Trying to decide what to do about my alternator.
I have been looking around online and a brand new Land Rover one is over $600.
The rebuilts are all crap.
BOSCH sells a "new" one, they replace all the guts of the alternator but use the old casing and windings.
I have found brand new ones on e-bay for $150-$300.
Rebuilt ones for $100-$200.

I'm not in a hurry to figure it out but it does need to get done sooner than later.

Ok, here is a little more detail on our trip to TX.
I picked Eric up from his grandmothers in Holland and diagnosed her fuel leak, it was a rusted fuel line.

We then hit the expressway and headed south, we got into Illinois somewhere and refueled.
Kept driving and listening to CD's and talking it up.
It started raining about half way through IL and it never stopped until we hit Texas, literally it never stopped raining until TX.

We stopped at the welcome center in TX and stretch our legs and use the restroom.
We continued on to our camp ground.

We checked in and found our site, it was some 100+ yards from the parking lot.
The pooper was a outhouse with no locks on the doors.
The lake was manmade, they damed up a creek and flooded a low area, they trees were still standing and sticking out of the water...creepy.

The wind was blowing very hard, and it never stopped.
We set up camp and crashed in the tent for a hour or two, then went and took a shower.
There was a dirty diaper in each shower and no hot water, I hate public showers.

Then we headed for Lola's on 6th street about 60 miles away.
Eric blew the fuse to my cigarette lighter by trying to plug in his power inverter so we had to stop and buy fuses and fire wood.

When we got into Dallas traffic got a little thick, but not bad.
Then as we were parking the truck the tachometer went to zero and the battery light came on.
We then walked down to a Wendy's and ate dinner.
Then we got into Lola's and had a Heineken and waited for the band.
First up was Eagle Claw, a heavy metal band that does not sing, it was awesome!!
Then The Sword came on, it too was good but just WAY to loud.
People were really getting into it, there was a mosh pit and everything.
It was a small venue, very intimate.

Afterwards I could not hear a damn thing and the truck was working again, the Rover Gods were pleased.

Once we got back to camp we were going to have a camp fire, we just crashed in the tent, I slept GREAT!

The next morning we ate breakfast and broke camp, got cleaned up a little and headed for Oklahoma.
The tach started acting up which told me that the alternator was going south.
So once we got to our exit we hit a AutoZone and I bought a cheap socket set for $10.
We continued onto the festival and parked.
I then let the truck cool off for a little while and then changed the alternator in the parking lot, I was wise enough to bring a spare, it is used but hell it works.

Kyle and Rhonda and Clayton showed up.
Rhonda had just finished running a marathon and was tired, I would have been too.
It was great to see those guys again after so many years.

This is where we were.

Rhonda took Clay back to the hotel so they could nap.
We went to a tattoo parlor and Eric looked at the books while Kyle and I talked.
We then went to a pub and did Jagermeister shots and drank Heineken.
Then we went and got our spots for The Sword.

They were alot better at the open air festival because it was not so loud and the crowd was bigger.
There were people crowd surfing and a girl was almost dropped on her head.

Afterwards we got back into the truck and took Kyle to the Hotel.
We said our goodbyes and headed or home.

We stopped for breakfast in Ill at a Crackerbarrel.
Then we got our last tank of gas and made a beeline for Eric's house.
It was nice to see the "Welcome to Michigan" sign at the state line.

All-in-all it was a great trip, we had tons of fun and the truck ran great.
Once again she has never not gotten me home.
God I love my truck.

Cruising back home at a neck breaking 65 mph.

2391.4 miles total.
Just got home a hour or so ago.
Need to eat, rest, shower and spend time with my wife and kids.
I will post more later.

2000 miles and we are almost home.
Less than 300 miles to go.
I cannot wait to get home.

Found a 110 diesel parked at the music festival.

1272.5 miles and we are leaving the camp site heading for OK City.

Eric is "ironing" his shirt.

We finnally made camp. 35 mph winds and a beautiful view.

Ninja please.

TEXAS!!!

Made it to Texas.

Eating breakfast at a Waffle House in Little Rock AR.
The we are going to get gas and get back on the road.

Sent from my iPhone

Second fuel stop. 539 miles into the trip.

Road Ranger baby!!

Our first fuel stop 296 miles into the trip.

Away we go!

I leave in a few minutes.
I will be making regular updates throughout the trip.

After work I went and got my hair cut, the woman had a major attitude, I almost left and went somewhere else.

We ran to Target to get a few things and then Andrew and his girlfriend came over because he needed help changing the oil in her car so I helped with that.

Now Melinda and I are watching Northern Exposure on dvd before we go to bed.

Made Victoria a grilled cheese sandwhich on the grill tonight.

Well I changed the oil in the truck today, 7 quarts of Shell Rotella HD30 and a NAPA Gold oil filter.
Checked the air filter, checked the fluid in both differentials and the transfer case as well as the transmission.
Greased the u-joints and the slip joints.
Cleaned the throttle body checked the coolant.
Cleared the clogged axle breather on the rear axle.
All I need to do now is check the tire pressure in all 5 tires and lube all the door locks and hinges, which I do every 6 months anyway.
I really need to condition the leather too.
She also needs a bath.
Other than that she is ready to go on my trip at the end of the week.

We went to the mall to pay the phone bill and exchange a pair of shoes
that Melinda bought yesterday at Kolhs.
On the way out we walked around for a bit and we let the kids ride the
carousel.
Victoria had fun riding it with her little brother.
Gabe loved it, he wanted to ride it all night.
"ride merry go round" he kept saying with a huge smile on his face.
God I love being a dad.

Easter Play

We were invited to a Easter play at Andrew's girlfriends church.
It was total cheesetastic but thats ok. Their budget was small so it's all good.
This is the kind of church that I dont like, they are the "we will convert you" kind of church.
Really loud, follow US and you will be saved and pass a basket for money.
I do not like that.
My church, Mar's Hill Bible Church, is more laid back and they say follow Jesus and you will be saved.
That I like.
It was a good play, the best part was when Gabe was holding both his mom's and dad's hands while they sung songs.
Call me a old softy but it brought a tear or two to my eyes.
Victoria liked it too, but after a hour she was ready to go home.

We got to meet Courtney's dad Brad. He was the one who put on the play and he had to grow a beard for his part.
He seems very nice.

Gabe got restless during the play so I quick looked up monster truck video's on my iphone and let him watch them until he started to hit my phone so I took it away.

Andrew is one of Jesus deciples.

The kids at dinner.

A picture of Gabe running back to our Discovery while having a picnic
in the woods Esster Sunday.

Victoria's Birthday

Well today we picked up my daughter from her mom's because it is her 9th birtday and we went to dinner.
Gabe was very happy to see his big sister again, they had a ball playing outside while I mowed the lawn.
Then I got cleaned up and we went to dinner.
Little brother and big sister had fun playing at the restaurant and made a huge mess.
Once I figure out how to do it I will post a picture.

Not much for my first post I know, but hey, I'm just getting started.