I got home a couple of night ago after a motorcycle trip with friends down to Vegas, where their wives flew down to ride around with them. My wife couldn't make it because of foaling season (she raises Paint horses), so I carried on by myself as "lone wolf" and had a great visit with Van, TomC, Don Fairchild, and R.J. Long.
I had met Van last year, and it was great to see him and Cheryl again in Boulder City, NV. He showed me the awesome view of lake Mead from their house, then took me to see his Eagle. A lot of progress from last year. Looking really good Van. Then back to the house, and we talked about buses and custom motorcycles for a couple of hours.
A couple days later, TomC and his wife Donna were in Laughlin from L.A. with their AM General bus at the Riverside casino campground and I went over. I had only known Tom and his bus from these boards, and meeting the man in person was a treat. Of course he showed me his engine. Very well done, neat and tidy turboed and intercooled 8V71. We then walked down for dinner and talked some more about engines, buses and trucks. Tom is very passionate about what he does at work specking and selling Freightliner trucks, and converting his bus, and now his truck. I can tell you, he is very knowledgeable as it shows on his posts on the forums. Great visit.
The next day, I had Don Fairchild lined up and saw him at his CCTS shop in Bakersfield, CA. Again had never met him, but had talked to him 3, 4 years ago to pick his brain when I was overhauling my 4-71. Here is another man that is passionate about what he does! Very interesting to see the pistons, liners and cam shafts that he has custom made to his specs by Federal Mogul to build engines that meet California off-road emission standards. Anybody rebuilding a 2 stroke Detroit should talk to him and use his kits for a big efficiency and power improvement. I had a great time being shown engines in various states of rebuilding. We talked for a couple of hours about you guessed what: engines, horse power, turbos, injectors, his boys playing ice hockey up North (from Bakersfield no less), his 600 and some HP Detroit in his bus, the fishing boat diesel shops on the Gulf coast and Florida where the market for his engine kits is, etc, etc. He gave me good ideas on how to steak my 6V92: I can see a winter project in my future, LOL.
Then on to Fresno to see Russell (RJ) Long. We had met at a BusnUSA rally once, and seeing RJ again was great. We met at a pizza restaurant and sat there for about 3 hours talking about .... buses, and driving, and telling bus driver's war stories. RJ had a career as a school bus driver while in college, then as a charter bus driver, then as a driver trainer for the last 15 years for Fresno transit, so has an immense pool of knowledge from that perspective. He also let on to me that he is looking for a bus again to use for his retirement. Of course he wants a 4106. I told him that MCIs were good buses too, LOL. Great to see RJ again.
My only regret is that I didn't have my bus to show off.
Visiting busnuts is a great thing. Meeting the person in the flesh after knowing them from the boards really strengthens a connection.
Anybody passing through our S.E. BC area must email or phone me and stop by for a couple of hours, or for a night or two. We have lots of room to park a bus, and a shop to help with repairs if needed.
JC
Good show JC, glad ya stopped by for another visit! ;) :) The door is always open for fellow busnuts passing through, so don't be shy come on by. Oh! Don is only allowed in the house if he takes is shoes off ;D ;D lol
Glad the trip went great, next time bring the "Rough Shod" ;D see ya on the next go round! :)
Van & Cheryl 8)
QuoteVisiting busnuts is a great thing. Meeting the person in the flesh after knowing them from the boards really strengthens a connection.
JC - I couldn't agree more. My family came down to FL with me while I am working a job down here and we had the opportunity to meet Scott & Heather Bennett and see all the amazing work they have poured into their bus. An amazing and wonderful couple. They were very hospitable. Loved their bus. I (like yourself) only regret not having driven our bus down for this trip. Nothing is more motivating to get your bus projects done than to spendtime with other bus nuts.
-Sean
JC -
Glad you made it home safely, it was fun sharing bus war stories over chilled Pepsi & hot pizza.
Curious. . . Did you turn right in Sacratomato and go up the east side of the Sierras? Or thru the middle of OR on 97? Or I-5 to Portland, then east?
;)
RJ,
next morning, I went up I80 from Sacramento over Donner pass, stopped for a break in Reno, and was overnight in Winnemucca, NV. Then up 95, overnight in Lewiston, ID, then home Monday night. Great trip, other than a speeding ticket near Council, ID. My bike is too fast, LOL. My last ticket was 12 years ago...
Great visiting with you,
JC
Shoulda dropped a box of donuts on the highway when ya saw the cop pull out... just saying... ;D
Quote from: chev49 on April 27, 2012, 08:13:06 AM
Shoulda dropped a box of donuts on the highway when ya saw the cop pull out... just saying... ;D
chev49, so funny, thanks, LOL.
JC
JC,
You rode right through our family ranch. Cambridge about 20 miles south of Council. That is where my bus is parked when my wife and I are down there. I usually leave it under a covered roof right next to the highway. Can't miss it if you are going through there. I wish we were down there when you passed through. We will be there in August.
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Gary,
beautiful country, as is most of Idaho. I hope to meet you some day, and see your MC6,
JC
JC,
I was just up in that area last week. You actually drove by some of my irrigation systems ;D.
Gary, your ranch is in a beautiful area. I love the mountains out there. So far I have spent most of my free time (which isn't much when I am up there) in the Owyhees. Beautiful.
John
Sean I have to say we felt the same way! Very motivating to meet other nuts and swap stories. I know we will cross paths again since we have plenty in common. :) I started a thread about you guys! Good luck finding it!
JC-it was nice meeting you finally-after reading all you posts about your 4-71. Hopefully will get up towards Canada in the next couple of years with the completed truck (I anticipate it being usable in 2013, and done 2014).
Glad you also met Don Fairchild. Good Luck, TomC
Sorry I missed you JC but the months of March and April I have been as busy as a 1 legged man at a @$# kicking contest at a state fair and it not looking any better for May next time maybe
good luck
I hope to catch you next time Clifford,
JC