RALFFERS 0 #1 November 25, 2008 I was originally going to fly down to Orlando, and be at Zhills for new years, but now it looks like I'm making the flight a road trip - and driving by myself. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking I could drive the first 12 hours straight through, sleep 4 hours, than finish off the remaining 6 hours. It'll cost me less than $200 to drive there and back, I wont have to depend on a rental for a set amount of time & will be able to go wherever I please when I please. I'm thinking I'll visit Zhills for new years, then drive down to Sebastian, and get a few minutes in the Orlando tunnel. On the 1 hand, some would think that there's no sense in going to a DZ if you're not able to jump yet, and to some extent that's true, but I've learned that there's a lot more to skydiving than just jumping. Hoping it'll be a fun trip. Edited to add: where is there a safe place along the way to pull over and take a nap in the car?Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Txflier 0 #2 November 25, 2008 hell it's better than 12 hours on a bike. I went from Tx to St Louis didn't think it would take quit that long. Have fun on your tripI'm not the rope totin charlie Bronson wanna be that's getting us fucking lost. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #3 November 25, 2008 1) Consider a small rental car before leaving. If it breaks, they give you a new one. If your own car breaks, you're bummin. You'll be putting on about 3000 miles. Consider the wear and tear on your own car. I bet it will exceed the cost of a rental. 2) XM radio....cuts the perceived time in half. 3) Krystal burgers....get bacon and cheese and only eat 4 or less per state starting in Kentucky. 4) Bring a Parachutist mag with you. It lists a lot of dropzone phone numbers. If you run into trouble... call the nearest drop zone. Tell them you have beer. Have beer ready. They'll be there in an hour. 5) Rest areas are safe for napping. Or ask one of those friendly Atlanta peeps for a place to stay. 6) Go to the tunnel before going to Sebastian. You'll need a pick-me-up after watching everyone else have fun. 7) Bring binoculars to watch bigways from the ground etc. Bring a tent and stuff to sleep at the DZs. I'll pm you if i think of anything else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #4 November 25, 2008 Quote 1) Consider a small rental car before leaving. If it breaks, they give you a new one. If your own car breaks, you're bummin. You'll be putting on about 3000 miles. Consider the wear and tear on your own car. I bet it will exceed the cost of a rental. I was thinking of that for traveling from the East coast to LA, but the non-return fees are prohibitive fuckers. I'll pay the $1500 for rentall happily, but not the nearly 3K to get it back eastYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #5 November 25, 2008 Use a bigger company that doesn't care where their cars end up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #6 November 25, 2008 QuoteUse a bigger company that doesn't care where their cars end up.like who? I checked with Dolar and AVIS, both had stupid non return feesYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #7 November 25, 2008 Hmmm that IS bullshit. So what are ya going to do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #8 November 25, 2008 Quote Hmmm that IS bullshit. So what are ya going to do? Haven't sorted that out yet we'll either Greyhound, or Amtrak i suppose, and rent a car in the different cities. It looks like getting expensive. I would have bought a small car if we were staying in the states longer but 6 weeks is too short to stuff around with buying and selling later.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #9 November 25, 2008 Buy a used car. Six weeks is too short to spend one of them screwing around with busses, trains, and flunkies. Sell or donate the car to your favorite host. Edit to add: Live it up. Buy a giant gas guzzler for $3000. Sell it for $1500. Gas is cheap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #10 November 25, 2008 Chuck Blue just went did a trip from FL to AZ and back on his motorcycle. I'm sure he could give you a few pointers! What's your route? I'm sure we could find a dz.commer to put you up for the night.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #11 November 25, 2008 Quote Chuck Blue just went did a trip from FL to AZ and back on his motorcycle. I'm sure he could give you a few pointers! What's your route? I'm sure we could find a dz.commer to put you up for the night. I wish it was as easy as that I'd love to do that ride, but with wife and backpacks and rig bag it just isnt going to happen You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #12 November 25, 2008 Are you planning on taking I-65 to I-75 into Z-hills? Talk with Sally Hathaway about Tunnel coaching when you are at Z-Hills.Divot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #13 November 25, 2008 Quote Chuck Blue just went did a trip from FL to AZ and back on his motorcycle. I'm sure he could give you a few pointers! What's your route? I'm sure we could find a dz.commer to put you up for the night. I'm directionally challenged and will go whatever way Mr Garmin tells me to. That said, I could customize the route anyway I want and make stops anywhere. The default route is Chicago to Indianapolis, IN (I-65/I-70) down to Louisville, Ky (I-65 S), down to Chattanooga, TN (I-24 E), through downtown Atlanta (I-75 S ) through Macon. Then finally I-75 to I-475 to Valdosta to the Florida turnpike. Then down I-4 to Orlando. From there I'll go down to Deltona.Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drdive 0 #14 November 25, 2008 Hey Ralffers, Lady Diver and I will be in Sebastian from Dec 30-Jan 9. Look us up while you are there. Easy to find, older (but devishlly handsome) grey haired guy with young large breasted chickDoc "We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub" " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #15 November 25, 2008 I'm not too hard to find either - just look for a guy with crutches sticks... Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydyver 0 #16 November 25, 2008 Let doc and I know when you will be in sebastian...we are headed down dec 30-Jan 9th.DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #17 November 26, 2008 Well, I May have my friend, Martin come along with me, which would make the drive easier - but I still wouldn't mind if I had to do it all on my own. Either way, it's going to be fun. Just 1 thing....I've had no problems with my new [to me] car (runs like new) since I got it last year, but I'm thinking that it has 151,000 miles on it I should probably get a tuneup before the trip. 1 mechanic told me $200 for a tuneup; is that an accurate/fair price? Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #18 November 26, 2008 Quote 1 mechanic told me $200 for a tuneup; is that an accurate/fair price? Not for a "tune up" but it might be reasonable for a FULL Comprehensive serviceYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #19 November 30, 2008 Unless you have reasons to make stops, the Indy, Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Macon route is best. Be careful on the Monteagle hill (about mile 125 on I-24 between Nashville and Chattanooga) Slow trucks and a lot of scorch marks on the shoulder from overheated cars that burned up. The rest stops usually have attendants and are reasonably safe. I drive truck and I've been down that route a bunch of times. For a car with 151,000 on it, paying $200 for a good tune up is both reasonable and a really good idea."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #20 November 30, 2008 QuoteFor a car with 151,000 on it, paying $200 for a good tune up is both reasonable and a really good idea. Good point. Luckily, I drive a 1998 Honda Accord...those things run forever.Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #21 December 3, 2008 I got the tuneup done on the car today...and everything looks good. My mechanic said that it is the cleanest, most well maintained high-millage vehicle (151,000) that he has ever seen in his career. I wish I could take the credit for that compliment, but the truth is I lucked out with this car in the sense that the person I bought it from kept meticulous maintenance records; when I bought the car this time last year a huge stack of documentation came with it, detailing everything that has ever been done. Now that I have the mechanic's seal approval all I want to do is get in the car and go; 24 more days. I love road trips! Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
driftmania 0 #22 December 4, 2008 Just did Montreal - Sebastian back and forth in a Kia Spectra (and going back for the holidays). It ended up costing about 160$ per way. Considering we had a tent, the dog and all the gear with us, it was one of the most cost effective vacation ever. If I can suggest one thing, try to find yourself a partner to drive with (I'm sure a bunch of people up north would split the gas for a quick & cheap holiday boogie). It makes the drive quick and a bit safer. Good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #23 December 4, 2008 Quote My mechanic said that it is the cleanest Did you get a different car than the one you had in August?You are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #24 December 4, 2008 Quote Quote My mechanic said that it is the cleanest Did you get a different car than the one you had in August? Nope, same one! Hey.....I admitted right then and there, when I pulled up that I didn't get a chance to wash it before leaving the house. The interior was clean mind you, it was the exterior that was dusty and whatnot. Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #25 December 4, 2008 Where though are, Twardo when you need a witty smart ass remark?.... Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
