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| First off, my apologies for this taking so long! Its been hectic since we returned and its taken a while to get on top of some things and get thoughts in perspective.
Next, a HUGE thank you to EVERYONE who made this possible. A lot of people stepped forward and allowed us to make this trip for Eric happen. While we did not reach our goal for fundraising for the NBTF, we did raise a lot of awareness. We've heard from our friend at the NBTF, Jennifer Neale, that we generated a lot of attention. We're very proud of being able to help out and we're continuing to spread the word.
Thank you to the companies that pitched in:
Express SignCraft in San Jose did an AMAZING job on the vinyl signs that graced the RV. They looked great, they survived the wear and tear wonderfully and they had people all along the route honking, waving and writing down the web addresses and other info. Without their expert work, we would not have had the kind of rolling billboard we envisioned.
Lambert and Sons Flooring in Campbell generously donated the flooring material we needed to repair a crucial part of the RV.
Railroad Training Services in Stockton helped with logitstics, work on the RV and getting us a motorized scooter that proved far easier to deal with than Eric's powered wheelchair. And Tom Carter of RTS was instrumental in the planning and execution of the entire trip.
Midas Muffler on Camden Avenue in San Jose. Albert and his team did a great job.
Bay Cities Diesel in Milpitas.
America's Tire Company in Santa Clara.
Also, want to thank all the folks who helped before and along the way, either with donations, places to stay, assistance at the places we visited or just encouragement. In particular, Jay Wimmer and the staff at the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, the staff at the Royal Gorge Route and especially Reed and the Union Pacific Railroad Steam Crew. The list on the website is being updated to cover everyone.
This was really a huge experience. This trip started as one thing and ended up gaining so many aspects to it we never planned but that enhanced the experience and its purpose. It was also very hard, in many ways. In the end, Wendy and I (especially Wendy. without her financial support, this would NOT have happened at all! she deserves a lot of thanks and appreciation for this!) spent about $9000 above the donations to make this trip possible. We're still figuring out how to pay off all the credits card bills that are now coming due.
I'll have more thoughts on this soon, plus the website will have photos and links to some of the news stories from papers along the way.
And, I have begun work on the DVDs. Those should be ready in 1 or 2 months.
We're still accepting donations for both the trip and the NBTF. And we're still doing events to promote the NBTF. Eric will be reading to children at the Santa Clara Mission Branch library on Thursday and we have some more media interviews soon.
Looks like this whole thing is going in to overtime! | |
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| The trip has been completed. The crew arrived back in San Jose around 7pm on the 4th - Mood:content
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| Just got a call from Heywood, they are about 20 miles north of Redding, they got hung up in Dunsmuir after having breakfast with Sluggo, seems the Left Exhaust pipe broke off of the Exhaust manifold. Eugene wanted me to put out a BIG thank you to Dunsmuir Pap Phil "Sluggo" Schmeier for his assistance in getting it hillbilly rigged to get them home after they discovered there were no places in Dunsmuir or Redding that could fix them today. Eric says the RV now sounds like a Harley on Meth.
Anyways, the crew is now on their final leg and are making straight for San Jose. Thanks to all who helped us make this trip happen for Eric. Eugene will post a final report in a few days
David | |
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| Well they've completed the trek through Oregon, Outstanding was the word of the day on the views. They were hoping to cath the Port of Tillamook Bay but the train which was due in at noon had not arrived by 230pm, so they pushed on down the coast. Only mechanical glitch was having to replace the flasher fuse. They should be returning to San Jose tomorrow (Friday) | |
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| Hey, everybody! Hello from Hayden Island in Portland, Oregon! We spent quite a bit of time in Pendleton, OR this morning. The Wild Horse RV Park was all right. Wendy and I went swimming last night and this morning we ate at the Casino's resturant. The RV park gave each of us a $2 off coupon for staying with them, so we had a great breakfast for cheap. Nice place. We toured the Pendleton Woolen Mills facility in town. Wendy and Eric are fans of Pendleton's products. I, being the fashion luddite I am, had never even heard of them. I got an education, though. We toured the mill and saw the spinning machines and looms. Quite an operation. It was really fascinating. The drive along the Columbia River was beautiful. I have driven this route several times now, but for Wendy and Eric, it was a first. The train watching was great, with railroads on both sides of the river and lots of activity. Wendy is getting pretty good at "drive by shooting": hanging a camera out the window and catching something on the fly. The Columbia Drive gave her lots of opportunities. We hit Portland about 4:30 PM and immediately I goofed and thought I knew where a gas station would be in downtown. WRONG! About 20 minutes later and running on fumes, we found one in a suburb south of Portland! We even took freeway exits labeled "GAS" with no luck! Rush hour traffic is nuts here and we saw at least 3 near collisions to add to the collision we saw right next to us in Salt Lake City. Driving this big beast make me nervous enough without seeing cars skimming 1 inch from each other. So, we just had a nice dinner of burritos made on the grill outside. The weather is very nice, there are no bugs, and the RV park is clean and well laid out. Kind of weird, though. We have a shopping mall all around us instead of trees or open plains. We are right between Vancouver, WA and Portland. There is a huge railroad bridge to our west and the trains have been non-stop, although we cannot see them. We have some more pictures, but we're settling in for the night and it will take a while to download and process them. So, I'm only going to post a few right now. I'll try and post more tomorrow night when we are in Tillamook, if we have internet. http://pics.livejournal.com/ericsadventure/gallery/00001g6p?page=2- Mood:content
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| Crew made it into Pendleton OR last night, Supposed to have internet access, but Eugene's computer would not talk to the wi-fi in the campground. On Saturday They got a tour of MPI in Boise, the tour was led by MPI's Mark Warner, Eugene says the re carpet was rolled out and they pulled out all th stops for the crew including a marketing brief in Eric's name.
Eugene states that they saw the frame for the first MP36 that is going to GO Transit and Utah's new commuter rail, also in the paint booth was ACE's new locomotive but they were not able ot eyeball that unit.
The rode the Sumpter Valley yesterday. Good operation is what I was told. They drove around Nampa and Caldwell trying to find the Idaho Northern & Pacific without luck. The mainline trains they saw were parked and there was beehive of activity around one train in particular, but there was no place they could get off the freeway and investigate further.
They had an interesting sight pass them on the freeway. 4 brand spanking new vans, all with, no windows in the rear, no license plates, tinted black side windows and windshield....all 4 passed them at a high rate of speed and then formed up in 2's after they passed by. They (Eugene, Wendy and Eric) thought Scully and MUlder were nearby as well.
Anyways, they should be in Portland tonight and have Internet access. | |
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| Just got off the phone with Eugene. the crew made it to Heyburn ID, no internet access. today they spent quality time with Eric's Aunt and Uncle in Salt Lake City. Then they went to Ogden, visited the Utah State RR Museum. Train activity once again eluded them as Eugene reported only a couple of trains between Provo and Heyburn. Tomorrow (Saturday) will find them in Boise ID where the nice folks at MPI will be giving them a tour of the facility there. - Location:Carson City
- Mood:That I am not still with them
 - Music:None
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| We rolled in to Provo about 5 PM today. Dinosaur National Monument was beautiful. We had multitudes of rabbits and ground squirrels, one squirrel was bold enough that he kept jumping into the RV and roaming the center aisle! At night, we had bats zooming overhead and a storm blowing over the hillsides. It was amazing.
Of course, the flipside was that the big quarry visitor center, which covers the bone bed at the monument, was closed due to structural defects pretty much as we left San Jose. Huge disappointment as we've looked forward to seeing it for nearly 20 years. For dinosaur fans, the Monument Bone Bed is like the Lourve for art lovers. Ah, well...
We also struck trying to photograph trains over Soldier Summit. In 1990, Eric and I managed to chase several trains over this beautiful landscape. Today, nothing.
We were interviewed by the local Provo newspaper this evening. Tomorrow we'll be exploring Salt Lake City and visit with Eric's Aunt and Uncle. | |
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Just got off the phone with Eugene. They are safe an sound at Dinosaur Natl Monument in Utah. Huge windstorm in progress, I could hear it howling over the phone. The park they are in is nice, but no Internet access. So I am posting the update tonight. They struck out on this leg of the trip. No moving trains on the Craig branch and no trains on the Deseret Western (high winds might be the cause of that as well). And to add further insult to injury, The building covering the bone bed at Dinosaur Natl Monument is also closed due to structural problems. So for today, nothing went as planned. Eugene did say they were interviewed by a reporter at a waterfall in or near Steamboat Springs. Tomorrow should see more train activity as the primary target is Helper Utah.
More tomorrow
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| Got hold of a place that deals with automobile glass (rather than just ordering it among their other parts like the other places I spoke to). Over the phone, we started evaluating the condition of the glass.
Turns out that only the outer pane of the laminate windshield is broken. The inner plane and the plastic layer are intact. No cracks have come through except for some inner breakage at the impact site. So, their techs are pretty confident that we're fine and can make it home with no worries about the windshield. They did confirm its too big to be patched. The outer pane will just keep cracking, but the laminate layer will keep it all together.
On the other hand, Wendy went to use the onboard toilet today, for the first time in many days, and she was looking at roadway! Somewhere, somehow, without making a noticable noise or bump, our black water tank broke away from the RV and dropped to the road. We're not sure where, but we know it was in place in Alamosa, the last time it was used and the last time we were hooked up to water. I spent a sickening morning frantically looking through traffic reports, worried that it had caused an accident somewhere. We also retraced our paths through Denver, looking for the tank. I now think it fell out on a remote state highway outside Alamosa, hopefully not causing much trouble.
So, no more onboard tank. No RV place we've called here or in Salt Lake can get them. A place in San Jose said they could but it would take a couple weeks. This is yet another item that someone had offered to help us with but then they did not come through, just like the carb. Other than the windshield, the only problems we've had have been these kinds of items. The things that did get fixed have stayed that way and been working well.
So, we're back on the road tomorrow morning. However, due to the delays and a desire to get back on schedule, we're going to alter our route and skip our Wyoming leg. This will also give Eric a little more time with his sister and nieces and give the RV an easier day tomorrow.
Onward! - Mood:crazy
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| Well, we're tied up in Denver for a few days. We rode the Royal Gorge Railroad on Friday. Great ride in some awesome scenery. We did an interview with the Canon City Daily Record ( http://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/Top-Story.asp?ID=4258) and made it in to Denver that night. One big surprise was a call from the Royal Gorge Railroad on Saturday. They had read the article and decided to refund our tickets as a donation toward the trip! Thank you to the staff at the Royal Gorge Route! A real class act. Saturday morning we were joined by our friend Autumn, Eric's sister Daydra, her daughters Leia and Chloe, her friend Jermaine and his daughter S'mone at the Denver Angel Adventure Walk for the National Brain Tumor Foundation. We met a lot of other survivors, friends and families and had a nice walk around the lake in Denver City Park. The event ended with a group photo of all the brain tumor survivors present. After that, we visited the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, spending a lot of time in the dinosaur exhibit. Unfortunately, the afternoon was spent trying to find a replacement for the windshield. Most places will not be open until Monday, forcing us to extend our stay in Denver one more day. The cracks in the windshield are getting worse and now it is in the driver's line of sight. Two cracks are merging right ahead of the driver and we're very concerned about the windshield giving way . The worst part is that the few prices we have gotten to replace the windshield are around $900!!! We're going to check a few places Monday and hopefully find some lower prices. Today, we went to Union Station to see the Union Pacific 844 steam locomotive and excursion train. This turned out to be the highlight of the trip for Eric. Thank yous are not enough for Reed Jackson and the UP steam crew. Mr. Jackson kindly allowed Eric some time in the engineer's seat of the steam locomotive while it was on display at the station. This is a very large steam locomotive, requiring Eric to climb a vertical ladder approximately 6-7 ft tall. Mr. Jackson assisted me in getting Eric in and out of the cab, with some help from Daydra's friend Jermaine on the way down. The climb really wiped Eric out, but he was beyond thrilled. The UP 844 has long been his favorite steam locomotive and he has always wanted to see it. To actually be sitting in the engineer's seat was a long-time dream. To the UP steam crew, including Ed Dickens and especially Reed Jackson, you made the trip fore Eric. We can't say enough about the kindness and professionalism of the Union Pacific's steam crew. More updates soon. We'll now be extending the trip to 23 days with our extra day in Denver to fix the windshield. Not sure how we're going to pay for it, but we'll find a way. Latest photos: http://pics.livejournal.com/ericsadventure/gallery/00002234 | |
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| Well, we just rolled in to Denver, narrowly avoiding a few wild Colorado drivers who randomly cut lanes, drift into bigger cars, blow red lights and pass on blind curves!!!
Eric is lying down nearby. The last three days have wiped him out. Between the physical effort and the altitude, he's going to need the two days off. He did muster just enough energy to talk to the folks at the Canon City Daily Record today after we rode the Royal Gorge Train. They are doing a story on us tomorrow.
The RV's carb is acting funny again, likely due to altitude. You're right, Merrill, carbs and altitude don't mix! We went from about 4000 feet in the desert to 10,000 ft at Cumbres Pass. I tuned it around 7000 ft, now we're at 5000 and its acting up again.
We unfortunately had a minor incident. While parking near our friend Autumn's house, I was too tired to react to the yell of "STOP!" and cracked some of the rear plastic trim on a light post. Nothing structural, just some plastic trim and a stupid feeling.
The crack in the windshield is growing. It crosses about 1/3 of the windshield now. We're going to need to call some windshield places tomorrow after the Angel Walk. Not looking forward to the expense of this, but the way its growing, we may end up with a chunk of the windshield breaking out before too long. Two cracks already go to the edges and the long one grew about 6 inches just today.
David is, unfortunately, going to need to leave us here in Denver. Some family emergencies have arisen that demand his attention, so we're dropping him off at the Amtrak station in the morning. We're just going to have the 3 of us for the rest of the trip, but Eric has handled everything well from a medical standpoint, so we're feeling somewhat confident at letting our paramedic go.
Until later.... | |
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| Well, after 3 days without internet, we can finally update again! We left Gallup and headed for Four Corners and Mesa Verde. We reached Four Corners with no problem (and Eric enjoyed doing donuts around the Four Corners plaque in the Zappy scooter, which Wendy and I filmed), but near Cortez, CO, the altitude started playing havok with the engine. We kept adjusting it, getting things tuned, but we decided to forgo the long climb to Mesa Verde just in case I didn't have things set right. (Very disappointing for all, however, the engine has behaved well since.) However, while heading through Cortez and stressing about the engine, a rock that looked about the size of a golf ball flew up out of the oncoming lanes and cracked our driver's side windshield. We now have a nice big crack in the windshield with two legs going all the way to the edge. We're going to check on replacement, but it will likely be very expensive. We're hoping it holds. The ride on the Durango and Silverton Railroad was fantastic. Eric and the gang were thrilled by the dramatic scenery and the first class rail operation. In Silverton, we enjoyed a great texas BBQ lunch before wandering the town. When we got back to Durango, we got a look at their roundhouse museum, a first for me. The Cumbres and Toltec Railroad was another great experience. Special Thanks to Jay Wimer, General manager Tim Tennant and the train crew. They not only gave us a great ride, but Mr. Wimer graciously gave us all souvenier Cumbres and Toltec hats and Eric a shirt for the Dead Goat Saloon internet board. We rode to Osier and enjoyed a fantastic lunch cooked by the C&TS crew. The railroad operation, with two steam locomotives pulling us up Cumbres Pass, fascinated Eric and David. Upon return to Chama, New Mexico, a special treat awaited: the crew took Eric in to the cab of the locomotive and gave him a cab ride in the fireman's seat while they rode through the yard and turned the locomotive on the wye. We're now in Alamosa, Colorado, with thunderstorms all around and rain threatening. Dinner is over (except for me, eating slow while updating everything and uploading photos) and we're settling in for the night. Tomorrow will be the Royal Gorge and on to Denver! Thanks to everyone who has been posting and showing their support. We really feel good knowing everyone is following the adventure. Hopefully, more details in the next two days. More photos here: http://pics.livejournal.com/ericsadventure/gallery/00001g6p- Mood:tired
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| We made it in to Gallup, New Mexico with no real problem yesterday. We wanted to make a few more stops, but the desire to make up time and get back on schedule kept those to a minimum.
We did visit Meteor Crater, which everyone found quite impressive. The only drawback was Eric's frustration with the limited ADA access at the crater overlook areas.
We also stopped in Holbrook, Arizona to photograph a little shortline railroad that Eric and I visited on the trip in 1990. Unfortunately, they spent most of the time switching their train and NOT running by the nice photo location we had staked out! We finally gave up and headed to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. An intense wind and rain storm hit us east of Holbrook and finally let up when we hit the national monument. We did not head to the south end, where the fallen trees are, but did enjoy a drive around the north end of the park and spectacular views of the Painted Desert area from the overlooks.
The mosquitos here in Gallup has been eating me alive, but seem to be leaving everyone else alone for the most part.
It has been interesting to remember the 1990 trip and compare things to now. One huge difference is the cel phone. In 1990, Eric and I would sometimes have to hunt for a pay phone and make collect calls to check on things or beg for gas money from my folks. Now, we are getting multiple cel phone calls daily, even in some truly remote areas. I was amused that the classic "Indian Trading" post billboards now advertise pre-paid phone cards as prominently as they do Kachina dolls and petrified wood. - Mood:cheerful
- Music:Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash
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| We FINALLY got internet service tonight!
We got in to Williams, AZ about 10:30 PM last night and rolled in to the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park. Great Place! The staff is wonderful here. Even though we were very much after hours, they helped us out and got us set-up.
Rode the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim today. The ride up was in a dome passenger car behind one of their steam locomotives. We spent about 4 hours at the South Rim, wandering around near the El Tovar and taking a 90 minute motorcoach ride to various overlooks. The motorcoach was not equipped for accessible operation, so Eric had a difficult time whenever we stopped. Still, it was an awe inspiring sight to be at the Grand Canyon again. Everyone enjoyed it and could not get enough. The trip back was in a luxury observation car, enjoying snacks and the high desert scenery. Thank you to the Grand Canyon Railway, a true class act.
We finished the day by watching a short but intense tunderstorm that rolled over Williams. We sat in the RV Park's covered outdoor pavilion and enjoyed the light and sound show.
The RV ran well from Kingman to Williams. Some minor issues, but we seem to be resolving them. We're crossing our fingers that the run to Gallup tomorrow goes well.
I uploaded some photos to the ScrapBook. Just click the link http://pics.livejournal.com/ericsadventure/gallery/00001g6p to see them.
Thank you to everyone who is posting and donation based on the Mercury News Article! We've received about $150 toward the trip and about $200 to the National Brain Tumor Foundation. - Mood:tired
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| Got a call a while ago from Eugene, the gang sounds like they are finally relaxing, and were just getting ready to board their train to the Grand Canyon. The train crew was in the process of loading Eric and his sled (He's got a Zappy "Hot Rod" of an electric scooter) aboard the train.
The gang planned to have internet access last night, but are having trouble getting the computer to go online. They can ping the signal, but can't open pages. Hopeully tonight they can get it figured out.
Well, I'm off like a dirty shirt.
(Lompoc, I know, YUK!), be back in a few days.
Talk at ya later,
Tom - Mood:blah
 - Music:Closing Credits from Frank McKlusky C.I. on TV
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| Got a call from Eugene earlier this afternoon. Sorry for the delay in posting, was out shopping and paying bills.
The carb was replaced earlier this afternoon and the gang was off and running after a successful hilly test drive with the new carb.
Next stop: The Grand Canyon via an Ex-California Zephyr Grand Canyon Railway Vista Dome Car.
Definitely a high point in the trip! - Mood:(but ready for a nap)
- Music:"Don't come around here no more" by Tom Petty
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| .....And..... They're off to the races!
Tom here, posting updates from the little cell I call my office. Company trips came up at the last minute preventing me from going with, but that's good news for you guys, as it allows me to recieve updates via cell phone and post them here. I refer to the races as I watched "Cannonball Run Part II" last night, and this trip reminded me of it throughout the whole movie. Any time you get these 4 together, it's a mobile party.
So, without any further a-do, here's the latest:
The gang is currently in Kingman Arizona as of Saturday, July 15th at 12:20 PM Pacific time. After an interview and photos at the San Jose Train Station and a brief brush with the Cops (It wouldn't be a trip for Eric & Eugene without it, but it has a VERY happy ending, I'll let him explain), the Beast took to the road like a scalded ape.
....then the carburetor started acting up.
It was determined that the carb is terminal, and will have to be replaced. The good news is that everything else has been replaced on the Beast, so it should do great the rest of the trip. I sure hope so, Eugene is emotionally, as well as physically F-R-I-E-D. I have to hand it to 'ol "Heywood". Me? I'd have started drinking heavily by this point. He's got some patience ya know?? They have a mechanic replacing the carb and will be back on the road here soon. David is happy and comfortable driving the Beast. I knew he would. Eric spent much of the first 2 days in the Co-pilots seat navigating. It's a little tiring for him, but he's having a ball. Eugene is sitting in the back just exhausted from the work it took to get them there, and I imagine, he's probably eating aspirin by the hand full while Wendy does her best to help him relax.
David finally got to go to visit the world famous train watching haven, the Tehachapi Loop for the first time yesterday, however, they got close to the loop itself, but due to the size of the RV, they were unable to pull off, so they had to settle for a spot *near* the loop, so close, yet not quite the cigar. They still had fun photographing the many trains going through the loop and took the opportunity to catch their breaths. It was the first stop on the itenerary for them and the guys enjoyed it. Wait 'till you see the photos; Techachapi is a railfans dream location and even trains aren't your thing, the scenery is beautiful, and these guys know how to capture beautiful scenes on camera.
Well, that's about it for now, the gang is in Kingman Arizona having the carb replaced and visiting with Eugene's uncle. Next stop: The Grand Canyon!
Look for a VERY NICE 2 page spread in todayss "San Jose Mercury News" with maps and photos. One of us will post here again soon, and in the mean time, I'll talk at ya later.
Tom
- Mood:excited
- Music:Pink Floyd "Dogs of War"
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| Well, nearly 3 AM and I'm working on last minute details. The RV is working well, I actually got the refrigerator to work (!!!!), the generator works, there is a new front suspension, new front tires.... WOW.
Anna Tong, reporter with the San Jose Mercury News came by today. The Mercury is thinking about running a story on us! We're to take photos at the San Jose train station on Cahill Street at 10 AM, then we're on the road.
Too crazy.... - Mood:excited
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| An unbelievably huge thank you to the crew at the Midas Muffler and Brake shop off Camden Avenue in south San Jose.
These guys went above and beyond. They not only gave us a great discount on the suspension work, but they managed to rebuild the front end suspension (which was DEAD, folks. really really shot and heading toward dangerous!), give us all new shocks and an all new exhaust system (which were all also dead) in just one day. They actually stayed after to get it done and get us on the road.
It was expensive, even with the discount. $2000 to be exact. But we're STILL under budget on what a rental would have cost and it now steers and rides very nicely for such a big old boat.
Thanks to everyone at Midas who worked on this, Mario the head manager in Modesto who authorized the discount, and Jennifer at the NBTF who set it all up!
Tomorrow: generator work. If the generator doesn't run, then we don't have power and air conditioning unless we're near shore power. VERY IMPORTANT! - Mood:hopeful
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