Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[Haroldo]

There's stupid stuff and there's stupid stuff. Knew a kid who took a crew job on a square rigger and ... found himself shearing sheep to (partially) earn his return passage on another ship. By chance it is I who put that same kid in the drink in Annapolis moments after he said something that sounded a great deal like "whatever you do, don't let go of that."

And they let me have a bass.

Tho' they use them, sheep shearers are often not the sharpest tools in the shed.

 

[GonePlaid]

There's stupid stuff and there's stupid stuff. Knew a kid who took a crew job on a square rigger and ... found himself shearing sheep to (partially) earn his return passage on another ship. By chance it is I who put that same kid in the drink in Annapolis moments after he said something that sounded a great deal like "whatever you do, don't let go of that."

And they let me have a bass.

Don'tcha wish ya had a video?.....or do you?

 

[Passinwind]

You crazy! (esp. wrt Astoria Bar)

It's a relative Bro. My favorite stoopid moment was doing a long distance race a couple of miles upriver from Astoria Bar. I gambled on small gear, drifted for a good long time, finally found the wind line and passed the entire field easily, crashed at the first mark wildly overpowered, and eventually got re-passed by everybody as the wind direction changed like 180 degrees and died almost completely. The 'rescue boat' informed me that I was on my own, they had no way to actually do a tow-in. Somehow I sucked it up and made it back upwind to the start launch/finish line hours later, where I received a cold hot dog and warm beer for my effort. Then, the kicker: there was also a shark fishing tournament going on that day out by the Bar, with active chumming allowed and widely implemented. Not so good times. The event organizer is a great bass player and now a good friend, but he dodged a bullet that day as well.

 

[Haroldo]

It's a relative Bro. My favorite stoopid moment was doing a long distance race a couple of miles upriver from Astoria Bar. I gambled on small gear, drifted for a good long time, finally found the wind line and passed the entire field easily, crashed at the first mark wildly overpowered, and eventually got re-passed by everybody as the wind direction changed like 180 degrees and died almost completely. The 'rescue boat' informed me that I was on my own, they had no way to actually do a tow-in. Somehow I sucked it up and made it back upwind to the start launch/finish line hours later, where I received a cold hot dog and warm beer for my effort. Then, the kicker: there was also a shark fishing tournament going on that day out by the Bar, with active chumming allowed and widely implemented. Not so good times. The event organizer is a great bass player and now a good friend, but he dodged a bullet that day as well.

Well....this will be the second time in as many days while corresponding with someone from Oregon that I mention I live a pretty sedentary life. ETA: Some folks built for comfort, etc. etc.

Better a warm beer and a cold hot dog than getting chummy with a shark. Glad you made it.

P.S. Was the bass player the race or the tournament organizer?

 

[Passinwind]

Well....this will be the second time in as many days while corresponding with someone from Oregon that I mention I live a pretty sedentary life.

Better a warm beer and a cold hot dog than getting chummy with a shark. Glad you made it.

P.S. Was the bass player the race or the tournament organizer?

The race. He was pretty well known for running a much crazier one that went from Port Angeles to Victoria BC. All this stuff is in the distant past, like the late 80s to early 90s. I mostly ride a computer desk these days, but one can still dream, eh?

I'm actually in Washington BTW, but just barely. I can see Hood River OR from my kitchen window and it's about a 5 minute drive.

 

[mikeoso]

For the first time in 23 years, I'm buying a vehicle! My 1997 Ram is rusted, dented, filthy inside and out, makes way too much noise. It has 243000 miles, and refuses to die. Always starts, always runs, and will pull a tank out of a sinkhole. My wife wont even let me park it in sight of the house.

Therefore, as a 50th anniversary gift to her, this morning I called a dealer and told them to prep one for me and get the papers ready (this after several weeks of covert research and conspiracy). I pick it up Monday.

It is a serious GOF vehicle...abolutely no mods or options, most basic version they sell. It even has crank windows!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Kind of thought authentic GOF vehicles are picked from the top of the "most sensible" lists from Consumer Reports or some such?

 

[Richland123]

Invalid Link Removed

 

[mikeoso]

Kind of thought authentic GOF vehicles are picked from the top of the "most sensible" lists from Consumer Reports or some such?

When you live 20 miles from town in this climate zone, this one does top that list, unless you can afford one of those cruisers they use to go sightseeing polar bears at Churchill Bay.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Congratulations on the new vehicle Mike. Gas mileage should be way better. Looks like it will be easy to work on.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Congratulations on the new vehicle Mike. Gas mileage should be way better. Looks like it will be easy to work on.

^ This

 

[mikeoso]

Congratulations on the new vehicle Mike. Gas mileage should be way better. Looks like it will be easy to work on.

Mileage is about twice as good.

I once changed out the fuel pump on a 1949 Jeep on the shoulder of the road using a crescent wrench and a screwdriver. I quit working on my own cars when that sort of thing became impossible. Nowadays you need factory training to open the freaking hood. I went to school so I can read a book in an air conditioned waiting room while one of my former students gets greasy and sweaty. I need the rest and she needs the job.

 

[Stumbo]

For the first time in 23 years, I'm buying a vehicle! My 1997 Ram is rusted, dented, filthy inside and out, makes way too much noise. It has 243000 miles, and refuses to die. Always starts, always runs, and will pull a tank out of a sinkhole. My wife wont even let me park it in sight of the house.

Therefore, as a 50th anniversary gift to her, this morning I called a dealer and told them to prep one for me and get the papers ready (this after several weeks of covert research and conspiracy). I pick it up Monday.

It is a serious GOF vehicle...abolutely no mods or options, most basic version they sell. It even has crank windows!
View attachment 3468745

Cool ride but I don't think a lifted Jeep fits the GOF moniker. But hey, who am I to say. Have fun!

 

[GonePlaid]

For the first time in 23 years, I'm buying a vehicle! My 1997 Ram is rusted, dented, filthy inside and out, makes way too much noise. It has 243000 miles, and refuses to die. Always starts, always runs, and will pull a tank out of a sinkhole. My wife wont even let me park it in sight of the house.

Therefore, as a 50th anniversary gift to her, this morning I called a dealer and told them to prep one for me and get the papers ready (this after several weeks of covert research and conspiracy). I pick it up Monday.

It is a serious GOF vehicle...abolutely no mods or options, most basic version they sell. It even has crank windows!
View attachment 3468745

Ya don't want that one. They spelled peeJ backwards.

 

[Al Kraft]

Until it went out of production I think the Ford Crown Victoria was sort of the traditional GOF staff car. Me, I've almost always had a Jeep in my personal fleet.

 

[Jeff Scott]

The Buick LeSabre qualifies.

 

[Stumbo]

The Buick LeSabre qualifies.

Hey, I picked up a Buick Lacrosse a few months ago. Scored a great deal on a year old one. Wasn't really looking for one but a relative sells GM and he let me know.

Nice looking car and very comfortable. It's a 4 cylinder Hybrid. Goes pretty good. 35mpg on the highway.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Mileage is about twice as good.

I once changed out the fuel pump on a 1949 Jeep on the shoulder of the road using a crescent wrench and a screwdriver. I quit working on my own cars when that sort of thing became impossible. Nowadays you need factory training to open the freaking hood. I went to school so I can read a book in an air conditioned waiting room while one of my former students gets greasy and sweaty. I need the rest and she needs the job.

I bought what could very be our last vehicle a year ago, assuming that I take care of it.

With the high engine compartment of the Jeep, it looks like it should be easy to get it there and clean to keep it looking new.

 

[mikeoso]

Cool ride but I don't think a lifted Jeep fits the GOF moniker. But hey, who am I to say. Have fun!

Nah, no lift on this one...not even big tires.

 

[mikeoso]

Until it went out of production I think the Ford Crown Victoria was sort of the traditional GOF staff car. Me, I've almost always had a Jeep in my personal fleet.

This is my 5th Jeep, interspersed with pickups.