Thursday morning, we loaded the Jeep and headed out for Seattle for Zach’s birthday weekend but first we made a stop at the 4Wheel Parts Center in Portland. I got a quote on my lift and re-gearing which they were only willing to reduce the price by five percent off retail (not too good). I wasn’t too comfortable with them because they seemed like they only wanted my money and they didn’t have a lot of experience working on JKs (two to be precise) with poor results. They also tried to talk me out of the TeraFlex brand which didn’t make me too happy, and didn’t carry the exact parts I wanted, all this while Jan took a nap in the Jeep.
We encountered an accident, which we detoured around, and some traffic on the way up, but other than that the trip went smoothly. We were greeted at the door by Steph, Nate, and Zach with his Jeep in hand. We ate Mexican food, played with the boys, watched some TV, and then called it a night.
Friday, Paul’s plane was due in at 8:50 am from Japan, and I left early to gas up and take the Southworth ferry to Bremerton and visit David at Northridge 4×4. I set the navigation system which brought me to the ferry slightly north which wouldn’t allow me to make a left onto the ferry. There was a police officer controlling the traffic so I was forced to pass it, make a U-turn, and join the majority of the traffic back onto the ferry.
I paid the $11.15 round trip ticket and enjoyed the ride across the Sound. As I saw the island approaching, I used the restroom, washed my hands, but couldn’t get the dryers to operate. Every moment I tried, the island got closer and closer and I became more frantic trying to operate the hand dryers. I tried everything while looking like a maniac, I’m sure. There were four dryers and I pounded and struggled with each and every one. Fortunately one did go off, faulty wiring I’m sure, and I rubbed my hands for all they were worth almost losing some skin trying to get them dry in the feeble ten-second allotted dry time.
I ran down the metal stairs panicked I would not get to the Jeep before they started to let the cars out. I noticed there wasn’t anyone in the minivan in front of me although there was a person in his car in front of that. Now the panic increased because I could see some cars exiting the ferry. It’s just a matter of seconds before they start to release our row and I’m blocked by this inconsiderate person and his minivan causing me to become very angry. I started cursing these people under my breath and frantically jerking around in the Jeep trying to get a look behind me to see if everybody’s eyes were upon me waiting in their cars ready to exit the ferry. I couldn’t see anybody because the car behind me had tinted windows. In all my panic, I saw the ferry start to leave the island and I thought I was missing the stop. Luckily an announcement came over the speaker saying they were leaving Vashon Island and Bremerton was the next stop.
As I exited the ferry, I quickly became aware that my GPS wasn’t working (what next?) I had no idea where I am at, no map, and no town in sight. After a couple of miles, I found a post office and was able to spend some time trying to fix the problem to no avail. The GPS seemed to know where it was but wouldn’t give a route or turn by turn directions. The girl in the post office told me I was about twenty miles from Bremerton (which I knew) and directed me another couple of miles up the road to a gas station where I could get a map. Once there, some guy in the store figured out that the whole address had to be re-entered to clear the GPS and sure enough this fixed the problem (thanks, whoever you were).
At one point the freeway split and the GPS didn’t say a thing which took me in the wrong direction (then she chimed in) and I had to double back but I got some pictures of the harbored aircraft carriers which was really cool.
I finally made it to the infamous Northridge 4×4 and David’s reputation for fantastic customer service that I’d read so much about on the Project JK forums certainly did not disappoint. He went out of his way to spend time with me showing the TeraFlex parts that would be used in the install, explaining the process and the tools I would need to maintain the suspension system once installed. He even called his wife to try and have her bring their personal 4-door JK over to the shop to give me a ride but she was out on errands so it did not materialize. Although David wasn’t in a hurry to take my money, their shop only works on Jeeps, and his outstanding customer service completely solidified my decision to trust my Jeep with Northridge 4×4.
Getting back was issue free other than the fact that I had to pay for the ferry again even though I was told it was a round trip ticket. I also showed up to the dock an hour early so I just found a little inlet off the road about a mile and killed some time taking pictures.
Once back to the house we all took some much needed naps then Zach got to open the gifts from Jan and I. Afterwards we feasted on Pat’s (Pat works at Zach and Nate’s daycare, baby-sits them on the side, and is going to culinary school in New York in September) pasta and garlic bread and pretty much called it a night.
Saturday morning, Paul went jogging and Jan, Zach, and I took the Jeep to Bakery Nouveau for some goodies. The bounce house showed up at two and the guests showed up around three for Zach’s “Birthday Extravaganza”!
Nate was a little afraid of the bouncy house at first but Jan eventually just threw him in leaving him no time to cry and he quickly started laughing (that could have gone either way). Steph was the first to start doing a flip and Paul was the first to do a flip and bring the house down literally! I accidentally fell out the door burning my elbow on some Velcro, Paul and I bashed our heads together trying to do a synchronized bounce and Jan claims it gave her callouses on her feet.
Zach was the last to leave the bounce house and I think extreme fun was had by all who attended.
Our enthusiasm really showed because later Paul barbecued some awesome filet mignon in his sleep for dinner (he passed out on the couch and we had to wake the poor guy up when we thought the steaks needed to be turned) . We were all pretty much asleep by 8pm.
Sunday, Jan and I were up at six to shower and pack and at seven we watched Zach and Nate open presents. “Happy Birthday!!”
We said our goodbyes and were home by twelve to enjoy a sunny eighty-degree day.
Thanks for having us, Steph and Paul. We sure enjoyed the weekend. Hi Nate! Happy Birthday, Zach!
-“Jeep Uncle Mike” and “Auntie Jandy with the Candy”
