Folks, Rita & I arrived back at the homestead Thursday evening after leaving my Mom and sister’s in New Kensington early Thursday morning. After a dull rainy couple of days leaving EveryBus, up to Karl’s in Gapland and then up to New Kensington, it was a welcome relief to arrive in New Kensington to warm sunny skies and it stayed that way right up until we got home. The drive up through Pennsylvania and New York was spectacular with all the trees and shrubs in full bloom. Crossing the boarder at the Thousand Islands crossing was uneventful and we got by with a “You can go Have a Nice Day” . We got into Almonte at around 6:30 and by 7:30 we had the van unpacked and the springs were relieved ! Since it was April’s birthday we finally got hold of her on her cell in her art class in Santa Cruz. She was happy to hear from us and us to hear her ! Now the big job of sifting through the mountain of mail and phone calls. Vanagons to work on are already arriving and by Monday I will be back to working on the beasts ! Bit of mixed emotions here for me, I’d rather be on the beach in La Manzanilla ! Rita is happy to have some big space to sleep in and be back in her things. She’ll be back to work at the Almonte General by Monday ! So, did we have a good time ? Well, YES !! And, we’re ready to go again !

Here are some stats for your reading pleasure:

Departure date – Nov. 19, 2007 Almonte, ON

Return date – April 24, 2008 Almonte, ON

Duration in Days -158

Distance traveled – 17,147 km

Fuel in Canada – $47.46

Fuel in the US – $1138.57

Fuel in Mexico – $818.73

Total Fuel bill – $2,004.75

Total liters of fuel – 1504.14

Propane – $44.63

Tolls – $158.12

Telcel Mexico (Mexican cell phone chips & time) – $170.00

Mechanical issues – no major mechanical issues

Minor issues – broken nipple on LH fuel overflow tank

Tires rotated going and returning in Texas – Costco

Aux battery renewed in Texas at Costco going down

Accidents – Manzanillo – backed into hydro pole – DUMB

- Launa Larga – back into wall – Dumber

More details as they are remembered and become available.

Here are some Photos of vast importance from the last few weeks – Enjoy !

From our trip with Jean and Jonathan to Mt.Pisgah near Asheville, NC

From EveryBus at Hagen-Stone Park in Greensboro, NC

Duel pancake engined towtruck ! WoW !

George – he was supposed to be with us in Zamora

Walt’s bus from Tenacatita and Santa FE

Cory’s Split – remember Cory ? He was with us in Mexico but not with this bus !

Adios

Frank, Rita & Hunter

Posted on April 26th, 2008 by FrankandRita
Filed under: Rita and Frank Condelli