Good beginnings to a trip report. Can't wait to read the rest. Denis Dodson <coocoo@xxxxxxx> wrote: There is just no way to tell all here without it being a blog, and I can't figure out why people read blogs.I mean, sure, I have lots to say about stuff, but who wants to read someone else's diary? And who thinks that their thoughts so important that others would stop and read them? Here is a Reader's Digest style accounting. Chuck and I left Monday, a day earlier than we planned, and got to Montgomery, Alabama the first night and in the morning we decided that we were so far ahead of schedule that we would go straight South to Florabama so Chuck could see the beautiful coast there. We went through Gulfport and down to Apalachicola and ate oysters and grouper, mmmmmm good. Then we went through miles and miles of Florida pines and realized that the forest was all in rows. Whether logged off or fires or for whatever reason, the whole forest for many miles is tall mature trees planted in rows. Chuck was navigator, but he was all old style with an Atlas. Dan was giving excellent directions and advice from DanStar Command. At one point Chuck points to a left turn lane (Dan had said to take the next left, but Chuck insisted that we turn earlier, and I drove the big truck with a big trailer right into a Walgreen's parking lot and then made me go through a construction zone for a Wal-Mart, or something and into a one way the wrong way, so I had to do two illegal u-turns to get back on the right road. Later DanStar saved us from being lost and eaten by bears in a thick Florida forest where we were looking for the Hampton Inn. We took the exit for a town, but it may have been a practical local joke because there was no town for miles. DanStar got us back on track, but when we saw the hotel we got all excited and tried to u-turn to the entrance instead of going to Spooner Road and to the real entrance. It was an optical illusion and we had to get back on the highway and go to Spooner Road and DanStar hung up on us. I had to beg forgiveness get DanStar back. Through Tampa and St. Pete to Bradenton. Arrived at Kip's Rare and Unique, took Murray off the trailer and stashed the trailer in the trees. Wednesday night we drank beer and tequila and Goldshlager. Thursday we picked up Jan at the Tampa airport. She has a job and all so she flew in Thursday and out Sunday. Thursday night is the "Cruise" to the Sonic, except that there was really no cruise to there and no cruise out. It is really a meet and greet where all kinds of cars from Fridolins to High tops, to bugs and type 3s to single and double cabs both Splitty and bays start to show up for the weekend. It sounds like nothing, but it actually is great fun. Lots of great restorations and bizarre customizations. Then, Friday night, THE BASH. Really, for me, the high point (or low) of the whole weekend. Kip Zimmerman and his brother, Brian said they sold 900 tickets. We all estimated 300 to 350 cars of absolutely every kind. Flamethrowers, rats and, again, meticulous restorations. Sammie, as big and as many cars as you saw last year, there were so many cars that I don't remember hardly any repeats. Campfires, free beer, chicken fajitas ( we ate all of it and they went out and got more). Sharon was sick, so Steve took her to the hotel and came back and got parked in, and was, literally, several layers of cars from ever getting out. He said several times that he really needed to go but we all laughed. Late in the night a small number of cars started to work their way out of the crowd and a small lane opened up and I walked Steve and his bus out through the crowd. For some reason, later, I had no sense of time, the earth started a distinct slant and I had a hard time walking in it, so I thought that I would get in Murray and lie down for a minute. The band ( one of three ) was still playing, but like I said, there was something wrong with the ground, so I laid down. To my surprise, it was morning then. My good friend, Murray, took me to the 7-11 and I bought coffee and aspirin. On to the Bulli Brigade! More to come, including the arrival of the Kong bus, Skyway Jacks, where nothing on the menu is smaller than your head, Kimberly Kupkake gets thrown out of the Bug Jam, and Steve and Sharon add two days to my trip.