# Your Dreamcar's Dreamcar Is My Daily - Minivan All the Things **URL:** \ **Category:** Project Threads\ **Tags:** mazda, mpv\ **Created:** [January 27, 2020, 4:54am UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438 "2020-01-27T04:54:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/haolepinoy/32/60_2.png) [@haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/haolepinoy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/21 "2020-02-19T03:54:53Z")
**May 2015** After all the winning it was hard to find any peace and quiet with all the fandom. We made a dramatic exit in a cloud of tire smoke. Having reached the pinnacle of motorsports on our very first outing we decided to retire and pursue the #vanlife thing, see what it was all about. ![McCurdy's Pics (37)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/61c3884e74d52330c96ca9e235213670ddc82d46.jpeg) First up was a familiar spot. We’d camped at this place the previous Summer with our Jeep Cherokee, and I’d hunted grizzly bear there last Fall. Albanian terrorists sabotaged my Jeep while I was out chasing my prey, and on the ride home I found that if my speed went below 88 mph Jack Bauer would explode. Dangit! A bit of quick thinking had me cut a random red wire under the dash, diffusing the bomb, but it also caused my headlights to go out. Good thing I knew how to find the North Star or I’d never have made it home that night. Needless to say we had a few scores to settle, with both the bears and the Albanians. But first up on our agenda was tracking down some food. ![iPhone 5s Pics 1047](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d1ad331d8768a5355dd9bf8a2d4ee04e689c4139.jpeg) ![Buckingham Trip (16)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/4fcfb876c3ef41fa409d7caf3cc0a0413182bb81.jpeg) After hours of intense pursuit, we still hadn’t found the first bear or Albanian. Yet, despite all the dense jungle and crocodile-infested rivers, we refused to give up the chase. Then we caught our first break. Hiding under a rock like a terrorist would we found our first Albanian. ![McCurdy's Pics (14)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e7ec1a408902629d969c5805bb093bf5b4a43bad.jpeg) ![McCurdy's Pics (5)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/ff4acf18692bb1ae7c024d09b8f4888867e10f60.jpeg) After some enhanced interrogation techniques were deployed he gave up the location of the rest of his ilk. The boys made quick work apprehending the remaining perpetrators. Somewhere Jack Bauer can sleep easier. ![McCurdy's Pics (18)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/b/bd9f18f9ecb0bd931183879b84ede5b2b7e5c66f.jpeg) ![McCurdy's Pics (17)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9b2471dd2f9ee447f8f4e429920bb9dbaec3165e.jpeg) ![McCurdy's Pics (7)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/f95667008390eae68f1abbc3207739bafe3b7e1f.jpeg) They say revenge is best served cold, but not in this case. We grilled up them suckers, along with about eleven pounds of bacon for good measure. Revenge is best served with bacon. Eleven pounds of bacon. ![McCurdy's Pics (48)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/c/c7f25dfebcbc23b05c4abbbf713967c8fc8e9b09.jpeg) Only thing left to do after breakfast was find them bears, though we knew they’d never risk a daytime assault on our camp. In a bid to draw them in I had the kids pour the remainder of the bacon grease on the hood of the van in order that it would resemble a female black bear in heat. All that was left to do at this point was wait. ![McCurdy's Pics (32)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/59557e5d198dca02dbedadee1d8c4c342176ad61.jpeg) ![McCurdy's Pics (12)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/4e76800cc1abcb3d7faca54ee7fcb2aeedbdb024.jpeg) Later that night we were in for more than we bargained for, as a black bear of Morgoth crawled into camp. Thankfully Gandalf was with us, and after some “YOU SHALL NOT PASS” kinda fireworks we found ourselves feasting on bear-flavored s’mores. ![McCurdy's Pics (1)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/1ec0f3747c15fe4b9d7198eaa35931eddbe46d49.jpeg) ![McCurdy's Pics (42)](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/1195c6781217e1b42fbc4dd5a9f78e74c701f261.jpeg) Moral of the story: if you’re gonna try to sabotage a guy’s Jeep, make sure he doesn’t also own an awesome minivan. Cuz you might get killed. Moral of the story #2: if you’re gonna eat Albanians and bears, make sure you brush your teeth. ![Samsung Camera Pics 198](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/2/207fd62702e99a6bedf74ee3854872bbcfc8f462.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/haolepinoy/32/60_2.png) [@haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/haolepinoy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/22 "2020-02-19T21:30:26Z")
**May 2015** Next stop on the #vanlife miscreant tour we decided would be a beach of some sort. Van people seem to always take pictures of themselves waking up half naked by the ocean. Sounds pretty click bait’ey but let’s give it a shot. ![iPhone 5s Pics 973](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/5e3d5a60e4d81e2c750b7e1f3aa0664ea01ba211.jpeg) Wasn’t long before we rolled up onto the nearest beach only to find it full of blasted tourists sunning themselves like a bunch of sea lions on Animal Planet. Bummer. Nobody would want to click on our super awesome pictures with those fatties splayed out in the background, so we figured we’d go find another spot. ![iPhone 5s Pics 977](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/7195a4d67008ee34d00e34f2df1ad78535836be6.jpeg) We stopped by this statue of Abraham Lincoln before leaving. So glad he swam over here and discovered America for us before those evil Russians did. My boys liked his beard, and kept asking me why I wouldn’t let them grow theirs yet. Same reason I don’t let them eat mint chocolate chip ice cream for breakfast. Gotta save some awesome for later boys. ![iPhone 5s Pics 988](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/c/c13f2aa844f0ae2d27c0d221a3e68933e4ab2f86.jpeg) ![iPhone 5s Pics 992](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9fb2bdd261cf267cd3c34a7065f52ba5582701af.jpeg) Eventually we discovered this gem of a campsite, hidden in a forest on some Navy Seal training base. My wife forgot her Special Forces ID badge back home, but since she knew the secret handshake they let us in. Not to mention that they thought our minivan was amazing. That helped too. ![Samsung Camera Pics 096](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8cefd92d7255b8cfe13adb7fd7cf6f841eca0f5a.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 098](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/fe8f1267671dcae9fb57e41d87a89cb62eab69af.jpeg) The following morning I went out to meditate and build a sand castle on our private beach, but was rudely interrupted by my beardless progeny. Apparently they were tired of my requiring them to shave every morning, and were going to let me know it. ![Samsung Camera Pics 120](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/384682cfc3b51f5ef74458324824bf84394dd431.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 119](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/b/bb66612c745d9fc2d7e8fb392656637bcc26540c.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 117](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/3be64c5ebe85395c0be9f934af7d11f7098a0569.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 116](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/2/22a4b7b951d82a3c8766b53c372d420f53559e30.jpeg) After heaps of biting, clawing, and even an illegal nut shot or two they eventually surrendered. The old man’s still got it, as my wife is oft to say. We then proceeded to plan and simulate the infiltration and sacking of a French castle, complete with much taunting. ![Samsung Camera Pics 103](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/d/deb6da2b2394d4443710db77e03919d4ba4352b7.jpeg) The Spec Ops guys that were jogging along the beach kept asking us about our van and if we’d give them a ride in it, so we never got a chance to get those sick pics of our toes pointed at the horizon for our Instagram account. Oh well. Besides, the boys were pretty beat up from all the training. Don’t need nobody calling the IRS on us. Damn commies. Proud of these little guys. They’ll make old Honest Abe proud if them Russians ever try to come back over here to avenge their loss to Rocky Balboa. We’re ready, beard or no beard. ![Samsung Camera Pics 154](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/404176ea39c8456d805354a4c2daf952ac1097d0.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/brian/32/6054_2.png) [@Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/Brian)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/23 "2020-02-20T17:42:46Z")
![applause](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/a/aec3d3855f3eea500cb6273b15b54927c7f43c61.gif) I think I’m gonna start imagining Morgan Freeman narrating your build threads. They’re that good. Also, I miss the ocean. ---
**Author:** ![haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/haolepinoy/32/60_2.png) [@haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/haolepinoy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/24 "2020-02-24T18:28:08Z")
**June 2015 | 122,500 miles** ![iPhone 5s Pics 035](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/553bf3debcffea0b1ffa443ae2b01e525c1571e3.jpeg) ![iPhone 5s Pics 039](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/8/838d3d5a5fe5feb72f489fec2e7deef953344ba2.jpeg) ![iPhone 5s Pics 038](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/776054574a6cea413c500c387232ed1d26d1c280.jpeg) Behold, another crime scene investigation into the previous ownership history of this marvelous machine. I noticed one day that the inner fender splash shield on the passenger-side was missing. I just figured that maybe it happened during all those sick drifts the previous weeks, but upon closer inspection I found a more nefarious cause. Seems that the previous owner had somehow set the windshield washer fluid reservoir on fire, and therefore everything else in the passenger-side wheel well at the same time. He somehow conveniently failed to mention this before I bought it. The only possible explanation for this arson would be that he had filled the reservoir with 93 octane gas in an effort to … you know, I have no idea why anyone would put gasoline in a windshield washer fluid reservoir. But I also have no idea why any sane or moral person would have sold this amazing van, so the only thing that makes sense to me is that the previous owner was an utter idiot. Or a lunatic. Or literally Hitler. ![iPhone 5s Pics 034](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/8/85039c7e502f8d892fd64c48701b5c976cc793d3.jpeg) But you know who was all like, “Oh, I’m on fire am I? Whatever…” Yep, my minivan. Reservoir still worked despite all the bare wiring and melty’ness. Junkyard delivered up a less crispy version, but … just got an idea for a future mod for the cleanest windshields ever. ![image](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/565398109ca6f3749f607a35eb985bb8ae6647fb.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/brian/32/6054_2.png) [@Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/Brian)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/25 "2020-02-24T19:39:45Z")
I get the premise, and plastic is most certainly flammable—_but who sets a bucket of WATER on fire?_ That’s a special kind of stupid, imo. Then again, _Virginia, right?_ ![](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/7c3794533e70c4c75077bc2d6ac5650c63a47fe7.gif) ---
**Author:** ![haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/haolepinoy/32/60_2.png) [@haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/haolepinoy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/26 "2020-03-24T20:39:52Z")
**July/August 2015** Welp…having determined that auto racing was too easy if you drive a minivan and that #vanlife virtual reality camping was dumb, not to mention the growing reality that the crowds of fans and admirers was becoming a constant bother, we decided to head off into the mountains again for some isolation and family fun. ![021](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/b/ba077a99463c5f5af8a55253551a837656df90c0.jpeg) ![013](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0f70e61f34818e81299083cfe7e9eab4ce0e0891.jpeg) ![010](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/2/21cfdc14a7338d62529970b4d2a950dc6e4c777b.jpeg) Alas, seemed no matter where we went the locals just couldn’t seem to ignore the amazingness of our van. At least we could eat these bothersome fans if they persisted to bother us into hunting season. ![092](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/39182226d3775a699997fcd27194a47b3840dab1.jpeg) “Ice cream will have to suffice for now,” I told the boys in an effort to prevent them from ravenous poaching. But while watching Clint Eastwood report on the six o’clock news that evening we were shocked to learn that there had been numerous odd happenings and sightings in the local area. Something wasn’t right, and the way the news made it sound, the authorities weren’t being very forthright with the truth. Daggon’it. Looks like we’d have to investigate for ourselves and get to the bottom of whatever was bothering Clint so much. It takes a lot to bother Clint. Must be important. ![110](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/0/02879f02159d880fdb6b08b1bdb33ed68f9e6de8.jpeg) That following morning we marched ourselves up to the local ranger station to volunteer our family as a scientific expeditionary force determined to get to the bottom of things around here. The only info they could give us was to be careful, since dozens of weather patterns had recombobulated overnight. That only happens when something’s about to hit the fan. I tipped my cowboy hat to the ranger in thanks before setting off with the troops. If these rangers didn’t know nothing, guess we’d have to drop in on my old pal Smokey over in Beartown. ![Samsung Camera Pics 016](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/a/ab8c5f45439660024c94457a71ec818ed0fe8b77.jpeg) Couldn’t find Smokey anywhere in the miles and miles of slot canyons and crevasses despite lathering ourselves up with vegan-free honey (Smokey hates vegans). Daggon’it. This meant either the Sri Lankans had already gotten to Smokey…or he was working with them the whole time. Or who knows. We still had no idea what was going on… ![Samsung Camera Pics 032](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/60eb3ae9f0acc0e2b63ec1297ae0a4009c1bdba2.jpeg) ![082](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/d/de821ec93eb651ce4fb1fa25d16186c8bf3116b3.jpeg) ![058](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9b60e3c4f9207265157a830f63e2a82b24d982c2.jpeg) ![035](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/47d3008ed6838bfa6d9b01e82b020d08de30586a.jpeg) That was, right up until we caught sight of these guys. Space aliens. Daggon’it. I liked our chances when it was just the Sri Lankan government we were up against. So much for an easy getaway in the minivan. ![063](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/1239f72faadfd99a3dd7689358c0148b92b19734.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 054](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/35099f8f883e833b1b8a0e95402e15e28dfc8066.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 055](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b461d1f60b0eba5781adc0928d52911bc5c2034e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/brian/32/6054_2.png) [@Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/Brian)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/27 "2020-03-25T16:34:48Z")
You sure you weren’t exploring an ancient aliens crash site? Beartown looks highly suspicious. Fortunately, you had a tribe of fearsome hobbits at your side. And I appreciate your calling out the date as being several years ago. No doubt the mystery was solved long ago—or your thorough investigation forced the aliens back into hiding. Either way, a good thing, as we all know George Washington was in a cult and that cult was into aliens, man. Only the most intrepid of explorers would blaze trails into _National Treasure_ territory. I’d hate to think Smokey was taken prisoner by a 300-year old Washington in cahoots with the Sri Lankans. ![](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/1X/d32291d23b6fa14a867b29f432a6195955d1d16a.gif) ---
**Author:** ![haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/haolepinoy/32/60_2.png) [@haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/haolepinoy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/28 "2020-03-26T20:28:36Z")
**July/August 2015 cont.** ![Samsung Camera Pics 057](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/9/95e7c96d081459d10e6234473fdfdb1ee4082db3.jpeg) After squeezing those little boogerheads for info on Smokey’s whereabouts we zoom, zoom’ed back over to Watoga before it was too late. Whatever was going down was going to be going down’est around Ann Bailey’s Lookout Tower. So after gearing up with all the gadgets and gizmos we’d need for the alpine-like hike to the top we set off. ![112](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0825875afa285278f3aed0a0a7e5fe8270260244.jpeg) I strapped on my laser-powered spy wrist watch, but giving the GPS-equipped binoculars to my son may have been a mistake. We were quickly lost…but there was plenty of sights and signs along the way. ![114](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d18fa4f4ab2b6cafd20c0fc38b4b4cd83ee1a192.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 062](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8e32d9ce70aa47860db5f7f0ce82fd85dff8c5fd.jpeg) ![129](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/ea81ba8985d91f5e22244616f8ed24f4844376e0.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 130](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/4870df04e4d89967484532b4a43b0f5bd57d1268.jpeg) Eventually we caught sight of otherworldly beings affecting the local flora and fauna. ![Samsung Camera Pics 099](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/513b8fda334ab05c364a5468c13436ea30aa09b1.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 097](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/6e1e075ba6d70c00e841849b7ed4ebe8de0ab63a.jpeg) With something to nibble on the boys finally had the scent. I set them loose and almost instantly they started finding the aliens all over the mountain side. ![Samsung Camera Pics 077](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/0/088b7db6cfed481031ff70a0f264bcd99d58c73e.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 085](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/73046b7b6c59bbe096b470917e31322882aa2325.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 070](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/fa0125d6aef77a1c1f05e594ef51810e038d715e.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 068](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8ed1066ea2d26c8591090e2185c8199b90fb7d7f.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 109](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/60cccc379e4d807c60a26032a6738fa0060dd4b4.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 087](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/3da3cf013ceb5ca36438054efcaa8d1f9ed66dbf.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 088](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0e409abb543f6f6bed081e91b4718df03ad59989.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 090](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e7e15d0cfe56927b72551f41c5a0c0a4704e35c1.jpeg) ![128](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d2570aa19e0b5cf134a795b35bd1c664ec75eca8.jpeg) The biggest we stumbled onto would have been great fried up and served with ketchup…alas I forgot the Q-issued deep fryer sunglasses back at the van. Chicken of the Woods, we found out it was called (notice the size compared to my shoe in the picture). ![Samsung Camera Pics 092](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/564adc7426b27aebf82fdcd5b91f545edd88c213.jpeg) With all the evidence we needed to conclude that humankind was threatened by an imminent alien invasion we scrambled to the top of the mountain as fast as we could in the hopes that we could find a signal for our satellite phone. We could also call in a napalm strike on the mountain side before we were overrun with spores. ![140](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/506860619b432f5e94b6f4e26f8841b5d8e5df67.jpeg) Unfortunately we found no signal. Must have been scrambled by the Martian shrooms. Bastards! Looks like we’d have no choice but to fight our way back down the mountain. But I wasn’t worried for us. I felt bad for the space invaders. Napalm would have been a more compassionate way for them to go. ![132](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b6ac3c3cf49d5ac93e0c7adb923377cd61c3aacd.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/haolepinoy/32/60_2.png) [@haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/haolepinoy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/29 "2020-03-26T21:01:15Z")
**July/August 2015 cont.** ![Samsung Camera Pics 178](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/60964c002cc70eb8c5ade0bbe030886232176cd3.jpeg) After the conclusion of the Battle of Ann Bailey Mountain (which I heard inspired that terrible sequel Independence Day: Resurgence which was released the following year) we raced over to the Green Bank Observatory. They’ve got the largest radio telescope in the world there, so we figured they’d be the best ones to help us get the word out to the world that the INVASION WAS IMMINENT!!! ![image](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/f6c71dd677fd70ab6792b89066b3474875f58e92.jpeg) Unfortunately for us the Sri Lankans had already warned them about us and they told us to go pound sand. ![Samsung Camera Pics 176](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/750f81d1ed4363097dcd38a1010e7ae0a416964a.jpeg) Since we couldn’t use their big telescope thingy we tried to hijack the smaller death ray out in the parking lot. The boys tried to hotwire the thing so they could aim it back over at the Ann Bailey mountain side to smoke any surviving space monsters. ![Samsung Camera Pics 173](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/c/c2af219679b7f0af0aedca39ad0cfa76cbba501f.jpeg) The rent-a-cop security guard didn’t like this idea, and proceeded to ask us to leave. Holy Crap! It was Smokey. Must have been demoted down to Mall Cop after teaming up with the Sri Lankans. Before my boys aimed the death ray at Officer Friendly over there I dragged off the battle-hardened Halflings. Time to load up the minivan and leave the mountains before they started an intergalactic war. Another trip in the minivan, another ridiculous escapade in the everyday. Time to get back home and back to work on the [Jeep](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/haolepinoys-very-first-ever-before-build-thread-no-really/437/48). ![Samsung Camera Pics 180](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/77b6b4f80f167775b3919cb47caf2b7810f20cc0.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/brian/32/6054_2.png) [@Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/Brian)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 3:03pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/30 "2020-03-28T15:03:21Z")
You know what’s cool? I’ve never seen or heard of ANY of these places and things. I mean, forest trails, lookout towers, and radio telescopes, sure, but these are all new places and things for me. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/haolepinoy/32/60_2.png) [@haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/haolepinoy)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/31 "2020-03-28T15:41:37Z")
Like the movies…these tales are all _based on true events_. I’ve lived in Virginia all my life and explored West Virginia with my dad just as long, but am always amazed at just how much is still out there to see (even in a crowded place like the East Coast). ---
**Author:** ![haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/haolepinoy/32/60_2.png) [@haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/haolepinoy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/32 "2020-03-29T18:01:20Z")
**October 2015** ![IMG_2188](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/1dc5c7a81660f2d47972acb5e15f025a433a3c81.jpeg) With work on the Jeep taking FOREVER AND EVER, it remained the duty of the daily of all dailies to scratch the adventure itch. But since we had basically circumnavigated the globe twice by this point, what was left to do? Why not try a very local, low-key camping trip just outside our hometown? Leave it to David Attenborough to ruin our vacation plans…AGAIN! I hate that guy. Always calling us up asking if we can provide him some material for his latest reality TV show or what-not. And wouldn’t you guess who decided to call just as we were leaving the house…_sheesh_. After listening to his drunken whining about _“My career is swirling the drain”_ and _“I’m such a fraud”_ and _“I’m so sorry I mixed frog DNA with dinosaurs”_ blah, blah, blah… I finally gave in and told him I’d bail him out one last time, though it was gonna cost the Queen double the usual rate. We’re going to call this one _More Scientific Progress Going Boink!_ but I’m sure the BBC will come up with some unimaginative dumb name like _Planet Earth_ or something like that. So glad George Washington kicked King George in the nuts all those centuries ago. ![Samsung Camera Pics 018](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/3af4a5e5e8b9815ce168d847e646e14d2edfc536.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 021](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/52de1b5acc1e12e6e4dd061c2d3cda85089559fe.jpeg) ![IMG_2128](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/6ae76e7f8d12754cbbf2f5bf2bd7f4a4cf088dc5.jpeg) Kitted out with the latest scientific gadgetry we trudged out into the wilds, unsure of what we’d find…but sure we’d find it none-the-less. These boys have a nose for trouble, and that sometimes also yields discoveries of note. We pushed off into the unknown, and before long were in lands hitherto unknown to the outside world. ![IMG_2120](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/6e422a44725b9db09730adacea64291eb6ebf55d.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 053](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0b2ad0fd3a31b38bf895cfd78681cf4e4df7c77d.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 051](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/9/927f6ce5d68367d8f2f5db8d483043c84f973587.jpeg) ![IMG_2117](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/c/cb899a2cfea6a000512dd91f63a336f7fdb46587.jpeg) Without further ado, let the discoveries begin… ![Samsung Camera Pics 045](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/a/a9ef76678c21ffb7d5c00643fccc1eca94920e0a.jpeg) Prehistoric Beavers Deforestation… ![IMG_2125](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8ae5aac284c1132d59ba7952aa4f25905c694494.jpeg) Demon Spider Monsters Covered in Baby Demon Spider Monsters… ![IMG_2119](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/309928d7a2a23b7ccaa26cfef6a5642e5a739a8a.jpeg) Fossilized Dinosaur Poop… ![Samsung Camera Pics 033](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e3c42b2063eb548e5b4f85698b7baf0db0e77cab.jpeg) Hobbits of the Shire… ![Samsung Camera Pics 058](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/f591d95127b20496053719d8385469b6e40e48f2.jpeg) Space Aliens… ![IMG_2122](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/56f546c5a9e81bae9a13628fabca12d2fc556137.jpeg) Space Alien Droppings… ![IMG_2121](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/384dbcc2f6b89701d17966bd72b5d843db8d3e02.jpeg) Keebler Elf Cookie Factories… ![Samsung Camera Pics 030](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/f399e0622fa3163a9164809212657b6092c9ca7b.jpeg) Primitive Bushcraft Demonstrations… ![IMG_2150](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/704fff938144f0dad8428ad344e24cbcb91e5116.jpeg) Various Natural Cures and Remedies to Foot Cancer, Male Pattern Baldness, Illiteracy, and Stank Breath… ![IMG_2147](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/78894dc8c129c79ebc79f14a4de0b6b8bb7f36d9.jpeg) By the end of the first day we figured we’d unearthed enough discoveries to keep ol’ Davey Boy’s career afloat for at least a few more seasons. We turned into camp to finally enjoy that local, low key kind of camping trip we were in search of the whole time. ![Samsung Camera Pics 010](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/44cf5844a3c7f1d7f788a63473db2c7794ba95b2.jpeg) ![IMG_2162](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9d8f9fc963cfe5f1563a388dc1d6156fb2560521.jpeg) ![Samsung Camera Pics 002](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0461cc12576817615b9b8e791e59e1f30a9a2eb2.jpeg) But next time your watching one of them fancy TV shows about the natural world, just remember who’s really responsible for all the magic. These guys right here… ![IMG_2171](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/7c3b21980abd21fefc066ffcaa56908d08d78163.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/brian/32/6054_2.png) [@Brian](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/Brian)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 3:38am UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/33 "2020-03-30T03:38:16Z")
I love this. How do you split up between two tents? ---
**Author:** ![haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/user_avatar/forum.thegearheadproject.com/haolepinoy/32/60_2.png) [@haolepinoy](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/u/haolepinoy)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 3:41am UTC](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438/34 "2020-03-30T03:41:49Z")
> [@Brian](#): > > How do you split up between two tents? It was an experiment for just that one trip. Thought maybe we’d try mom and dad in one, the boys in the other, but they were still too young for that. Believe it or not all six of us fit comfy (but very snug) in one of those tiny tents, while all our gear stayed dry in the other. [Previous page](https://forum.thegearheadproject.com/t/your-dreamcars-dreamcar-is-my-daily-minivan-all-the-things/438.md?page=1)