We've been saving for three years to do this, and as is common, things generally end up costing more than expected.
We were supposed to drop the car off at the shipping yard on Thursday, September 11th, with the boat leaving Sunday the 14th. We planned our trip across the country accordingly, as well as some vehicle maintenance.
But of course, plans change. And like the butterfly effect, everything thereafter changes.
A few days before the boat was supposed to leave, the shipping broker informed us of a cancellation, and plans would be postponed for another week.
This affected our plane tickets!
While this gave us more time, it added a bit more to our expenses. It did however, allow for some more repairs to be done to the car, and we ended up putting new tire$ on the rear, along with full balance and alignment. Along with the care from Toby Peterson's DMC Northwest, the car has never been better.
We were then to deliver the car Wednesday, for a Saturday departure, and as we prepared it, I decided to add a label to the battery cut off switch, to make things as obvious, clear, and easy as possible for others. I tested the switch (to remind myself which direction is off, and which direction is 'ON', so I could draw the label correctly. What happened next was unexpected. Lots of smoke and a burning smell rose from the fuse area!
This affected our vehicle!
After the excitement, and a rectification of the problem and repair of melted wires, we had only 1 hour to get to the docks before closing. Terry followed in a loaner car, as we raced to the destination which was 1/2 hour away. Unfortunately, Seattle traffic was thick, the dockyards are a labrinth and after much stressful, frenzied driving in circles, U-turns, and panicked braking, we arrived at 4:32, as they were locking the gates. But a policeman took advantage of our misfortune and took several photos of our car before we departed.
We returned the next morning, having had a full rehearsal. Though we were prompt, it took a while to check the car in, because most of the staff had abandoned their positions and streamed out into the parking lot to photograph the car! So, we waited.
Finalizing all the paperwork, we were told the crossing would take another 10 days longer than previously specified by the broker.
This affected our hotel plans!
Handing the keys over to a stranger is difficult, especially when you consider finding 'reverse' in the DeLorean is a secret that only owners know how to do. There is a learning curve to driving the car, and I had no opportunity to help teach the handful of various dock workers who would be taking the wheel. Paranoid? I guess so. After all, what's the worst that could happen at this point?
The car was inspected, or 'surveyed' for damage before we turned it over to them, for insurance purposes. I locked the car, and we departed.
The next day, we received a call that they could not load the car onto the boat, because the keys were locked inside the car! Again, we raced to the scene, unlocked the car, which was the only car left in the lot. Would it make it to the ship? Was it too late? Could my heart take much more?
This affected the number of gray hairs on my head.
Now, as I write, we are sitting in a hotel room near the Seattle airport, and the Matson app on my iphone tells me 'Your vehicle has been loaded to vessel.'
I spent most of the day in bed, trying to relax.
We'll fly Monday morning, and wait 19 days, if we're lucky, for the time machine to catch up with us on the Big Island.
We're not sure how much time we'll have on the islands. It will take a good amount of time to arrange for, then ship the car back. Perhaps we'll put it on a boat for return near Christmas, fly home to family, then catch up with it a month later when it finally arrives back on the mainland.
Perhaps the message, or lesson here is, start traveling while you're young. Because it can be stressful, and physically challenging. Both of which are easier to deal with when you're young!
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