Good Morning!!!! 45F @ 6:30AM in Klamath Falls, OR.
Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 74F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Things went pretty smoothly at the dealership yesterday, aside from a small disagreement over an arbitration clause in the finance office. That was the one condition I strongly objected to on the sale, but it was mandatory at the dealership, I asked to speak with the owner about it, but was denied. Having come all that way for the pickup, I eventually acquiesced. But the rest of the experience was absolutely no pressure, take your time, and let's make sure you're happy. The test ride was fine, we picked up the ramp at HF without issue, and there were plenty of helpful hands to get the bike loaded when the time came. There was a bit of trouble getting the phone and van talking, but pushing an "Assistant" button on the overhead console got a live person on the line to clear things up. I'll need to push that button one more time to resolve a charging issue on wireless phone charger pad, and somehow one of the ratchet straps holding the motorcycle down got loose and there was an anxious moment or two before I could get parked and get it tightened up again. I couldn't get the map on the navigation system to display north up, and got turned around at a rest stop for a few minutes before I figured out I was going the wrong direction. Very pretty scenery, so I didn't mind too much. Otherwise the van ran fine for the 330 some miles to Klamath Falls, and wasn't nearly as noisy as the VW, which in itself was a huge improvement.
The roads were very pretty, nicely paved state routes that ran up and over the Cascade mountains to the high desert, then basin and mountain state routes down to Klamath Falls. That's Mount Hood peeking over the horizon in the photo above. The little 3.5L V6 didn't have any problems going up the passes, though I kept my foot out of it during these break in miles. Hit some pretty strong wind and heavy rain around Bend, Oregon, and could feel the van being buffeted around, but nothing as wild as what I've felt in the VW van. Even so, it's clear a sway bar is needed for the rear axle, so I'll get one ordered through the local dealer.
Not sure what's on today's agenda, but my buddy's been trouble shooting an electrical problem on one of his Airhead motorcycles, so it's likely we'll be fooling with that. DeOxIt may figure prominently in that work. Probably be on the road again tomorrow, and now starting to wonder how I'll get the bike unloaded safely. Might be time to move enough dirt to make a loading dock.
Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend!