WV - Dolly Sods effort Trip Report....Ug h!

“Figured I?d leave a day early to head to WV because the weather report was forecasting ?Freakin? Beautiful? for the next 3-4 days?and anyhow, I had no other priorities to tend to. So on Wed, I set my sights for leaving today (Thurs). Couldn?t sleep last night knowing what was in store, ?cause this trip was going to be awesome!

Got up and practically hit my head on the ceiling I shot out of bed so fast. Packed the van, and was on the road by a little after 9am, ready for a 2-3 night solo snowshoe adventure in the BFE of WV?.Yeeeee Haaaw!!! The whole way down I had a heavy feeling in my upper abdominal cavity, almost like a heart attack was imminent or even worse?an alien was about to tear its way out of my lower chest. Took about 3 hrs to get to WV via PA, and by then I knew that the 6 hr trip would only be about 5 hrs. I was excited because I thought I was going to get to the Dolly Sods area early?boy was I wrong.

At around 1pm (231 mi), on WV50 and just east of the town of Grafton, my transmission gave out on me. It had already acted up before, I know, because the transmission seemed to kick into overdrive even when the automatic shift arm was not in the overdrive position. But it had been doing that for a long while now and it never seemed to get any worse. Well, the steep and long hills of WV50 taxed the tranny so much that it went out all at once without any warning?and all I had left was 1st and 2nd gear.

I had no choice then but to head back?back to ?Home Base?. I still had about an hour drive into BFE of WV to get to the trailhead, however, there was NO thought of going any further?especially while I was still in civilization and could be helped if needed. The only reason I would?ve tried to keep going would?ve been if I were to meet others to hike with. Thank goodness I couldn?t get anyone to go! So I turned around and hoped I?d make it home?before tomorrow.

3:36pm (324 mi) I made it all the way to I-77 to head north to Akron. I didn?t go back the way I came because I would?ve had to drive through lots of traffic around the Pitt area?so I chose my alternate route to get home (which turned out to have practically the same mileage as the route I took to go there).

3:50pm (334 mi) made it to the WV/OH border. Transmission was still shot?I had no D or overdrive-D at all!

6:37pm (460 mi) made it into my driveway?driving the whole way back in 2nd gear.

I?m pretty disappointed (ummm?that?s an understatement), as I was really looking forward to this excursion. While on I-79 in WV, I contemplated heading straight South to try to meet up with the Linville Gorge folks so I didn?t have to hike alone. It?s a good thing that was a passing thought. Anyways, my engine konked out in Statesville, NC coming home from NYE last year and I swore I?d never step foot in the town again (another loooooong story)!

Now that I made it home, in retrospect, I could?ve made it to the trailhead and done the trip afterall. But at the time, there was no question as what I should do?try to make it home.

I?m home now :(”

“Man, you're bringing me down dude!”

“Damn van, poo, poo. At least you made it home!”

“Bud, sorry to read of your misadventure. That is the benefit of not having the pressures of meeting up with someone else, though you don't have anyone to share the decision making. Look at the bright side. You didn't have to take the harrowing drive back in 2nd gear feeling dog tired (no offense Sarabelle.) Someday, you'll get a road worthy vehicle, drive to a great BPing destination, spend glorious days in nature's splendor, return to your vehicle and find the window smashed in.
I guess its time to start making plans for your next adventure and hopefully it'll turn out better than this.”

“Buuummer Dude!!

On the up side, you made it home; at least you didn't get stuck in BFE.”

“lightning putting the fear of God in me squelched my last solo effort...much easier in the wallet than a transmission.”

“Sorry to hear about it Buddur. Seems I'm not the only one off to a rough start with vehicle luck on my BPing trips. Hope your Van gets well soon.”

“I made it my policy years ago that whenever I take a driving trip out of town I always rent a vehicle. That way I have a fairly new vehicle which isn't likely to break down -- and even if it does, it's the rental company's problem, not mine.”

“that sucks :o\

sorry buddur. Look on the bright side, it could have been worse...
you could have made it to the trailhead and met up with wild child. Now THAT'S skeeery! =:0

Glad ya made it back ok.”

“Rent a car and come on down or over to Linville, there's still time! We are meeting Sat morning!”

“Sorry to hear about your bad luck Buddur, I know you were looking forward to your trip. Glad you made it home safely.”

“That sucks man, that is my worst fear. I got a flat tire at the MD, WV line last time I went to Sods, but had it patched at Wall Mart for $6.00.”

“HEY AMY!!!!!!

;-b”