September 13th, 2004

So here we go again! This year's Oil Leak has been put together by Michael Jenkins. We are back in Big Sky country after seven years. None of us who arrived in Missoula, MT for the start of the first Big Sky Oil Leak in 2017 will ever forget the medical tragedy that took our beloved fellow traveler Jerry Mouton from us on the first day. We dedicate this reprise of that trip to his memory. Jerry personified the spirit of the Oil Leaks from the first in 2011 through to his tragic loss in 2017. He was the life and soul of the party, always making new participants feel welcome, and taking the inevitable mechanical hiccups along the way in his stride. Those who had the good fortune to know him continue to miss his infectious positive spirit on these trips. I hope that we take the opportunity of this trip to share some of our favorite Jerry stories...

A monster Sunflower on the 2012 NWOL

Generator problems with MIK on the 2011 SWOL

Midnight electrical work with Lloyd on the 2014 WTXOL

The joy of friendship and experiences shared - WTXOL 2014

My personal favorite - an impromptu snowball fight on the 2013 COLT

The route of the 2024 Oil Leak will owe a lot to the 2017 BSOL that was put together by Christine and Rick Kuschel. Michael has also added some new sights for us see, and researched some great places for us to stay and dine. We are hoping for less vehicle attrition than we experienced on the 2023 BLMSOL. On a personal note, last year's Oil Leak was the first that I have had to leave due to mechanical problems, so I spent quite a time trying to determine why my string of good luck from 2011 to 2022 had been broken. I finally realized that it was my fault entirely. Those who've joined our annual Oil Leaks will know that our car, though stuffed to the gills with tools and spare parts, has always had room for a teddy bear. Somehow, no bear joined us on the trip in 2023 - hence the breakdown! So, this year we will be joined by Gregory:

Gregory with a seat all to himself in Earl - need to strap yourself in though!

September 14th, 2004

A very short post today. Gregory and I are safely in Boise enjoying the wonderful hospitality of Lynn and Mary. Yesterday's drive from Monterey, CA to Fernley, NV and today's to Boise, ID were uneventful until the last 20 miles or so when Earl had a temper tantrum from being in traffic for the first time since leaving Monterey. He cut out completely on a couple of occasions, and had a couple of misfire episodes. As we rolled to a halt on Lynn's driveway the engine cut out again. On a hunch I checked the two wires on the coil and one just disintegrated when I touched it. The wire had fractured at the crimp. The other lead had done exactly the same thing on the return from the 2022 Santa Fe Oil Drip, so I thought it worth a shot. Lynn provided a new terminal and a crimping tool, and we were back in business. Hopefully that was the problem and there will be no repetition on the drive to Coeur d'Alene tomorrow. We are looking forward to seeing the leakers together again tomorrow - safe travels everyone!