Date: Sun, 2 Nov 1997 13:16:55 -0700 From: Charlie Ford To: type2@bigkitty.azaccess.com Subject: The Check is in the Mail!!! Yesterday afternoon I recieved a message from Don Noizer, a family friend back in Georgia, stating that my Mother had called them saying she had recieved a check from Colorado for me. This news made me very happy indeed, yet at the same time sad, becasue I will have to wait three more days for it to get here. I think I can live with that. Now, at least on Tuesday, I can finally head out of Ohio and proceed toward New England. I hope the weather will not hamper me in my travels, but if it does, I guess I will just have to deal with it as best I can. You can't reasonably complain about the weather, thats a sign of being a true fool. After hearing this welcome news, I went immediately to a phone and called my Mom, and Don and Bonnie Noizer, to make arrangements for having the money sent too me overnight, the way it was supposed to be sent in the first place by the State of Colorado, at least according to Matthew it was. The check in question will reach me on Tuesday, Don is sending it on Monday. Thank God for good friends and reliable people, life would not be the same without those folks that keep their word. After getting that arranged, I finally talked Eric O. into riding to Walmart with me so I could get some of the advised "items" that have come from the Winter Preparedness thread on the list. I purchased a can of Lock De-Icer, which I placed on the outside of my bus so it is convenient. I also purchased some food, a spotlight, some Rain-X anti fog, and other assorted odds and ends. I still am in need of some tire chains but maybe I can get them somewhere as I get closer to the area where I will need them. I figure the northeast will be very well prepared for whatever happens so I am not that worried. I am also considering installing a 600 watt inverter in the Mothership. Has anyone had any experience with these things? I would love to be able to run my little electric heater, or computer, or other electric items while driving or sitting still, with or without electricity. What do ya'll think? The more I look at the map in reference to where I am trying to get to, Grand Manan Island, I see that there are not many highways and roads that take you directly there. I plan on stopping at Tom Goody's in Montpielier, VT. on my way. Tom, Imma comin' man! The route I take will be a factor in that I have to consider whether or not the "blue highways" will be cleared as well as the interstate. Any Maine'ers out there wanna comment? I may just have to stick to interstate highways as much as I hate to say that. They would certainly be the most clear, and as I understand it, any driven route through New England is pretty. Tentative plans are to take I-90 east, to just below Montpielier and cut northeast from there. Through Bangor, Maine and on to Grand Manan which sits just off the norther most Atlantic coast of Maine, right dead in the Bay of Fundy, the goal of the trip to begin with. I had a second grade teacher tell me about 'Fundy' in grammer school. She told that the waves would come crashing in to the funnel shaped bay so big and fast that you couldn;t outrun them, I said then, one day, I will see that Bay. She made it sound so mystical, so wonderous. Patience is a problem right now. I have to keep reminding myself that the frustration that has come with aquiring this check has to mean something else, something "BETTER" is in store for me. I have to remind myself once again of the saying my Grandmother said, "God has three answers. 'Yes', 'No', and 'Wait". This was my turn to "wait". While waiting here in this part of the country, I have met many nice people. I first met William Claspy, who I will see again sometime. I met Neil O'Donnell, his wife Lori and their two chldren Colleen and Katie. I renewed my meeting of Eric O'Brien one helluva nice guy. Eric and his girlfriend had a cosume party on Friday night at which there were about 40 or so people. it was a good party but I wasn't much in the partying mood. I think being on the road so long has made me somewhat selectively social, in other words I prefer one or two people, as compared to many people. I retired to the Mothership around 12:00 midnight and slept like a baby. I'd like to thank Ohio for the hospitality. Ted Finesman was the original host, and a very gracious one at that. Believe it or not, life has been good here, although at times tougher than I would have liked. I think my mood has been has been somewhat down as of late. it may be the fact that fall has arrived, it may be the fact that I am realizing the tour is growing shorter, maybe it is simply because I ate that damn northern Barbeque. Whatever the reason, I am glad things are looking much better, and my feelings reflect that positive increase. Life is growing better, slowly but surely. But then I guess it always does, doesn't it? When I made the frantic turn south from Toronto, about three months ago when the weather was warm, I felt the heaviness start. For some reason I knew I was heading into a lull, I could feel it like "it" was real and of substance. One thing is for sure, after driving as many miles as I have alone this year (16,500 so far), you get to know exactly how you are feeling. I will keep you guys posted on the ramblings. Thanks for all the good advice on winter driving. I can't offer much in way of motorhead conversation, but I will continue to let you folks know the reality of traveling the country, in a Bus, on a barebones budget. In my opinion, barebones, is how it should be done in a Bus. It is all about having enough, not too much, not to little.........just enough. Then there is balance. Thanks for tolerating my ramblings, Charlie Ford "79" Transporter, dressed for the road The Mothership The"Turning 40 Nostalgic VW Service Tour, and Search for the Beginning of Wind". http://www.slurpee.net/~keen/charlie/charlie.html "Wider still and wider.....shall thy bounds be set"