My trip to Florida

Just got back from 9 days in Florida on Sunday. Had a great time seeing my boys and my 2 grandkids, one is 2 and the other will be 2 this month. Most people would hit the theme parks, Sea World and the like, me? I went to the Daytona Beach Pick-Your-Part and scored a hydro boost unit and master cylinder off a 2001 GM van for my Power Wagon. The weather was awesome and I got to see some old friends. One of my boys lives in the Ocala National Forrest not far from the bombing range. They were flying fighter jets out there on Thursday, pretty cool to get a free air show. My kids are doing great and my grandkids are just adorable. It might be my last driving trip down there though, 13 hours on the road in a 32 year old truck is a little rough on me these days.

Wow man sounds like a nice trip!We're getting tired of long driving trips ourselves.

It was a good time despite the fact it was Biketoberfest. I will say every bike I came across had mufflers on it. Made the experience tolerable. It was the first time I got to see my grandkids when we could have some interaction. I previously had only seen my oldest when he was a couple months old.

Did you stop and say to Doc?

Well, about that....

i was wondering about that as well.............

I tolerate him here because I have no control over it, no need to pointlessly annoy myself.

Nothing like a trip to Florida to remind one of the value of peace and serenity.

On point.

I was at Biketoberfest for a week, too bad I didn't know you were there! Stayed in Ormond Beach near the Ormond Garage...

My youngest lives down the road from the cabbage patch.

My middle brother is a big believer in adjustable “Air Ride” driver’s seats.

Maybe find one in a big truck Pick & Pull and try it in the ol’ Cummins Ram?

That same middle brother recently hauled an urgently needed heavy industrial water pump on trailer with a “near illegally heavy tongue weight” from Dayton to Houston using a brand new rented 3/4 ton 2023 Cummins Ram. He said the auto adjustable suspension on the new Ram leveled everything up and gave the most comfortable ride he had ever experienced compared to Ford and GM 3/4 pickups. He was very impressed. When unloaded he said the diesel Ram got 22 MPG at interstate speeds.

I have made the KY or NC trip to Broward County FL trip more times than I can count.
I prefer to drive it the “all night” way.

I have a niece who has owned a Tesla for two years who says she would loan it to me for a Florida trip.
I cannot think of many highway stretches that I would try “Tesla Auto Pilot” on, but 2AM to 5AM on the Florida Turnpike would seem like one of the best.

I was once on the Turnpike at night when brush fire smoke made it hard to see and caused me to stop for several hours.
Another time a thick swarm of insects nearly blinded off my windshield.

I don't drive at night anymore if I can help it, I'm to old.

You caught some more tolerable weather too! Ocala is beautiful!

I have no use for Biketoberfest. Nothing against bikers, it's just that it's noisy, and full of drunks and I'm tired of people in general lol, especially in big crowds.

Now the Turkey Run at the raceway is coming up.....that's a different story

I hear dOc is working the wiener concessions.

We always go to the Patch, always good bands and cheap booze...LOL

It was way crowded when we went by there, not really into crowds of people.

I still enjoy the long road trips, but these days, we break them up into 5 to 6 hour driving days. Might add a couple days to the trip, but it sure removes a lot of stress. Gives you a chance to stop and see some things along the way that a long driving day might eliminate.

You're preaching to the choir here, brother...