This story's a little late, but better late than never. George, Mike Kennedy & myself decided to caravan to the OCTO spring meet back in February. I always wanted to see how my bus would run over baker grade & mountain pass. Here was my chance. I hadn't been on a road trip in a long time. And it also been about a year since I drove the bus on a long trip. As a matter of fact the last trip I took the bus on was to Point Reyes light house from Sacramento about 300 miles round trip. So I was looking forward to this trip

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We get on the road about 12 noon and make our way to the state line. So far so good. I'm snapping pics listening to some of my favorite music and really enjoying this one on one time with my bus. Our first stop is in baker grade. We top off our tanks. Mike takes 6 gallons, George gets 5 gallons, My bus take 4 gallons of fuel. Wow Mike is running an 1835cc w/ kadrons, George is pushing 1600cc w/ kadrons. I'm using a 2270cc type 4 with dual 44's. I was pretty impressed with the mileage I was getting with such a bigger motor. Let not talk torque just yet. While there at the gas station we caught a glimpse of the new Audi mid-engine sports car. Pretty nice. We load up some drinks and get back on the road.

Now were heading toward the grade. The proving ground for a lot of regular vehicles let a lone a 40 year old bus. Well she pulled baker grade at 80mph. No down shifting, never even dropped RPM. She held a steady 3600rpm the entire hill. George & Mikey the type 1 brothers. they dropped out of my mirror the first mile up the hill. I had enough time to pull off the road & take pics of them coming up the hill. I would have pictures & video of this monumental event. But you'll find out soon enough.

As we are coming in to Hisperia George is loosing power & needs to pull over. We pull over at a gas station. George is running real hot. His oil smells like gas. George pays a guy to drain the oil put new oil in and go up the road a bit. Still no power. We stop at an AMPM & goerge tries to adjust the valves. Not happening. So we leave Georges Truck at My friends house. The first casualty of the drive, bummer. Heres a pic of how happy George was to catch a ride with his Bro.The rest of the trip is smooth sailing. We get the hotel go out to dinner and call it a night. The next morning in true sunny Califonia fashon its overcast with a light sprinkle.

Oh yea, Derek & Noah show up at about 11:00pm. Im hurting from getting my wisdom teeth pulled the Tuesday before the show. So I crash early.

Here are some pics from the show. Did I mention it rained all morning.

We left the meet at about 11:30 am. The sun now comes out (go figure) we started back for home. I was having a good time taking all these pictures & video with my camera. Than I think " I dont have any video of my bus" So I motion to Mike on the freeway to get his bus close to mine. I was planning to "toss" the camera to him in his bus. RIGHT... As were bobbing back and forth on the 91 Freeway I suddenly panic and try to throw my camera in to Mikes passenger window..??.. As the camera leaves my hand its sucked to the ground by UMMM I dont know gravity, wind and all of the normal forces that dont allow people to casualy "toss" things to their buddy on the freeway. I look in my sideview mirror only to watch my camera break in to pieces on the concrete. what a total lame move. So No video or many other cool pics I took that weekend. But at least we learned somthing.    ;)

Bill T