Southern Utah to Central Florida

[calvinhunt]

 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. �It was delayed first a couple of days, then another day, and then another. �And then finally for more than a month. �We went home at that point. �I 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. �But, even though launch delays occurred, I didn't make it to Doug's home in Bradenton, FL. �
 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. �We had an excellent viewing position. �It was as close as non-NASA personnel or special guests could get to the shuttle. �It 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. �



The launch was scrubbed for 5 days. �We chose to wait it out. �But 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. �As I tried to locate the house on the identified street it was easy to do because of a familiar Jeep parked on the driveway. �Doug has posted many pics of his beautiful Jeep on the 3A page. �It's even more beautiful in real life. �I didn't take my own camera so the photo provided here was taken by my son. �He has others by I don't have them yet. �But, here is proof that Doug and I did get together and I did get a chance to test drive his great Jeep.



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

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. �

[Carls_jeep]

Nice looking Jeep and I bet it was a fine trip as well.

[Doug]

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.

[calvinhunt]

  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.  

[Doug]

Space Shuttle going  up in an hour hopefully.   Godspeed.

[Chasm]

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!  

[calvinhunt]

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.