Looking at the receipts I can find at the moment, I think I have done about 1480 miles so far.
After a thoroughly fine day and night at Bjorn's I've gone to Commerce, GA to the Flying J truck stop he reccommended. It's a few tens of miles north of Atlanta proper. I'll camp here tonight. The internet is $5, camping is free of course. Electrical outlets are something I generally have a fondness for, and also among the things that can't always be counted on. I realize now I should have set up a separate battery powered lighting system in the shelter for my convenience, and also rigged an inverter for shaving. It will be easy to implement this later, just a couple of diodes to charge the batteries already in there during the time the truck is running, and some LEDs for lights, so they'll last a long time. Ok well I draw the line at a sink and toilet..
Bjorn gave me (among some other cool stuff) some real nice teflon covered 100% shielded wire, I am going to redo the VIC-4 connections to the CB as long as I have some down time. I have all the tools and even the oscilloscope (it is assigned to the truck). There is an occasional squeal that I described before, it has returned, so I suspect the shielding on the cables I used is poor. It's a toss-up: is the fun of annoying the truckers with a squealing CB cancelled out be the embarasment of having a sqealer? One helpful soul suggested that I throw the CB out the window. Another graciously offered to stop and pick it up, so there would be no littering what with me throwing a piece of garbage out the window. Truckers are truly the knights of the road!
Ok Bjorn, I forgot to give you the CDROM but I'll mail it next week.
It was a real thrill checking out Peter's M109, it's a real gem! I orignally wanted an M109, but I'm past the point of no return mow. I still can't get Bjorn's XM- 8x8 out of my head, it's really unique. Later that nite, I got to stay in Bjorn's guest house, it's was just perfect. Man, the wind really was howling last night. I stepped out a few times to have a smoke, and you can hear it rushing through the trees. That was a novel experience for me since we seldom have that strong a wind in Texas unless it's either a tornado or Laura Miller or John Wiley Price have opened their traps. Bjorn cooked up a fine breakfast and we looked over some maps. Then as much as I hated to depart the beautiful countryside and good company, it was time to go.
South on I-77 was a good route, both scenic and mostly downhill, then 85 through the Carolinas towards Atlanta GA. Some breathtakingly beautiful countryside, and the truck gobbled up the roads easily. On 85, it's hill and dale, with the speed alternating between 40 and 60, and the pyro swinging 850-600 respectively in response to the loading. I shifted to 4th at 42MPH and managed to catch it right at 40, and just hold that on the toughest hills. (not to be confused with the really tough hills near the Meadows of Dan)
I pulled in to the Flying J at about 6:30 PM, so that is 6 hours from Bjorn's. Not bad! Clint was good enough to meet up with me there, and showed me his M35 w/w. It's a real nice machine, sounds good and has a dump bed modification.
Tomorow, I'll head out to Shirley's and spend some time at his establishment. Weather's fine, I'll take some pictures. Then off to see Andy (alphadeltaromeo) later that day, he's been kind enough to invite me. I have to say this is the most hospitable and friendly bunch.
joke lol and some company. Looking forward to the visit!
