1977 Bluebird FC35 SB with custom interior for sale in Phoenix

[Bearmtnmartin]

I too have enjoyed reading your blog. I just said the other day that I was happy to see you finally on the move. Sorry you are having this trouble but I know what it is like to build something and then take it on a trip. You are gun shy and everything seems like an insurmountable terminal event. And when you are crawling up a hill at 15 mph when everyone else is doing 45 you really agonize. But if you take a breath and listen, you will notice that she is actually pretty happy there. Cooling issues aside, which we are not convinced you have, it is probably a pretty healthy old Cat. A lot of it is lack of gearing and you will find that the 15 mph will cover everything from 6 per cent to 15 per cent grades. And on a typical interstate pull, the 6 or 8 per cent slope is enough to drop it back into first gear, but by no means will it be struggling.

For the record, our bus will not pull any significant hill in second. It is always first gear crawling. When we came back from Michigan we did not pass a single semi on any hill on the way. Here in B.C., where super B trains gross over 140,000 pounds, we fly past them. ha ha.

[jwood]

I bought our bird last July in Phoenix. Hadn't been run in several years and needed a few things done before trip home to Oklahoma. Have to admit it was a little iffy going up to flagstaff but she made it. Solenoid controlling alternator was bad so made last few miles in the dark. Fixed it the next morning and set sail down 40 east. Blew out a steer tire west of Albuquerque and put both on roadside. Awning came loose west of Amarillo and shredded in rain storm. Gen fuel system was to dirty to run so no a.c. What a trip. Still laughing with friend who rode along. After maintenance and updates family is now starting to get comfortable on trips. We love our bird. Hang in there. It will get better.

[Katie]

Thanks again everyone for your support, our spirits are high again and we've had an awesome time meeting many of the local WOG folks! I finally sat down and wrote a more detailed story of our adventure for those who expressed interest. Here's the link, part 2 will be following in the next day:

To Sell or Not to Sell, That WAS the Question... Part 1

P.S. We LOVE reading your comments, so if you're so inclined, be sure to leave us one!

[Driver]

It's all about getting your head "around it". My first time was driving a Semi-Based (PowerHouse) Motorhome w/Trailer through San Diego up through LA. Of course I have pretty good spatial awareness and we started in Florida so we had several days under our belt. I also had driven some other BIG vehicles before so no biggie. Just take it easy and don't rush. Let your awareness adjust. The next time will go that much easier, and so on and so on. Your brain will compensate for the size of the vehicle, it just takes experience and a few trips. Also even with this in mind.. there's a reason most people don't travel during rush hours and even then avoid busy city centers altogether.

[Mike Hohnstein]

Oregon to WI. Made that move 47 years ago, glad I did, Portland isn't the town I grew up in any more.

[mike meyers]

Deep breath!!!! Glad you are in good hands here!!! Keep at it and all will get better. Complicated at times but all things can be fixed with help(WOG) and basic tools. Hope you have a nice trip home wherever that bird may take you !!

[Katie]

Without further ado, here's part 2:

http://badassorganics.wordpress.com/...estion-part-2/

[markusfmeyer]

Those Arizona guys are a great group. I got to meet them for lunch as I zoomed thru the state on my way to California last summer. Best of luck with the rest of your travels!

[MRPutz]

Originally Posted by markusfmeyer

Those Arizona guys are a great group. I got to meet them for lunch as I zoomed thru the state on my way to California last summer. Best of luck with the rest of your travels!

Hey Guys.. Thanx for all the nice words. We have a good, diverse group here in Arizona and the AZ Hot Birds always make an effort to make every Rally special, Thanx guys for that. I couldn't be happier with them.

Patrick & Katie - Hope you guys have a safe trip to that bug infested humid place you'll call home but remember you are ALWAYS welcome here!

[thomas_sorrentino]

Originally Posted by Katie

Without further ado, here's part 2:

http://badassorganics.wordpress.com/...estion-part-2/

Great story. I'm really enjoying following your saga and the revival of your Wanderlodge. Glad the Az guys gave you some positive energy. Please post more often.