Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2004 15:23:07 -0400
Reply-To: Greg Potts <Greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Greg Potts <Greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject: John Brown's Buses... Northwest Carabus departs 9AM Friday
October 15th
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Hi Volks,
This is a reminder about the carabus heading from Northwestern New York
state down to Harper's Ferry West Virginia for John Brown's Buses on
Friday October 15th, 2004.
Here's the timeline:
8:30 AM - Buses start gathering outside the gate of Lake Erie State
Park near Brocton. Be sure to top up the fuel tank and empty your
personal bilge tanks beforehand please.
9:00 AM - We roll west on Route 5. It's slightly slower than the
interstate, but there aren't any tolls and the scenery is spectacular.
9:45 AM -Turn Left and head south on I79
11:30AM - Take exit 228 turning East onto 70/76 to pick up the Penna
Turnpike. There'll be a fuel stop somewhere in the next hour or so,
which will also be used for a brief meal break. I can't vouch for the
quality of the restaurants on the penna turnpike, I plan to bring a
cooler with a brown bag lunch already packed.
2:00 PM - Exit #161 takes us off the Penna Turnpike at Breezewood,
continue south on I-70. Be prepared to pay the tolls.
2:45 PM - Head East on I-68
3:30 PM Head South on I-81 to exit the interstate at Martinsburg. From
there we travel on secondary roads about 15 minutes to Harpers Ferry.
The total distance for the trip is just under 400 miles, so I'm
expecting to get there on 2 tanks of fuel. If your bus regularly gets
less than 14 MPG please schedule a tune-up, release your parking brake
or unload some cargo.
Notes:
Speeds in this group will average at about 55-60 MPH. There are some
VERY long hills on the Penna Turnpike and on I-70 south of Breezewood,
and I don't want to damage anyone's engine. I have a CHT gauge in my
bus and drive accordingly. We might hit 65 on the downhills, or if we
luck into a strong tailwind, but otherwise I'll be holding back to 60
MPH.
If anyone has information about road conditions or route suggestions
I'd be very happy to hear about them. I haven't driven this route since
returning from EveryBus in April.
My Dad's cell phone is on an international plan, so if you're planning
on linking up with us mid-route I'll give you his number. My own
carrier charges an obscene amount for international roaming, but since
it's supplied by my employer I'm stuck with it.
Bring a camera for your co-pilot, the scenery and fall colours will be
well worth it.
Only 14 days to go... Please email and let me know if you're interested
in joining the group.
Happy trails,
Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1973/74/79 Westfakia Conversion **Bob the Tomato** LY3H
1977 Sunroof Automatic L63H/L90D
http://www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
http://www.busesofthecorn.com