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Monday 24 Aug 2009 03:24

Imaginery Finish Line, UB,...

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

It was a bit anticlimatic to to role into UB after driving 8300 miles over 30 days and not have some ticker tape fall through the sky, but we did our best to celebrate at the Oasis Guesthouse with a meal of pasta, mystery sauce, pickles, bread, beer and forgotten delicacy, butter. read more »

Saturday 22 Aug 2009 11:18

On the doorstep of Mongolia....

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

On the doorstep of Mongolia. Didn't make it to the border in time to cross so the last night in Russia will be spent in the car. The Jheepo now has the handling of an old pontoon boat, but if something goes wrong we can push her into Mongolia. Just sold Vic's Fisher Price quality tool kit for $20. Trying to memorize how to ask for a beer in Mongolian.

Friday 21 Aug 2009 14:33

Lake Baikal, Russia. Never...

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

Lake Baikal, Russia. Never thought we would make it here after waking up to a flat tire this morning. Chris hitched into the next town with a rim and saved the day, coming back with a new tire. Another new tire after that and we were back in business. Now set up on Lake Baikal at a very Soviet campground. We're on the doorstep of Mongolia. Hoping to celebrate in UB tmrw night. Fingers crossed, but we think the Jheepo's got one more day in her.

Thursday 20 Aug 2009 14:33

We're pretty sure the Russians...

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

We're pretty sure the Russians invented the frown. Worst day of the trip so far. Made it 290 miles in 12 hours. Horrible roads. Two flat tires means we now have no spare. But no worries as we have sausage, beer, ramen and The Wire.

Wednesday 19 Aug 2009 15:03

Near Kansk, Russia. Jheepo is the...

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

Near Kansk, Russia. Jheepo is the only refuge from mosquitos. Roads go from a mile of brand new tarmac to crater riddled dirt. Rear sus [Missing part 02]

Wednesday 19 Aug 2009 14:48

Near Kansk, Russia. Jheepo is the...

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

Near Kansk, Russia. Jheepo is the only refuge from mosquitos. Roads go from a mile of brand new tarmac to crater riddled dirt. Rear suspension is gone. Hoping to make Lake Baikal tmrw.

Wednesday 19 Aug 2009 02:18

Wheat Field, Russia. Parted ways...

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

Wheat Field, Russia. Parted ways with our British comrades and headed into the Siberian frontier. Randall finally found a use for those $1 US gold coins when we were stopped for speeding. Boss cop knew Minnesota but apparently hadn't gotten the news yet that the North Stars were no more. Speeding ticket avoided.

Tuesday 18 Aug 2009 05:57

Novosibirsk, Russia

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

12 hours ahead of MN now so we're now officially on the other side of the world. Rolled into the city last night. Already anxious to leave, but a bit road weary after 3 straight days on the road. Looking at 3 more to Irkutsk. We now measure distance in days, not hours. Hotel room was something out of a Cold War Museum. Shower was cold and two floors up. Go Russia!

Sunday 16 Aug 2009 13:33

Outside Omsk, Russia. 6000 miles...

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

Outside Omsk, Russia. 6000 miles from Charlton. Only one border to go. Russian border guard: Russia big country da? Randall: Not as big as it used to be. RBG: Joo remember USSR? RT: Yeah I think I heard something about that. But I'm pretty sure it's done now. Something about a door.....nope....a wall came down. Sorry about that. Good car so far. She just might make it Dave!

Saturday 15 Aug 2009 15:18

Outside Petroplavosk, Kazakhstan....

by shmenghis of The Lost Crusade

Outside Petroplavosk, Kazakhstan. Took 8 hours to go 300 miles today. Angus and Tim have proven to be top notch convoy partners. Their arm tans are almost as good as ours. "Lotta Ladas" on the road. Camping in a field with enough mosquitos to trump the Bounday Waters. Back into Mother Russia tmrw. Good car so far. And a big thank you to Terry and Jeanne Conkel for buying us a few tanks of LPG!