quote:

Originally posted by Steve VW:
Thanks Dana... My neighbor called this morning, they have 6 inches on the ground, snowing now, with 12 more lake effect expected. No thaw for a week or more.

I just extended here at Pirateland RV park Myrtle Beach 4 more days. 75 and sunny here, may rain tomorrow but no prob. We were planning to be home around 20th, now looking at 26th. I hope that is enough. Might have to wait until June!

Have Barth, will stay, here

You might have to come to the Minnesnowta GTG direct. Supposed to snow Wednesday and again Saturday. Had to blow 2 hrs this morning just to get out. Half way through APRIL not January.

SERIOUSLY? APRIL 15?






The last snow storm (about a 7 incher) a week or so ago, my 14 year old snowblower's electric starter failed to engage and the engine absolutely totally refused to start by hand.

So I got to shovel close to Tonka's weight in snow.

The starter bracket had vibrated loose and I assumed the starter gear had stripped. I didn't think I'd need it again this season and planned to pull it off and try to find parts as soon as the weather warmed up.

So much for that bad idea!

We got somewhere north of 15 inches yesterday, last night and today of some really fine grained, dense, heavy snow, and it's still been snowing all day.

Considering the non-functioning electric starter and the monster's previous lack of interest in starting by hand, I got really, really lucky today.

It was a little warmer and the old beast apparently decided it wanted to kick some snow butt. It fired right up by hand or I'd still be shoveling (or in the ER).

The old brute moved somewhere around 3.5 to 5 times Tonka's weight in snow today and kept me out of the hospital.

It also shook the bolts completely out of the starter bracket and saved me the work of removing it.

The starter gear still looks serviceable and it looks like all it really needs are two bolts and some loctite.

Given this never ending winter, I think I'll take care of it tomorrow just in case!


Thanks and isn't it really about time for spring!
Wally

Wow, considering this thread is titled Florida 2018 what a strange ending!

We are stalling in Myrtle Beach. My neighbor in Kalkaska sent this photo yesterday. So far 4 of the neighbors have called to warn me not to return.



They got an inch of ice on top and more snow yesterday. Much deeper drifts out in the open. Calling for more today.

Sorry for exacerbating the thread drift.

Just wanted to show another good reason for staying south, warm and safe out of this winter madness.

quote:

Originally posted by Tonka:
Sorry for exacerbating the thread drift.

Just wanted to show another good reason for staying south, warm and safe out of this winter madness.

No reason to apologize! This thread is a travel story from the Great White North to Florida and back. The final leg timing depends on your feedback. (For good reason!)

We are hoping to return when the Great White North isn't so White! We look forward to seeing you soon in Minnes_o_ta!

PS You need a cab for that snowblower, and a tractor to push it!

We had a great day on the beach yesterday. Sunny and 80.

We will reluctantly head out today, bound for Greensboro KOA. We have old friends in the area and we will stay a couple nights there.

Weather permitting we will head for Ohio this weekend. Hoping to stall the Kalkaska run until Wed or so. Snow is not gone there but they are calling for upper 40's and 50's for the next several days. As long as the roads are clear we will finally head for home...

quote:

Weather permitting we will head for Ohio this weekend. Hoping to stall the Kalkaska run until Wed or so. Snow is not gone there but they are calling for upper 40's and 50's for the next several days. As long as the roads are clear we will finally head for home...

Steve here in Iowa a warm up starts today, had snow and ice last night, but by next week in the 60's, if that is any indication of what might happen in the Upper Popsicle. We may get flooded out from the melt in Minnesnowta, I am usually bass fishing on the Mississippi by this time, but the river is cold and rising....

Drive safely.

Spent 3 nights at the Greensboro KOA. Nice park just off the freeway, easy in, easy out. Some traffic noise, not bad. No cable TV but wifi is better than average.





Visited with some old friends (met Ken in middle school!) who live near by. Upper 30's at night but sunny all day, highs around 70. We went to a Minor League baseball game, the Greensboro Grasshoppers won.

We leave tomorrow for Ohio. Planning to vist Kevin and HelenJo for a few days. Did not see them this winter in Florida. The coach was there once before, when Tom paid a visit on his last trip to Michigan to bring me the coach.

50's and 60's for the next week at home. Hope so. Talked to my neighbor this morning. Snow bank in main driveway is still 18 inches deep, 3 foot bank in the side driveway. I will be home Wed or Thurs it should be mostly gone then.

Left Greensboro about 8 AM Sunday. A nice day to drive. We did 500 miles of mostly mountains through N Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and then to McDonald, Ohio. About 8 1/2 hours and we arrived to see Kevin and HelenJo at their home.



Monday was a beautiful sunny day around 70 and we enjoyed the company of our Barth friends, as usual.

Weather has finally warmed up at home. The snow is mostly gone. We will probably head home on Wednesday, the final 430 mile leg of the Florida trip. Other than the cold late start in February it has been a great trip!

Have Barth, will travel!

The hookup and overnight parking charge was worked off by Steve. Steve operated my bead blasting equipment. He cleaned the fittings for the radiant floor heat pilot program. Steve and I finished building the manifold for the 500 feet of copper tubing that will warm the master bedroom floor. If this proves to be a good idea it will be added to my Barth heating system. I may start a topic later on radiant or hydronic heating.

---

The girls went to Mill Creek Park for a day at the park.

Funny thing, that is the second time this 1997 Barth was here plugged in to the outdoor power.

---

I cannot be silent any llonger! what's with the mirror image Barth?

Look in the rear view mirror, Dick! (Yuo knwo Kevin is dyslexic, rihgt?)

Well, so ends the Florida 2018 saga. We left Kevin's this morning about 8 and drove 430 miles to home. Pulled in around 4 PM.

3623 miles round trip, used no oil. I will add up fuel totals tonight. VW toad was still there when we pulled in, the towbar setup worked really well!

We had great weather, saw several great Barth and SOB friends, has some nice days on the ocean beach. A great time over all!

Cool, sunny and upper 40's here, some snow here and there. The lake is still mostly frozen!





Have Barth, did travel!

Soon you'll be taking Dad's yacht to water. Time for me to teach how to "dip the eye".

NO GREEN LEAVES????
What's that White stuff in your yard?
Even in Switzerland it's been in the 70s for the last 2 weeks and all is green and blooming...