Day 2 - Didn't think it would be bloggable!

But for Day 1 Disaster

Tuesday June 3


I had not anticipated doing an update quite so soon, but the first two days have been rather newsworthy.

No more than ten minutes off the ferry, approaching Capilano on Vancouver's North Shore, a loud bang, huge wind noise and we quickly realised our glass roof on the Tundra had shattered.  We were passing a large dump truck and trailer at the time and assume a stone had bounced off the lorry onto us.  

We were a few minutes from Toyota, Jim Pattinson North Shore to be precise, who were no help, anymore than the collision repair centre they directed us to.  "No glass available in North America" was the refrain.  Nick has since found some in Ontario.  The question at the forefront of our minds was, will we get further than Abbotsford where we are due to pick up the trailer?

The collision specialist, vacuumed out the broken glass (but left half the broken roof in place), stuck on a layer of sticky plastic and duct taped it on.  By the time we got to Abbotsford to pick up the trailer, we were tired and frustrated by the wind noise and plastic flapping, but in the absence of an immediate solution decided to press on to Manning Park; our first four night stay.

The wind noise in the truck was awful.  But we got to Manning Park, set up the trailer, unpacked and opened the wine! Actually we got onto a second bottle!

Tuesday morning, Jack was walked round the lake, breakfast taken and Tundra given some TLC.

The broken toughened glass left in the roof had abraded the plastic sheet which would be as waterproof as a colander.  After taping all the edges, putting some padding/insulation in between the sliding roof liner and the top of the roof, adding two layers of sturdy plastic (from some bedding wrapping that Fred  had kept) and the duct taping over the whole lot, we have what a friend referred to as a MacGyver solution.  But hey, the truck was quiet and drivable, and we bought more duct tape.  We will press on and try and get hold of a glass roof as part of the journey, probably in Ontario in July.

Tundra aside, Manning Park is stunningly beautiful.  We have done several walks including and 8.5km trek around Lightening Lake.  The trailer is working well and we are enjoying the lifestyle.  So onwards and upwards.  We will press on.  I mean for heaven's sake, the early settlers didn't have duct tape!

Some pics.

Roof with glass left around the edge

Taped edges and padding

More duct tape than Apollo 13!

Lightening Lake - as are the next few images






Top of Lightening Lake

Three Toed Woodpecker - Juvenile



Local Gophers who make more holes than a golf course





Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 3, 2025 at 9:34 PM

    — Yikes! What an unusual thing to happen, a stone breaking your truck roof glass. I’m glad you were not hurt yourselves and kept control of the vehicle and trailer. What a shock!

    In the old Alberta family home after a long day of travel. Awake since 3:00 am. In a rental car that is slightly more clever than our own. It still has that new car smell. Much warmer than March, my last visit.

    Jet setting Jon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM

      We’re still waking up to frosts in Manning Park with patchy snow still on the mountains.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM

    Duct tape is a marvellous thing, and comes in many colours too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM

    Love the pioneering Cronks!
    What challenges and adventures lie ahead..enjoy! Really enjoying sharing this with you, and know you will prevail and relish every moment. Maddy Px

    ReplyDelete

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