The 4th Annual 2011 AMC Eagle Nest Meet is now Underway!

[Mavericke]

So... let's divert all traffic here regarding the trip and pictures and everything else!

First off, Rich (rollguy) got here the other day and stayed the night. He then got tired of my cats so he took off the next day to see some family. On his way back, he met up with Sean (sleepsundercars) and got some good photos, maybe he can repost them here! Rich also swung through Chicago to pick up some parts for me and he has now made it back to my place. We've been sitting in silence and posting on the Nest ever since... funny, you're hanging out and still communicating the same way you do thousands and of miles apart... tell me what's wrong with that picture, LOL!

I didn't know Jim and Wondereagle made it here already. They've checked into the hotel and we've since spoken... apparently they were already stalking me this morning and scoping out the place while I was tucked away in bed. Everyone on the Nest knows that I don't budge before 9-10am, LOL! I'm suprised I didn't hear my dogs going crazy... I guess, I've learned to tune them out over the years.

So, I got in touch with Jim and he's on his way out here. I've also got another "future nester" on his way out. He's doing some work for me and I'm trading him an Eagle for it. I don't think he's much a computer nerd like us, but he will join and he will most-likely be in Cordova with us. He's getting that blue SX4 of mine. He's really really excited about it! His name is Mike and he's on his way out here now to load it up and take it to his place. Jim and WonderEagle will meet us at the same time and we'll hang out and shoot the stuff and get the car loaded and then maybe head to town to have some dinner and discuss plans for the rest of the Meet. I figure tomorrow, we'll get Jim's doors on. I was going to wait until Sunday, but they are leaving early that day... and besides, it makes more sense to do them early so that he has pretty doors for the car show in Cordova on Saturday!

So that's the quick recap of the last few days. Things are just getting under way. We have myself and 3 other Nesters here as well as a potential future Nester. I believe Rohnk and Carver are both on the way here.

More to come!

[Gil-SX4]

Mavericke  you sure are a early riser. Is it truer what they tell me that the sun rises in the east?
You all have a great time.

[rohnk]

I'll be on the way in the morning. I have to pick up my Highlander at the dealer in the morning and I'm off from there. The Eagle isn't coming with me unfortunately. Too much to do and not enough time I plan to stay someplace in the Quad cities area. Maybe LeClaire where the American Pickers guys are at. See you all tomorrow!

[eaglefreek]

My car broke down last week and I had to get towed. It was a charging problem and I thought I had it fixed but it showed up again Monday. I dropped off my alternator to get rebuilt Tuesday and since it is a 140 amp unit, they had to order a high amp rectifier. It came in today and I picked up the alternator. Car is running again and packed. I'll be leaving in the morning and it's supposedly a 10 hour drive for me. So I'll be there 4ish. I brought my tent hoping to save a few beans, but the weather report calls for rain and I may have to get a motel if the weather is too bad. I was worried about the days of work I would miss but the boss said it is slow for a couple days and then we will be busy. So I will be able to work an extra couple days to make up for the lost time.  

[jim]

Well Carver is somewhere in Iowa. I took the Altoona turn off as the GPS said and then it told me to get back on the highway. Must have changed its mind. The heck with it there was an El cheapo Motel 6 right there on the right so I grabbed it. Course had to wend my way thru the truck parking area to find it. Jim, how bad is it to get into the Express parking lot? Goodness knows what the GPS will say   I thought you were going to the Comfort Inn? Will try and find the Express and hope they have a room for two nights   ark

The HI Express is somewhat tricky to find.  It's a block off Main on a one-block-long street named Washington.     Main is closed for construction in the middle of town.  The hotel is next to exit 48 off 74.  Michigan off Main will take you to Washington.
It may be full.  This was the only hotel in town that had a vacancy when we were booking; we usually try for Comfort Inn when we can.
This hotel number is (309)343-7100.

[rollguy]

I hear that Mav and Jim have photos of last night, but I have not seen them yet.

[rollguy]

Yesterday Jim, WonderEagle and I changed the rear passenger side door.  Jim chose a blue door from a bunch of doors out back, and we proceeded to change it.  The old doors are dented, and Jim felt it would be better to replace them with straight doors before getting the car painted. We decided to tackle the rear door first, as it would be easier.  We will maybe do the front one tomorrow.  Jim and WonderEagle:

We had to replace the latch, because the one in the replacement door was bad (rusted inside). 

The window was not attached to the track very well, so we ended up replacing the window as well:

So basically, the only thing we replaced was the door shell.  We used mostly all the other internal parts (regulator was good).

[eaglefreek]

340 miles to go.

[rohnk]

250 miles to go

[rollguy]

250 miles to go

340 miles to go.

I guess we will see you both soon!

[Mavericke]

Mavericke  you sure are a early riser. Is it truer what they tell me that the sun rises in the east?
You all have a great time.

LOL, hey man... 9am is good for me! Considering I've worked nights most my life. I was actually up just before 8am today! Hoorah!

I'll be on the way in the morning. I have to pick up my Highlander at the dealer in the morning and I'm off from there. The Eagle isn't coming with me unfortunately. Too much to do and not enough time I plan to stay someplace in the Quad cities area. Maybe LeClaire where the American Pickers guys are at. See you all tomorrow!

Just remember, the QC is about an hour from the Sanctuary! Unless you just plan to meet us at Cordova.

My car broke down last week and I had to get towed. It was a charging problem and I thought I had it fixed but it showed up again Monday. I dropped off my alternator to get rebuilt Tuesday and since it is a 140 amp unit, they had to order a high amp rectifier. It came in today and I picked up the alternator. Car is running again and packed. I'll be leaving in the morning and it's supposedly a 10 hour drive for me. So I'll be there 4ish. I brought my tent hoping to save a few beans, but the weather report calls for rain and I may have to get a motel if the weather is too bad. I was worried about the days of work I would miss but the boss said it is slow for a couple days and then we will be busy. So I will be able to work an extra couple days to make up for the lost time. 

Rich insists on sleeping in his car. Brandon was going to stay in the spare bedroom but he isn't coming, then it went to Sean and now he isn't coming so the room is open. There is no furniture so please bring a sleeping bag or something, but at least it's a warm room with a door. Also, we have a couch and a love seat and a huge loving room - enough for somone to crash on the floor there too. Just saying that if you or others need a place to sleep due to rain and money is an issue - you're more than welcome to stay in the laMavericke' Inn!

[Mavericke]

Ok, so here is the only picture I've snagged so far, lol... but it's a good one! We all went out for dinner last night and chose Applebee's! Thanks to Brandon for sending the sign!

More to come! Oh, and Carver just arrived!

[Mavericke]

So far so good! We're fixing Rich's radiator now and working on my front end. We got Jim's doors swapped out too.

Rohnk and Carver have arrived and it looks like another wagon is pulling in the driveway now!

[rohnk]

Sorry to cut out on you guys earlier! I needed to get checked into the hotel and settled. I also ran over to the Iowa 80 truck stop for a charger for my cell phone. I'll see all of you in the morning at Cordova. If you have any meet shirts left, I'll take the biggest one you got!

Are we going back to your place after the show tomorrow? Just curious what you had planned.

[83Eagle!]

Looks like fun so far.  Sorry I couldn't make it.  Our whole trip took a massive chnage of plans and I could not stop by Friday like I planned.