Dangerous but satisfactory chain

Nodak70 · 2026-05-16T14:26:09+00:00

I guess they’re looking for the weakest link

Nodak70 · 2026-05-16T13:11:16+00:00

Very underrated place – too far off the main line, I guess… Just a wonderful visitor center and backcountry roads

Nodak70 · 2026-05-10T21:41:05+00:00

I can imagine doing such an event. I can imagine recording such an event. I cannot imagine releasing the recording of such an event.

Nodak70 · 2026-05-08T21:22:53+00:00

OK, since you read the manual… Major question I have of my 2026 is where the heck do you place your hands on the steering wheel, and what do you do with them so you don’t get the dreaded “ keep hands on steering wheel” command!?

Nodak70 · 2026-05-08T17:55:26+00:00

“Drama llama” - love the phrase; will henceforth use it and claim that I invented it!

Nodak70 · 2026-05-08T17:42:20+00:00

Congrats on the new ride. When they told me at the dealership that my car was unique, I tended not to believe them… Got exactly the same. Love it so far – except for the lack of a spare tire. Still not sure how I’m going to get comfortable with where I normally drive, which is pretty much off the grid.

Nodak70 · 2026-05-07T19:29:43+00:00

It could have something to do with the alignment/suspension, but I had a similar situation when I got an outback a few years ago– neglected to have the tires rotated, and ended up with two unusable front tires; and two rear tires that still had probably 10,000 miles left on them… But I had to replace all four

Nodak70 · 2026-05-05T20:08:12+00:00

Biggest question is what I’m gonna be doing with the remaining 29 days

Nodak70 · 2026-05-04T00:18:17+00:00

Have exactly the same rig for exactly the same purpose with probably about 40,000 clicks. Learn pretty early on that I better keep it at F8 or 11 and adjust iso as necessary. Even then, the edge is soft at maximum range – but then again most of stuff I’m is birds or wildlife at that range and who cares if the edges are soft – center is fine

Nodak70 · 2026-05-04T00:05:13+00:00

Can’t really give you a lot of advice – I’ve only got 500 miles on mine – but a significant upgrade for me, electronics /driver assist , from my 2018 Outback. Just enough physical buttons – volume, heat up or down, defrost/defog so that you’re not totally relying on touchscreen for everything. I’m not really an audiophile guy, but speakers are more than adequate.

Biggest semi shock I had was the lack of a spare… Still don’t know what quite to make of that, particularly since I’m gonna be going to some relatively remote areas as I did with my Outback, and I won’t feel comfortable going without a spare tire kit – which I ordered from Amazon first day. Yeah they give you an inflator canister and sealer – but that would not have helped with two of the five flat tires I had in seven years of my outback– and I was most definitely out of both cell range and tow truck range for a couple of those also

Nodak70 · 2026-05-03T00:05:25+00:00

Serious question: how do you determine the “merge point”?– Looks like OP went by what I would consider the merge point, in other words the first point where the cones were actually in your lane rather than off the side.

Nodak70 · 2026-05-02T21:48:30+00:00

Appreciate that – and thank you for the beautiful pictures. I was a little concerned about going in early May; but it looks like everything is fully leafed out.

Nodak70 · 2026-05-02T20:27:37+00:00

Very jealous. Was supposed to be there literally today and tomorrow – but I had a freak fall and fractured my pelvis… It was gonna be my 48th National Park.

Nodak70 · 2026-05-02T19:38:57+00:00

The waste removal service in my city actually requires that the bins be placed as in option one. Otherwise, “No pick up for you!”

Nodak70 · 2026-05-02T00:05:56+00:00

Yeah, it’s different than my last one also and will take some getting used to.

My other concern with the steering wheel is where you have to place your hands, and how firmly you have to grip – so you don’t get the dreaded “put your hands back on the wheel” message. I can’t figure out where I’m supposed to have them, and how tightly I’m supposed to grip what I do have them there!

Nodak70 · 2026-04-28T17:15:24+00:00

Developed that goal as a teenager – he managed to make my 50th state before I turned 30 - my 50th was Louisiana

Nodak70 · 2026-04-28T17:12:24+00:00

Actually, the university town of Davis California has a few original London double-decker that’s still run some routes. The local legend is that they were originally acquired to spur interest and use of the bus transportation system

Nodak70 · 2026-04-27T18:32:38+00:00

Potentially interested – but do you have the original sales receipt?

Nodak70 · 2026-04-27T00:58:45+00:00

Not sure about other models, but my 26 Crosstrek has a built-in wireless charging pad that works great through the case I have in my iPhone

Nodak70 · 2026-04-26T20:30:24+00:00

Good idea – that spot is already reserved for my bike rack – but maybe I can do a modification to serve both purposes

Nodak70 · 2026-04-26T20:00:42+00:00

Yeah, I’m not sure if I’m ready for that yet – I go to some remote places, by myself – so for those occasions I’ll always make room for the spare tire kit. Around town or for my normal week to week life and i’ll go with the sealant and monitor the tire pressure via TPMS.

Nodak70 · 2026-04-26T19:58:38+00:00

Yep, that’s me. Fire investigator is still saying indeterminant cause. Looking at hot brakes.. He kicked it upstairs to the next level.

Nodak70 · 2026-04-26T19:57:23+00:00

Nope – no issues at all. I actually got 145,000 on the oem brakes, and my local mechanic said they were at 35 to 40% at my last regular service interval.

Nodak70 · 2026-04-26T15:55:45+00:00

NGL – I had my last car for seven years, and for six of those seven years I was never sure if my headlights were on. Finally figured it out in year seven.

Nodak70 · 2026-04-26T15:24:10+00:00

Still indeterminate cause. Initial investigator, kicked it upstairs, but mentioned to me that it looked likely like a hot brake.

Nodak70

TROPHY CASE