Nancy's next adventure

[TomO]

Last week it was a wildflower/picture taking trip for Betsy. Tomorrow, it's off to The 2011 Super77th Combat Foamy Fun Fly! This is not a real technical road, but there should be a few opportunities to scrape off some of the extra plastic.

I decided that Nancy will be the car of choice to get us there, assuming I can get a some food, chairs, Combat Planes, dogs, SWMBO, me, etc. packed in. I have to learn the 'good way' to pack her.

 

[TomO]

We made the trip yesterday, up and back with no real problems. And now Nancy has a few of her first 'merit badges' in the form of scratches down each side from branches in the narrower spots. It's a funny thing about me and 4x4's, any other car I would be upset by scratches. But when that car is intended for off-road use, I celebrate each one.

I know that Nancy really needs the new suspension, but wow, both Betsy and I were amazed by the rocks that managed to hit the front bash plate. Dozens of times, I yelled out "No way, that rock couldn't have possibly hit", but it did.

She _almost_ ran out of ponies in a few places on the way up, forcing me into low range, 2nd at times. That's probably just a getting-to-know-you thing. I gave her too much credit for power in 1st/high.

On the way down I was again surprised at the lack of engine braking. 2nd/low and she'd still wind the revs up 3k! Of all my 4x4 cars with manual trannys, she may be the most likely to run when pointed downhill.

I think I'll give her a 'B' so far. It was going to be a 'D', but I have already learned about the need for the new suspension. It's my fault for not fixing that before this trip.

 

[TomO]

It's nice how the rear seat belts help in packing a few RC airplanes for a road trip. Two aerobatic gliders on the left and three combat planes on the right. A couple of back packs for other RC gear and SWMBO's plant hunting / seed collecting gear. Food, rain gear and room for the two dogs.

Is there a way for the rear seat to fold down flat that I just haven't discovered yet?

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Ever time you call your Jeep a "Car"...
It's going to develop an inferiority complex
and finally let you down on the side of a trail!

 

[TomO]

I guess I'm just stubborn about that. The way I see it, car is that class of vehicle primarily designed for transporting people.

Cars are then split into several different classes, by body style.

Sedan, Coupe, Station Wagon / SUV, Roadster, etc.

While there are quite a few more and some cars fit into grey areas between these sub-classes, they're still all under the greater heading of cars.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Last week it was a wildflower/picture taking trip for Betsy. Tomorrow, it's off to The 2011 Super77th Combat Foamy Fun Fly! This is not a real technical road, but there should be a few opportunities to scrape off some of the extra plastic.

I decided that Nancy will be the car of choice to get us there, assuming I can get a some food, chairs, Combat Planes, dogs, SWMBO, me, etc. packed in. I have to learn the 'good way' to pack her.

I guess I'm just stubborn about that. The way I see it, car is that class of vehicle primarily designed for transporting people.

Cars are then split into several different classes, by body style.

Sedan, Coupe, Station Wagon / SUV, Roadster, etc.

While there are quite a few more and some cars fit into grey areas between these sub-classes, they're still all under the greater heading of cars.

Pop quiz!

Anybody know where the word "Car" comes from?



BTW, I call our Heep a car as well!

 

[TomO]

From dictionary.com:

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English carre < Anglo-French < Late Latin carra (feminine singular), Latin carra, neuter plural of carrum, variant of carrus < Celtic; compare Old Irish carr wheeled vehicle

And
1. a. motorcar , Also called: automobile a self-propelled road vehicle designed to carry passengers, esp one with four wheels that is powered by an internal-combustion engine

 

[TomO]

When traveling with my wife, we often have to stop to examine and or identify various plants along the way. Sometimes the stops are every 100 yards or so when we're off on a 4x4 trail. Classification of plants to her are always done using the accepted scientific methods and names.

To try and put Nancy, the '04 Jeep Liberty into that sort of classification may look something like this:

Phylum: Motor Vehicle
Class: Car
Order: Station Wagon / SUV
Family: 4x4
Genus: Jeep
Species: Liberty
Variety: 2004 Renegade