Uncle Spike's Safari

2010-10-15T19:56:00.000-04:00

I wish this pain in my chest that I have had for the last several months would go away.

Of course this was sent from my iPhone.

2010-08-29T16:59:00.002-04:00

Here is a International Cub, my grandpa Burghdoff used to have one with a plow blade on the front.
He used to let me drive the tractor around the yard while he worked the controls. He would trow a volley ball out into the yard and I would push it around the yard for hours.

2010-08-29T16:58:00.001-04:00

2010-08-29T16:56:00.000-04:00

Here is Gabe standing on a bulldozer.

2010-08-29T16:51:00.002-04:00

Well the Old Engine Show was tons of fun, it was hot and dirty but thats ok.
Gabe LOVED riding the steam train, it was a short ride but he grinned from ear to ear the whole way.
We saw lots of cool tractors, all kinds, with gas engines, diesel engines, LPG engines and steam engines.
It really was fun.

2010-08-21T07:58:00.002-04:00

We are going to the Buckley Old Engine Show today.
I am up early getting things around.
I have never been to this but I am excited to see all of the old tractors and cars and the flea market.
The kids will really enjoy it I think, especially Gabe.
Then was are heading over to Waters to stay at mom's place.
There will be bon fires, off roading, canoeing and swimming and relaxing.
No phone, very limited cell service, no cable, to internet...I love it.
I plan on taking lots of pictures and maybe some video too.

On another note Melinda is all better now, the Dr. waited so long to see her that she passed her gale stone.
To look at the plus side of that we got our money back for that Dr. and we saved money because she did not have to have surgery again.

I will update will pictures and stuff after we get back.

2010-08-08T22:45:00.000-04:00

We went to Cedar Point today. It was a great time. Melinda and I had a
ball.
3 rides broke down while we were in line, the first one was Cedar
Rapids, it's a new ride, we were in the car when the ride broke down.
Next was Maverick, we were in line for a hour then it broke down.
Then we got in line to ride the Millenium Force again when it too
broke down.
There was a loaded car stuck halfway up the first hill.
Do we ride the Magnum XL 2000 and then headed fir the exit.
On the way go our hotel we could smell burnt transmission fluid. Oh
great I thought.
But it turns out it was the car infront of us.
We are all showered and ready for bed.
Tomorrow we hit the water park.

Of course this was sent from my iPhone.

2010-08-07T21:44:00.001-04:00

Well Melinda is feeling much much better.
We think she gas passed her Gail stone.
We are heading out to Cedar Point in the morning, after we get back
she is going to go off her meds and see how she feels.
I think she will be fine.

Of course this was sent from my iPhone.

2010-08-02T11:42:00.000-04:00

Here is my new trailer.
It is a 1953 3/4 ton dump trailer. It is from the US Army and it's
official desination is a M101.
It needs tires and some TLC but I like it.
I traded even up my old trailer for this one, not a bad deal if you
ask me.

2010-08-02T08:50:00.000-04:00

Well after 10 years I got rid of my utility trailer.
I bought this from Stams Equipment in Wayland for $150.
I traded fixing some lawn equipment for a friend for 3 brand new tires
for it.
I then sold the box to a guy building a street rod for $200 and a
"new" box.
I did not like the new box so the search was on for a replacement.
It originally was a 1950's Chevy step side.
It wound up with a '70's pickup box on it.
I bought the aluminum rims for it from another friend fo $20 about 8
years ago.
It was a nice trailer, but it has been replaced.

2010-07-22T21:14:00.000-04:00

Well it is offical. Andrew is in the Army.
We are proud of him. He ships off to Boot Camp on Jan. 4th.
Then he will go to diesel mechanic school and who knows from there.

2010-07-14T21:34:00.002-04:00

Well I finally fixed Melinda's car.
It has been smoking out the tailpipe for almost a year.
It started smoking only at a hot idle, then it gradually did it all the time, even while cruising the expressway.
You came off the expressway and you would be enveloped in a cloud of smoke.
Was not loosing coolant or oil and the smoke smelled like the inside of a foundry.
It was embarrassing and it was pissing us off like no tomorrow.
Our MPG had dropped too.
So one night while in the shower I had a idea, so I went to AutoZone and bought a can of CRC MAF cleaner.
Cleaned the MAF and BAM!, car is fixed.
No more smoke, runs great and MPG is coming back up.
$7, glad I did not drop the $$$ to buy new O2 sensors and a catalytic converter for it.

2010-07-10T22:48:00.002-04:00

We took the kids to the beach today after I got home from work, it was AWESOME!!!
The temp was in the mid 80's, the water temp was 75, no wind and small waves.
The kids had fun, after words we went to Perkins to eat since kids eat free and all.
We hoped they would fall asleep on the way home after dinner but no such luck.
Mel and I are going to catch up on our HBO shows.

She called her Dr. Fri to get a different med, one that was cheaper, and he was pissed that the surgeon had not seen her yet and that her appointment was not until Aug 17th.
He prescribed a cheaper one and gave refills, this med is $10 compared to the $80 that we were paying so thats a HUGE relief.
He is going to try and get her a appointment with another surgeon much sooner.

We hope this all gets done soon so we can go to Cedar Point and use our anniversary gift before it expires.

2010-07-05T17:02:00.003-04:00

We went to the Fourth of July parade today, it was HOT!!! Like 90+ hot with no shade or breeze.
Gabe really enjoyed it, he got so much candy it is ridiculous. I mean he got more candy from the parade than at Halloween.

We went to the arts and crafts area and there was not much there this year, I think that is because it was held on a Mon.
Being a HUGE CRC town nobody does anything on a Sunday even if it is a holiday.

Melinda will be out of meds tomorrow so she is going to call the Dr. and see if he has free samples or can prescribe something cheaper.
We are flat broke right now because of the price of meds, so broke that I parked her car at my work and have been bringing my work van home to save on gas.
Her car needs work anyway and until we can afford to fix it we are leaving it parked.
Good thing the Rover is so damn reliable, kind of ironic for the supposed most unreliable vehicle on earth.
The only more reliable car I have ever owned was the Montero, bought it brand new and not a single problem in the 100,000 miles that I owned it.

2010-06-28T19:26:00.002-04:00

Well it's been awhile since I have had a chance to get on here and post.
Melinda is doing better but she is as yellow as buttered popcorn.
She has a MRI tomorrow but then her follow up with the Dr. after that is still a month away.
So we are potentially looking at 2 more months before she is well.
In the mean time we get to buy anti nausea meds at $80 PER WEEK!
Without the meds all she does is throw up.

We took the kids to the Balloon Festival in Howell MI yesterday.
It was fun, it rained half way through the day so we went to grandma's house.
Than after the rain we came back and got a elephant ear and a Pepsi.
We watched a juggler on a uni-cycle.
He had a torch, a knife and a bowling pin to juggle and his helper from the audience was supposed to light the torch with one of those Bic lighter long fire lighter thingy's.
It was windy so it would not work.
I walked up with my Zippo and lit the torch and sat back down.
Someone from the crowd yelled out "ZIPPO!!!", that got a huge laugh.

I think thats all for now, I will try to do a better job of posting in the future.

2010-06-11T21:45:00.000-04:00

2010-06-11T21:40:00.000-04:00

Gabe and I hit some trails over the weekend.
Just thought I would share this picture of my truck.

2010-06-11T21:32:00.002-04:00

Well Melinda came home from the hospital last Wednesday.
Then she went back on Thursday because she had a bad infection, they kept her until the following Monday.

They removed her gale bladder, it was so bad it caused her to have pancreatis.
When they took the gale bladder out it was in such bad shape it fell apart, they thought they got it all.
Thats what caused the infection.

But she is home now and she it doing well, she is back to sewing and doing what she did before.
Maybe we will have another go at the beach this weekend after church.

2010-05-31T11:10:00.002-04:00

Well we had quite the eventful day yesterday.
First we loaded up the car and took off for the beach, we went to Holland Sate Park first, it was full.
So then we drove to Grand Haven and it too was full.
So then we headed to Spring Lake and went to a county beach, it was all but full.
After a few hours in the sun and sand we took off for home.
Around 6:30 Melinda decided that she needed to go to the hospital because she has not eaten since Wed and her stomach hurt really bad.
They did a ultra sound and admitted her.
They are going to remove her gale bladder.
They are doing a scope down into her stomach right now and then see what needs to be done.
The kids and I got home around 2am this morning.
Right now I am going to feed them and then we will go back down to the hospital to see their mom.

2010-05-25T21:43:00.001-04:00

My phone will not let me send pictures to my blog right now for some odd reason.

2010-05-25T21:28:00.000-04:00

Gabe and Roxy playing in the pool.

2010-05-25T21:26:00.000-04:00

Gabe and Roxy playing in the pool.

2010-05-21T20:44:00.000-04:00

Here are the old pads and rotors.

2010-05-21T20:43:00.000-04:00

Had to use a sledge hammer to get the old rotors off the car.

2010-05-21T20:42:00.000-04:00

Gabe helping dad replace the brakes on moms car.

2010-05-17T20:26:00.002-04:00

Brother and sister talking over lunch.

2010-05-17T20:26:00.001-04:00

Rootbeer in a frozen mug. Um.

2010-05-17T20:24:00.000-04:00

We took the kids to the Don-N-Suds in Norton Shores for lunch yesterday.
Then we took them to a playground and drove down by the USS Silversides.
It was a fun day.

2010-05-10T19:34:00.002-04:00

Melinda and Gabe will be home tonight, I cant wait to see them again even though its only been 24 hours.
I have been lounging around watching "The Pacific" on HBO, only one episode to go and its not out yet.
Now I am catching up on "Treme'" on HBO.
I did mow the lawn today and do my plasma donation.

2010-05-09T15:12:00.003-04:00

And from the back.

2010-05-09T15:12:00.001-04:00

The new rack fits to contour of the roof alot better.

2010-05-09T15:09:00.001-04:00

My new roof rack. I traded my DII rack for a DI rack.

2010-05-08T20:39:00.002-04:00

Here is a favorite video that I like to watch.

I think this video shows rather well the capabilities of the 100% stock Land Rover Discovery Series I.

2010-05-08T20:32:00.002-04:00

Well today is our 3rd wedding anniversary.
Mom sent us some steaks from Omaha Steaks so we had that and baked potatoes for dinner tonight, it was VERY good.
They came off the grill perfect.

Gabe is eating scrambled eggs and toast for dinner, which is actually very good for him because he is sick and the protein from the eggs will be good for that.

There is a homemade cheesecake in the fridge for later.

We are going to watch Northern Exposure after I take a shower.

Its been a very rough week at work, with tomorrow being Mothers Day we have been super busy, the pay check will be nice but man my ass is dragging.

Melinda and Gabe will leave for TC in the morning, then I am going to go to Ionia to get my roof rack for my truck.
I already have one but I am swapping with a guy for the correct sized roof rack.
Then after I get home I am going to get caught up on my HBO.
I am sure I will get in a nap or two also.

2010-05-05T21:29:00.002-04:00

Why is it that when kids are supposed to go to bed they dont?
When you want them awake they fall asleep?

Everynight it is a battle with Gabe to get him to go to bed.
He is so tired he cant hardly walk but he wont go to bed.

2010-05-03T19:17:00.000-04:00

Eric and I went to Ithica Mi today to pick up a cast iron stove that
he bought off of Craigs List.

2010-04-28T18:46:00.003-04:00

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.

2010-04-27T21:49:00.003-04:00

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.

2010-04-26T20:41:00.000-04:00

Cruising back home at a neck breaking 65 mph.

2010-04-26T16:27:00.000-04:00

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.

2010-04-26T09:14:00.000-04:00

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

2010-04-25T17:53:00.000-04:00

Found a 110 diesel parked at the music festival.

2010-04-25T11:59:00.000-04:00

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

2010-04-24T19:13:00.001-04:00

Eric is "ironing" his shirt.

2010-04-24T18:36:00.000-04:00

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

2010-04-24T18:33:00.002-04:00

Ninja please.

2010-04-24T11:28:00.001-04:00

TEXAS!!!

2010-04-24T11:19:00.001-04:00

Made it to Texas.

2010-04-24T08:47:00.001-04:00

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

2010-04-24T03:47:00.001-04:00

Second fuel stop. 539 miles into the trip.

2010-04-23T23:53:00.000-04:00

Road Ranger baby!!

2010-04-23T23:52:00.000-04:00

Our first fuel stop 296 miles into the trip.

2010-04-23T19:13:00.000-04:00

Away we go!

2010-04-23T18:17:00.000-04:00

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

2010-04-21T21:35:00.003-04:00

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.

2010-04-20T21:01:00.000-04:00

Made Victoria a grilled cheese sandwhich on the grill tonight.

2010-04-18T18:46:00.002-04:00

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.

2010-04-17T21:28:00.000-04:00

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

2010-04-16T21:27:00.003-04:00

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.

2010-04-16T19:43:00.000-04:00

Andrew is one of Jesus deciples.

2010-04-15T22:28:00.000-04:00

The kids at dinner.

2010-04-15T22:22:00.000-04:00

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

Victoria's Birthday

2010-04-15T21:54:00.002-04:00

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.