Well...quick back story here. I lost my job a couple months ago, and decided to do as much traveling as possible while collecting unenjoyment (oops...I mean unemployment). First, I ran to Louisiana to spend a week with my dad. Then, I flew down to Florida, stole my mother's Harley, and toured South Florida for a week on the bike. Then...the real opportunity presented itself. My best friend happens to be an OTR truck driver, and asked me if I wanted to ride along for a while. So...my mother picked me up on her way back to Michigan, and I met Ray in West Branch....and away we went.

Some basic rules we have to play by...
We can drive for only 11 hours out of a 14 hour work day...then we must sit for a 10 hour reset...so we can travel only about 600 miles per day. Although I have time to get out and see things, I don't have the transportation.
About once per week or so, we will need to do a 34 hour reset. Again, I have plenty of time to get out and see things, but don't have the transportation.

I am interested in meeting up with local Fiero people along the way. Unfortunately, I won't have much warning on where we will be making stops...so if you are anywhere along the known route, feel free to throw out a "if you are stopping in ?????, holler at me".

OK...I will end the opening thread here, and post a reply with a few pics of the progress so far, and the planned routes. I will end each of my posts with the known route and planned stops to make it easier to keep up with me.

Damnit! I just missed you!

If you come back down the dirty south PM me, we will hang out.

I never do this.

Seriously, I hate crapping on threads.

But.. you're going to travel the U.S. while collecting unemployment? You are the people that make me wish there wasn't ANY unemployment.

I don't get to travel. Why? Because I have a job. I make my own money. I PAY TAXES so YOU can collect unemployment.

Look for a job. Or, QUIT collecting unemployment and travel the world, I don't care either way. But quit taking my money so you can have a nice holiday.

I'm assuming a lot here, I know. I pray you have SOME kind of retort that makes sense to me.

[This message has been edited by theBDub (edited 06-07-2011).]

First, we headed up to the UP (Upper Peninsula) to visit Ray's dad, and pick up a chain rack for the truck.

The Mackinac Bridge:






Then we headed west along Hwy 2...beautiful ride along the northern shore of Lake Michigan:


And a nice sunset over one of the bays:


Then down the western shore of Lake Michigan....here is Green Bay (the bay, not the city):


I didn't get many pics from there down to Winchester, KY since I have seen that area enough times. From there, we drove back to Cincinnati to pick up the next load. The next delivery is in Grandview, Washington. We headed back up from Cincinnati through Indy, through Chicago, and made it to Mauston, WI for the night.


We were just a day or so late for the Dells festivities.




Across the river to Minnesota:


So far, I have added two states to my list...I had never been to Wisconsin or Minnesota before. In the next couple days, I will be adding ND, ID, MT, and WA.

We are hoping to make Bismarck, ND today...but may have to stop just short of that. From there we will continue across 94 and hopefully make Billings, Montana tomorrow. Then on to Grandview (Yakima), Washington. We don't have a guaranteed load from there yet, but the current expectation will be to pick up there, and head over to Seattle, then most likely to Portland, OR. We will most likely be doing a 34 hour reset in Portland...then we might try to head south, but my sightseeing tour comes second to Ray's making money.

quote Originally posted by theBDub: I never do this. Seriously, I hate crapping on threads. But.. you're going to travel the U.S. while collecting unemployment? You are the people that make me wish there wasn't ANY unemployment. I don't get to travel. Why? Because I have a job. I make my own money. I PAY TAXES so YOU can collect unemployment. Look for a job. Or, QUIT collecting unemployment and travel the world, I don't care either way. But quit taking my money so you can have a nice holiday. I'm assuming a lot here, I know. I pray you have SOME kind of retort that makes sense to me.

whoa, talk about Scrooge McDuck

C'mon up to Canada...I'll buy ya a beer and introduce ya to a REAL bunch of nutjobs, otherwise known as the Ontario area Fiero guys .....(Yes, Jay--this means you !! )

quote Originally posted by ShadowHawk: whoa, talk about Scrooge McDuck

Yeah, he lives in this make-believe world where there is a job for every person who wants to work, and where every job pays enough to live on.

^I used to live in St. something NEWFOUNDLAND, the capital

also Montreal , both places combined 1 and a half to 2 years living in the 80s.

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: Yeah, he lives in this make-believe world where there is a job for every person who wants to work, and where every job pays enough to live on.

Oh, ya mean that world the schools sell where getting a pilots licence and an IFR rating means ya get to go to Cathy Pacific and fly a 747 ???....yeah, spent my money on that world. Only thing I fly is a screwdriver.

quote Originally posted by theBDub: I never do this. Seriously, I hate crapping on threads. But.. you're going to travel the U.S. while collecting unemployment? You are the people that make me wish there wasn't ANY unemployment. I don't get to travel. Why? Because I have a job. I make my own money. I PAY TAXES so YOU can collect unemployment. Look for a job. Or, QUIT collecting unemployment and travel the world, I don't care either way. But quit taking my money so you can have a nice holiday. I'm assuming a lot here, I know. I pray you have SOME kind of retort that makes sense to me.

He paid into the unemployment fund, it just as you are. I have no issue with it. Unemployment compensation only lasts so long and only pays so much. I see it was money I was forced to set aside involuntarily, I might as well take advantage of it when its available to me. I'd take some R&R while looking for a job too. Might even take a well deserved several week vacation at the beginning of the unemployment cycle. Enjoy it, he was forced to pay into it, might as well benefit from it a bit, even though its double taxation.

[This message has been edited by Rainman (edited 06-07-2011).]

thebdub, it`s called "unemployment insurance"
It`s something you pay while you work, so down the line you can get paid if you lose your job.
Where it fails is when the government decides that they need to extend the benefits past your alotted amount.
I collected unemployment back in the 80`s, but back then you only got what you had put in and then you were SOL.

Edit: Oh yea, I forgot employers pay it.

[This message has been edited by TXGOOD (edited 06-07-2011).]

quote Originally posted by theBDub: I never do this. Seriously, I hate crapping on threads. But.. you're going to travel the U.S. while collecting unemployment? You are the people that make me wish there wasn't ANY unemployment. I don't get to travel. Why? Because I have a job. I make my own money. I PAY TAXES so YOU can collect unemployment. Look for a job. Or, QUIT collecting unemployment and travel the world, I don't care either way. But quit taking my money so you can have a nice holiday. I'm assuming a lot here, I know. I pray you have SOME kind of retort that makes sense to me.

Unemployment insurance is payed by employers, not employees. I am essentially collecting money from my previous employer's insurance policy. When too many people collect too much from one company, their rates go up. It doesn't cost you a dime for me to collect. But regardless, I understand your point...and I AM looking for a job. But...I moved to Wilkesboro for the job that I had knowing that if things went bad, I would be forced to move again to find another job. I can search nationwide for jobs as easily from the netbook while on the road as I can from my own home computer. I refuse to live in misery just because I am unemployed, and am thankful for this opportunity that I didn't have for all the years that I was paying taxes.

quote Originally posted by CowsPatoot: Unemployment insurance is payed by employers, not employees. I am essentially collecting money from my previous employer's insurance policy. When too many people collect too much from one company, their rates go up. It doesn't cost you a dime for me to collect. But regardless, I understand your point...and I AM looking for a job. But...I moved to Wilkesboro for the job that I had knowing that if things went bad, I would be forced to move again to find another job. I can search nationwide for jobs as easily from the netbook while on the road as I can from my own home computer. I refuse to live in misery just because I am unemployed, and am thankful for this opportunity that I didn't have for all the years that I was paying taxes.

Thank you for that. I guess I wasn't aware of how it worked! I'm glad you're looking for a job and that you are having fun while doing it.

JazzMan, no I don't lol. You completely missed my point. I'm glad CowsPatoot got it because I really wasn't trying to be an ass.

quote Originally posted by theBDub: Thank you for that. I guess I wasn't aware of how it worked .

A recurring situation with you

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: Yeah, he lives in this make-believe world where there is a job for every person who wants to work, and where every job pays enough to live on.

Do Brennan and I live on the same block?


For the record, I am aware of how unemployed benefits work, I am not even trying to get sucked into the argument of how he should spend his money.

[This message has been edited by ls3mach (edited 06-07-2011).]

Dang... I live in the UP!

As for unemployment insurance, here in MI, our past Gov. borrowed $4BILLION to cover unemployed workers, as there was not enough money from the businesses.

I also lost my full time job last month, I'm collecting unemployment and still have my part time job. I don't know if it's the same in other states, but for Wyoming you have to have two job acceptable job searches per week, keep a record of the jobs you've applied for, not refuse any job offers, have to let them know if you travel away from home for other than work if more than 2 days worth.

quote Originally posted by ShadowHawk: A recurring situation with you

Unnecessary.

If you are around these places hit me up
Joplin Mo
Tulsa OK
Fayetville AR

If ya get in the Reading or Philadelphia area and want to make a small side trip, shoot me a PM I'll gladly meet up with ya for lunch

Newton Iowa, just off I-80, home of 'The Iowa Speedway'. PM me a day or so ahead?

------------------
Ol' Paint, 88 Base coupe auto.
Turning white on top, like owner.
Leaks a little, like owner.
Doesn't smoke....... OK, we're trying to quit.

quote Originally posted by ShadowHawk: ^I used to live in St. something NEWFOUNDLAND, the capital also Montreal , both places combined 1 and a half to 2 years living in the 80s.

St. SOMETHING ??????

LMAO...that would be St. Johns....and the local hootch is called "screetch"...Newfoundlad...eff ME, I should have settled there..Dunno, the Atlantic never got me the way the west did....

I would move back if I could. Canada was the first time I seen a Fiero and fell in love with them. Before the age of 7


I remember thinking flip lights were the coolest thing on the planet

St. Johns is what I thought it was almost said St. Thomas

quote Originally posted by ShadowHawk: A recurring situation with you

I admitted I was wrong. No shame here...

I remember visiting in on the Senate a few times where they talked about extending unemployment benefits, and they were accepting money from the Federal Government to do so. That led me to the assumption is was all taxpayer-based.

Confirmed....we will make Bismarck today (7:30ish local time). Going to be stopping at the WB rest area at the 168 mile marker on I94. Will be there till the wee hours of the morning. Anyone in the area?

This will make Billings, MT the likely stop for tomorrow night, likely around 7ish again there.

quote Originally posted by skuzzbomer: Unnecessary.

Not when said persons is stalking and harrassing and following you through every thread like they got a hard on for you.

It would be out of this world if you were in Midwestern Maine, Farmington but if you are in the area give me a ringy dingy.

Would be happy to meet another one of the misfits from here.

Steve

------------------
Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.

Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

If you make it down around the northwest Florida (Fort Walton Beach) area let me know. I am board as hell since moving from San Antonio.

Random Minnesota countryside:

quote Originally posted by theBDub: I never do this. Seriously, I hate crapping on threads. But.. you're going to travel the U.S. while collecting unemployment? You are the people that make me wish there wasn't ANY unemployment. I don't get to travel. Why? Because I have a job. I make my own money. I PAY TAXES so YOU can collect unemployment. Look for a job. Or, QUIT collecting unemployment and travel the world, I don't care either way. But quit taking my money so you can have a nice holiday. I'm assuming a lot here, I know. I pray you have SOME kind of retort that makes sense to me.

All tings being equal, he also paid his taxes into the system and as far as I'm concerned its owed to you. Its not anyone's business how he spends *his* money.

Looks like you would be traveling through Spokane today or tomorrow? You have a PM...

Tony

[This message has been edited by Tony Kania (edited 06-07-2011).]

quote Originally posted by User00013170: All tings being equal, he also paid his taxes into the system and as far as I'm concerned its owed to you. Its not anyone's business how he spends *his* money.

Correct. This is America. If the man wants to take a vacation while hes on Unemployment, he can.

quote Originally posted by User00013170: All tings being equal, he also paid his taxes into the system and as far as I'm concerned its owed to you. Its not anyone's business how he spends *his* money.

Yeah, I know. I didn't think everything through when I wrote that first post.

Let me know if you go through the Pittsburgh area

What do you do for a living? I always wanted to be a duster.
You know the guy that dust the sand out of the butt crack of super models that are doing beach shots. Sad I'm stuck in an office all day. Enjoy your time while you can, if you get back to central Florida send me a PM and we can grab some lunch.

Another state. We have to get pics of Froggy for Ray's wife...so you will probably see more of him.


Am I the only one that thinks of wood chippers when I see this town?


Bismarck tonight....Bozeman, MT tomorrow night (not Billings). Plan is currently Spokane on Thursday. Shooting you a PM, Tony.

Lol about the wood chipper. What an odd movie that was.

Montana is a beautiful state, possibly my favorite in the union, particularly the Western 1/3, but really, all of it is awesome aside from the wind. Bozeman is a cool place, oddly hippy in a state such as Montana due to the university. We have a vendor based in a Bozeman that we do a fair bit of business with, its always interesting comparing the weather with them during the Winter. Enjoy it while you can, you're living an awesome experience, imo. I've always though being a trucker driving all over the country would be a sweet gig for a bit.

[This message has been edited by Rainman (edited 06-07-2011).]

quote Originally posted by CowsPatoot: ]

Creative shot. good zoom to a mirror I assume.
Tell Ray he has bug guts on his side mirror.

quote Originally posted by Fierfly: Creative shot. good zoom to a mirror I assume. Tell Ray he has bug guts on his side mirror.

KW T-2000