21st June
Midsummer’s Day. I’m up early for 2 reasons – to watch Burt Rutan’s team launch the first civilian funded spaceflight and to ring BMW GB about the problems with the final drive. I get through to James Collins, a very nice chap who I’ve dealt with in the past (sorting out my brake warping problems). I explain the situation and he asks if he can ring me back. By the time he does, the space vehicle has landed. We discuss various options, finally agreeing on BMW GB paying for 80% of the cost of the parts for the repair. This suits me very well – I intended to do the work myself anyway (or, at least watch Jorge doing it
) – it will mean I’ll have to pay Portland BMW for doing the diagnostic work on Saturday (can’t be more than 1½ hrs) and about £150 or so in parts costs. As with the goodwill deal with the front discs, I’ll have to wait until I return to the UK to get reimbursed. Jorge says he’ll get the parts ordered and we’ll do the job on Saturday.
So…
Ridiculously overlarge gas-guzzling rental car?
Check
Stupidly big bag of Trail Mix and Oreos?
Check
Beer Cooler?
Check
Right – time for a road trip!
I’m on the road heading for Spokane, Washington, at 0930 – first leg of a planned route to re-visit Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks (to see the bits I missed when they were closed on my last visit).
I’m soon wafting along in the sterile, climate controlled, effortless experience that is travelling by car in the USA. After a while I get pissed off with the lack of stimulus and start driving the smaller highways leading through the farmland south west of Spokane. Even with the windows open etc, it doesn’t compare with motorcycling – which will be a shock to you all, I’m sure…
I arrive at Motel 6 at 1600 and, after checking in, drive into town and get a (long overdue) haircut and visit an excellent book shop called ‘Aunties’ – which sells new & second-hand books, and passes receipts between tills on different floors using a basket on the end of a piece of string. Their coffee-shop sells a pretty good espresso, too.
Midsummer’s Day. I’m up early for 2 reasons – to watch Burt Rutan’s team launch the first civilian funded spaceflight and to ring BMW GB about the problems with the final drive. I get through to James Collins, a very nice chap who I’ve dealt with in the past (sorting out my brake warping problems). I explain the situation and he asks if he can ring me back. By the time he does, the space vehicle has landed. We discuss various options, finally agreeing on BMW GB paying for 80% of the cost of the parts for the repair. This suits me very well – I intended to do the work myself anyway (or, at least watch Jorge doing it
) – it will mean I’ll have to pay Portland BMW for doing the diagnostic work on Saturday (can’t be more than 1½ hrs) and about £150 or so in parts costs. As with the goodwill deal with the front discs, I’ll have to wait until I return to the UK to get reimbursed. Jorge says he’ll get the parts ordered and we’ll do the job on Saturday.So…
Ridiculously overlarge gas-guzzling rental car?
Check
Stupidly big bag of Trail Mix and Oreos?
Check
Beer Cooler?
Check
Right – time for a road trip!
I’m on the road heading for Spokane, Washington, at 0930 – first leg of a planned route to re-visit Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks (to see the bits I missed when they were closed on my last visit).
I’m soon wafting along in the sterile, climate controlled, effortless experience that is travelling by car in the USA. After a while I get pissed off with the lack of stimulus and start driving the smaller highways leading through the farmland south west of Spokane. Even with the windows open etc, it doesn’t compare with motorcycling – which will be a shock to you all, I’m sure…
I arrive at Motel 6 at 1600 and, after checking in, drive into town and get a (long overdue) haircut and visit an excellent book shop called ‘Aunties’ – which sells new & second-hand books, and passes receipts between tills on different floors using a basket on the end of a piece of string. Their coffee-shop sells a pretty good espresso, too.
