SL Diesel - Yet Another Coast to Coast Road Trip

[mach4]

Yes it was just February when I last headed out for North Carolina from San Diego, but alas it is already time for another trip - this time to help out my sister with caring for my mom for a bit as my sister recovers from surgery and my mom settles in to a new nursing home.

It's kind of a short notice trip, but I think the car is ready. This time the plan is to take the more northern route - through Phoenix and then I-40. Departure is May 5 - hoping to make it in three days.

Missed getting together with the NC crew last time around due to schedule and commitments, but hope to remedy that this time.

[vstech]

lemme know if you need any parts from my soon to be crushed fleet...

[GregMN]

No ice this time. Just running the tornado alley gauntlet.

Have a pleasant and uneventful drive.

[OM617YOTA]

Drive safe man!

[mach4]

It was good to get back on the open road again. Logged 930 miles across three states.

Took some back roads between Phoenix and I-40. Got a shot of the car with some saguaro cactus.



The saguaro were in bloom which was kind of a nice extra.



Of course when you venture off the beaten path, you never know what you'll discover. This was in Holbrook.



Arizona roads are truly spectacular.





Had a bit of rain along the way but overall the weather was quite pleasant. This is a good time of the year to travel.

The car ran really strong and logged 34 and 30 mpg for the first two legs.

Hopefully Memphis tomorrow.

[t walgamuth]

You have built a marvelous car there. It is just magnificent that you take it on these long trips...and share them with us!

Thank you !

[Maxbumpo]

I missed it - did you sort out the issue with flatted tires / tire stems coming loose?

[mach4]

Originally Posted by Maxbumpo

I missed it - did you sort out the issue with flatted tires / tire stems coming loose?

Not really... I did stop by Discount Tire the day before I headed out and had them check the valve stems to see if anything looked amiss and to balance the fronts as there was a bit of a vibration I didn't want to deal with 14 hours a day. I'm going to either get some different rims or order the actual MB valve stems.

[mach4]

While on the road today I got a text from my sister saying that things had turned and clear signs were there of an imminent passing of my mom - thirty minutes later I got the call that mom had died. It was peaceful and without discomfort. Alas the ravages of Alzheimer's took its toll and while we're sad we're also grateful that this long ordeal is finally over.

It was extremely weird in that while I was talking to my sister on the phone, a hearse passed me - what are the chances...

Had great weather today. It kind of looked like it might rain, but it didn't. Of course it wouldn't as I pretty much guaranteed that by stopping at a WalMart and picking up some RainX!

It was pretty interesting when this truck passed - Better. Where it Counts. That's a sentiment I think we can all get behind. This was on a Cummings Diesel truck.



Passing Amarillo I caught sight of the famous Cadillac Ranch. Obviously didn't take time to go out and see it this time around, though we did go out there on another trip....pretty interesting stuff.




After the predominant sparse vegetation of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, it was nice to see some lush vegetation



Shortly after sunset, I got to thinking about the last road trip where I saw literally a hundred accidents (due to the ice storm) and so far none over two days. Five minutes later I came on a semi over the side with all the incident personnel doing their thing. It was too dark to get any pictures.

I'll publish my mileage numbers for today tomorrow, but it was very interesting when I filled up today. Based on my monitoring the gauge I figured it should take 16 gallons or so but only took 14. The tank was full right up to the neck with no foam. I literally couldn't put any more in. The first marker (coming off the peg) should happen at 70 miles and it was off the peg at less than 30, so accurate mileage will need to be averaged over two tanks. Which raises the issue of how many mileage claims on these forums are due to this kind of anomaly. I know it happens, but usually due to foaming, but this time was the most blatant I've seen.

Boy I hate Memphis - well, not really, but their traffic and construction and freeway design is terrible. I felt relieved to arrive safely and definitely glad it was just dark and not raining too.

It feels kind of lonely out there on the road - I've yet to see another 107, or a 123, 126 or even a 124. I guess people just don't take them out on the open road much any more.

I've come this far, so I'll be continuing on to North Carolina tomorrow and beyond that everything is up in the air.

[renaissanceman]

I drive mine on long trips, and when I see others, I beep the horn...and get funny looks. Few people are enthusiasts like us.

[charmalu]

Paul, sorry to hear the loss on your Mom. She is in a better place now.

Tomorrow in the national day of Prayer, maybe everyone reading this will say a Prayer for her. They are having in Carson City at the capitol.

Sure Diesel foams up, but when Iam filling, I let it go down then slowly squeeze the trigger and let her fill, back off, and go again. Also rock the car to burp the tank. Amazing to see it glug glug and drop several times till I fill her to the brim.

Your right, this is a good time of the year to travel before the terrorists errr,,, I mean the tourists crowd the hwys

Take care and drive safely.

Charlie

[t walgamuth]

Sorry about your mom's passing.

Thanks for the pictures and story. I always let the fuel just shut itself off and really don't see a lot of variation in my benzes. An sl might have a lower fill point like a wagon..? If so I could see that making a difference in how easily the fuel shuts itself off.

[KarTek]

Very sorry to hear about your mom. Still would like to get together if time allows. There's a diesel related gathering in the Columbia area this Saturday.

[yuke]

Sorry to hear about your mom so sad right before mothers day my mother is also on her last leg at soon to be 92 and could be getting that call any time now. I make frequent 700 mile trips to see her have done up to 1200 miles per day in my 126. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your trip.

[Stretch]

Like-wise I'm also sorry to hear about your mum.