May 1st came and went. This is the legacy?

[Sean]

THis is awesome man! I just did 5500 miles from IL to CA and back, in a week and a half. I wish I could have stopped along the way and did what you did...

Bummed I missed your stop in Illinois!

What are you studying at Tech?

[spike68]

I envy your free spirt.

Good for you man. Im sure you learned a lot on this trip. Id love to hear your full story one day.

[TurboJake]

What was the total mileage/# of months spent on the road?

So what are your plans for the next stage in life?

cheers!

14,300 miles.

To live. Finish my degree. Who cares if I find a woman or not up here. If I do, awesome. If not, I'll just go somewhere there is women while not in college, and move somewhere there is after. Somewhere where American men with a world class education are in high demand. Say, Sweden. Or Norway. Maybe even France or Great Britain. Or Ireland. Maybe stick around this country if I find something good enough. Basically, go wherever the wind takes me.

And hopefully somehow keep this trusted teutonic steed for a good amount of time to come. :D

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

The markers were a phenomenal idea. I love the patina that all of the writing put on your car. Nice work.

[thatphysicsguy]

What an incredible journey!

It must be pretty heartwarming to look at the inscriptions on your hood and reflect back on your trip and the friends you made along the way!

[flyboyx]

nice jake. glad to see that you made it back home safe.

[freeride53]

What a great trip. Hope to do something like this someday, myself.
What was the total mileage/# of months spent on the road?

So what are your plans for the next stage in life?

cheers!

[TurboJake]

That question mark sign had me cracking up for a few minutes, too.

Would you mind sharing roughly how much this trip cost total not including car parts bought? If I ever plan on this, I can't even guesstimate how much it might require. If you don't feel like publicizing it, PM works too.

Gas was around 2000-2200. I got an average of 27mpg out of the old bird :o

Car parts were minimal. I really only bought the condenser for $15 during the memorial day half off sale at a pick-n-pull, and oil for the oil change in Vacaville.

Food was the kicker. I wanted to try out local foods and pretty much shunned fast food (Except the occaional regional ones such as In-n-out, Whataburger, Fatburger, Etc). That I didn't keep track of. But it was probably right up there with full cost of gas.

Annual national park pass. $85. It easily paid for itself.

Plus probably another $500 for others/incidentals. (Hostel 3x, mattress, pump, occasional ground fee to camp. Road snackages).

I could've made it much cheaper if I just ate ramen or cooked using a mini camp stove, but that would've been a different style of a trip than I wanted. I was exploring everything, and absolutely LOVE eating local food, instead of just sticking to what is known. When I travel abroad, I will not be like Richard Hammond.

[TimbyMaTombo]

I have always wanted to take a road trip sometime soon but this solidifies that if I do, I have to go all out while I still can, so thanks for the inspiration!

That question mark sign had me cracking up for a few minutes, too.

Would you mind sharing roughly how much this trip cost total not including car parts bought? If I ever plan on this, I can't even guesstimate how much it might require. If you don't feel like publicizing it, PM works too.

And I'm sorry you couldn't come down to Florida and see all of the old people and New Yorkers; you are missing out...

Glad you made it safely and that it was an awesome experience for you!

[Nsquared97]

Still stuck on 18 big perky boobs & bakes, but no pics?

Why you do that to me?

This haha. Very cool man, I definitely have to do something similar someday.

[mbonanni]

Glad you made it back safe man. This is awesome. glad I got to be a small part of your journey and sign your car!

[Pantless Spency]

wow.
through and through what a fucking interesting thread to read i love this and i love you for doing such a ballsy and fun trip.
one day i want to do this and you have inspired me!
so fucking cool man.

[Onizukachan]

I read thrumost of this just now, congrats!

Still stuck on 18 big perky boobs & bakes, but no pics?

Why you do that to me?

Seriously, congrats on the trip.

[Dj Buttchug]

Ive followed this thread from the start. All I can say is wow. Seriously an epic journey.

[TurboJake]

It's high time I finish this off. Lets go.

This is just going to be kind of a picture dump really. Sadly, the lost SD card I mentioned before, is completely gone. I know where I lost it, just no idea how. I used the super handy dandy sticky mat to stick my phone to my rear window at a rest stop. Took a picture of it playing something on netflix (I think it was dexter's lab) with the camera. Next morning, I start driving and the card is missing from the camera. Either I took it out in my sleep or half awake, or when I went inside to take a piss after waking up it was swiped (Although unlikely, because why not just swipe the whole camera? It isn't a cheap one....)

Anyways, I digress.. I have no photos from my camera from Norfolk VA, back to Wisconsin. Including me setting foot in the Atlantic ocean. Completing the coast to coast trip.

If you ever have the chance to do something like this. Do it. You'll never forget it. It's truly something that I recommend everyone on the planet to do. Whether with friends, or completely alone. You learn so much about yourself, your confidence (I never felt like I was in a predicament), and most of all you learn so much more about your own country than you could ever imagine.

For me, including that I have game with ladies everywhere. EXCEPT UP HERE!!!! This place is truly a different planet on every plane of existence. It's just a matter of time until I find someone though. Until then. I plug on. Completely ignoring the "Hey lets catch up" or "Hey, wanna chat?" texts or messages that my ex sends me. I'm truly liberated from her, and couldn't care less if she is in my life or not. So the trip, on thousands of levels was an EPIC success to me.

And that said, I get to go to the Bahamas next month! The whole family is going, and I want to be there with them because chances are my uncle may never see me again. I'll be damned if I'm going to say "I can't go on a cruise that my uncle waited his entire life for, when I may never see him again, just because I'm in college." It's a week. I'll make it work for family.

Without further ado though. Picture time kids!




IMG_1523 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1528 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1534 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1537 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



I really wish my cluster represented my actual mileage. At the time of this photo, it's really at 498,000. I cross 500,000 in Tennessee. ON the dragons tail. Driving the hell out of it.

But in this picture, it's a nearly half a million mile engine, doing 105 with the A/C running, on cruise, for roughly 400 miles. It was AWESOME!



IMG_1541 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

IMG_1543 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1567 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

Rolling up to Dallas and met up with a friend.

IMG_1568 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1570 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1572 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1577 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

Banana nut bread cookies that friends little sister (Who was 18, and had REALLY big boobs that were as perky as can be), made up and sent me off with.


IMG_1590 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


Continuing down the road.


IMG_1594 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1596 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1603 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



I would've HATED to be on the other side. This line was miles long. Sucked to be them.


IMG_1608 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


That said, Arkansas ended fast. There are two things I learned there. 1. They have absolutely no fucking clue how to mate a road with a bridge or overpass. Every time it was like hitting a wall and fearing oil pan destruction. 2. I found NO postcards. Which made me think "They must not like themselves enough to have postcards at truck stops. I'm outta here...." Straight to


IMG_1621 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

Where I camped out at the loveliest place after getting bailed on by a friend. And am super thankful he bailed out. Because I found this guy.


IMG_1655 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

At this campground. Which was magical in every sense of the word. Pulled in, turned off the lights, and was greeted by BILLIONS of fireflies. I did not need any extra light to set up my tent. T'was truly magical.


IMG_1667 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1672 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1672 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1674 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

Which was next to this cemetery.


IMG_1681 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

That contained the remains of this guy.


IMG_1685 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

That was next to this trail.

IMG_1698 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

and this building.


IMG_1704 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


If you get the chance to go camping. Go here in June. Simply magical.

IMG_1712 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

But do be sure to drive by this guy in the middle of the night, and have to take about 5 looks because you're not quite sure what you saw.


IMG_1713 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

Which is an old man holding a TROWEL! WTF?!


IMG_1715 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



And proceed to the DRAGONS TAIL!


IMG_1740 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1741 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

ONLY TO HAVE YOUR PARKING BRAKE PINS FALL OUT AND MAKE MORE HORRENDOUS NOISES WHILE BEATING ON IT!!!

No worries though. I was prepared! (In case you're wondering, the back window says "500,000 miles and still touring America!")


IMG_1742 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1745 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1746 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1747 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

That parking brake on that side now removed, I pressed on after dark (This picture was already getting dark)


IMG_1748 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1751 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

Camped nearby, just off of the road.


IMG_1754 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

This was my camping supplies.


IMG_1757 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1759 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

And you'd be amazed at what all I fit in this trunk.


IMG_1761 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



But the views were worth it.

IMG_1767 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1776 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

And after the dragons tail (Which I got gopro video of, but no photos.) I pressed on to the Smoky Mountains.


IMG_1781 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



And ran across something pretty damn creepy.


IMG_1784 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1785 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1806 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1822 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


Climbed to the top, at Clingman's Dome.


IMG_1838 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1862 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

And promptly had the oh so wonderful german electronics completely fuck with me. At the base, I had 14l of fuel. Got up to the top, and it dropped down to 3, and 1 mile later I ran out of gas. AT THE PEAK! Thanks fuel level sending unit. Greatest time on the planet to stick.


IMG_1881 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

Because it was all downhill from there. I coasted ALL the way to Gaitlinburg. Stopping on the way for a couple things. Only letting out the clutch to build up vacuum for the brakes a couple times. This was good fun actually, I laughed the whole way down.


IMG_1881 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1889 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1892 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1896 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



IMG_1898 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1900 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1901 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_1905 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

WELCOME TO VIRGINIA!


IMG_1914 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

Where the sunset was pretty.


IMG_1919 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

And the cops were out to bust your ass like no other.


IMG_1925 by JayDLundin, on Flickr




$124 Tail light out ticket that I HAD to show up in court for, long after I'd left. Fuck Virginia. And fuck I shoulda fixed my lightbulb. For future reference. Shoes on top of sticky pads make fantastic cupholders.


IMAG3224 by JayDLundin, on Flickr




Skip to the coast, that I did manage to get with my phone. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Coast to coast y0!


IMAG3092 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


Delish food at Aberdeen Barns in Norfolk.

IMAG3090 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMAG3094 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



And meeting with the family in Philly.

IMAG3107 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


And the awesomeness that is Movie Tavern. Saw "This is the End". Funny movie!


IMAG3111 by JayDLundin, on Flickr




Now we skip ahead to when I got back. What I was treated to when I got back home. An amazing 4th of July party at best friend Kate's uncles cabin, with LOTS of friends and surrogate family.


IMG_2132 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_2119 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_2122 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_2125 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_2134 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMAG3123 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


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IMG_2149 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


Brought a couple gals home. They were fun.


IMG_2159 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_2170 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMG_2168 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


Was treated to finding this when I got back. The snow completely owned this car.


IMAG3119 by JayDLundin, on Flickr




Did some more traveling by 4 wheeler.


IMAG3117 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



Spent the night at the cabin.


IMG_2389 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


Stood in awe at how the hood turned out.

IMG_2172 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

And the car for that matter.


IMG_2171 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

Canadian gal I drank with at the Fisherman's Wharf Hostel.


IMAG3170 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



Got crackin on the one the ex abandoned in my garage.


IMG_2175 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMAG3202 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


Laugh at this sign every time I see it.


IMAG3139 by JayDLundin, on Flickr

And say "Hey, I've been there!" to this.


IMAG3150 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


Toured the mines. Including the world's largest steam hoist.

IMAG3158 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMAG3159 by JayDLundin, on Flickr



Getting the plow truck ready for winter. This time I'm gonna be freaking prepared.

IMAG3214 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


Partied with Saliva.


IMAG3222 by JayDLundin, on Flickr





And enjoyed the final sunset of this summer. On the beach. Which is strikingly similar to the beaches on both coasts.


IMAG3250 by JayDLundin, on Flickr


IMAG3249 by JayDLundin, on Flickr






Just a HELL of a lot colder.

I have so many stories to tell. So many things I can talk about. And quite frankly, TONS of things I actually left out of this thread, purely because I literally could write a book about it.

With the trip to the Bahamas coming. I think it's going to be simply official. If someone decided to make a movie of the last year of my life.

It would be a box office smash.
I even have the soundtrack for it. It's all on my pandora. ;)

List of casualties:
Several markers
One AC condenser (But was fixed in SF. Thanks again AlbeqerquE30!)
Tripod
One gopro
My differential is no longer an LSD :(
Passenger side parking brake
Bitch tube seal
Gas. Lots and lots of gas.
More clothes than I can think of.
A mattress pump. And a mattress...
Power steering rack leaks like a bitch now.
Driveshaft center support bearing (Only reared it's head a week ago. Now replaced)
My old self.

Hope you enjoyed!