Meet And Greet

It has been a long, warm and boring winter season for me in Central Florida. If anyone is stopping over in the area I would really like a meet and greet at one of the local truck stops. I have had the pleasure of meeting up with some of the best: Pack Rat met up in Crossville, Tn., IDMtnGal (Laura) met in Max Meadows, Va. and Big Scott took the time in Max Meadows, Va. also. I missed out on meeting up with Old School when he was in Lakeland, Fl. and currently hoping for his return.

If any of you have a layover or break time I would like to say hello and talk with you as retirement is really boring until the wife and I hit the road in May and return in November otherwise I always look on the GPS section for someone in the area we are travelling. The Pilot in Haines City, Fl. on Hwy 27, the Loves in Lake Wales, Fl. and the Pilot in Bartow, Fl. are less than 1/2 hour from us in Winter Haven, Fl. and if you have to stop there I would appreciate the meet and buy you lunch. Let me know and my email is hhin170583@aol.com and I'll ride over. Thanks drivers and be safe, healthy and productive.

That is a very generous offer and I would enjoy meeting you if I get down that way before you escape Florida for your next great adventure

It has been a long, warm and boring winter season for me in Central Florida. If anyone is stopping over in the area I would really like a meet and greet at one of the local truck stops. I have had the pleasure of meeting up with some of the best: Pack Rat met up in Crossville, Tn., IDMtnGal (Laura) met in Max Meadows, Va. and Big Scott took the time in Max Meadows, Va. also. I missed out on meeting up with Old School when he was in Lakeland, Fl. and currently hoping for his return.

If any of you have a layover or break time I would like to say hello and talk with you as retirement is really boring until the wife and I hit the road in May and return in November otherwise I always look on the GPS section for someone in the area we are travelling. The Pilot in Haines City, Fl. on Hwy 27, the Loves in Lake Wales, Fl. and the Pilot in Bartow, Fl. are less than 1/2 hour from us in Winter Haven, Fl. and if you have to stop there I would appreciate the meet and buy you lunch. Let me know and my email is hhin170583@aol.com and I'll ride over. Thanks drivers and be safe, healthy and productive.

NPP, It might just be 'me,' ... no trucker with... but I don't know yet. Me getting into training myself has been stymied due to my torn rotator cuff; it's still on the mend as I don't have full ROM yet.

There's a chance I may just 'bounce down' to see my family in Manatee County; If so, I will let you know! I know Florida like the back of my hand; used to haul boat props/shafting/zincs for General and Miami Propeller Companies (hotshot) in my young(er) days, all over the state. I loved it! Grew up there, 26 years.

I might be dragging the 'Tomster/Driver' guy with me; it's really just all up in the air for now. I sure will let you know! I'll be staying in Bradenton, but we (or I ) can/could travel intrastate , no problems!

Thanks for the group invite, good sir. That would be awesome!

ps: I'd RATHER have Ms. LAURA come & get me for the ride down, though...hahaha! (OR PJ, but he wouldn't let me drive the Pete, haha!)

I've notated your email addy; mine is in my bio.

Thanks!

~ Anne ~

sub ps: If you are ever in Manatee County, you COULD drop in on my sister, or my son! That would be a RIOT!! She's a total HOOT. You & the missus would have a BLAST! Email me and let me know! My late dad (and late brother) both retired Navy; Sis's husband, retired Air Force, son..in the Army. Lots of military in my background, too!

Thanks for the reply Anne. Meeting you and Tom would be an honor that I didn't plan on being as you are up in the Buckeye. I'll be sure to let you know how the trip is going to go. We leave on April 30 and spend 1 night near Tallahassee and then on to Gulf Shores, Al. for the month of May. I was in 1966-68, my daughter was Navy and my son was too at the same time in boot camp. She damaged her knee and was out early and my son is still in, 18.5 years Senior Chief. Proud papa for sure. My son-in-law is retired 20 year Army Blackhawk pilot too. Have a good night.

Well if the fuel situation keeps escalating it is surely going to affect my summer rving plans. Most places that we are travelling to have gone beyond $4 a gal. and will probably approach $5 a gal before we plan on leaving May 1. We have considered cutting our trip short by 2 months and totally eliminating the Western Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida Panhandle portion. My neighbor has offered to buy my 5th wheel and it is very tempting to sell it now but I am reluctant to do so. I don't know how trucking companies are handling the cost of diesel either. This really sucks.

I would think the trucking companies have contracts that allow them to pass the extra fuel costs on to their customers. Who in turn pass those costs on down the line so the average working person ends up footing the bill.

Very true Bruce as it always is when costs rise. Some companies will not be able to absorb or pass along these costs and they will fold. At least if I do not want to pay these prices I can leave the 5th wheel parked in the storage area of our retirement community. We'll see how it goes.

Very true Bruce as it always is when costs rise. Some companies will not be able to absorb or pass along these costs and they will fold. At least if I do not want to pay these prices I can leave the 5th wheel parked in the storage area of our retirement community. We'll see how it goes.

You may have to stay put this year. The good news is that it should be easier to find people to drink beer and play cards with

Thanks for the reply Anne. Meeting you and Tom would be an honor that I didn't plan on being as you are up in the Buckeye. I'll be sure to let you know how the trip is going to go. We leave on April 30 and spend 1 night near Tallahassee and then on to Gulf Shores, Al. for the month of May. I was in 1966-68, my daughter was Navy and my son was too at the same time in boot camp. She damaged her knee and was out early and my son is still in, 18.5 years Senior Chief. Proud papa for sure. My son-in-law is retired 20 year Army Blackhawk pilot too. Have a good night.

I've been following this thread, NPP ... our plans on a drive down to FL are a bit stymied with the fuel prices, as well. Diesel AND gasoline. We'd have the option to drive one or the other; but it's just so 'subjective' (for lack of a better word) at the moment(s.)

Keep us in the loop yourself, good sir..

Thank you; we'd LOVE to meet up, if the cards play out!!!!

~ Anne & Tom ~

Hi Anne,

We shaved 2 months off of our plans and we are not going to Western Tenn. We'll head for home in September instead of November. I think we'll be OK as long as gas doesn't go above $5 gal. and if it does VISA will love my new balance. The plans still call for visiting our son and daughter-in-law in Madison, Ms. where he just bought a new home and we'll be working around his schedule for Cardinal Logistics, his new job after active duty Navy. Then work our way east to visit our daughter and son-in-law in California, Md. and their new home after his Army retirement. Then we'll mosey on South for home early. Hope to see you someday.