Oily Tail

This hexagonal piece attached to a VW engine block is called the Oil Pressure Sensor. It's not an expensive part - http://zyggisautoshop.com charged us $24.62 for the sensor and $1.25 for the seal ring (plus an hour and a half of labor). What's worthy of comment is the fountain of oil you get when the seal fails. Oil mileage roughly equivalent to gas mileage, and boy does it stink!

Chef's Tail

While on our Annual expedition to the 4th of July celebration in Home, Washington, SOMEONE decided to "make pancakes".

This sped up the decision about whether or not to tear up the ugly brown carpet in the Gronkle. 

Upon interrogation, the culprit claimed:

"I was happy and excited and I did it for REAL!. "

For anyone who may be trying to count shells, the answer is:

18

Spring Tail

She’s had her Spring maintenance at Small Car Performance http://www.smallcar.com/index.php

(where we drool over the electric Beetles and the totally refurbished and upgraded Syncros) and she’s ready to camping!

She’s has an oil change, of course.; and

-                New battery – LOTS of juice now!

-                New tie rod ends and  steering rack boots

-                Dye in the oil so we can check for leaks

-                Back-up-light switch!

And for Christmas she (we) got

-                a dashboard tray - with cup holders!

-                the bracket to set the rear table up just outside the door (it slides into the jack slot)

-                a skinny, flexible water hose that fits under the rear seat

-                a lighter socket that clips to the battery, so we can have music! (and charge the phones)

-                her  very own mascot:           

We have plans :

http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us/Parks/sanjuan.aspx

San Juan Count Park with Mira

San Juan County Park Features

	Orcas (Killer Whales) often swim past during the summer
	Gravel beach, boat ramp
	12 acres, 20 campsites
	Hiker/Biker/Kayaker camp area
	Group Camp
	Part of the Cascadia Marine Trail system
	Picnic tables, fire rings, firewood (extra charge)
	Water, flush toilets
	Small picnic shelter
	Located on the west side of the island, equidistant from Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor

Dad’n is hoping for a Wonderland Trail permit this year, so there will be a trip to meet up with him at the 2 sites along the trail that are accessible by car.

http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/the-wonderland-trail.htm

For Mommy's vacation there are rumors of Crater Lake.

Great Aunt Sukey is coming in August with Molly & Margaret. What shall we go with them? No tenting in the rain, Sukey says (she & Mima had their fill of that as kids). Beach!

Wagging Tail

His tail may be wagging a bit slower these days, but this red dog is still ready for adventure. His new favorite place to be is front and center in the Gronckle, chin on the dash, keeping watch for squirrels and deer.

Upchuckwagon Tail

This weekend's trip was cut short when the two youngest adventurers were very suddenly and sort of violently under the weather.












We still managed to recover Dad'n from his Pacific Crest Trail adventure, carefully define the line between Hot and Overheating, and get the new tires off the freeway and onto the dirt roads where they belong.

Flat Tail

This week's adventure took us up Highway 2 to mile 2476 of the Pacific Crest Trail. Dad'n will spend the next week hiking south, while the official expedition support vehicle reports to the shop for some tire repairs.

Adventure 6 - Home Tail

The Gronckle spent the 4th of July weekend lazing about in the tiny town of Home, Wa.

We are now experts in the art of the push start, much like these parade-going pageant queens (although we don't make Mima wear a star spangled inner tube while pushing The Gronck out of the gas station):