I drove 770 miles round trip today for this:)

[crowderjd]

So, I bought something in an online auction recently, and had an AMAZING grillfella, Todd, AKA @WEBERNV pick it up for me.  So I woke up early this morning, and hopped in the trusty Hyundai Tucson.



Here's the route map for today:



Saw the sunrise over the desert:

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Drove past beautiful Walker Lake near Hawthorne, NV:



And I met Todd at a Dairy Queen parking lot in Fallon, NV at about 10:50am.  We talked a bit, and found out that he too is a STL guy...as a matter of fact, he's from St. Charles County just like me...it is a super small world.  Anyway, he couldn't have been nicer, and though he rejected my offer of a grill, I was glad to give him a six pack of local beer for his help.  I cannot stress enough how amazing he was in all this, and just how awesome people in WKC are in general.  He went above and beyond, and I'm truly grateful.

So, with that, I used the DQ restroom, ordered a burger, and headed back to Las Vegas...

Here's the sign on the edge of Fallon, NV, where I stopped to take this pic, and download a couple of podcasts for the trip back while I still had cell service:



I ended taking a short detour over a slightly more scenic route...it added 9 miles to the trip, but I think it shaved off some time because there was NO ONE on these roads trough Fish Lake Valley, Dyer, and Lida, NV.  Here's a pic near Lida Pass:



And, after all that, I arrived home this afternoon, 11 hours and 50 minutes later!



I got my find out of the car, and though super tired, I did a quick 15 minute cleanup with a sponge, and 0000 steel wool.  My lovely wife took some pictures...

Here's the new member of the family!  Meet the 1975-6 Copper Mist Imperial Sequoia!





Just for comparison, here's a pic from the ad:



So...my plans for now include SLEEP.  Then this week I'll take time cleaning the bowl and lid a bit more thoroughly.  So, my biggest concern is preserving the wood finish.  I'll post some more close up pics later this week, and I'd appreciate any suggestions about restoration and care of this gem of a Sequoia! 

[kettlebb]

That is a deeeeeeep fade. Congrats!


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[1buckie]

Welcome to the Wooden Performer Club !!!!

That one looks fabulous!!!!

[YardBurner]

Niiiice. A Fred Flintstone Performer!
Sounds like a grueling but really beautiful drive.

One question.   Why is the bottom shelf upside down?

[Rub]

That's a heckuva road trip. Sounds like a cool adventure though, and definitely a great reward. Congrats!

[crowderjd]

Ha...I have a feeling the bottom shelf has always been that way...I didn't notice...I'll fix it.

[CatskillSmoker]

Good driving. Congrates.

[stubblebum]

Nice pickup. Drive from WI was prohibitive but the price was sure right. Was the cast iron with it worthy of restoring?

[crowderjd]

Yes it's vintage griswold.  "Erie" on back.

[stubblebum]

Nice! That should be a nice griddle when restored.

[nolch01]

Great teamwork!   Beautiful Copper and cart!


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[pbe gummi bear]

Bravo! You must enjoy being on the open road picking up kettles. Please take some measurements for us and put them in the "Sequoia open source" thread in the mods subforum. The Red kettle near your wall looks neglected and sad.

[Lowbrass]

Did you get your collection from an old Weber catalogue, because it sure looks like it!  Beautiful grills!


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[MrHoss]

Well worth the drive duder.

[RottiGuy]

Dam what a find!!