2001 7.3 4" Ujoint to Overland America's Adventure Vehicle

[boywonder]

...and if you are into mountain biking, I'm pretty sure that Brian can get you dialed in there as well....

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by JohnandMandi

We start our trip in 9 days, scrambling to get some last minute things done. It's been a long time planning and saving, almost unbelievable that we're finally setting off.

-John

Don't forget to call and set up animal care at the kennel, have your mail held, schedule lawn maintenance while you're gone, make sure someone checks on the house occasionally, feeds the fish, etc. Don't forget to turn down the water heater, set the alarm, pay your neighborhood association dues forward, take out the trash, and wash the last dishes in the sink. Make sure you don't leave clothes in the washer! Make sure you set the light timers to confuse the awaiting thieves. Make sure someone checks the air conditioner filters, lets the pest control guys in, waters the landscaping and picks up the prescriptions at the pharmacy. You did do all this stuff, right?

[JWA]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

Don't forget to call and set up animal care at the kennel, have your mail held, schedule lawn maintenance while you're gone, make sure someone checks on the house occasionally, feeds the fish, etc. Don't forget to turn down the water heater, set the alarm, pay your neighborhood association dues forward, take out the trash, and wash the last dishes in the sink. Make sure you don't leave clothes in the washer! Make sure you set the light timers to confuse the awaiting thieves. Make sure someone checks the air conditioner filters, lets the pest control guys in, waters the landscaping and picks up the prescriptions at the pharmacy. You did do all this stuff, right?

Wouldn't it just be easier to stay home?

[JohnandMandi]

Originally Posted by BrianBlair

I've been following your build for awhile now.....the finished product is pretty dang cool! I'll be looking forward to photos from your trip.

If you find yourself in the general LA/Orange County area and are looking for a place to stay.....let me know. I have a pretty good sized yard/driveway at the edge of Cleveland National Forest.

Thanks BrianBlair! We might be skipping LA but who really knows at this point. If we are in the area we will definitely hit you up.

[JohnandMandi]

Originally Posted by JWA

Wouldn't it just be easier to stay home?

Bwahahahaaahaaa, that's awesome guys. On the flip side, the advice we receive would have us:

Bringing several guns, maybe a few grenades, chains around the entire the van, welding plates over all of the windows, installing a tv and always staying inside the van making sure we and our sh!t are safe. All of this AFTER we die from dehydration because we just can't ever drink the water.

Reality is, we could become victims of crime... in and/or outside the US. More than likely a shakedown resulting in a bride, some small items stolen when left out or an auto accident. Montezuma will have his revenge, more than once we suppose, but NOT stepping out the door and turning the key is our biggest fear.

[boywonder]

Originally Posted by JohnandMandi

........a shakedown resulting in a bride........

......now that would be interesting.......

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by boywonder

......now that would be interesting.......

Hey, it happens........

[JohnandMandi]

Just wanted to drop in and provide a little update:

Today is day 74 and we're in Whitehorse YK. We're a bit behind on the blog due to lack of connectivity. I'm not sure how Claude keeps up with the forum so well as we've had long periods of no service so this is the first time we've checked the posts. If anyone is inclined to contact us please PM or use the contact form on our website, going through all of the threads is not going to happen.

We're still adjusting to life on the road and are having a great time. While many of the places we have been have been breath taking, other travelers more so. Our one casualty so far appears to be our front passenger shock (Bilstein 5100) that is proving to be a difficult part to locate. We are planning to run up to Inuvik so it might be a bumpy ride. Hopefully we can hook up with a shop in Fairbanks to get it replaced. MPG average has been around 15 but the slower maximum speeds here (62 MPH) have us consistently over 16. Staying around 55 would probably give us a bit more, maybe I'll try it sometime.

We'll check in when we can... safe travels!

-John & Mandi

[JohnandMandi]

Some photos from our trip so far.

Petrified Forest N.P.


Arizona


Jumbo Rocks CG - Joshua Tree N.P.


Horseshoe Bend


The Narrows - Zion N.P.


Marble Canyon Overlook (free camping)


North Rim - Grand Canyon N.P.


Taggart Lake - Grand Teton N.P.


Yellowstone N.P.


Angel Falls - Yellowstone N.P.


Grinnell Lake - Glacier N.P.


Lake Agnes - Banff N.P.


Bow Lake - Banff N.P.


Dempster Highway

[JohnandMandi]

If you want pictures more frequently please subscribe to our Instagram feed --> https://instagram.com/johnandmandi We rarely double post them so the ones on Instagram are usually different from what's on our blog (inserted below).

Turnagain Arm - Road to Kenai Peninsula


Seward Alaska


Marina - Seward Alaska


Ogive Glacier - Seward Alaska


Humpback Tail Slap - Seward Alaska


Orcas - Seward Alaska


Spring Creek - Seward Alaska


Russian Creek - Cooper Landing Alaska


Elk - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Turnagain Arm)


Snow - Denali National Park


Grizzly in Snow - Denali National Park


Moose - Denali National Park


Tangle Lake - Denali Highway near Paxson


Drum Mountain - Along the Richardson Highway


On the way into Valdez (Richardson Highway)


Off Highway near Valdez


Kennecott Alaska


A new blog post will be up soon.