Whine, whine.....it's almost over

[bubbaqgal]

I am so sad 'cause the rally is winding down.  Gary and Linda just pulled out and that means it is the beginning of the end for the rally.  We have had lots of fun, so much laughter and tummy delightful food.  The fellowship has been great.  We had folks drive in just to say hi, and one of those, Ricky,  even spent the night in his van although I think that was just so he could have a cup of my fresh brewed coffee.  We had lots of rain but that didn't come close to putting a damper on any of the fun.  Be sure to check out Gary's pictures but give him time to get some sleep and put the pics together before start bugging him (at least a couple of hours). 

Bryce has been so busy on his trips that he hasn't had much time to enjoy the fun but hopefully today he can relax and jump on in with those that will be here for another day or two.  We did get the pleasure of spending some time with his folks and found out they are just as nutty as the rest of us.  Gene and Donna were perfect hosts while Bryce had to be gone.

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday  and saw a Prevost in the parking lot, ran up to the door, knocked and when the man answered I smiled and said"you guys wanna come to a bus rally".  Kinda blew the poor guys mind but did have fun talking with him for a bit and also got a definite maybe out of him.

Oh, well...time to go get started on another wonderful day with some more terrific folks.

[Ncbob]

It's always a letdown to see the end of a rally, Cat....but as good as this years' was the bigger and better for next year.

Time for you, Dallas and BK (and his folks) to step back and enjoy your efforts and plan for next year...and consider joining some of us at some of the upcoming events where you can still be a part of the fun only from a different perspective.

Great job.  Thanks from all the BusNuts for making this opportunity for like minds to gather and enjoy each other's company.  Sure wish we could have been there.

NCbob

[Chaz]

Are we going to see a LARGE thread dedicated to the millions of pix you guys took so we (the unfortunate bunch) can also whine about something??  LOLOLOLOL
  Seriously, I'd love to see a comprehensive thread of pix.

  Maybe next year,         (famous last words)
      Chaz

[Dallas]

Are we going to see a LARGE thread dedicated to the millions of pix you guys took so we (the unfortunate bunch) can also whine about something??  LOLOLOLOL
  Seriously, I'd love to see a comprehensive thread of pix.

  Maybe next year,         (famous last words)
      Chaz

Chaz:
I took Zero pictures this time. I was busier than a cat coverin' poop on a marble floor. Cat, though, made the rest of us look like pikers.. she was everywhere with all the right stuff when needed. She is my rock and my shelter.... always. Thank you My love!
(She even let me drink all the beer I wanted without too much hollering!.... Hey... She loves me, as undeserving as I am.).
Gary and Linda LaBombard headed out this morning, and I'm sure he took at least 10 or 12 pictures.

The only down note of the get together was the rain, which we really needed, since we've been over 25" low for well over 4 or 5 years. Oops, there was another little problem, but I'll let the the parties involved tell about that.

I got to meet Don Fairchild,(My Hero), a most astute afficianado of the 2 stroke Detroit... Just listening too him, I soaked in thoughts, ideas and information I never knew about. Thanks, Don. I owe ya'!

Jerry Liebler and his esposa, Sharron, Were prominent attendees, and of course we always enjoy their company and their knowledge.

Captain Ron, (should really be Commodore), was kind enough to show me some licks on the 6-string, which really helps! I gotta love his humor and sagacity, Even when he's being funny, there is a lilt of hidden truth that no one else could put across and get right!

Darrell (DD102) and his lovely wife were here, sans MCI, but we allowed them to stay anyway. After all, we do try to be accepting of those who are less fortunate. {Just kidding, Darrell, I learned more from you in the 12 minutes we got to talk one on one than I did in 4 years of haulin' trailer houses!

Wulf, and his beautiful companion, Angela, were the hit of the party with the Dina Marcopolo Viagra. I actually got to speak some of the German from my childhood and Wulf didn't even laugh at me! Way Cool! (Besides, don't tell Cat, but Angela is Hot!, She made a bunch of the unattached fellas fetch and tote! (I quit doin' that with Cat... she seemed to expect it after awhile!....GEEZ!),

Ricky Staggs, (Not Skaggs), was here with pictures of his 57 Flx Starliner,,, I wish I didn't need a larger bus, it's a babydoll just waiting for the right owner to pour money into it. I really hope that Ricky is the one to do it.

We had some busnuts come up from Memphis, but at this time I have forgotten their names. I really do apologize, I plead idiocy!

Well, for now, that's all the news that is the news, except for the only good thing I did all week...... I got to check the torque on Jerry's 4107 heads, and also got to reset the valves... I've been hollering for over a year that it felt like there was a weird vibration in the exhaust. Don Fairchild agreed with me after he removed the kitty poop from his ears, and today I was gonna run the rack but since they were leaving, I satisfied myself with resetting the valves. The first two jugs on the lower side, (left or drivers side for you T-drive owners), had a severe clearance problem... one was less than .003" clearance and the other one was well over .017"---- warm. We reset the valves and the vibration went away. I didn't get the chance to run the rack again, but this will help.

Right now, Everyone is gone to Lambert's in Sikeston, Mo. so I have a few minutes to play on line!

More later!

Dallas

[Ncbob]

A fine report Dallas and thanks for taking the time to post it.  You didn't get to the time over the pit for those there but be hope that will be forthcoming.

You and Cat have a rest now, pal... and dream those dreams of changing a frog into a princess.

Bob

[Hi yo silver]

Oh, Man,  I wanna be there!
This has to be one of the most inspiring threads on the board.  Makes me wish I had a bus so Marilyn and I could join in the fun!  Maybe soon...
Dennis   

[bubbaqgal]

Since when do you have to have a bus to come to a bus rally??  We have fun no matter what.  9 of us, including Bryce, went  to Lamberts today for lunch.  We had a great time and ate way to much.  Most of us brought enough food home for at least one more meal.  They feed you so well there and catching those rolls is lots of fun.  I caught two with my hands and one that was being thrown to someone else kinda  missed and landed on my butt.  I brought that one home for Dallas.  LOL

After lunch, Bryce took us sight seeing and also on a ferry ride.  That was way kewl! 

We still have Mike, Jay, Ned, Wilma and Capt'n Ron with us for the night, also Tina and Darrell will be back in a bit for the evening.  Everyone is exhausted but having fun.

We are really glad to still have power, in spite of the fact that our guy wire almost got taken down and the pole was rocking.  That happened when a bus decided to turn around in the wrong area and then ended up hitting Don's really neat pick up, not once, but twice.  Fortunately there wasn't lots of obvious damage but  we were all disappointed that Don's baby was injured.

Bob, Bryces dad needed the pit and the only other person that got to use it was Jerry L. but maybe next time there will be more time for others to get their chance.

Hope more of you guys can join us next time!   

[Jerry Liebler]

A Huge thank you to BK, Dallas and Cat for team hosting a very fun rally.  Sharron and I sure enjoy the fun  and friendship of busnuts.  I didn't intend to 'Hog' the pit but, as usual, what I thought was a 15 minute job took well over 4 hours and I didn't think it was ever going to be done.  I replaced the diaphragms in the left DD3 brake can to fix an air leak that developed just as we left for the rally.  The left slack adjuster simply wouldn't move so it had to come out and get 'freed up', even though Dallas said it wouldn't ever work again.  After several cans of brake cleaner, many nasty words and a little persuasion with an impact wrench it is now free again.  Even Dallas learned something, that GM holds the slack adjuster on with a bolt instead of a spring clip.  I was you might say 'tired out' so I begged Dallas to help me change the engine oil, He let me do the 'dumb part' of that chore, refilling it and I managed to pour at least a Quart on the floor, fortunately Cat  sacrificed the kitty's litter to clean up my mess at least a little.  We spent the night, in the bus, over the pit.  Dallas wouldn't let me leave without at least opening the valve covers because, to his expert ears , my engine just didn't sound right.  He found 2 cylinders with badly missadjusted valves, I must admit it sounds much better (lots quieter) and runs much smoother.  My guess is it was sort of like having a jake on on one cylinder.  Having spent lots of time in the pits, I now know I need to reline my rear brakes, there is only about 9/16" of lining left.  Our trip home was routine but when I got home another issue showed up, my parking brakes aren't holding, so I'll have to sort that out.  Anyway it truly was a fun time and thanks again to the Gastons and Farnworths.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120 

[Chaz]

Wow, how cool is that!!??!!??!!??!! It never dawned on me that it could/would be a "work weekend"!! Altho I still don't think I could have made it, I'd have LOVED to do some work on coaches and learned some more!!!!!!!!!! (I'm such a rookie! But I want to learn -hands on- whenever I can!!!!) I do almost all of my work on everything else I own, and it bothers me to know so little about my "baby".

  Definitely next year!!!
     Chaz

[Dallas]

Wow, how cool is that!!??!!??!!??!! It never dawned on me that it could/would be a "work weekend"!! Altho I still don't think I could have made it, I'd have LOVED to do some work on coaches and learned some more!!!!!!!!!! (I'm such a rookie! But I want to learn -hands on- whenever I can!!!!) I do almost all of my work on everything else I own, and it bothers me to know so little about my "baby".

  Definitely next year!!!
     Chaz

Chaz.... you don't have to wait for a rally to show up here... we have lot's of room and are open anytime.

Maybe we could do some trading ...... bus work for fabrication work! 

Anytime you get a couple of days off, just trot on down! Let's have some fun!

Dallas

[Busted Knuckle]

Well what can I say to add to these great posts about a great weekend that almost wasn't ? ! ? ! ? ! ? (It almost wasn't because after the low attendance of last yrs, and my lack of time to do things right. I wasn't going to hold another rally.) But when Dallas, Cat an I were talking before they came up here, they asked if I were willing to try it again. I told them then that if they were willing to take care of it they were more than welcome to use the property and shop for it. But I did make sure they knew it was "their rally @ our place" because I knew I wouldn't have much time to devote to it!
So in that case I must say a BIG THANK YOU to DALLAS & CAT and the others who helped them for making it a great success! I also definitely want to thank those who helped Dad & I with my bus, and those who helped dad change his shocks & oil in my absence! Thanks guys Y'ALL ROCK!
I must also apologize to those who didn't get to meet me !(or see more than me coming and going!)
Now from what little time I did get to spend here everyone I met from Gary & Linda, Ned & Wilma, Jerry & wife(I only momentarily saw her once and can't remember her name), Don Fairchild, Darrel & Tina, Mike & Jay, and anyone else I met and am forgetting, it was great to finally meet some of y'all and I enjoyed it! Hope to see all y'all in the future and hopefully at next yrs rallies (oops did I say that with out checking with Dallas & Cat to see if they wanna do any more? LOL). I hope to have more time to sit around and BS at the future ones!
To Wulf & lovely Angela, Ricky, and anyone else I missed I am sorry, I really would have liked to have met y'all and spent a little time with everyone, but at the same time can't neglect the biz that pays the bills! I did at least see Wulf and Angela's coach twice, I met them on the parkway around Mayfield, KY and I saw it parked here when I came in at 4 AM. I also saw Ricky's van too, but had no clue we had a celebrity sleeping in it LOL! Sorry again that I missed y'all in person!
Most of all I thank all who did make it! Also thanks to Gary & Linda for all the help (and pics) before & during the rally. And to Captin Ron for entertaining while I was gone! And everyone else for pitching in and making this happen, & again a huge THANK YOU! to Dallas & Cat!  BK  

By the way, what he said! LOL!

.... you don't have to wait for a rally to show up here... we have lot's of room and are open anytime.

Maybe we could do some trading ...... bus work for fabrication work! 

Anytime you get a couple of days off, just trot on down! Let's have some fun!

Dallas               

Our place is always available to any and all y'all when your "in the neighbor hood"! Stop on in no invitation needed the field is always open! LOL! Seriously if yer anywhere close and wanna drop in for a cup of coffee or whatever come on by! And we have plenty of parking if ya wanna make camp for a few days or whatever! So come on by!   BK 

[Chaz]

Chaz.... you don't have to wait for a rally to show up here... we have lot's of room and are open anytime.

Maybe we could do some trading ...... bus work for fabrication work! 

Anytime you get a couple of days off, just trot on down! Let's have some fun!

Dallas

I'll be keeping an eye on my calendar!! Maybe Oct. I need to save up a little fuel money or get the WVO setup together.
  Thanx for the offer guys!
     Chaz

        HEY!!!! I still wanna see pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[Busted Knuckle]

I'll be keeping an eye on my calendar!! Maybe Oct. I need to save up a little fuel money or get the WVO setup together.
  Thanx for the offer guys!
     Chaz

        HEY!!!! I still wanna see pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!           

Well should've brought a camera! I did'ng take any! LOL@       LOL

[bubbaqgal]

Give Gary some time to recuperate from his long week of travels.  He had to drive over 500 miles yesterday pulling a heavy trailer.  As soon as he gets rested and can stand to sit for a long time again, I'm sure he will get some posted. 

[Gary LaBombard]

Believe this or not this may be a short post but I am not done yet.  I want to thank Bryce for the opportunity to use his property for our rally we had at Dallas & Cat rally.  We had a good time, got to meet some real great people old friends and new and photos will be posted when we get home??

I am making this post by (WY-FY) thanks to Dallas instructions.  Dallas backed my rig out for me from where we were parked as it rained like the dickens and the ground on the back 40 was real soft and we wanted to leave real early in the morning.  I could of backed it out probably but I had that spare (8V71) behind me and was not sure if I could do it without me getting pissed and hyper and I did not want to start my day off like that.  Thanks Dallas.

So we had a good trip after we left, but I did encounter a new problem on the way home from Dallas & Cats rally, I had a minor coolant leak that looked like it came from my water pump but with all that crap in my S&S in the way I could not be sure but my temp gage said I had to refill it with more coolant every 100 miles, maybe a half gallon or so at a time but, it was getting worse with each stop.  Anyhow to make a long story short, we had 150 miles to go to be home and the S&S puked on I-40, luckly I was in the right lane, she just puked and stopped just letting us get off the road.  

Lesson learned, stay to the right as much as possible, do not try to be a leader of the pack and get in the middle or left lane.  You just never know when you might need that right sholder to lean on.

Well I could not see the problem and try starting it over and over and give up.  I called (Camping World Road Care), 1-800-828-4258, with my data for being towed, and about 40 minuters later there was this huge tow truck there to pick us up.  Remember, I was also towing my spare engine on a tyailer.  Well here we are at the garage, I am inside typing this, guys outside working at replacing my (Distributor Rotor) which broke in two?? and also fixing my leaky water pump.  Not exactly where you want to be but we are safe and getting things fixed and should be on the road in about 2-3 hours, we hope.  We will stay in another camp ground if the repairs are not done so we can make it home before dark. I can't see very well in the dark, I am old man now I am told!!

Mechanic just told me that the water pump is bad and showed me that it was leaking through the weep hole and this supposedly means that the pump was bad.  So I made a good decision there too I hope.  I don't like oil or water leaks, can you imagine I own (2) dd's engine's now??  Reassembly of the pump now being done.

Sorry, this is not a short post after all.  

Gary