Howdy all!
As I write this, everyone is enjoying the trip or already at the truck plant, and I'm here staring at spreadsheets, and preparing for fun meetings.
I wanted to write and say that I made it home at about 1:30AM without a hitch after my departure from the Rally. Neither Cory (he remembered his screen name: Squid63) or myself really wanted to go. The family of people who shared the same interests and passions for these workhorses of yesteryear, with keeping them running, and in some cases showroom quality, was just neat. The care and dedication is exceptionally inspiring at the least.
At first I showed up not knowing what to expect having never attended before, I arrived at 10PM and walked into the registration booth, and by the time I exited, I had a welcome banner put up (That's MY story and I'm sticking to it!), and was greeted by several of the attendees, and without any delay welcomed, and was invited to the pavilion campfire.
It was there I met more people than I could even keep track of; and it didn't help I am already terrible with names. We all said our good nights and retired, yet I was so excited *just* to be there, I didn't sleep much, and 6:30 came very quickly.
All day Sat, seeing more rigs pull in, talking with people, and at a couple times, I did what I seem to do best, help turn wrenches
.
I drove the only operational IDI I had to the event, 'Slim'; she is my normal day-to-day farm work truck. 95% if the time I drive her it's to do some sort of work. She goes into the horse pasture, hauls firewood, and my horse trailer. Exterior, she needs some paint, and some patch work, but the interior she is clean. I felt I was going to be almost laughed out of the campground with something that 'aged'; yet I was surprised, when I received compliments and inquiry about her. I've always valued my older trucks when everyone around me thinks I should ditch them and buy something newer, preferably within the last decade; and to see she is still a rough cut diamond to others beside myself, just made it that much more desirable to be there. At one point I was able to have the timing checked (Thanks again Corey!) ... holy crap I didn't realize I was 4 degrees retarded.. DUHHRRRR ... She sounds more like a Diesel, and smokes WAY less, and actually climbs hills and accelerated while doing it too! I just figured she just wasn't the young peppy IDI she used to be; but she is still running strong, when she's given the chance to!
After just one day, with meeting everyone, and wandering around what seemed like a 50 square foot campground, there was no lack of *SOMETHING* going on. If there are those who are reading this thread haven't gone before, GO!
I am still looking to return Thursday evening; depending how my week plays out, I will know if it is a possibility; and keep you posted.
With that, I wish everyone a happy, safe, and eventful week; and wish I could be there for it all. You are
all amazing, and if plans cannot come to fruition, I will be there next year with, (hopefully) 'Tex'.
Until next we meet again,
-Don (Smokin'pipes)
P.S. - Now I need to do some more forum searching, as if my truck was telling me to turn around for diagnosis, my cruise stopped working on the way home... and two hours of a heavy throttle spring on a bad knee SUCKED!
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