My tenth trip to visit family, has me learning a new way.

Having overcome all the hurdles it takes these days to take an international flight, I finally landed in Boston, just over a month ago. The best part of the first three weeks was spent with family in Boston. Despite all of the adults working from home, and some of the children away at camp, it was great to catch up with them. It had been almost three years since I had seen them. Met some very interesting folk at the arts & crafts festival in Lexington, including a lady whose husband is from Western Australia. At son's place I met more of their neighbours who came around for a barbeque.

During this time too, I became aware that I would not be able to keep my Ford van. and had to make arrangements to sell her. A little help from some of my friends had me list it on Craigslist. Within a day the responses started coming, mostly asking for pictures. But not having seen it myself for more than three years, I was not able to oblige. Eventually, I sold it to a lovely lady truck driver - not long distance - she is home every night. She plans to use it just the way I did, for her weekend getaways. Somehow it seems easier to part with my much loved van, knowing she is going to be some one else's holiday home on wheels.

History: In 2001, my first visit, and 2004, I relocated vehicles for Autodriveaway, driving to places of which I had not even heard. I really liked Seattle, a sister city to Melbourne. The Rocky Mountains blew me away and I fell in love with Tucson AZ. One vehicle needed to be delivered to Green Valley, AZ and I stayed in a lovely small hostel in Tucson, which was run by two brothers who would come down in turn, from Alaska, for some months at a time and manage it. At the time I was a taxi driver at home, and on two occasions I was offered a job in Tucson. Biosphere II had always intrigued me, and I arranged a visit there for a few of us at the hostel. I can still hear the words of the official guide from Columbia University stating that it was built as an experiment for the space programme. but the experiment FAILED! Now I am not an educated person, but even I know that there is no such thing as an experiment failing.. Every experiment has a conclusion. You may not like the conclusion, but that does not mean the experiment FAILED. It simply shows that you were wrong in your assumptions.
In 2007 my son loaned me a spare car he had, and I drove it all over the lower 48, for 5 months. In 2009 my friend loaned me a minivan she and her husband were going to sell. With the seats removed it left sufficient room for my luggage and a mattress for me to sleep. That vehicle saw a trip to Alaska during the five months I drove it.
By now it became clear that I needed a vehicle of my own, for future trips. I could not coninue to visit my family if I had to rent vehicles and pay for hotels. It was with the help from the generous members of this forum, that I was able to purchase and successfully register and insure my precious van. Over the decade we made 5 trips, each many months long, including two to Alaska. She's been up the Haul Road and back and over to Yellowknife,( the start of the North Canadian Ice Road). She's driven The Top of the World highway into Chicken AK and visited all the 48 lower States. She has seen all western Canadian provinces, as well as the southern ones. All in all we clocked up more than 108.000 miles.

Now, on my tenth trip, I have to learn to think about renting a vehicle, and finding places to sleep. Something so foreign to me, I did not have any idea how and where to start.

Lifey

Lifey, I don't envy you. Yes, there are tons of options out there but each has its own set of benefits and costs. Many times you can rent a "midsize" vehicle and select a minivan in the midsize area. But then you will need to store the removable seats somewhere, if they indeed can be removed. Most of the minivan rentals I have seen are from Chrysler and Ford. An SUV might also work but most of those end up with very uneven sleeping surfaces. To make it a practical sleeping platform you would need a sturdy frame with adjustable legs and to keep some wood slats handy for a future trip. That might mean renting a small storage space somewhere you would always fly to. Might was well pick up a cooler, sheets and blankets, a coleman stove, etc. However, before we get to carried away, most of those rentals require insurance that does not go beyond one month. Much research ahead of you.

Hi landmariner, Yes, I'm learning fast. Now well on my way and beginning to establish a routine. Here is what I ended up doing.

With the help of my daughter, who is much better at these things, we settled on renting from Budget, not just because they allowed me to pay in AU$$, but they had the best prices for what I wanted. Then we learned about their month by month rental, and it became even cheaper. We settled on a full size SUV, booked and paid for same. However, when my daughter-in-law and I went to pick it up on 2nd August, we noted two minivans in the yard, and were told they are booked up months in advance. A few minutes later, almost as an afterthought he said there actually was a minivan available, but it could not be rented out because there was a nail in one tyre. (The nail turned out to be a screw.) He then said I could have it if I was prepared to pay for a new tyre. (US$200+). I agreed, and at that point everything changed. Lots of phone calls to ensure we could get it done a.s.a.p. Daughter-in-law was invaluable. I could not have done all that negotiating by myself.

In the end it meant leaving for North Carolina well after lunch instead of about 9am, on 3rd. It threw the whole schedule out, all the hotel bookings I had made for along the way and worst of all, made me miss a luncheon date I had in Raleigh for that Friday.

The minivan was given to me, and the *keys* were given to me. Not that it uses keys. For someone who has never driven a 21st century vehicle, it was most disconcerting. No explanation how to work the a/c. No information how to work the radio. And no information on how to work the cruise control. By the third day I could take it no longer, and with a little help from my friend, found a Chrysler Dealer, where a lovely lady explained it all to me. When I told her I had a lot of luggage to pick up yet, she was happy to fold down all the seats for me. There have been several more visits to Chrysler Dealers since; to sort out little issues as they arise.

It soon became obvious that as the years pile up, they get heavy, and that seems to have slowed me down considerably. So even more adjustments were needed.

Along the way to North Carolina it was just cheapie hotels for overnighting, but in Greensboro (where the van was stored) I had made better arrangements. The hotel, which I had booked gave away the room with the flat floor shower, some 12 hours before I arrived. Since I had planned to stay 4 nights, they found a room for me in the hotel next door. And a great room it was too. Wonderful people, great *Covid* breakfast. A most enjoyable stay.

While in North Carolina, besides getting personal items out of the Ford van, and selling it, I organised my minivan. The fridge out of the Ford is now in the minivan, right by the back door where there is a 12v. outlet. I can only plug it in while driving, but it is cold enough to stay cold overnight. The luggage (including my scooter) is all neatly lined up behind the driver seat and easily accessible. Behind the passenger seat I have a long piece of 5 inch thick memory foam. The gentleman cut it for my length and 30 inches wide. It makes a great mattress. I have linnen and a pillow which were in the Ford. Now at least I will have a choice of staying at a truck stop, where there is lots of company, or sitting alone in a hotel room.

Lifey

Im pleased you (at last) managed to get back to the USA to see your family and get on the road again. It's also pleasing to know that your faithful road trip ride has found a new home ! What a stroke of luck to end up with the mini van and although it was real cheek to get you to pay for a new tyre on top of what you will be paying for the long term rental, I can understand why you took the opportunity. Have fun and I look forward to more!

Dave.

I have always said that family is invaluable. The love of a good family will bring everything together for you. Hopefully you will have some good traveling times, too. I know it had to be hard to sell your "baby". My husband will be selling his "baby" very soon, and he's still coming to terms with that.


Donna

In my first few days after selling the Ford van, I excelled at getting lost. On the interstates, I managed, but once I was driving around towns and cities, it became most confusing. GPS not-with-standing! And AAA have stopped printing the detailed maps of cities. Just as well I kept the one of Boston. But others have been disposed of.

I recall well getting the address for the place to buy the foam, I keyed it into the gps, and it said: 21 miles, 21 minutes....... three hours later I arrived at my destination. I did not keep a record of how many miles I did during this time, but the foam was worth it. It is very comfortable.

Lifey

You were fortunate that the place had foam. One of the things that the furniture stores were mentioning, last spring, was that the lack of foam was hindering furniture production.

You have proved what we have all been saying for years on these forums: don't rely on electronics to tell you how long it will take to get somewhere!



Donna

That wasn't luck mate... It was all they had. If I had wanted another thickness, I would not have been able to get it. Since it was affordable, I figured 5" would make a comfortable mattress.

It sure is.

Lifey

...is the mother of acceptance.

AZBuck

Have decided to avoid the interstates as much as I can. Want to see more of the countryside and small towns through which most of the old highways pass. The first one I took was US-21 from the Winston Salem area NC, north to Wytheville VA. A lovely road I thoroughly enjoyed driving. Took it easy and admired the surroundings. Unfortunately there was never anywhere to pull off the road to stop and take a photo. The shoulders are too narrow, and with double lines down the centre the whole way, as it wound its way through the bush and past the occasional farm and small settlement.

in fact, to date I have seen many scenes which would make Perfect Postcard Pictures, but I have been unable to capture them. Still, I would not have been any better of on the interstates, as I would not even have seen them. The other thing I really enjoy is the leisurely speed at which one can travel. Now if I had a really good dash-cam, I would be able to relive each drive as often as I wish, at home. The other thing is the folk I meet when not sure if the road I am on, is the road I planned to be on.

Oh well!

Lifey

Hubby and I have had some recent unplanned "scenic trips" through areas that we didn't intend to drive through, trying to find things without that annoying voice of iMaps or Google Maps coming from the phone. The most recent was Saturday's adventure trying to find the POA pool. We sure saw more lovely houses, though we are quite happy with the one that we finished moving into on Saturday morning!

It seems that we're all on new learning curves -- you with your new travel vehicle, and us with a house that has things that we've never had to learn before (i.e. water softener machine, septic system, electronic locks). We could each call this "the summer of adventure!"



Donna

It's a while now I have been travelling. Things have been going a lot better, and I seem to have been on the road I wanted to be more often than not. (Hope you are too Donna.) Getting onto reliable wifi has been a challenge, not giving me as many opportunities as I had hoped.

US-52 is a road which stands out in my memory. It was in VA or WV that I lost this road, and ended up driving much of it a second time. Once I was settled on it, it took me all the way to Ashland KY. Though not a senic road in the way some of the roads through the mountains in VA were, it was a very pleasant drive. [Later, while visiting friends in MN, I chanced upon US-52 north of Minneapolis. This time it was not the pleasant drive I had experienced before. Here it was the same road as I-94, i.e. lots of construction, trucks, and heavy traffic late in the day, while raining and getting dark.] This is also where I stayed in one of the nicest hotels I have experienced so far - The Travelodge in St Cloud - friendly and very helpful in every possible way.

US-60 is a great alternative to the Interstates across KY. It is medium speed and not all that busy, passes through a multitude of little and bigger places as well as a variety of agriculture. Though not classified as a 'Scenic route', it is none the less a most relaxing drive. There was a great choice of accommodation along the way. Many of the smaller places along the way were great to stop, have a break from driving, a cuppa and maybe a walk through a local park or window shop.

Having crossed into IN at Evansville, I took US-41 north to Terre Haute. At this point I realised that I better go see my friends in St Paul, as they had a busy schedule, early Sept. volunteering locally. So from there on it was US-41, I-74, I-39, I-90 and I-94 all the way into St Paul MN, where I had four relaxing and enjoyable days.

So far I have been alternating my accommodation between hotels/motels and truck stops, but I am beginning to favour truck stops. For one thing I do not have to drag my luggage out of the car - rarely with any help. Most truck stops have somewhere to eat (or I can get something at a local supermarket) and all the ones I have been to have a microwave, coin laundry and accessible facilities (things, not so readily available in hotels - even ***/****).

Lifey

US-60 through Missouri is also pretty. In the western portion, just east of Springfield, MO, it goes through some Amish country, as well as near the last home of author Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was the place where she wrote the "Little House" books. In the Springfield area, too, is a site of a Civil War battle. That one's on our "must do sometime" list.

Kentucky is also on my "must spend time there" list. My husband has yet to see Mammoth Cave (I haven't seen it since I was a kid). There are also a few other sites I'd like to see there, and in Tennessee as well. I owe my husband a trip to Shiloh battlefield, for instance.

Unfortunately, no traveling for us in the near future. Hubby broke his right wrist, and is in a cast. He's left-handed, but he's one of those ambidextrous type people who only does one or two things with his left (writing and eating) but everything else is done with his right. So he has been learning to adjust. He can drive, for instance, but turning over the ignition is the hardest for him. He's got a doctor appointment almost every week.


Donna

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

[Later, while visiting friends in MN, I chanced upon US-52 north of Minneapolis. This time it was not the pleasant drive I had experienced before. Here it was the same road as I-94,

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I'm actually surprised you saw any signs for US-52 north of Minneapolis.

US-52 is technically the same road as I-94 from St. Paul all the way to Central North Dakota - where it splits off and heads towards Canada. While I believe it's marked as such in North Dakota, I didn't think Minnesota actually used any signs for US-52 for the sections that are along I-94.

Michael,

I could be wrong, but I feel certain that there were signs for I-94 and US-52, as well as ones pointing to US/MN-10 (dunno which) in the vast construction area south of St Cloud. It may only have been to help navigate one's way through that complicated road diversion section, which was rather complex in the rain and the dark. I did not go further than St Cloud.

I know for a fact that there are signs in Minneapolis on I-90 showing the exits to both US-52 and US-51.

Lifey

OK - I'm showing my age with that title but I noticed something on my own recent RoadTrip: Signs seem to be disappearing! I guess it's now just assumed that everyone has GPS for navigation and traffic control - "Speed Limit" signs were especially scarce. So I'll join Michael in his astonishment that you saw US-52 route markers. Navigating by map and signage seems to be going the way of the dodo.

AZbuck

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

OK - I'm showing my age with that title but I noticed something on my own recent RoadTrip: Signs seem to be disappearing! I guess it's now just assumed that everyone has GPS for navigation and traffic control - "Speed Limit" signs were especially scarce. So I'll join Michael in his astonishment that you saw US-52 route markers. Navigating by map and signage seems to be going the way of the dodo.

AZbuck

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Today I had a wonderful day roadtripping in north westerm Arkansas. I looked at the map in the morning, and decided which roads I would drive. I noted down the nuimbers and ended up with a great variety of roads, four lane, four lane divided, two lane with nice wide shoulders, two lane narrow and winding with what seemed like double lines the whole way. Even a few small lengths of interstate.

I noted which number I had to come back on to get where I wanted to spend the night. At no time did I allow the Garmin to lead me astray, or distract me from the wonderful adventure I was experiencing - Motorcycle Rally not-with-standing.

No signs or numbers..... or even maps??? I dread the thought of it.

Lifey

I've noticed that signs for roads that run concurrently are diminishing, perhaps weaning drivers off the US and state highways in favor of interstates. Perhaps that is a matter of funding, maybe not.


Donna

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

Signs seem to be disappearing! I guess it's now just assumed that everyone has GPS for navigation and traffic control - "Speed Limit" signs were especially scarce. So I'll join Michael in his astonishment that you saw US-52 route markers. Navigating by map and signage seems to be going the way of the dodo.

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Yeah, that jives with what I've seen and I haven't been off the grid for a long time.

The heat has been getting the better of me the further south I go. Then, just as I was contemplating on whether to head further south and continue, as planned, to Big Bend NP, or turn around and head back north, the decision was made for me in the form of an email from my daughtwr-in-law in Boston.

She thought I might like to see my grand-daughter in The Three Musketeers, which her school is putting on, in October. With three weeks to get from north-west Arkansas to Boston, I figured I could choose whatever US highways and scenic byways I can find, through places I had not even planned to visit, and places where my other trips have not taken me. As well as visit some I really would like to see again e.g. The viaducts on US-11 in PA.

Arkansas showed me its best. The routes/roads through the mountains and forests, known as the Boston Scenic Loop are a delight to travel. Most, if not all, are marked as either US or State scenic byways for all of their length, or sometimes just part. When you can enjoy that scenery it's just not worth flying past it on an Interstate.

Just as US-60 had been such a pleasant drive trough KY and on other occasions through MO, so is US64, throuigh northeren Arkansas. I plan on taking it a couple of States further east, before looking for routes heading north. US-11 is definitely on the plan there. Other suggestions are welcome, so long as they are not too far away from the Interstates, as that is where the truck stops are.

From here I will continue, making up the plan as the days and miles roll on.

Lifey

When the Interstate Highway System was built, it largely followed previously well-worn footpaths, wagon tracks, farm-to-market roads, and the US Highway System. They all followed the contours of the Earth - through mountain passes, along rivers, and straight as an arrow on the Great Plains. The result of all these 'roads' following the same routes is that you end up with many highways becoming 'duplexed', that is sharing the same physical roadbed. Sometimes this is for a short or modest distance, but in at least one instance the Interstates (I-55/I-44/I-40) have completely replaced a legendary highway (US-66).

But US-11, while running basically right next to I-81 for mile after mile, is still there in all its relaxed-paced, stop and smell the roses glory. One can drive it up through the Great Valley of the Appalachians and never be more than a few miles from I-81 and its truck stops. Around Scranton/Wilkes-Barre PA, however, US-11 and I-81 turn more northwest rather than northeast towards Boston. My suggestion would be to look at a couple of other US highways that also run parallel to some Interstates. Those would be US-6 (I-84), US-209 (I-81) and US-20 (I-90). Use the US labeled roads in the countryside and the Interstate labeled roads to get through urban areas.

AZBuck

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

Around Scranton/Wilkes-Barre PA, however, US-11 and I-81 turn more northwest rather than northeast towards Boston. My suggestion would be to look at a couple of other US highways that also run parallel to some Interstates. Those would be US-6 (I-84), US-209 (I-81) and US-20 (I-90). Use the US labeled roads in the countryside and the Interstate labeled roads to get through urban areas.

AZBuck

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Just note that a fair section of US 209 in northern PA and to it's end in NYS veer away from I-81. If you follow it all the way, you will wind up on I-87 in Kingston (NY), which could then connect you to the I-90/US 20 corridor across MA.

Alternative may be to follow US 11 until it actually meets US 6 (a bit north of Scranton area), then 6 east to 209 then 209 North. That way, you stick close to I-81 & I-84 until you get onto 209, and the section from there into NY isn't that long to cover before hitting the Thruway (which brings you back to areas with lodging and possibly some truck stop access).

The other issue getting onto 209 further south is that the section just south of I-84/US 6 is through the Delaware Water Gap, definitely slower for a number of miles - but then again also a great area to go through, and there may be options there for stopping with the park access as well, if you did choose that way.

One constant I have noticed as I drive the various highways and byways. No matter how big the town or city, or how small and isolate a village or settlement may be. No matter how heavily travelled the road, or where one rarely sees a vehicle - let alone a person. There is one constant which binds all these roads and places together.....

And that is the (almost) comforting site of the black and gold Dollar General sign. It has at times given me somewhere to ask for directions; answer a call of nature; get a query or puzzle about a local feature answered; and always, ALWAYS, on the narrowest road given me somewhere to park, even if only for a moment. I had never before noticed just how many and how wide spread this brand is.

Lifey

Don't ever try to find a Dollar General in southern California. It didn't exist out there. Instead, we had Dollar Tree, 99.9c Only, and Big Lots.



Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

Don't ever try to find a Dollar General in southern California. It didn't exist out there. Instead, we had Dollar Tree, 99.9c Only, and Big Lots.



Donna

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Dollar Tree just announced they would start selling some items at more than a dollar. So much for that. But….if in rural areas, looking for a Dollar General is probably good advice. They are popping up everywhere in the rural areas, the new version of the old Five & Dime stores.

Quote:

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.....US-6 (I-84), US-209 (I-81) and US-20 (I-90)....

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Thanks for reminding me Buck. Three of my favourites. Have thoroughly enjoyed US-6 through many States, and those of you who have never driven US-6 through PA have really missed something. It definitely deserves a few days to take in everything from the Kinzua Bridge park in the east, to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania in the middle and the lovely mountain villages towards its western end. I was fortunate to have experienced the Kinzua bridge some three years before it was destroyed by a tornado, after having stood there for well over a century. There are many websites featuring the many and various attractions along the way.

Similarly US-209 has delivered me with surprises each time I have travelled it through Pennsylvania. Those mountain villages seem to always have something going, a parade, music festival, or similar event. Have taken it from the Jim Thorpe area to the Susquehanna River, several times.

I’ll be back on US-20 again next week, from the area of South Bend IN to who knows where. Love the route it takes through NY and MA. One of my favourite routes west when leaving Boston.

Lifey

After all that, I got to see very little of US-20 in IN.

Spent more time in Elkhart than planned and in fear of running late for grand-daughter's show, I was (more or less) forced to take I-80. However, that was a great surprise. Since it was now half way through October, the trees had started to change and the kaliedoscope of colours through which I travelled was so exhilarating, it helped me ignore the pain of the frozen shoulder, which had developed over the previous weeks. When the wind blew up, it was like driving through a shower of confetti. The other interstates to Boston were likewise.

The Three Musketeers was a typical school production. It was delightful, seeing most of the actors (characters) being killed and re-appear again as another character a few scenes later. Lots of laughter (behind masks), and a really good night.

Left Boston a week later, for Raleigh NC, where the planned luncheon - twice delayed - was enjoyed very much. Thanks Foy!

Before leaving Boston, my daughter had arranged for herself, my daughter-in-law, and me to go out to dinner and see Million Dollar Quartet . It was a great show, and I enjoyed it very much, as would all those who recall 1956.

It was now a little cooler right accross the country, and once again I set out for Big Bend NP, which has always intrigued me, and which I have never had a chance to even get close to. However, at an average of less than 200 miles per day, it was decided that I may not get back in time to get home before Christmas. [Now that quarantine is no longer mandatory for the vaccinated, I have booked my ticket for the 12th December.]

Lifey

Hi Lifey.

I was getting worried as to where you were. Great that everything has worked out well and you are enjoying yourself apart from the frozen shoulder. Stay safe and enjoy.

Keith

Am now heading towards Boston, slowly.... very slowly. Choosing mostly routes which are a single line on the maps, usually the slowest, often most scenic and which have places of interest, people to speak with, etc. Not interested in flying from one place to another and not seeing what is in between and meeting the folk who live and work there.

Car needs to go back by 8th Dec, after four months. Learned a lot about rental cars and renting threm.

Hope the State borders will be open without interruption next year. I'm longing to drive to and through western Queensland.

Lifey

These last couple of weeks I have not really been able to concentrate on my road trip, and have often been forced to hop on the interstates. Talk of having to remain flexible!!

The family, both here and at home have long been urging me to come home *earlier*. Now with this new variant of Covid, this pressure has been upped a notch. So am now heading for daughter's place in Boston. Have been communicating with my travel agent who has assured me that there is no shortage of seats in business class, so I can go whichever day I choose. Am changing the 12th to the 5th of December, and praying that the border between NSW and Vic does not close before the 7th, so that I can get home to Melbourne. United is still not flying into Melbourne. The only international flights going direct to MEL from LAX is Emirates. That would involve 25 hours in a plane plus a 7 hour layover in Dubai. Not at all appealing. Plus, it would cost me an extra AU$19.000.

This is the first time I chose to use a travel agent. The original trip for May 2020 was booked in 2019, well before Covid arrived on the scene. Once it did, the help from the travel agent has been invaluable. Travel agents have their finger on the pulse of every requirement and every change. She's been wonderful in guiding me through the maze of changes, and guide me towards the best for my needs. I could never have done all that on my own.

Because all of that, US-11 got to see very little of me. Such a shame, as I may never be this way again. However, US-64, was an absolute delight with a surprise at virtually every turn, especially in southern NC, from Hendersonville to Murphy. It is slow going, hilly and twisting, but oh so pretty, especially with the autumn colours. Several long time residents told me it was the best show they have seen. The quaint mountain villages along the way were a delight to behold. Other minor roads I enjoyed I will cover later, as I recall them, and review my notes.

Right now my mind is on getting to daughter's place (1st Dec), getting the rental back to Budget (3rd Dec), organizing my Covid test in the 72 hours before departure from LAX, and packing. Daughter-in-law will be taking me to Logan. She is the only one with a vehicle large enough to take all my things, including my scooter.

I'll probably be home before I can get back to this thread.

Lifey

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

I'll probably be home before I can get back to this thread.

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Lifey,

Thanks for the update. We are watching the news too about this new variant.

Hoping you get home OK.

Mark

Yes, I certainly hope all goes well for you Lifey and very pleased for you that you got to enjoy another USA trip with family and friends. Safe travels.

Dave.

As I spent many days sorting through the bits of paper on which I had written notes; as well as the book in which I kept a few stats , I realised I will have to go back and mention a significant part of the experience I had overlooked..
A week at daughter's place when I went back to Boston in October. The day before I was leaving I went to start the minivan, only to find the battery was dead. This did not seem right to me, and I reported it to Sam, the Budget man in Ankety IA. AAA got the car going again. But this was the third time I had a dead battery. The AAA man suggested I leave it running for a while. Hours later I took it for a run up I-95/93 just to be sure the battery was well charged. But lo and behold within the week it was dead again. Sam suggested I go to get it checked out, and gave me the preferred place he wanted me to take it.
Fortunately I was in Raleigh NC, where friend was able to find the place and gave me detailed instructions to get there.
The result of that exercise was that there was a fault with the electronics, which I guess I should have noticed, as the 12v outlets were still life after I had turned the ignition off. The vehicle would have to go back to wherever warranties are fixed. Sam said to go a budget dealer where they had another minivan for me to change it over, which was most likely to be a busy airport. At Charlotte NC airport, no questions were asked, and I drove out of there with another minivan, with quite a bit of damage on it. The first thing I noticed that evening, is when I turned off the ignitionf, my gps went off as well. At least the electronics in this van appeared to be working.
This now set me up to do a loop of scenic roads through SC, a place I had not really seen much of.

TBC.

Lifey.