I took that off the back strap of a Walther PP .380 ACP manufactured in Germany in 1938. It was German Police Issue weapon. That's how it is stamped.....

 

You guys make me wish I wasn't stuck on a little island in Alaska.

We have some twisties where I live, but not more than a few miles worth (if that). I've only personally had my car off-island once, and that was a quick trip to Anchorage to have the windshield replaced, and the bumper/bonnet resprayed.

It was fun to finally open it up on a lonely stretch of highway, but I'm sure the Dragon or any of the places Abuzavi has been are just absolutely killer.

Thanks a lot guys! You've given me island fever a bit early this year! lol

 

"Off island" -- my new fate. Is Kodiak bigger than Oahu?

 

Lets see. Supposedly Kodiak island is the 2nd largest in the US at 3,588 square miles. Oahu is #20 at 597 square miles.

Population: Kodiak Island, 13,913. Oahu, 876,151.

I'm absolutely positive that there's more roads in Oahu - so it may not be all that bad. And there's definitely more pretty women on Oahu.

 

I pulled it up on Google earth. Are there actual paved roads on Kodiak GE didn't think so.

Oh, and I saw this today.



Yes, a Rolls on monster rims. America -- how I misunderstand thee....

 

Sounds like you're having a rough time getting used to being back in the US. I don't blame you, sights like what you've seen sicken me too.

As far as roads are concerned, yes we have paved roads. Most all of the heavily used roads are paved. My car only rides on pavement, except for a small stretch of gravel/dirt road in my yet-to-be-paved neighborhood. They are starting to pave all the way "out the road" towards Chiniak and Pasagshak. I can't wait! So far the MINI only goes out there in the winter when the gravel is covered by a layer of ice/snow...

 

What are you doing in an island in Alaska? BTW, never been upthere but it most be gorgeous country.

 

It's where I live. My dad was in the US Coast Guard and that's how I originally moved up here. He managed to get tour extensions and such, so I pretty much stayed here from 3rd grade through high school. I've moved away on several occasions since then, and decided to come back on a permanent basis when I graduated from college in '05.

I had a job in Seattle lined up for me about the same time I bought the MINI. At the last moment, a better paying job opened up with the State, so I applied, and next thing I know I've been hired! I had the MINI shipped here from Seattle, and it's been here pretty much ever since.

I love it out here, and I really don't mind living here so long as I get "out" once a year or so. I have yet to see scenery that can beat Alaska's...though Switzerland and Germany can come extremely close.

 

Alaska is fantastic... my wife and I are seriously talking about living there someday... just don't know if I could stand the short days in winter... I get stir-crazy HERE in winter with 10 hours of daylight....

 

You'd spend 6 months driving to the Dragon for MOTD, and then the other six driving home again. Wash, rinse, repeat!

 

I guess "never say never" you never know how things will pan out in 10-20 years from now, given the current state of affairs.

I personally hate living in Florida because of the heat and humidity. I just can't get used to this climate

My dream is to live in or around mountains, cooler climate and no humidity. But Alaska seems to me a fairly drastic change on the opposite direction.

 

Depending on how far north you go, the winter darkness may not be too bad for you. I went to college in Fairbanks - the darkness there (literally a few hours of daylight, tops) bothered me substantially more than the miserable -40*F and colder winter temps.

I like the latitude I'm at right now - it doesn't get horribly dark in the winter, and we still get tons of summer daylight to make it all worth it.

I also try to travel "outside" Alaska in the winter, to help matters. I get stir-crazy as well. Perfect time to go someplace warm like Florida - the temps are "just right" for people accustomed to Alaskan weather.

 

Yeah... my "hero" is a guy I met last summer in Skagway.... runs a little cafe in Skagway in the summer, has a business in Florida in the winter... homes in both places.... if ya gotta work for a living, that's the way to do it...

 

Florida? So 1980's.

Caymans. That'd be the ticket.

 

Come to think about it, it may be cheaper to fly to the Caymans than to Florida, from here - depending on which flights I'll have to take to get there...

abu- I see you were able to get back on NAM.

 

Have you ever BEEN to the Caymans? IMHO the crappiest islands in the Caribbean, unless you have some special affinity for spending time on an overpriced sandbar... Now St. Lucia, or Dominica, or St. Thomas, or BVI (or some other awesome ones).... that's the ticket.

 

The Cayman islands are gorgeous, great snorkling and fishing...you cant go wrong with taking a trip there

 

Well, yes, the WATER part is nice.... but the ISLAND part, not so much.

Much, much prettier islands to be found elsewhere in the Caribbean - also with good snorkling, diving and fishing.

 

Abuzavi...

What are the wheels that you have on your car called? I really like them! I have a sidewalk and do not like the wheels. Can you just exchange them?

thanks

Peter

 

I think those are just the standard S-lites (affectionately known as S-heavies) - yes Abu?

I suspect you could find someone to trade you some S-lites for your sidewalk wheels (which are MUCH nicer wheels....) but you won't just be able to "exchange" them at the dealer...

S-lites come up for sale on the marketplace frequently... well, maybe less frequently now that the R52/R53 is out of production...

 

If they are the standard s wheels, they are called the R85's. They are exactly what i want on mine. Im trying to find someone who doesnt need them anymore...hmm

 

Peter:

Which ones? I have a winter set and a summer set.

These are the summer / current ones:



These are the sexy winter ones:



Both are OEM.

 

Summer ones... those are really nice.. much more masculine looking than the sidewalk issue wheels which to me look like flower petals

 

HAHA yeah i agree, the island is no bueno and there are much better places to go. Im going to keys this christmas

I must have your summer ones, i really really want the R85's. How much???? ...??

 

Is that for pickup, for home delivery?