Covid19 Spare time

Grumpy Bear · August 18, 2021

10 hours ago, j-ten-ner said:

Since the fourth wave is gaining momentum here in BC, I decided to get myself a new project

1965 Kaiser Jeep. It's a solid base to work on. It's not a J10, but who gives lol

So long

j-ten-ner

Where have you been hiding? Thought you left the list. Good to see you have a project and a voice.

YYC-SIERRA · August 18, 2021

I'm furloughed as an airline pilot, so we sold our house, put the truck in a storage unit for a year, and we took off travelling abroad with 2 kids.

We rented a car from Hertz Germany thru a special lease program, 469 EUR a month with no contract, planning to keep it for 3 months on an Eastern European road trip. First stop was Poland in June for 3 weeks. Slovakia in July for a week, continuing into Hungary for 2 weeks (went to the Hungarian F1 race), now in Croatia for 2 weeks.

So far there have been no entry restrictions based on our fully vaccinated status, no COVID tests required, and no quarantine. I did do 1 PCR test as a requirement to go to the F1 race, but for travel into Hungary it wasn't required through the land border (schengen border = no stops or checks, drive right in)

Hopefully we can keep going till summer of 2022 when the kids would start formal school again. Hope to travel through the middle east, south-east asia, south america, just to name a few.

If you care to follow, we're @ inclined2travel on instagram. Happy to answer any questions about traveling to/from any of the countries we're going through. For the most part, tourism is alive and well here, and it's been a busy summer so far.

Alex

Edited August 18, 2021 by YYC-SIERRA

YYC-SIERRA · August 18, 2021

Today we were wandering around an old town on the island of Krk in Croatia, and I stumbled upon this beauty of a Defender 110.

I hung around the area for 30 minutes hoping the owner would appear, only to have my hopes and dreams shattered when he confirmed it wasn't for sale.

Bash74 · August 19, 2021

Croatia is a great place to visit. If you are into water activities there are some great spots to scuba dive off the small islands.

Donstar · August 21, 2021

On 8/18/2021 at 1:18 PM, YYC-SIERRA said:

Today we were wandering around an old town on the island of Krk in Croatia, and I stumbled upon this beauty of a Defender 110.

That would be a beautiful all purpose daily driver, as is, or restored! A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across my dream vehicle within a mile of where I live! It was an older (1996) F150 6cyl 5 spd manual 4X4 with 50k. miles. It was a well optioned XLT, one owner, in showroom condition. The owner was eager to sell. My obstacle was I'd have to give up my current truck as we don't have the space to allow me two daily drivers in the driveway! Now if it was a '76 in this condition....

KARNUT · August 22, 2021

Now heading home from my trip. Amazing how things have changed since my last in May. Let alone a year ago. Help wanted signs everywhere. The only places you can depend on restrooms are truck stops and rest areas. Everything is higher not just gas. Thinking about just staying home in December instead of visiting my father in law like usual. It’s kinda of depressing. I’m glad my area is kinda of normal. The underlying fear is amazing. The social distancing is amazing especially in the east. It’s like watching the walking dead. Watch out a spreader!

Grumpy Bear · August 22, 2021

On 8/21/2021 at 9:45 AM, Donstar said:

That would be a beautiful all purpose daily driver, as is, or restored! A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across my dream vehicle within a mile of where I live! It was an older (1996) F150 6cyl 5 spd manual 4X4 with 50k. miles. It was a well optioned XLT, one owner, in showroom condition. The owner was eager to sell. My obstacle was I'd have to give up my current truck as we don't have the space to allow me two daily drivers in the driveway! Now if it was a '76 in this condition....

As a youngster lots still sold a large number of cars/trucks from the 40's. Never considered I'd ever hear OLDER and 1996 said in the same sentence.

Donstar · August 22, 2021

Another close friend was given the bad news on Friday that we all dread. The prognosis indicates we can expect to be providing accommodation to others shortly. On a purely selfish and superficial note, this has halted our flooring replacement project. I let the supplier know so they can sell the product I have on hold. During my recent conversations with the flooring company, the salesperson introduced me to an almost identical product that would save us almost $2k on the cost of material. This would allow more to go to labor which would save my back and considerably speed up the install. Of course the difference in the price of the product is attributable to place of manufacture. I prefer to buy north American but the price difference is hard to accept. Oh well, it looks like I will have more spare time to come to terms with such decisions!

Donstar · August 22, 2021

1 hour ago, Grumpy Bear said:

As a youngster lots still sold a large number of cars/trucks from the 40's. Never considered I'd ever hear OLDER and 1996 said in the same sentence.

Yes, and what I find hard to believe is it's "Vintage" and eligible for collector plates. Something like me....it is hard to believe the difference in my mirror since 1996!

Donstar · August 23, 2021

I did my Sunday truck shopping yesterday. They have a well optioned '19 SLT c/w matching topper and just under 3,500 miles. The overall condition reflects the low mileage. The sticker price, however, looks as high if not higher than what I believe would have been the original price. I suspect there is more room to negotiate than on a new vehicle but I'm not interested when they are starting so high! I walked around other lots in the area as Mrs. wants a SUV suitable for us both. (I'll give up a pickup when I give up on driving ;-)) I am quite amazed at the proliferation of EV's when you look beyond the GM lot. I believe we're witnessing the phasing out of the traditional gas powered vehicles. Many of us remember when vehicles on the lot with manual transmissions outnumbered those with automatics. In the next year or two we know we'll be seeing electric powered Silverado's and F150's on the road. I mentioned before that there is a great opportunity for conversion kits to transform existing vehicles to electric. My father had an automatic transmission installed in his 1977 4spd standard F150 and he says it was like having a new truck!

Edited August 23, 2021 by Donstar

Grumpy Bear · August 23, 2021

We have the same Sunday ritual. I dislike lot hawks.

I expect the earth wide limited battery raw material situation, that thing no one is paying much attention to, will put a damper on this EV thing. But not until Commerce has milked and bilked the cows that drive them dry. Then what?????

The easiest way for Commerce to milk a cow is to get the Government to provide a subsidy. As government doesn't have any money. They provide the appropriate tax then give it to commerce... An OEM's version of a milking machine. They will squeeze every teat on that heifer.

Wait, I have it.

Wind Sail Cars??

Now how can we tax the wind?

I got it!

A bean tax!!

Donstar · August 24, 2021

I would do quite a bit more research before I became worried about a potential battery shortage. The EV I purchase will come with batteries and hopefully a several year guarantee on the life expectancy. I currently have a greater concern that gasoline is going to be priced out of my limited income! The growth of the EV market also creates concern about the future resale value of any new gasoline powered purchase. I am not wishing to spark a debate and realize that recent events in my life have me focusing on living in the present. History has demonstrated that we shouldn't be surprised if alternatives to gasoline or battery materials will surface in the next few years. I am guilty of spending too much time overthinking my purchases because I have the time and "Every dollar matters". (Dave Ramsey) My struggle to choose between Brooks and New Balance yesterday resulted in me bringing both home. I think the same strategy wouldn't work on deciding how my next truck will be powered!

Grumpy Bear · August 24, 2021

7 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I would do quite a bit more research before I became worried about a potential battery shortage.

Not shortage of batteries. Limited supply of world Lithium deposits. It's already been studied. And what there is of it is not in easy to access places. Type in World Lithium Reserves. I actually think before I speak. Okay...most of the time.... Take special note of those studies by the US Government. It's hilarious. :crackup: Even with recycling a few decades......

diyer2 · August 24, 2021

OK I'll give my 2 cents on EV................. B.S.

These vehicles are for short trips like going to work, the store etc. IMO. They have a limited use due to mileage before recharge and a limited market.

They are not as earth friendly, green if you will as many think.

Do they fill a niche, yes.

I will pass on the Kool-Aid.

KARNUT · August 24, 2021

The next green scream. The discarded batteries are going to cause global something. Funny thing the green or nature people fail to realize petroleum is natural. We’re close on burning it to zero emissions or close to it.