The fall of 2021, we felt that for the first time in two years, that we could feasibly travel. (1) The efficacy of the COVID vaccines had been demonstrated, and we were able to get boosters (and flu shots). (2) All of us were on a college schedule for the first time, so we had a month between semesters. (3) Gabriel had developed an interest in dinosaurs that has become quite involved. (4) We wanted to visit family on the East Coast.
One constraint was that we could not bring our teardrop trailer, Felipe. It has no brakes; and as a passive trailer it is a bit hazardous to tow across ice. So instead, I built a rooftop cabinet to carry our bags.
Known as “the Cabinet of Dr. Calogero,” it is defined by these variables: (a) the front follows the profile of the windshield of our car, so that the slipstream of air could just continue over the cabinet. (b) the height of the side doors had to fit common rollie-bags. (c) the back was limited by the radio antenna built into the car. It is made of 4mm and 12mm marine plywood, the first time I have used this material.
At the last minute I added the wreath with solar-powered blinky-lights to cheer up our fellow drivers at night.
