Leaving for who knows where....camping.

Finally, figured out the video feed......sorta.......a bit dark but gives an idea of what we were up to.

Wednesday - October 16, 2013 - Started out not knowing where we were going.......???????

We got in Ione at around 8 pm, found a Subway, dinner out, and went to the church for the night.  Before we left the parking lot at Subway I got this picture of Hilda.   Wow, how did I get so lucky.

We left home around 4pm and headed east, turned north and then headed east again and finished our journey for the night in Ione.  I called a pastor friend and asked if we could stay behind his church and he said no problem...so that is where we spent the first night.  I wish the video would load for that night...I will keep trying to work it and figure this video feed out.
Thank you King's View Assembly of God church
Ione, Ca.

Left the next morning, filled with gas and on our way to Placerville, Ca.

Thursday - October 17, 2013 - Hanging out at Apple Hill before Finnon Lake of Friday. What a great way to spend the day with Hilda. I wish I had a picture of the Apple Pie and Ice Cream.

After spending the night behind the Ione church, we end up in Placerville McDonalds. Cleaned up a bit, had breakfast, planned our day and off to Apple Hill.  I made a good choice for not knowing where we were going to go on Wednesday or Thursday. 

Thursday morning.  Apple Hill #38.

Brussel sprout...had no ideal this is how they grow.  Hilda loves these things, I loth them....whats new.

Making apple cider, takes a long time.  There are some apples on display, Large to small, 37 different sizes.

Silly Us

Friday, October 18, 2013 Finnon Lake - Arrived about 11 am - First ones their, Gene showing up around 1 pm (Thanks for making us feel welcomed)

If you have been down the Mosquito road I am sure you have seen this ol barn.  Couldn't pass it up.

Talk about a bridge that movessssssss.

From the camp fire.  Even the stove is ORANGE.

Nice shot, nice camp area, really nice view.  Did anyone hear the rooster early Saturday morning around 4 am.  It was a great time together.

Finally set up and ready to meet new Westy/Bus Friends

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 Finnon Lake

Got up to make some coffee and this was the view on Saturday morning.  The only thing that could make it better was COFFEE and I took care of that about 10 min. later.....made for a great day.
YES

This is a shot from the rear hatch and it shows the art work the FO did.  It makes no sense at all but is a great conversation piece.  The PINK bag is out so that means it is time to get ready for the day.  

Dinner...one of those shots when you hold out the camera and hope you get the shot.  I think they call that a selfie.  I call this dinnerie.

Thanks Peter for figuring out our camera...Not bad for an old Rusty couple

This is Gracie (she takes Nancy with her when she can) and she is smiling because that is what she does when she gets scratched. 

Body Work - Right and Left Rear Panel

This is what it looked like when I started to do some of the body work.  KOA on HWY 12.

Right rear panel before it was hit.

Left rear panel.

Started grinding, Left rear.

Right Rear panel after being hit.

Another view.

Major crunch.

Repair Job for paint.

Left panel....What a mess.

End Result.

Thought I would share this, Hilda drove the bus to meet me at El Pollo for lunch and as she was backing out of the garage she got to close to the side and the mirror lost the battle.  How can you get upset with some who is smiling and so CUTE.

BAY

Bumper repair/paint and hitch assembly

This is what the rear bumper looked like with hitch on

Adam welding the hitch 

Fitting under bus, notice the cut out to clear exhaust connect.

Blurry picture of front bumper.

Front

Prep to put rear bumper on.

What hitch looks like before the bumper was painted.
Thanks Adam, great job.

Tube Cage Repair on the Dune Buggy

Noticed the tube frame around motor was broken.  Time to pull out the welder and repair. 

 Repaired and put back in place only to take apart this winter and get started on the rebuild of the motor.  Rings are in need of an upgrade.  After a year and half under a barn much needed fixes will be in the works.  Really looking forward to it along with more upgrades and sliding door repair on the Westy.

 

A 17 second shot so you can see what it is connected to and why it is important.  Plus you can see what the buggy looks like.

Upgrades for Rusty's Westy before going to Finnon Reservoir

This is my first post on a blog and I have no idea what I am doing but here it goes.

Thought I would post some upgrades for the Westy that my wife has been wanting before our trip to Placerville, Ca.

 The passengers side had no arm rest so I went out and found this in the shed and put it on the door.  Solid arm rest plus the arm rest I made from a broken chair.  Now she has what she calls a Captains Chair.  See pictures below.                                                                                                                                                    

 Head rest located and in place.

 Front bumper reworked and painted.  One large puncture hole you can see but looks good.  The picture below is the rear bumper reworked.  It was really in bad shape and turned out nice. Also notice the hitch I put in with the help of my son, (the welder in the family).

Added a rolling basket from Ikea (nice).

Placed a pull out container under the sink and covered up the old wires and water pump.

Got this bike carrier for $15 at a yard sale...worked great going to Yosemite.

Added a water pump and switch to the sink.

Air conditioner.

Great for camping and it matches the color

Went to the barn of a friend and picked up my dune buggy (built it 20 years ago) and still looks good and runs well.  I will need to do a ring job this winter.

It has a simple 1600 cc single port 30 PICT carb.  1960 frame and 65 engine.  What a joy to drive.

Well there it is, my first blog prepping for a week away in a few days