Travelling Gypsy stuck in Barrie, ON

[RichD]

An old friend of mine, Michelle, a rather colorful lady has been on a road trip in her 83 Grumman Olson, fully art-car'd, throughout the US and Canada for over a year now. She's on her way back to BC from the Maritimes and has "run aground" in Barrie, Ontario with brakes needing attention. She's raised money for fuel every step of the way through public performances and the vehicle has been maintained through same as well as the kindness of strangers. As any of you who road trip know, the road provides, and I admire her for going so far and for so long on this journey.

If we have any handy types in the area, I think she needs a little help getting a fair shake from the brakes joint, and perhaps a once-over the truck insofar as winter readiness. She has M+S tires, but I'm concerned about her crossing the Rockies.

I intend to go meet her in the vicinity of Alberta and convoy back with her, and so I'd like an idea of what I should bring along (chains, tires, other parts...) as well.

I'm posting these photos, not to scare you away so much but to prepare you for the eccentricity you will encounter if you meet her. I can assure you that it will be anything but boring, as Michelle is quite a character.

You can add her on Faceboob - Gypsy Mermaid. 250-619-9269 thegypsymermaid@gmail.com

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[tonydca]

I intend to go meet her in the vicinity of Alberta and convoy back with her, and so I'd like an idea of what I should bring along (chains, tires, other parts...) as well.

Besides lots of duct tape and industrial-strength tie-wraps?

I'd hazard a guess brake fluid, coolant, oil, and other appropriate fluids might not hurt. And cold-weather gear in case she does suffer a more major breakdown in -25C and you guys need to stop for a bit.

Props to her for her funky-factor. I have to ask, tho' - are those *hanging baskets* tie-wrapped to her back bumper? And glass architectural bricks around her roofline perimeter? (with a couple shed away already?) I'd be mighty displeased to catch some of that through my windshield on the highway. Might be prudent to subtly give it the ol' once-over check for potential shrapnel...

[RichD]

Props to her for her funky-factor. I have to ask, tho' - are those *hanging baskets* tie-wrapped to her back bumper? And glass architectural bricks around her roofline perimeter? (with a couple shed away already?) I'd be mighty displeased to catch some of that through my windshield on the highway. Might be prudent to subtly give it the ol' once-over check for potential shrapnel...

My understanding is that the Gypsy Caravan (as she calls it) is like an old wooden ship - in the throes of a constant battle between erosion (things falling off) and maintenance (things being stuck on).