My longest Pinz trip

Heed · Post by **Heed** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:34 am

#20 to #22....if that route is as notoriously flat as our Prairies (Saskatchewan and most of Alberta)...

...then Denis will still be able to see #20 when he gets to #22!!

The standard joke is...

"What do you do for three days in...(insert small Prairie town name of your choice)?"

Answer : "Watch your dog run away"

krick3tt · Post by **krick3tt** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:45 pm

I won't be taking Denis' epic journey but I may meet up with him in Moab or Denver. We emailed about it before he left Quebec.
I will be leaving Seattle area on Saturday 9/20, staying in Gold Bar for a festive gathering and back on the road Sunday picking up route 26 through to Lewiston. Head south on 95 to stop in McCall for a visit, south on 84 to Boise, Twin Falls, Salt Lake City, Provo, Green River and then to Moab.
I will go back up to 70 East to Grand Junction and on to Denver to visit relatives.
The return trip is still up in the air but I have not seen the North Rim or Craters of the Moon. Have not been to Yellowstone in 20 years. Hope it has not changed much, it was so beautiful back then. On to Sandpoint, ID to visit some of Deidre's relatives. She will make the return trip with me, as she is flying to Denver first.

Happy trails,
Morris

andy · Post by **andy** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:15 pm

I'm about semi-jealous of you guys being able to make that trip. It should be beautiful in the mountains with the aspens going gold. When I was in Colorado 2 years ago (today actually) it was really nice. However on the way back south, it was only like 40 degrees in the South Park area and snowing to beat the band in the high country.

Have fun and be safe guys.

Andy

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:18 am

Good day all.

Well the trip started out in a bad way.

I got up to Pembroke Ont. And I had to turn around due to my engine. It started to use 1 quart of oil for every tank of gas.

So I headed back to Montreal and Pinzgauer Canada for an engine repair. I rebuilt the engine with the help of the great people there. Karl Portmann and his mechanic Steve went out of there way to get me back on my trip. I cannot comment enough on nice they were.

It took us one day and a half to do the job.

So I’m back on my way but I had to change my plans. I will be heading straight to Denver. I planned to take somewhere between 5 to 6 days to get there. It was pretty cold on the first days of the trip, so we are now on the route to Buffalo NY and then strait on I-80 west to Denver. So far we are doing days in the 600 to 700 Km a day.

I will try to post some pictures soon and let you know where I get on this.

Denis

todds112 · Post by **todds112** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:45 am

Well at least it happened close to home and someone that could get it fixed so fast.

Rebuilt the motor in a day and a half, wow.

andy · Post by **andy** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:55 am

That had to be frustrating, very sorry to hear it. Too bad you will have to miss out on some nice scenary now as a result. Best of luck on the rest of your journey.

Very much looking forward to any pictures you might be able to share.

Andy

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:00 pm

Good day guys

Hope you are all doing well.
My trip is finally getting together.

After rebuilding the engine I went on my way. I left Montreal last Thursday and now I just got into Nebraska.

I will be sleeping in Lincoln tonight.
The trip is going great and the travel is long and scenery. What a great country you guys have. People are approaching us all the time and they are so friendly. We are having a great time.

The Pinz is running smooth now and everything is OK. Except for my butt, what a long way it is to cross the States.

Here are some photos and I expect to be in Denver by Thursday.

Denis

andy · Post by **andy** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:47 pm

Man, it makes me cringe to see your motor dissected like that, but all is well that ends well and that's what counts.

Thanks for the pics and have a safe and pleasant trip the rest of the way.

Andy

indigoth · Post by **indigoth** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:20 am

what all did you have 'em do on the rebuild?

rings?
valve seals?
bearings, too?
while they had the heads off, did you get hardened valve seats installed?

just curious.

looks like a pretty fun trip even with the shortened version.

jim

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:24 pm

Good day all

Morris checks your cell phone messages.

LightningPinz, I PM you.

Andy, you’re so nice.

Thanks for all the good words. You’re with me on this trip. As soon as I get back I will make something for you.

One good thing of doing the engine is that now, I know how to rebuilt one.

Thanks to the guys at Pinzgauer Canada. We did the rings and checked the cylinder head. The head were OK.

The trip is going great and what a great country you guys have. We are now at the end of Nebraska. People are too nice to us. We met with a woman yesterday that is heading the same way and every time we meet on the route we honk our horn in salute. I’m camp for the night in Ogallala NE and the guy here at the campground even know one of you Pinz owner from Colorado.

Tomorrow I will go see Dennis and I’ll be sleeping in Boulder CO.

Denis

Heed · Post by **Heed** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:34 pm

Denis,

I was away for a few day and unable to check on your progress.

I am glad that Karl got you up and running again! He is a great guy...always helpful. At least now you have a little less to worry about on the road.

Be sure to let me know when you are on your return trip and when you will be going through Toronto. Hopefully I'll be in town!

Enjoy your trip through Colorado. We will all be waiting for the next update!

loyalp · Post by **loyalp** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:38 pm

Just west on the interstate from Ogallala you'll see a little town called Sidney. The headquarters for Cabela's is right there off the interstate. That should make a fun little stop to stretch the legs.

loyalp · Post by **loyalp** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:40 pm

Oh, and too bad you're already to Ogallala. Ole's Big Game Steakhouse is really a good stop, but it is 2 exits back in Paxton.

andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:36 pm

Denis, thank you for the kind words. It is not often that I get accused of being nice. I'll have to save this to show the wife. Just kidding.

My grandparents, on my Dad's side, homesteaded around Valentine Nebraska. I remember seeing old black and white photos of their sod house. I think sometime after that Granddad worked for some railroad and walked and rode a horse from Denver to Cheyene, Wyoming every week. Up one week and back down the next.

I'm glad you are enjoying the country and the people. Wait until you get your first glimpse of the Rockies on the western horizon. I can still remember the thrill I got years and years ago. Must have been all of 9 or 10, maybe less.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Andy

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:44 am

Good Morning

I’m finally in Moab. Guess what, Morris is here too. We are planning a ride for today but don’t know yet where to.

The trip from Denver to Moab was something and long with all those longs hills. That was a good work out for the Pinz.

Me and Morris will let you know soon how we are doing.

Hope you like these pictures Andy.

Denis

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