ok, so apparently zippy, mrcool and I all live on the OKC area. We should all get together and meet at the Loves gas station on I-35 and 122nd. (they will be driving right by that main gas station) we should hide under the overpass there and throw eggs at them when they driving by honking.
eGO Road Trip! (Movin' to Minnesota!)
- Thread starter =[Ga]= AutoDMC
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2009
- Messages
- 357
Your going to going to drive on a highway ive never heardf of and i live in Dallas.Well youre going to come near but not to my street.
Last edited:
![=[Ga]= AutoDMC](https://gravatar.com/avatar/12a9fc53f7faa5623bdd75f9aec2029ad6f6c6571bc1bd1d6ba045600ac8689d?s=96){kind=avatar}
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2008
- Messages
- 1,113
Yeah, the recruiter was "The job is in Minnesota." And I said "Great!" Then she said "You know it's cold here, right?" And I said "Great!" And she said, "Really?" And I said "You know it's 103 degrees here with a relative humidity of 95% and I hate warm weather, right?" And she said "LOL."
"Winter gear" here is a "Relatively decent jacket and jeans." Hence why I wanted to know what people ACTUALLY wear
Current, revised map: Revised!
[Legal Boilerplate: All times are currently approx. based on guesstimates and no problems I'm planning to Twitter the trip; Link here before we leave, so if you're wanting to meet up you can follow the updates there. Also, if you're going to actually meet up with us, give me a PM and I'll give you my phone number before we leave.]
Stop B is now located at the Loves Truck Stop on I35 and 122nd in OKC. We should be arriving there 1-2 in the afternoon on this-coming Monday, and will take a lunch break and gas break there. I would love to finally meet my arch nemesis, xosniper, face to face. Zippy and MRCool are welcome as well, if you can make it.
I appreciate the warnings about boring drives through Kansas and Oklahoma; I chose that route simply because it means I'm spending most of my time on I35. I can't get lost if I'm always on I35. There's a few optomizations by Google, but if I can't find the turn offs I can just stay on I35. I hit I35 in downtown Dallas, and it's my companion until St. Paul
Also, I grew up on Highway 99 between Los Angeles and Fresno, and that's REALLY just a straight line in the middle of alfalfa to the horizon. So I think I can survive. The fisticuffs with xo in OKC should help as well.
Stop D has been moved up to Ames, Iowa. That will be our "full stop" after day 2, meaning around 5-6 PM on Tuesday. We'll look up some lodging in the area, and maybe can meet up with you if you're available, HaZal2d0uS. Any advice? Good Hotel 6?
Stop E is now in St. Paul, Minnesota. I'm gonna take you up on your idea, !Woodstock!, and see if'n we can't take a peek at the State Capitol. It pretty much depends on the availability of parking. I know in Austin it's nearly impossible to find sane parking near the Capitol, and we'll have shiny stuff in vans. In any case, it'd be pretty awesome to meet up with you there. We should hit there about Noon-1PM on Wednesday. Interesting Pro Tip. Texas State Cruisers are black and gold, but almost all the speedtrap cops are in white cruisers. So I'm always on my best behavior when I see a white car. Hopefully by then I'll have had my brake lights fixed For some reason, the bottom lights don't work, but the red bar at the top of the car does. Backup and blinkers work, though. I guess if I see a cop I should just engine brake
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp9yqLbJ4Wk[/ame]
I would LUURVE to see the Biggest Ball of Twine. Apparenly it's only an extra 30 minutes, but then again, right about then I'll have clocked 18 hours in the van, so we'll see what happens when we hit St. Paul
I love your map, Ducttape, but I'm afraid that the guys at my new job specifically mentioned Las Vegas as one destination they would NOT allow on the Expense Report ;D
"Winter gear" here is a "Relatively decent jacket and jeans." Hence why I wanted to know what people ACTUALLY wear
Current, revised map: Revised!
[Legal Boilerplate: All times are currently approx. based on guesstimates and no problems
I'm planning to Twitter the trip; Link here before we leave, so if you're wanting to meet up you can follow the updates there. Also, if you're going to actually meet up with us, give me a PM and I'll give you my phone number before we leave.]Stop B is now located at the Loves Truck Stop on I35 and 122nd in OKC. We should be arriving there 1-2 in the afternoon on this-coming Monday, and will take a lunch break and gas break there. I would love to finally meet my arch nemesis, xosniper, face to face. Zippy and MRCool are welcome as well, if you can make it.
I appreciate the warnings about boring drives through Kansas and Oklahoma; I chose that route simply because it means I'm spending most of my time on I35. I can't get lost if I'm always on I35. There's a few optomizations by Google, but if I can't find the turn offs I can just stay on I35. I hit I35 in downtown Dallas, and it's my companion until St. Paul
Also, I grew up on Highway 99 between Los Angeles and Fresno, and that's REALLY just a straight line in the middle of alfalfa to the horizon. So I think I can survive. The fisticuffs with xo in OKC should help as well.
Stop D has been moved up to Ames, Iowa. That will be our "full stop" after day 2, meaning around 5-6 PM on Tuesday. We'll look up some lodging in the area, and maybe can meet up with you if you're available, HaZal2d0uS. Any advice? Good Hotel 6?
Stop E is now in St. Paul, Minnesota. I'm gonna take you up on your idea, !Woodstock!, and see if'n we can't take a peek at the State Capitol. It pretty much depends on the availability of parking. I know in Austin it's nearly impossible to find sane parking near the Capitol, and we'll have shiny stuff in vans. In any case, it'd be pretty awesome to meet up with you there. We should hit there about Noon-1PM on Wednesday. Interesting Pro Tip. Texas State Cruisers are black and gold, but almost all the speedtrap cops are in white cruisers. So I'm always on my best behavior when I see a white car. Hopefully by then I'll have had my brake lights fixed
For some reason, the bottom lights don't work, but the red bar at the top of the car does. Backup and blinkers work, though. I guess if I see a cop I should just engine brake [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp9yqLbJ4Wk[/ame]
I would LUURVE to see the Biggest Ball of Twine. Apparenly it's only an extra 30 minutes, but then again, right about then I'll have clocked 18 hours in the van, so we'll see what happens when we hit St. Paul
Ducttape said:
I love your map, Ducttape, but I'm afraid that the guys at my new job specifically mentioned Las Vegas as one destination they would NOT allow on the Expense Report ;D
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2008
- Messages
- 5,274
Ok so I was only slightly off. Iowa state patrol cars are silverish/white/beigeish. Hard to describe so here is a sneek peek. Minnesota state patrol cars are brown with white front doors. Weird I know. They just changed liveries so here is the old style and the new style.
As far a parking goes at the capitol, there is some street parking but its anyone's guess if there will be three open spaces. However, there is a Sears' parking lot just about a block away (aka, 3 min walk away). A little walking is not bad when making a journey such as yours. And food is not too far away. You can also do your own tour, self-guided tours are allowed. So if you don't want to wait for the hour, its another option.
Clothing - a good jacket will last me to about 15-20 degrees. That is for normal daily use. If I plan on ice fishing/shoveling/hunting/hanging out outside, then I'll put on a coat, hat, gloves (as needed). Jeans is all you need for the bottom half. I don't use a scarf. Thats just me, I love the cold.
Winters - your Texas car will hate you, then start rusting from the excessive amount of salt on the roads, then fall apart and be labeled a "winter car". (slight exaggeration on the falling apart part)
I'll send you a PM about meeting up, #'s, and all that jazz.
As far a parking goes at the capitol, there is some street parking but its anyone's guess if there will be three open spaces. However, there is a Sears' parking lot just about a block away (aka, 3 min walk away). A little walking is not bad when making a journey such as yours. And food is not too far away. You can also do your own tour, self-guided tours are allowed. So if you don't want to wait for the hour, its another option.
Clothing - a good jacket will last me to about 15-20 degrees. That is for normal daily use. If I plan on ice fishing/shoveling/hunting/hanging out outside, then I'll put on a coat, hat, gloves (as needed). Jeans is all you need for the bottom half. I don't use a scarf. Thats just me, I love the cold.
Winters - your Texas car will hate you, then start rusting from the excessive amount of salt on the roads, then fall apart and be labeled a "winter car". (slight exaggeration on the falling apart part)
I'll send you a PM about meeting up, #'s, and all that jazz.
Last edited:
I wish I could move HOME!
I'm originally from North St. Paul, MN and River Falls, WIsconsin...
Living in California now (18 years now).... what a difference (ie. I hate it here...).
Growing up in Minnesota and Wisconsin - I can't remember ever locking the front door, or if we even had keys for the locks that were there.... In Califonia, on the other hand, I can't remember ever walking out my front door WITHOUT locking it... forget the side door - its always locked....
Hope you enjoy your stay
I'm originally from North St. Paul, MN and River Falls, WIsconsin...
Living in California now (18 years now).... what a difference (ie. I hate it here...).
Growing up in Minnesota and Wisconsin - I can't remember ever locking the front door, or if we even had keys for the locks that were there.... In Califonia, on the other hand, I can't remember ever walking out my front door WITHOUT locking it... forget the side door - its always locked....
Hope you enjoy your stay
A town called Urbandale!- Joined
- Aug 18, 2008
- Messages
- 394
Yes, we have heard about the dumb salting of the roads. (I don't care if its safer to drive in, my Van is a work of art.
) I was ganna put a layer of Zin-Kote 601 on the bottom of our vans but we'd never get them clean enough for it to stick. About how much would you say you spend on car washes and cleaning out the underneath of your vehicle?
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2008
- Messages
- 5,274
In the winter I only wash after a huge storm and they put lots of salt down. So on an average maybe every third week. We have some wash places that have .50c Tuesdays. I do 3 timings of the wash (its a "wand" self car wash) for $1.50. Not bad at all. Just don't spray water into your locks, or they WILL freeze. >.< Just to be safe I always squirt lock deicer into the locks right after a wash.
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
- Messages
- 213
Another tip about your car is you might want to use a lighter oil in the winter or just shell out some extra money for synthetic all year round(recommended). Your engine will definitely appreciate it when you are trying to coax it to start in the morning and it is -15 degrees outside.
Another tip for snow is not to let it sit in the morning. Best thing to do is to shovel it right away. What happens is when you leave it in the morning the sun melts the top layer then you have a layer of hard snow/ice that is covered by normal snow. When this happens it is a real pain to shovel. Its much easier to just get it as soon as it reaches a decent amount and or starts to slow down a little bit, then just make sure you keep on top of it. Also, always try to shovel it before you drive over it, or else you get pain in the ass compressed-snow-tire-tracks that you have to scrape off the driveway inch by inch.
That's about all I can think of right now. I live right on the tip of lake erie in Ohio, and we always get slammed with snow every year. It was awesome in high school because of all the snow days but now it is terrible because college will still have class in the middle of a blizzard...
Thats all I can think of now, I will be sure to post more if I can think of anything...
Another tip for snow is not to let it sit in the morning. Best thing to do is to shovel it right away. What happens is when you leave it in the morning the sun melts the top layer then you have a layer of hard snow/ice that is covered by normal snow. When this happens it is a real pain to shovel. Its much easier to just get it as soon as it reaches a decent amount and or starts to slow down a little bit, then just make sure you keep on top of it. Also, always try to shovel it before you drive over it, or else you get pain in the ass compressed-snow-tire-tracks that you have to scrape off the driveway inch by inch.
That's about all I can think of right now. I live right on the tip of lake erie in Ohio, and we always get slammed with snow every year. It was awesome in high school because of all the snow days but now it is terrible because college will still have class in the middle of a blizzard...
Thats all I can think of now, I will be sure to post more if I can think of anything...
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2008
- Messages
- 394
Thanks guys, this is helping alot. I know my family is worried that I won't know what to do in such a new place. So this is all very helpful.
(Tiddy: I already told him he was getting a Texas Nuke Wedgie.)
(Tiddy: I already told him he was getting a Texas Nuke Wedgie.
)
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2009
- Messages
- 281
Oh nice. D: I'd rather stay in Texas though. Can't say I'm to well on weather change. GL with your job!
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2009
- Messages
- 134
In winter I wash my car every Friday. I just get the cheapest wash with an underbody flush. The less time you let your car contact salt the better.
Also, most epic protip for winter ever: GET REMOTE START! Seriously, do it. There is something to be said about not having to enter a car that is -15 in the morning. Seat heaters will make you feel like you just wet yourself, but they are a God send when you actually realize how cold your car is.
Also, most epic protip for winter ever: GET REMOTE START! Seriously, do it. There is something to be said about not having to enter a car that is -15 in the morning. Seat heaters will make you feel like you just wet yourself, but they are a God send when you actually realize how cold your car is.
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2008
- Messages
- 394
That would help alot, but I have a 1991 Chevy G20, and just last night it stopped running on my dad, who was repressurizing the AC, and we have no clue now what the heck is going on. I just hope we can get it fixed before Monday OR I might have to take another vehicle or none at all. How many bikes do yall see up there?
(Also, Trans, awesome Avy. Eureka 7 rules.)
(Also, Trans, awesome Avy. Eureka 7 rules.)
I live 45 mins away from the twin cities!
