Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Day 4 - Final Thoughts
After the Relief - Final Thoughts
As Americans we have much to be thankful for. This is a country of great riches. Because of that great wealth we are able to be a generous people. Time, and time again, Americans have aided those less fortunate. We see this at all levels, local, national, and international. We recognize our civic responsibilities by showing compassion to those in need. I would suggest that one of our greatest assets is this sense of responsibility for others’ well-being.
Our Superintendent and our Board of Education are to be commended. This vision, to adopt a school system, and send them supplies not only relieved the good people of EBRP but also made life better for many displaced students. Many are still in shelters. These children have gone through a harrowing experience. Many have lost every possession they had. They have lost family, friends, pets, businesses, and their rich history. Many challenges await them. This is not over for them. We know that but have difficulty comprehending its enormity.
This wonderful humanitarian endeavor also mobilized a community that wanted to help. The people of Easton, and many across Northampton County, were looking for a way to help. This relief effort afforded an avenue to give back. We made a difference.
I would like to salute my fellow travelers. Mostly, I would like to recognize them for their sense of humor on this long trip. This was not an easy adventure for this group of 40 – 50+year olds. Unlike that honorary member, several of us do carry AARP cards. Many of us, dare I say, are rather set in our ways. We like things a certain way. We enjoy our creature comforts. During this trip we wrestled with some uncomfortable situations that I did not give much time to in this blog. Let me mention just few: heat, down pours, tornados, bad food, noxious smells, deafening truck cab noise, unsolicited nudity, truly terrible jokes, love bugs, and of course Speed Queen’s favorite, roaches. Lots of roaches. Through it all we smiled and laughed. It was that kind of group.
I will speak for the group and state that it was an honor to represent the good people of Easton in this effort. We felt that we delivered not only supplies but also the good will of the Easton community. We should all feel good about that.
This is Cowboy signing off for the last time. Thank you for reading – and thank you for caring.
As Americans we have much to be thankful for. This is a country of great riches. Because of that great wealth we are able to be a generous people. Time, and time again, Americans have aided those less fortunate. We see this at all levels, local, national, and international. We recognize our civic responsibilities by showing compassion to those in need. I would suggest that one of our greatest assets is this sense of responsibility for others’ well-being.
Our Superintendent and our Board of Education are to be commended. This vision, to adopt a school system, and send them supplies not only relieved the good people of EBRP but also made life better for many displaced students. Many are still in shelters. These children have gone through a harrowing experience. Many have lost every possession they had. They have lost family, friends, pets, businesses, and their rich history. Many challenges await them. This is not over for them. We know that but have difficulty comprehending its enormity.
This wonderful humanitarian endeavor also mobilized a community that wanted to help. The people of Easton, and many across Northampton County, were looking for a way to help. This relief effort afforded an avenue to give back. We made a difference.
I would like to salute my fellow travelers. Mostly, I would like to recognize them for their sense of humor on this long trip. This was not an easy adventure for this group of 40 – 50+year olds. Unlike that honorary member, several of us do carry AARP cards. Many of us, dare I say, are rather set in our ways. We like things a certain way. We enjoy our creature comforts. During this trip we wrestled with some uncomfortable situations that I did not give much time to in this blog. Let me mention just few: heat, down pours, tornados, bad food, noxious smells, deafening truck cab noise, unsolicited nudity, truly terrible jokes, love bugs, and of course Speed Queen’s favorite, roaches. Lots of roaches. Through it all we smiled and laughed. It was that kind of group.
I will speak for the group and state that it was an honor to represent the good people of Easton in this effort. We felt that we delivered not only supplies but also the good will of the Easton community. We should all feel good about that.
This is Cowboy signing off for the last time. Thank you for reading – and thank you for caring.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Board Meeting
Tonight at the BOE meeting, each member of the "Relief Crew" was able to video conference with the public and board members thanks to iChat AV. All the way from Mississippi, the video was clear and the sound not bad. Stay tuned for more adventures over the next two days.
DAY 3
Blog 3. 9/26.2005
6:15 AM Early start this morning. Crew is assembled in the lobby of the Quality Inn. Not all slept well. There are more roaches on the first floor than people.
The trucks are being fueled as others wait for the continental breakfast to arrive. We yak about the events of last night. From the newspaper we learn that Ashton and Demi have wed. The Eagles won – Steelers lost. And why was Father time in his PJs last night in the lobby?
Dinner last night was a challenge. Shoney’s was the only place open and serving. Red Leader enjoyed his liver and onions. Penny Pincher and Star Tech delighted with the Shrimp feast. Many had the buffet. Our waitress was a sweetheart. When she barked, “Whose got da sweet tea ?– she wanted an answer. And she always got the answer she wanted.
Father time and Hurricane Stomper scrub the small van. We head out to East Baton Rouge.
9:30 AM Cowboy and Star Tech lead the convoy. Making good time at 60-65 mph. It’s hot and humid – but sunny.
Now there is a stretch of highway in Louisiana that could rival any in Pennsylvania. Just a half hour outside of Baton Rouge we discover, roads that would make a Penn Dot crew proud. In a little burb known as Tickfaw, Louisiana highways that could remind drivers of good ole Pennsylvania. Perhaps PA engineers came down and did some consulting work.
10:30 AM We arrive in Easton Baton Rouge, Louisiana. No trouble finding the large warehouse. One tractor-trailer is unloading when we arrive. We are greeted by the Associate Superintendent, Elizabeth Duran Swinford. Later the Superintendent Charlotte Placide joins us. Many pictures and videos are taken. Spirits are soaring. They are very grateful for these contributions.
12:00 PM Unloading the trailers and trucks onto pallets is taking more time than we anticipated. Although many dock workers scurry Speed Queen and Never the Plain Jane run for pizza. The unloading continues. The warehouse employees work for Aramark and are working very hard. Many from our crew pitch in and help with the unloading.
1;00 PM Where’s that pizza?
1:30 PM Still waiting.
2:00PM Pizza and soda arrive. We are famished. We eat in an air-conditioned hospitably room. The warehouse complex is massive. EBRPS purchased the site for GSA for $1. Part of the facility has been restored for storage – another section is offices and a training facility for the school district.
3:00 PM Most of the crew leaves. Penny Pincher and Cowboy stay with the U-Haul while the crew unloads. They are getting tired and are slowing down. They have unloaded 2 trailers and 3 box trucks. It’s hot.
3:20 PM All trucks now on the road. This U-Haul sure rides differently when unloaded! It is a challenge to type under these circumstances.
Mission accomplished.
6:15 AM Early start this morning. Crew is assembled in the lobby of the Quality Inn. Not all slept well. There are more roaches on the first floor than people.
The trucks are being fueled as others wait for the continental breakfast to arrive. We yak about the events of last night. From the newspaper we learn that Ashton and Demi have wed. The Eagles won – Steelers lost. And why was Father time in his PJs last night in the lobby?
Dinner last night was a challenge. Shoney’s was the only place open and serving. Red Leader enjoyed his liver and onions. Penny Pincher and Star Tech delighted with the Shrimp feast. Many had the buffet. Our waitress was a sweetheart. When she barked, “Whose got da sweet tea ?– she wanted an answer. And she always got the answer she wanted.
Father time and Hurricane Stomper scrub the small van. We head out to East Baton Rouge.
9:30 AM Cowboy and Star Tech lead the convoy. Making good time at 60-65 mph. It’s hot and humid – but sunny.
Now there is a stretch of highway in Louisiana that could rival any in Pennsylvania. Just a half hour outside of Baton Rouge we discover, roads that would make a Penn Dot crew proud. In a little burb known as Tickfaw, Louisiana highways that could remind drivers of good ole Pennsylvania. Perhaps PA engineers came down and did some consulting work.
10:30 AM We arrive in Easton Baton Rouge, Louisiana. No trouble finding the large warehouse. One tractor-trailer is unloading when we arrive. We are greeted by the Associate Superintendent, Elizabeth Duran Swinford. Later the Superintendent Charlotte Placide joins us. Many pictures and videos are taken. Spirits are soaring. They are very grateful for these contributions.
12:00 PM Unloading the trailers and trucks onto pallets is taking more time than we anticipated. Although many dock workers scurry Speed Queen and Never the Plain Jane run for pizza. The unloading continues. The warehouse employees work for Aramark and are working very hard. Many from our crew pitch in and help with the unloading.
1;00 PM Where’s that pizza?
1:30 PM Still waiting.
2:00PM Pizza and soda arrive. We are famished. We eat in an air-conditioned hospitably room. The warehouse complex is massive. EBRPS purchased the site for GSA for $1. Part of the facility has been restored for storage – another section is offices and a training facility for the school district.
3:00 PM Most of the crew leaves. Penny Pincher and Cowboy stay with the U-Haul while the crew unloads. They are getting tired and are slowing down. They have unloaded 2 trailers and 3 box trucks. It’s hot.
3:20 PM All trucks now on the road. This U-Haul sure rides differently when unloaded! It is a challenge to type under these circumstances.
Mission accomplished.
iChat AV
Last night around 7:30, I did a video conference with the crew down in Mississippi. It was great to see them all. One by one they sat in front of the iSight camera and told me a little bit about their day. We are hoping tonight at the board meeting, we can have a successfull video conference with Mr. Riker and Mr. Seigfried. That should be fun.
Mission Control
Mission Control
Sunday, September 25, 2005
NEWS BULLETIN
I just informed our Hurricane Relief crew this very important message.....
"The East Baton Rouge Parish School System will be closed on Monday, September 26, 2005. This applies to all students and all employees. Superintendent Charlotte D. Placide, in agreement with the School Board, made the decision to close schools due to power outages. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 unless uncontrollable circumstances arise. Please check this website and/or local media for updates."
The team is now deciding what to do.... Looks like they will have no choice but to wait... but we will see.
MISSION CONTROL
"The East Baton Rouge Parish School System will be closed on Monday, September 26, 2005. This applies to all students and all employees. Superintendent Charlotte D. Placide, in agreement with the School Board, made the decision to close schools due to power outages. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 unless uncontrollable circumstances arise. Please check this website and/or local media for updates."
The team is now deciding what to do.... Looks like they will have no choice but to wait... but we will see.
MISSION CONTROL
DAY 2
Blog #2
5:00 AM Rise and shine. We are scheduled to leave at 7:30 Everyone got in safely last night by 11:00. This morning we find out that there is truth to the legend about the tire. Mr. Goodwrench actually did use chewing gum to get the truck to the repair center. The leak in the tire was at the valve stem. Joe chewed up a wad of Orbit Cinnamon- stuck it on the leak – pumped up the tire – yeh – he had a pump too and off they went! The repair center was able to order another tire – albeit a different size - and place it on the truck.
Many are lingering at the hotel this morning. We take the trucks to get gassed up. Guy has to return to the room. He forgot his pillow ☺
8:10 AM On the road again traveling south on Route 75 to Chattanooga. By the speed we are traveling (55 mph) we will be pulling into EBR sometime on Wednesday!
10:10 AM Looks like we are headed into some bad weather. Rita is marching northward.
10:26 AM Mer is perseverating on the time zones. As we come through Chattanooga on Route 24 heading toward Route 59, John nextels all vehicles. He wants everyone to know that we will be gaining an hour. This must be the first time he has been out of Easton.
9:29 AM Heh, we are making good time!
10:26 Crisscrossing through Alabama. No rain as yet. Gettin’ warm. Gettin’ sticky. No A/C in any truck.
It is time to assign handles to everyone on the trip. They are: Red Leader, Chili, the Penny Pincher, Father Time, Star Tech, Hurricane Stomper, Gumby a.k.a. Mr. Good Wrench, Mr. BS (that’s Binney and Smith), the Cowboy, the Mechanic, Never the Plain Jane, and the Speed Queen. You may now assign faces with these monikers.
11:25 AM Wind, some rain- 30 miles outside of Birmingham, Alabama.
2:05 PM News release !!!! Shoemaker receives AARP card during the Hurricane Relief Trip! Reports have surface that Greg Shoemaker has been given an honorary membership to the senior citizen organization. Greg has been recognized for driving hundreds of miles with his blinker on. Confused drivers give quizzical looks as they pass the vehicle. Is he turning - or what?
2:58 PM Tornado warnings for the north and west of Tuscaloosa. The convoy forges on. Father Time watches the skies.
3:13 PM Mississippi – we are here! 120 miles to Jackson and a rest for the night.
3:48 PM Meridian, Mississippi – Thunderstorm. Lightning. Convoy slows to a crawl. No visibility. Cars are off the road. We plow through. For now.
4:00 PM The weather settles. 70 miles to Jackson. Mr.BS and the Cowboy talk about tomorrow and the hope of meeting kids displaced from Katrina. We hope to spend some time with EBRPS school people as well.
Two trailers full of supplies are due to join us on Monday. Two more trailers will deliver later in the week. Our three trucks are loaded to the gills with all sorts of supplies – desks, chairs, clothing, toys, library and textbooks. You name – we are truckin’ it. The Easton community has once again shown its generosity!
We talk about how wonderful EASD students have been and the great help they were in this effort. We focus on our AFG goal of citizenship and how our children are citizens of not only our community, but members of a much larger one.
We talk about other storms – Hugo – Charley – and the resiliency of people who come back from adversity.
4:27 PM Rains are heavy again. Travel slows to 40 mph. Jackson seems a long way off.
4:52 PM Star Tech snores in the back seat. Long ride.
5:30 PM Skies clear as we pull into the Quality Inn. Nappers awake. Spirits lift. A quick cleanup and we are off the dinner. Tomorrow is the big day!
5:00 AM Rise and shine. We are scheduled to leave at 7:30 Everyone got in safely last night by 11:00. This morning we find out that there is truth to the legend about the tire. Mr. Goodwrench actually did use chewing gum to get the truck to the repair center. The leak in the tire was at the valve stem. Joe chewed up a wad of Orbit Cinnamon- stuck it on the leak – pumped up the tire – yeh – he had a pump too and off they went! The repair center was able to order another tire – albeit a different size - and place it on the truck.
Many are lingering at the hotel this morning. We take the trucks to get gassed up. Guy has to return to the room. He forgot his pillow ☺
8:10 AM On the road again traveling south on Route 75 to Chattanooga. By the speed we are traveling (55 mph) we will be pulling into EBR sometime on Wednesday!
10:10 AM Looks like we are headed into some bad weather. Rita is marching northward.
10:26 AM Mer is perseverating on the time zones. As we come through Chattanooga on Route 24 heading toward Route 59, John nextels all vehicles. He wants everyone to know that we will be gaining an hour. This must be the first time he has been out of Easton.
9:29 AM Heh, we are making good time!
10:26 Crisscrossing through Alabama. No rain as yet. Gettin’ warm. Gettin’ sticky. No A/C in any truck.
It is time to assign handles to everyone on the trip. They are: Red Leader, Chili, the Penny Pincher, Father Time, Star Tech, Hurricane Stomper, Gumby a.k.a. Mr. Good Wrench, Mr. BS (that’s Binney and Smith), the Cowboy, the Mechanic, Never the Plain Jane, and the Speed Queen. You may now assign faces with these monikers.
11:25 AM Wind, some rain- 30 miles outside of Birmingham, Alabama.
2:05 PM News release !!!! Shoemaker receives AARP card during the Hurricane Relief Trip! Reports have surface that Greg Shoemaker has been given an honorary membership to the senior citizen organization. Greg has been recognized for driving hundreds of miles with his blinker on. Confused drivers give quizzical looks as they pass the vehicle. Is he turning - or what?
2:58 PM Tornado warnings for the north and west of Tuscaloosa. The convoy forges on. Father Time watches the skies.
3:13 PM Mississippi – we are here! 120 miles to Jackson and a rest for the night.
3:48 PM Meridian, Mississippi – Thunderstorm. Lightning. Convoy slows to a crawl. No visibility. Cars are off the road. We plow through. For now.
4:00 PM The weather settles. 70 miles to Jackson. Mr.BS and the Cowboy talk about tomorrow and the hope of meeting kids displaced from Katrina. We hope to spend some time with EBRPS school people as well.
Two trailers full of supplies are due to join us on Monday. Two more trailers will deliver later in the week. Our three trucks are loaded to the gills with all sorts of supplies – desks, chairs, clothing, toys, library and textbooks. You name – we are truckin’ it. The Easton community has once again shown its generosity!
We talk about how wonderful EASD students have been and the great help they were in this effort. We focus on our AFG goal of citizenship and how our children are citizens of not only our community, but members of a much larger one.
We talk about other storms – Hugo – Charley – and the resiliency of people who come back from adversity.
4:27 PM Rains are heavy again. Travel slows to 40 mph. Jackson seems a long way off.
4:52 PM Star Tech snores in the back seat. Long ride.
5:30 PM Skies clear as we pull into the Quality Inn. Nappers awake. Spirits lift. A quick cleanup and we are off the dinner. Tomorrow is the big day!
From the Guy in the truck
This is a tale of a fateful trip – no, not another 3 hour tour, this one was much, much longer. It is an adventure that began as an idea. Superintendent Dennis Riker wanted to do something to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Responding to a call for help from the Easton Baton Rouge Parish Schools (EBRPS), a system that received an additional 5000 displaced students from New Orleans and other hard hit areas of Louisiana, the Easton Area School District adopted as a sister school. Community donations were collected at the High School over a 4-day period. Many from the school community volunteered and packed. And packed. And packed. And packed. Is that another bag of clothes ….
6:00 AM 9/24: As the volunteers assemble the morning chill bites at bare skin. Seasonal change. Fall is here. It is still dark but the lights of the EAHS parking light shed a pale light on the rental trucks. Bags sit on the cold blacktop. There many black laptop bags assembled. This group is way too serious.
6:15 AM: All trucks are locked. Where is Joe Kish? As wives and volunteers wait, dawn appears. It’s cold. Jackets and sweatshirts appear.
Joe and a white van appear. Keys are discovered. Trucks are opened. Dennis starts up the big U-Haul. Diesel.
The two box trucks won’t start. Yikes. Never fear. Joe has a battery charger. He must have been a Boy Scout.
Several administrators struggle to get the hood open. Reminds me of the joke - How many administrators does it take to … Success. The gas jobs turn over.
6:39 AM– We’re off. Leiser’s Rental has donated two box trucks. The Dodge van is a donation from Brown Daub in Bath.
We leave 3 U-Hauls behind. One has a front wheel with a severe tilt. Another is obviously overloaded. Another is leaking oil all over the parking lot. Their loads will be picked up on Monday and sent to East Baton Rouge Public Schools. As we drive by the front of the HS we see piled against the front door … Is that more clothes?
7:00 AM: Road construction. Are PA roads always in bad shape? The van needs a potty break. Women. Driver Sandie issues the order. Three minutes!
As the dubious men stroll back to the van we see the gals waiting. No lines. They were serious.
The convoy is making good time. Cabelas – Paxtonia – Harrisburg – Carlisle.
9:15 AM We stop for breakfast at Bob Evans. Merlo makes time with the waitress. He orders his eggs “Not snotty.” Jenny asks for clarification. The conversation becomes less graphic. The grub is good. The coffee is good – Real good.
9:45 AM All are well fed. We are off. Same drivers. Dennis in the big
U-Haul – Joe in the big Leiser’s truck – Greg drives the smaller van. Sandie in the Dodge van.
In the U-Haul are Dennis, Brett, his son, and Jeff Bader. Joe Kish and Charlie Schmidt are in the big Leisers’ box truck. Greg Shoemaker and John Merlo travel in the smaller Leiser’s van. In the Dodge Caravan are Sandra Binsack, Jane Schmidt, Rich Siegfried, Dave McCormick, and Guy Greenfield.
10:29 AM The Maryland border. He, the road is so much better! Commander Riker is still in the lead. Weather – overcast, beginning to warm-up.
10:41 AM Wild and wonderful West Virginia. Jeff and John are now driving. They must have switched after breakfast. Gas tanks are half empty. Looks like we will be refueling in Virginia.
11:04 AM – Virginia is ahead. Traffic getting heavy. Trucks are motoring up the hill. Still doing 65 mph.
11:34 AM – The Dodge van passes two of the convoy. Did Dennis wave at us or did he give us the …?
Many driver changes.
3:29 PM (Approximately) Going through the mountains of Virginia the throttle on the Leiser rig sticks – No power. No problem though – Joe Kish (a.k.a. Mr. Goodwrench) is on board. After a quick pit stop the convoy is back on the road.
4:31 PM – Gassed up in VA. Put another quart of oil in the U-Haul. We think that we put it in the correct spot. After a short discussion on diesel mechanics an executive decision is made. Looks like we found the correct hole. The truck is running and it is no longer as smoky.
We make plans to stop at the first restaurant in Tennessee.
5:20 PM Shoey has a flat! The convoy grinds to a halt. Still in Virginia. Call to AAA.
5:40 PM Two trucks push forward while the others wait with the wounded.
10:00 PM Arrive at Holiday Inn Express. Tire has been replaced on Shoey’s truck. They are two hours behind.
6:00 AM 9/24: As the volunteers assemble the morning chill bites at bare skin. Seasonal change. Fall is here. It is still dark but the lights of the EAHS parking light shed a pale light on the rental trucks. Bags sit on the cold blacktop. There many black laptop bags assembled. This group is way too serious.
6:15 AM: All trucks are locked. Where is Joe Kish? As wives and volunteers wait, dawn appears. It’s cold. Jackets and sweatshirts appear.
Joe and a white van appear. Keys are discovered. Trucks are opened. Dennis starts up the big U-Haul. Diesel.
The two box trucks won’t start. Yikes. Never fear. Joe has a battery charger. He must have been a Boy Scout.
Several administrators struggle to get the hood open. Reminds me of the joke - How many administrators does it take to … Success. The gas jobs turn over.
6:39 AM– We’re off. Leiser’s Rental has donated two box trucks. The Dodge van is a donation from Brown Daub in Bath.
We leave 3 U-Hauls behind. One has a front wheel with a severe tilt. Another is obviously overloaded. Another is leaking oil all over the parking lot. Their loads will be picked up on Monday and sent to East Baton Rouge Public Schools. As we drive by the front of the HS we see piled against the front door … Is that more clothes?
7:00 AM: Road construction. Are PA roads always in bad shape? The van needs a potty break. Women. Driver Sandie issues the order. Three minutes!
As the dubious men stroll back to the van we see the gals waiting. No lines. They were serious.
The convoy is making good time. Cabelas – Paxtonia – Harrisburg – Carlisle.
9:15 AM We stop for breakfast at Bob Evans. Merlo makes time with the waitress. He orders his eggs “Not snotty.” Jenny asks for clarification. The conversation becomes less graphic. The grub is good. The coffee is good – Real good.
9:45 AM All are well fed. We are off. Same drivers. Dennis in the big
U-Haul – Joe in the big Leiser’s truck – Greg drives the smaller van. Sandie in the Dodge van.
In the U-Haul are Dennis, Brett, his son, and Jeff Bader. Joe Kish and Charlie Schmidt are in the big Leisers’ box truck. Greg Shoemaker and John Merlo travel in the smaller Leiser’s van. In the Dodge Caravan are Sandra Binsack, Jane Schmidt, Rich Siegfried, Dave McCormick, and Guy Greenfield.
10:29 AM The Maryland border. He, the road is so much better! Commander Riker is still in the lead. Weather – overcast, beginning to warm-up.
10:41 AM Wild and wonderful West Virginia. Jeff and John are now driving. They must have switched after breakfast. Gas tanks are half empty. Looks like we will be refueling in Virginia.
11:04 AM – Virginia is ahead. Traffic getting heavy. Trucks are motoring up the hill. Still doing 65 mph.
11:34 AM – The Dodge van passes two of the convoy. Did Dennis wave at us or did he give us the …?
Many driver changes.
3:29 PM (Approximately) Going through the mountains of Virginia the throttle on the Leiser rig sticks – No power. No problem though – Joe Kish (a.k.a. Mr. Goodwrench) is on board. After a quick pit stop the convoy is back on the road.
4:31 PM – Gassed up in VA. Put another quart of oil in the U-Haul. We think that we put it in the correct spot. After a short discussion on diesel mechanics an executive decision is made. Looks like we found the correct hole. The truck is running and it is no longer as smoky.
We make plans to stop at the first restaurant in Tennessee.
5:20 PM Shoey has a flat! The convoy grinds to a halt. Still in Virginia. Call to AAA.
5:40 PM Two trucks push forward while the others wait with the wounded.
10:00 PM Arrive at Holiday Inn Express. Tire has been replaced on Shoey’s truck. They are two hours behind.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Update
Just talked to Jeff Bader. He told me the Joe Kish's truck had a fuel linkage problem and STOPPED!! They were able to get that fixed but near the border of VA and TN, Greg Shoemaker's truck got a flat tire... OH BROTHER!!!! Believe this or not.. They repaired it with chewing gum, a stick and duck tape and drove to the nearest auto shop... They didn't have the right size tire for the truck there. So... the rest of the caravan went on to Tennessee, while the others are trying to get the tire fixed... Stay tuned......
Day One
Well, this morning at 6 AM representatives from the EASD began their trip to Louisiana. This same day, I was taking my son to see Millersville University to an open house. Yes, that's right... I didn't go south with the gang. Family comes first and my trip was planned a while back. Anyway, I was on the Nextel bright and early this morning as I too was on the road. Speaking with Mr. Riker, I found out that they were waiting for Mr. Kish to come with the keys to the trucks. He arrived at about 6:10 and then had a problem starting some of the trucks. Finally, all were started and off they went. Coincidently, I was going the same direction and I was catching up with him on Rt. 22. How cool it was to see the U-Haul and Leiser's trucks in a convoy. I beeped my horn at each one and waved feverishly. I was very excited for our school district and for the folks in Baton Rouge.
At around 9 AM the gang stopped near Carlisle, PA for breakfast. All is going well with the vehicles. At a little past noon, they were having lunch in Virginia. I expect my colleague, Dave, to be emailing me from the hotel to give me more specifics.... Just tried to reach them but no answer. They are probably having dinner...
More later.
At around 9 AM the gang stopped near Carlisle, PA for breakfast. All is going well with the vehicles. At a little past noon, they were having lunch in Virginia. I expect my colleague, Dave, to be emailing me from the hotel to give me more specifics.... Just tried to reach them but no answer. They are probably having dinner...
More later.
