This wasn’t an adventure. It’s nowhere I haven’t been before. It wasn’t even 24 hours before I was back in Jaffrey. The sole purpose of this trip was to bring an antique table to Amy, my first wife. She’s said for years that if I ever needed to get rid of this table, she wanted it. I’ve used it on and off for years, but it’s been in storage since the fire, and I have nowhere to put it now. We’re on perfectly fine terms these days, and I know she’ll give it the restoration and appreciation it needs after a former housemate did not, so it was worth delivering it to a good home.
Folded up as small as it can get, it fits perfectly in the walkway I left behind the passenger seat of the van by the side door, so I took the opportunity to leave the bike and trailer behind and do a quick delivery run with only the van. I drove up yesterday afternoon, spent the night in the driveway, and drove back this morning so I could continue getting things done. It wasn’t a social visit, but we discussed the possibility of one later before I leave New England for points west.
I filled up the gas tank just before I left, and then again when I got back. I got 17.4 miles per gallon on this trip. The best I ever did in my E250 was 13 MPG with its 5.4 liter V8. I just maintained a steady 65 mph where I could, including the 70 zones in Maine, and used cruise control whenever possible. Sure, 17.4 MPG isn’t amazing compared to what a Prius does, but I’m pretty amazed that a significantly larger van got this much better mileage. The savings add up over time.
My diesel heater has arrived. I test-fit a few things in the back of the van and made sure all the major components I’m supposed to have are actually there. I’m going to want to set aside a day for that job when there isn’t a threat of rain at any time, so I don’t have to leave the job half finished. This pretty much eliminates the next ten days, according to the current forecast. Temperatures are slowly going up, and as long as it’s in the 50s overnight, I don’t desperately need a heater like I did last weekend. Of course, the perfect way to ensure nice warm temperatures is to install the heater so that I won’t need it.
Ally and I also did a trash run in their truck today, both for the household as well as everything I’m getting rid of at the moment. Having an easy way to get rid of things I don’t need is just as valuable to me as having a place to park and sort my storage stuff. The trailer is slowly emptying out. That pace should continue to accelerate now that it’s not as cold. The pop-up next to the trailer means that I can work on it when it’s raining, and I’m not planning any more significant road trips until the job is done. With the table gone, I can get to the stuff that was packed under it, and that’s everything. The end isn’t quite in sight yet, but I know it’s there.
Lister couldn’t figure out why he couldn’t get into the van. Can you?
Smokey Da Van 