Our Boy Is BACK!!!

It's a happy day here in the Green Acres Garage. After fifteen days at the body shop, Dodge is home and looking GOOD!!! Here's what has happened since my last post. Due to bad weather, the tow truck with Rampart on it's back was here in our yard for a few days. Once the bad clutch master cylinder was replaced, the truck headed back to the body shop (Custom Coatings And Restorations). Rampart was unloaded, and the donor parts for Dodge were surgically removed by our new friend Chris. That's Chris with Dodge in the third picture. He isn't only a master auto body technician, but he's a kind and caring person as well. From day one, Chris's special interest in Dodge was very apparent. He sent us pictures of the progress while he worked his magic on our camping pal. He takes great pride in his work and it shows. What an amazing transformation that Dodge went through in those fifteen days he spent with Chris. Other than being in primer, it's difficult to tell that Dodge's rear corner has ever been replaced. A section of Rampart's floor, his door pillar, and his left rear door were also used as donor parts for Dodge. A complete paint job will likely happen as time and funds allow. It was VERY fortunate that Gary purchased Rampart last summer, and had him here for the needed parts. His engine was what Gary bought him for, but his body parts ended up being the first things that were used. We are SO thrilled to have Dodge back home with us. The next step is to get him ready for our upcoming camping trip, so Gary is going to be extra busy in the coming days. There's lots to do, and I'm not much of a help. As for Rampart, he is still awaiting his return ride on the tow truck from the body shop. He will come home later this week, and we will have an appreciation for him like never before. After all, Dodge would still be a crumpled mess without Rampart as a donor, and without the incredible skill of Chris. We are forever grateful to both of them. Watch for another update soon. It won't be long, I promise.

Dodge Has Left The Garage

Hello, and Happy 2018 to you all. How is the new year going for you so far? Things have been good for us. Gary has booked a TON of camping for us for next fall, and has added a few additional days to our quickly approaching February schedule. So, we have a lot to look forward to. In other news, our bestest buddy Dodge left the Green Acres Garage this past Monday, and is spending some time over at Custom Coatings And Restorations. Within four hours on their frame rack, a lot of Dodge's accident damage was pulled out. With that done, he already looks a lot more like his old self. Even the large stress indentation between his side windows disappeared. Knowing Dodge as well as I do, I'd bet a year's worth of camping trips that he is feeling MUCH better. We miss him being here with us in the garage. We have never been apart this long, but he will be back soon. In the meantime, Gary pulled Rampart, Dodge's body parts donor, from behind the carport. He removed any parts that would be in the way for Chris, the guy who is doing all the work on Dodge over at the body shop. Chris will cut the needed parts from Rampart, and graft them onto Dodge. Gary visited with Dodge and Chris today, and was totally amazed at the progress. Chris removed or cut off all of the parts that were beyond salvaging, and did some more pulling and straightening of a few pieces that are usually hidden behind the body panels. Chris seems to really be enjoying working on Dodge, and Dodge has definitely found a new friend. Chris has nicknamed Dodge the "Toaster Van". Needless to say, I think that's pretty awesome. The owner of the body shop (Craig) brought their rollback truck here this afternoon to pick up Rampart. Things were going well until he was leaving, and without warning, the truck's clutch master cylinder sprung a MAJOR leak. A mechanic will come here tomorrow to repair the truck, but for tonight, we have Rampart sitting piggyback on a dead tow truck in the front yard. The excitement never ends here at the Green Acres Garage! More later as Dodge comes home, and we get ready to hit the highway for some much needed time away and camping fun. Bye!

Bad News, Good News

We've been "yamping" (yard camping) since returning home from our fun trip to "Sebby" (Sebastian Inlet). Gary has had the inside of the garage all messed up with a couple of projects, so there's been no room for Dodge and I. We spent a couple of nights in front of the garage, one night next to the garage, and the last few nights next to the carport behind the garage. It's like being in a different campground almost every night. It's actually kind of fun. I like being outside when the weather is nice, but when it's raining or stormy or under the threat of a hurricane or tornado, I want to be in my comfy garage with the doors CLOSED!!! I was in the sun when parked in front of the garage, but it's nice and shady back here next to the carport. I've had a good time hanging out with my little sister Poppy, and my poor old buddy Dodge is right here with us too. We haven't all been together in a long time. Next week is Christmas. This will be the first time since 2010 that we'll be spending the holidays here at home. The long camping trip that was scheduled to begin this week, a loop that would have taken us all through Georgia, has been postponed until October of next year. That wreck that Dodge and Gary were involved in has really disrupted our plans. Neither of my buddies feel much like going anywhere right now, and I can't say that I blame them. Staying home right now is okay with me. With the rescheduling of that Georgia trip, I now have something to look forward to next fall. So, bad news now is good news later. No problem! We have two trips on the books for February, and as far as I know, we will still be making both of them. In the meantime, Dodge has an appointment in early January for some body work, and Gary will also do some preventive maintenance on him. It's been 7 years and 75,000 miles since he had a new water pump, radiator hoses, and a fan belt, so Gary will replace all of those. I really don't need any work done on me right now, so I'm ready to go whenever my buddies feel like it. I'm sure they will feel better as time goes by. My "yamping" adventure is drawing to a close. Gary has cleaned up the garage enough for Dodge and I to return to our happy home. So, I guess I'll be locked up until we hit the highways again in February. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all, from Gary, Toaster, and Dodge in beautiful St. Augustine, FL.

TONS Of Pics From Sebastian Inlet State Park

We just got home from a GLORIOUS week of fun at Sebastian Inlet State Park. What a GREAT place! We've camped there several times, and it's always sad when we have to leave. After being unusually warm during our first five days, it finally got MUCH colder for days six and seven. The weather guys were actually right this time. How often does that happen? Day six (Saturday) was overcast and gloomy looking. Our final day (Sunday) was sunny and bright. On both of those days, the winds were VERY gusty. The no-see-ums that were such a problem during the first five days, were not an issue at all with the winds blowing so hard. And the 45 to 60 degree temperatures were WONDERFUL. Most of the attached photos were taken on our final day, with a few taken at earlier times. Those of you that know me and regularly read my blog, know all too well how much I love squirrels. So, I've started the photos off with pics of a couple of my favorite little buddies who constantly came by to entertain me. Gary had them eating right out of his hand! They didn't hesitate coming in my open door for snacks. Sebastian Inlet has the friendliest squirrels of any place we go to. All of the other pictures are in no particular order. I'll let them do the talking for themselves. Gary had a good time taking them all. From sunrises to sunsets, and everything in-between, we hope you'll enjoy the pics. There's lots to see and do and enjoy at Sebastian Inlet. Be sure to make it a must-see destination in your travels.