Arrival

Fast forward several months and we're back home in the UK. The van had cleared customs and was ready for collection two months later following a convoluted route on several vessels to Southampton. Upon arrival at the dock we were shown to the van which wasn't quite in the state we'd left it...

The temporary side window I'd gaffer taped on was missing and the rain was lashing in. One wheel trim had also gone AWOL as had all the power in the battery. Someone had been inside and switched on the cooker light flattening the new battery. Once we got jump started we headed off to get some fuel but ran out before we reached the petrol (not gas!) station. After adding a can of fuel the battery still had insufficient power to start the engine. We bought some jump leads, jumped it off Andy's car, fuelled up and headed home.

On the same day we sold Andy's 1974 Datsun Cherry, a car she'll very much miss. And so the van we'd bought 6000 miles away and driven halfway across the United States was home in leafy Surrey.

Many days of work on the van followed improving roadworthyness ready for the next trip which was to Le Mans! LA Bob made it to France and back without missing a beat. We had a wonderful long weekend with 14 mates and the highlight of the weekend was that I proposed to Andy on our 20th anniversary during the race and she said yes!!

Another update to follow soon. Thanks for reading :)

Homeward Bound

The final day arrived and after checking-out our rather lovely hotel (Four Points by Sheraton, Galveston) we headed to collect the van from the propane specialists where it'd had its propane tank certified empty for shipping. I'd also been relieved of $216 for the privilege.

We headed back to Galveston to the port to drop off the van where it's being stored prior to sailing on 5th April, arriving in Southampton on 8th May. With that done we spent a pleasant final couple of hours in historic downtown Galveston before heading to the airport, dropping off the hire car and flying home.

On reflection, this holiday was both hugely exciting and adventurous but also a big risk and very hard work with a lot of long days driving. Next time I'd take 3 weeks' holiday, allocating the first week to finding and choosing a vehicle whilst there. That vehicle would be a car and we'd stay in motels.

A car would be cheaper to ship because it can fit x 4 in a standard shipping container, wouldn't need to be de-gassed at a propane specialist, and an historic car sees only 5% import duty rather than 10% duty + 20% VAT.

That said, the trip was a remarkable experience and allowed us to see a lot of America we hadn't seen before. Go forth and travel!

Thanks for reading.

Ferg & Andy x

Galveston Oh Galveston

We got to bed early on in Austin due to an impending early start but we woke in the night when the wind picked up. Panic set in at 4am when the tree we were parked under lost a branch onto the roof of the house immediately next to our van. We moved onto the road in case this big dead tree lost more branches in the night. Fortunately it didn't loose Amy more.

We'd said our goodbyes to Corey, Trevor, Mark and the rest of the band members who'd arrived to stay for SXSW festival in Austin and left just after 7 am following a night of little sleep, hit the road 

Still windy we drove 180 miles to Houston George Bush International Airport to pick up a hire car. A nice red 2013 Dodge Avenger which Andrea was relieved to drive south , me in the van.

American motorhomes usually have a built-in propane tank to fuel heating, hot water and the refrigerator. European motorhomes usually use replaceable camping gas bottles. The shipping company require we have the propane tank emptied and certified by a propane specialist so after much searching we found somewhere en route to Galveston and dropped the van off.

Heading to Galveston without the cumbersome beast and with air conditioning was a bit of a relief. We were glad to see the back of it!

We have a plush room in a seaside hotel overlooking the Pleasure Pier on Galveston Seawall Boulevard. Two huge queen beds, air conditioning and a sea view. Quite a change from a cramped, awkward, grubby van which wobbles in the wind.

We had a very pleasant afternoon stroll along the beach. A beer in a local brew pub called Beer Foot, and yummy rib and prawn dinner in Fish Tails.

Tomorrow we drive to pick up the van, drop it off at the port and head back to Houston airport.

We've had so much fun, trials, tests, stresses and awesome views on this extraordinary holiday. The only downers have been vehicle related. What has been great is the friendly welcome and inquisitive response from all the wonderful American people we have met. Sometimes cautious at first but it says great things for the reputation of the United Kingdom when people respond so very positively when they find out you're from the Queen's country. The further east we travelled, the stronger the reaction we encountered that we were so far from home.

America is a wonderful country. So very different from the UK with driving on the wrong side of the road, the fuel half the price of that in the UK, absolutely massive cars, trucks which thunder past at 70mph, free WiFi everywhere, free drink refills, massive advertising boards, colossal trains pulling 150+ carriages throughout the night, unrelenting religious delusion from half the population, tipping a bar tender a Buck a drink, much much more access to great music,  carefree attitude to vehicle maintenance, terrible bread, incredible meat, overpriced basics, underpriced extravagancies, yet so closely linked the UK too. It's a land of plenty and a land of plenty more. I'm looking forward to returning. Thank you America and God bless, if that's your persuation.

Corey's Town

After a real fun night out in Austin we woke in the van in Corey's drive. It's a great spot, 1 mile walk from the cool bits of SXSW festival.

The van has been intermittent at starting since we got it, requiring the starter motor to be hit with a hammer to get it going. We paid a 10th trip to AutoZone to pick up a new one. AutoZone have been great. They really put Halfords to shame with wall to wall parts and car stuff. And crucially a starter for a 1989 5.8 litre Ford Econoline. Fitting took half an hour.

We'd had a big night so a nap was in order. The weather has been superb here. Sunny with highs of 28℃. I can't think what it'd be like here in high summer. We headed into town and soaked up the SXSW vibe before dinner at Iron Works BBQ. With an early start to reach Houston and Galveston tomorrow we headed back to Corey's place and got his motorcycle lights working properly. He was a happy chappy! And so we ended up having an early night.

Austin, TX

Today we had another unrewarding drive south which ended in a very rewarding evening.

Texas is a great state. The further from LA we've ventured, the more intrigued folk have been with our road trip. Especially the gas (petrol) station in the middle of nowhere. I don't think they'd met anyone from London, England.

We arrived in Austin at the start of the South By Southwest interactive music, film and comedy festival. Our good friend Rich hooked us up with his buddy Corey for drive space in this city which gets very crowded this time of year. We're very grateful as space is a real premium during the week long event.

After a warm welcome from Corey and his house mates Mark and Trevor, Andy and I headed out to enjoy the vibes. We visited some superb bars, saw some great bands and of course had some splendid beers! A quick cab ride and we are back home in the van again. The weather looks great for tomorrow too! 

Nighty night x 

Don't Mess With Texas

A fun night was had in Albuquerque, NM. We stayed in a hotel and I'd done some beery research before we visited so our evening started at nearby Chama River Brewing's micro bar. We supped on their wonderful IPAs and stouts and enjoyed exchanging beer chat with Jimmy the bar dude.

From there we ventured over the road to a great pizza joint which had a bar in the back. A bar with around 20 taps of excellence. Beer is king here. And the Calzone was pretty fine too. We followed on with a couple more bars with bands playing.

After a rejuvenating breakfast in our hotel, we drove for the rest of the day. 380 unrewarding, featureless miles to be precise. We were intending to stay in the van in an RV park by a lake but it got dark so the 30 mile detour seemed less appealing than a hotel bed. Best Western Post Inn, Post, TX is our home for the night. Tomorrow we head south some 335 miles to Austin to catch some of the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival which takes over the town every year.

Hot Dog! Jumping Frog!

After a chilly -1℃ night in our van in Grand Canyon Trailer Village, a well kept RV site we set about exploring Grand Canyon Village and of course the canyon itself. The village is set in a national park and is exceptionally clean, well run and friendly. There are free shuttle busses roaming the various shops, restaurants and accommodations throughout the park to discourage car use, though you are still welcome to drive most places.

With a packed lunch and camel back water supply we headed down the well made Bright Angel Trail. You can descend a few thousand feet over several miles into the canyon and camp overnight before the hike back up but we only ventured 2 miles in and 1,330 feet down. This provided some spectacular views. Photos and words cannot do it justice. It has to be seen to begin to comprehend the majesty, scale , beauty and true wonder of just what went on over how much time to create such an incredible place on earth.

After the hike we hopped in our van and drove south to the Grand Canyon Airport for a helicopter ride! Neither Andrea or I have ever been in a helicopter so this was to be quite an experience. And it was! I hope the pictures help show a little of that.

In the evening we headed over to the Pizza Pub for... pizza and beer. Both were great. We relished the warmth also because we were heading back to a chilly van again. It was -3℃ last night.

We woke early this morning, fed up with the cold and were on the road by 7am. It was a stunning clear morning for more canyon viewing heading east along Desert View the south to pick up Interstate 40 and parts of Historic Route 66. This is to be our longest drive of the road trip at 410 miles.

On route we took in the Meteor Crater, AZ and Winslow , AZ because I love Eagles!

Eventually we reached Albuquerque. The hotel bed is comfy. That is all for now. Tomorrow we drive 390 miles to Lubbock, TX.