Some thoughts on the disater & your advice on moving forward...

[fkovalski]

I could use some feedback: We all know that the events of the recent week have and will affect us all in some form or another. I have been kinda’ keeping up on the details by members here who live in the affected areas. And this disaster could have been anyone of us in another form. Where I am from, avalanches and fires are just a couple of ways that my life could change. I say to the people of the New Orleans area: There but by the grace of God go I.



I kinda’ feel like the same feeling I had after 9-11 though not as bitter since this was the wrath of nature. It is still kind of strange for the rest of America to go about its business without some sort of feelings of trepidation. But as we did 4 years ago we must go on. At least that is what I keep telling myself.



To my question: Right now the uncertainty of fuel and the ever upward pricing, my gut reaction is to cancel driving back to Southern Indiana for a family reunion. This is a tradition that goes back to my earliest childhood memories. It was started by Aunts and Uncles and passed on to the grandkids. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Weisheit Cousin’s Reunion. I have not made it every year. I make it about every 5 or so. I had these plans now for a couple of months pending my work schedule.



Blood is thicker than diesel fuel, but this trip is going to cost me more than I budgeted. It seems as if fuel will be available albeit, pricey. If I take a couple of 5-gallon cans, I could make it with only 1 stop between here and there (plus the same for the return trip. ) It will be a lot of for a 5-day round trip. I feel as if I need to keep the plans I made and still “go for it. ” Logic tells me to conserve the fuel and save the money.



What are fuel prices/ availability in the Kansas/ Missouri area along I-64?



Thoughts/ comments?



Thank,

-frank.



I want to “show off” the new truck! I still have the ol’ topper on it and the reunion is a camp- out as always!

 

[BigEasy]

Cancelling your previous plans won't help the relief effort at all. Go on your trip like you would have, and enjoy it. If everyone stops what they're doing, that's what can start a recession. Everyone needs to keep moving on, plus all the rebuilding will greatly boost the economy in the long run.



Keep on keepin on!

 

[67guzzler]

I agree with BigEasy. This is a special case and the fuel savings of your not going isn't going to hurt the country. Family is important and you don't know when you'll get to see everyone again.



You say, "It is still kind of strange for the rest of America to go about its business without some sort of feelings of trepidation. " I think that the rest of America is feeling much trepidation. But I also think, as BigEasy suggests, that industry and our way of life depends on the economy not stalling. We saw the hit the economy took after 9/11 when people stopped consuming and it stalled. Hey -- we need to have jobs for the people who survive this tragedy to move into. If we all stopped consuming and started conserving, the economy would stall.



Look at it this way, they'll have to truck diesel from other locations because it won't be refined Lousiana for a while. This will require extra truckers and higher prices. Most people will pay the extra prices. New jobs will then be created because the oil companies will hire more truckers and other refineries will run even harder. And who knows? Maybe they'll build some long / much needed new refineries too.



I understand that we have a short term refined fuel crisis and we should all conserve when possible. No need to take long Sunday drives to nowhere, etc... But we need to continue consuming in general to keep the economy moving. The fuel you'd save by not going is far less important than the feelings of all the people who are going to get to see you for the first time in 5 years... .



Just my $. 02.

 

[klenger]

Have you looked into the price of flying? Assuming that you are traveling alone, you can probably fly cheaper than driving the truck. After everything is considered, do what your heart tells you is the right thing.



Personally, I changed my Labor Day plans from going to the Grand Canyon North Rim to taking a short trip 40 miles from home. The decision saved me about $300 in fuel. I can see the GC some other time.

 

[ndurbin]

If you can afford the extra money for the trip then go but if not stay home, thats the only advice I can give. Fuel available in my area of Kansas (SC/SW) is pretty good and last I checked diesel was around the $2. 80-$2. 90 mark. But it seems to vary quite a bit tho in other places. Fuel is cheaper in Missouri according to the Flying J website, anywhere from $2. 67 to $2. 72.



But cancelling plans is the only option some of us have. Not everyone can grin and bear theses high fuel prices. And the money I save by cutting back my driving habits will go towards building my own Biodiesel set-up. I'll also be using more and more ethanol blended gas in the wife's car and other gas powered equipment when it's available.



Nathan

 

[RTillery]

I just drove back from Chicago a few weeks back. Had a great time moving my daughter.



I would guess you are talking 1200 to 1400 miles each way. Call it 2700 round trip. At 18 mpg that is 150 gallons. At $2. 90 a gallon that is $435 in fuel. That is a good chunk of change, but you could offset that by packing a cooler and avoid restaurants. You are going camping anyway, so sleep in your truck instead of a hotel on the way out and back. Are you traveling alone? If not, the savings add up even quicker. Discuss it with your traveling mates and make it fun. You can save a couple of hundred bucks pretty quick to offset the higher fuel prices. Have a good time with family, nothing is more important. Going to FlyingJ.com and check diesel prices. Be safe.

 

[fkovalski]

I had asked the moderators to move this thread here per guideline suggestions. Thanks for moving it.



Well, I do appreciate the replys- I am packed and ready to head out tomorow. My sister who lives in Florida (60 miles from Biluxi+/-) will be attending. They sustained wind and rain but no damage thank God! Last time I saw her was 4 years ago at the same reunion.



Things seemed to have stabilized and it was literally right up to this morning to finalize my decision. Yes, it will cost more but, family is more imprtant than the extra cost. I did look ito flying and it would have cost about $350, but at that time/ price i did not know if the work scedule would allow. I will be sleeping in the back of the truck and have a cooler packed as suggested (even though that was the plan all along )



I am looking forward to the first long distance trip in the new truck! Be safe everyone, I'll reprt back in a few days!

 

[67guzzler]

Have a good trip Frank!

 

[loncray]

Having just last year gone to Wyoming and back in my '03, you are gonna love how your truck feels going long distances. Drive safely and let us know how it goes.

 

[fkovalski]

back home: safe and sound...

Well, I got in last night after completing the trip. 2356 miles round trip for a weekend visit! It was worth it! I had not seen my sister in quite some time (BTW 60 miles from Mobile not Biloxi as previously stated. ) The actual trip was uneventful. Good weather, not too much delays or traffic. Happened upon an accident that was really bad looking: an SUV(?) towing an older trailer loaded with furniture rolled quite a few times. The truck was downhill in the median and what was left of the trailer was off to the right. Furniture scattered everywhere. Folks- it wasn’t pretty!



Anyway- the visit was worth every extra cent paid for fuel. I have 35 first cousins on my Mom’s side- some I met for the first time! It was truly amazing! The heritage that I can personally see is something to behold and treasure. As enjoyable as the driving the new truck was- I really should try to attend more often than I do- even if it means flying!



The truck ran great! I was a bit disappointed in the fuel mileage: a solid 17 MPG going and 16. 7 returning (with the next fill- up giving me a gallon count to confirm. ) Average speed on cruise was 73MPH +/-. It has only 5500 miles and I do not know if more “break- in miles” will help future MPG’s. I slept in the back and did hit the Denny’s for Slams in lieu of packing a cooler. Highest price for diesel was 1. 877 in Downieville CO while QT’s at various location in MO was 1. 599. Everyone back in Indiana was wondering what the hell that contraption on top of the truck was: anyone not familiar with a WilderNest topper always has the same reaction! I saw a couple coming up my campsite late Sunday (I thought they were the camp hosts coming to remind me of checkout time. ) They were just wondering what that setup I had going was!



Anyone heard of a card game called Euchre (sp?) Well, it is really fun! It is what they play a lot and Saturday saw 3 AM as well as a couple of cases of beer pass throwing down royalty faces! I cannot say enough of how good it was to get back to Mom’s country (rest her soul. ) The distance separating me from my kin is nothing as to how family is thought of; there were no miles!



Thanks for the replies of encouragement!



Sincerely,

-frank.