to swing by for a meet and greet. I'd love to chat and check out your car.

Day 1 - San Diego to El Paso
 

Today's drive was very enjoyable. A good part of the trip across Arizona was windows down warm. I was planning on pushing on to Midland/Odessa for the night but the am temps were lower than what I was comfortable with. I've never attempted to start this diesel at lower than 40 so wanted to be a bit cautious. It's supposed to get down to 34 here tonite so that should be a good test. I'm a little past due on a valve adjust so that might be an issue.

Mileage was down a bit due to heavy winds with a significant component on the nose.

The one bit of excitement was a bad accident. The traffic was backed up for miles and caused quite a long delay. Couldn't tell if anyone was hurt though.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1425094858

Sometimes when it's time for a pit stop, you get opportunistic....and not so choosy.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1425094858

Sometimes you've just got to scratch your head... like what government bureaucrat thought it would be necessary to let a driver know that there was low visibility - they've got to be looking out the window to see the flashing lights, they should be able to see the fog, blowing dust or whatever else is creating the low visibility.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1425094858

KarTek: I'll be staying in Kernersville and would love to try to get together while there if it works out. I'll PM you when I'm there and know what's going on.

OM617YOTA: I'll take you up on that offer. Planning on going back to Vancouver and then Banff and Jasper, etc.

neumann: Won't be making it to Florida this trip...sorry, but thanks for the offer!

There's some wintry weather in the forecast along tomorrows track (in red), but I think it's tolerable. Guess we'll see.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1425095908

horrible ice and crap here in DFW now. watch out!

OK, great. Kernersville isn't too far away from me here, maybe an hour and fifteen.

Don't worry about the starting, 34 degrees is nothing. If my old banger clunker starts effortlessly at 15 degrees, yours will have no trouble at all at 34.

I love these SL diesel photo road trips!
Not necessarily the reason for this one, hope for a good recovery for your mom!

Sorry to read about your mom, mach4. Oma is 95, is basically my mother, and it is hard to see her getting advanced in age, especially when caused by herself.

Are you coming back through Arizona? I am still upset about missing you the last time. Every time I came to Sandy Eggo so swamped never seem to make it out to see you.

Something is going on today. Been gusty yesterday and now clouds moved in and VERY cold! So good you came through when you did!

Stay safe! :D