My Willys 3A and 3B Community

Rambling, Malarky, Rants, Etc. => Rambling, Malarky, Rants, Etc... => Topic started by: calvinhunt on May 07, 2011, 02:20:45 AM

Title: Southern Utah to Central Florida
Post by: calvinhunt on May 07, 2011, 02:20:45 AM: ï¿½ Last October my son and I traveled to the Kennedy Space Center to witness the launch of Space Shuttle STS-133, which was to launch on November 1. ï¿½It was delayed first a couple of days, then another day, and then another. ï¿½And then finally for more than a month. ï¿½We went home at that point. ï¿½I had wanted to get to the other side of the Florida peninsula to meet my new-found CJ-3A friend, Doug Peebles. Besides our posts and interaction through the 3A page, Doug and I had spoken a few times by phone and had communicated frequently by email. ï¿½But, even though launch delays occurred, I didn't make it to Doug's home in Bradenton, FL. ï¿½
ï¿½On April 28th, my son, our friend, Mike, and I flew to Florida to witness the launch of Space Shuttle STS-134, which was to launch on April 29th. We rose early on the 29th and traveled to the launch site with pre-purchased viewing tickets. ï¿½We had an excellent viewing position. ï¿½It was as close as non-NASA personnel or special guests could get to the shuttle. ï¿½It was exciting to sit there and monitor the countdown and view the shuttle--till about three hours to launch time when a defect in the 2nd backup auxiliary power unit scrubbed the launch. ï¿½

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/shuttle.jpg)

The launch was scrubbed for 5 days. ï¿½We chose to wait it out. ï¿½But during that time my son and my friend (the friend who owns the 1944 Willys MB that I restored--posted a couple of pics on the old 3A Forum) and I had opportunity to drive to Bradenton to meet Doug. ï¿½As I tried to locate the house on the identified street it was easy to do because of a familiar Jeep parked on the driveway. ï¿½Doug has posted many pics of his beautiful Jeep on the 3A page. ï¿½It's even more beautiful in real life. ï¿½I didn't take my own camera so the photo provided here was taken by my son. ï¿½He has others by I don't have them yet. ï¿½But, here is proof that Doug and I did get together and I did get a chance to test drive his great Jeep.

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/dougsjeep.jpg)

Doug is the one with the hat. ï¿½My friend, Mike, is leaning over the engine. ï¿½I'm behind and to the left. ï¿½Doug's two sons are also in the pic. ï¿½It was a fun day. ï¿½

PS. As of this posting, Space Shuttle Endeavor, STS-134, is still sitting on Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center suffering additional delays. I wish her and her crew a successful launch, flight, and safe return in the near future. ï¿½
Title: Re: Southern Utah to Central Florida
Post by: Carls_jeep on May 07, 2011, 10:01:41 AM: Nice looking Jeep and I bet it was a fine trip as well.
Title: Re: Southern Utah to Central Florida
Post by: Doug on May 08, 2011, 06:43:13 AM: It was a shame that the Shuttle did not launch for Calvin and his crew, but I was really thrilled at the opportunity to meet Calvin, his son and Calvin's friend Mike. Mike I learned has a really cool late year MB. I had emailed, chatroomed and telephone Calvin over the last two years but it was a real honor to meet him in person. CJ3A people are really great and Calvin is no exception to this rule. We had a lot of fun talking about our jeeps and this was the first time I got to show my jeep in its finished stage to anyone from the cj3a page. THanks for making the trip over Calvin. Perhaps I will see you in Utah one of these days.
Title: Re: Southern Utah to Central Florida
Post by: calvinhunt on May 10, 2011, 12:31:42 AM: Thanks, Doug, for your kind words. Here is another photo of my opportunity to meet Doug and his Jeep. Jeeps really are a good common denominator of great folks.

(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/calvinhunt/dougsjeep-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Southern Utah to Central Florida
Post by: Doug on May 16, 2011, 08:03:57 AM: Space Shuttle going up in an hour hopefully. Godspeed. :)
Title: Re: Southern Utah to Central Florida
Post by: Chasm on May 17, 2011, 03:41:18 PM: Guess I'm gonna have to get back down to the Sunshine State and take the finished product for a spin!

BTW: Florida Jeeps are welcome at the Mason Dixon Willys Jeep Gathering... Utah Flatties too! ;)
Title: Re: Southern Utah to Central Florida
Post by: calvinhunt on May 19, 2011, 09:35:31 PM: Thanks for the invite Chasm!

This Utah Jeeper would love to go to the Mason Dixon Willys Jeep Gathering. How about you Florida Jeeper?

When I win the lottery I'm going to take a long drive around the county attending all the Jeep gatherings and meeting all the 3A page members and their Jeeps.