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We're hoping to head out Sunday on our annual drive. Except for a few changes, it looks like this year's route will be similar to last years.
We'll leave here Sunday, take the #401 to London and then head west on #402 to cross the border at Sarnia. From there, we'll follow #69 thru Lancing, Michigan and catch I-80 towards Chicago.
Our first goal is Gary, Indiana. We're looking forward to touring the 1-Shot facility on Monday or Tuesday. We've been meaning to do this for years. Watch for a report on our visit. Time is really limited in Chicago, but we may be able to meet up with some in the area for dinner.
From Chicago, we'll head South on I-55. Hoping to drop-in on Dave and Cindy Draper before hitting St.Louis. We'll probally spend a night with our old pals Tom and Kathy Durham.
Next stop is Branson, Missouri. The last time we hit Branson, it was just a drive-thru. This time, we're planning on staying a day or two. Bob Harper and Terry Teague are only an hour away. I want to rescan Bob's portfolio and see if I can locate that rascal Terry. He's been MIA far too long.
We'll eventually end up back in Oklahoma City for Fred Self's Sasekalahewata Meet. This is always a popular meet with Letterheads and PinHeads attending from all over. This year our Aussie chat pal "Bushie" and his bride will be on hand. We're looking forward to seeing all our old friends and making some new ones. Join us!
That's the plan so far. From OKC, we'll head south to Dallas, Houston...then east to Florida. If we're passing close to you and you'd like to get together, please e-mail us. If at all possible, we'd love to see that happen.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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Hey Bob ... So close, so far! Fred's meet is sorta in the middle everybody.
I'm limited on time in USA.
Love to make it back to Z-Hills (was there in 82 judging the World Meet) and meet yer. We could swap heaps skydiving and signwriting tall tales
Got a week with Si in LA before the meet. Going to try finding some my old skydiving mates in California ... they not all dead yet!
Steve and Barb ... can't wait to meet you And all my Letterville friends. Sue has started packing already:) Gotta find space for clothes between 12 cartons of Tim Tams and 40 Cherry Ripes hahahahahaha Plus 2 dozen premium Haydn Truck Brushes!
1: Go Southeast on PROVINCIAL HIGHWAY 6 to ONTARIO ROUTE 401. 29.46 km 2: Go East on ONTARIO ROUTE 401 to QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 20. 508.07 km 3: Go East on QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 20 to QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 13. 57.94 km 4: Go North on QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 13 to QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 40. 4.02 km 5: Go Northeast on QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 40 to QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 25 S. 15.45 km 6: Go East on QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 25 S to QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 20. 12.87 km 7: Go Northeast on QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 20 to QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 73. 215.65 km 8: Go North on QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 73 to QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 440. 18.51 km 9: Go Northeast on QUEBEC AUTOROUTE 440 to PROVINCIAL HIGHWAY 138. 1.45 km 10: Go Northeast on PROVINCIAL HIGHWAY 138 (Gate access required) to FERRY. 72.68 km 11: Go Northeast on FERRY to PROVINCIAL HIGHWAY 138. 1.61 km 12: Go Northeast on PROVINCIAL HIGHWAY 138 to PROVINCIAL HIGHWAY 389. 59.97 km 13: Go North on PROVINCIAL HIGHWAY 389. 309.82 km Total Estimated Time: Total Distance: 1307.51 km
Pick your season ... (we have two, winter & winter's coming) Y'all welcome ..
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
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Remember, if you happen to get close to Kentucky while cruising the neighborhood, you are always welcome to park in our yard. Hope we get to see you while you're out.
-------------------- Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane. Posts: 2290 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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Hey Steve.... take 95N from Florida and you'll end up some where near Mass Mayhem 3!!!! Oh, and by the way, when you tour the oneshot plant, its not like the Molson brewery, you don't drink the free samples
-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Steve & Barb, Remember we will leave the light on for y'all in southwest Georgia! You are always welcome to stay here. And you really should make your visit a little longer this time. Judy & Roger
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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if you want to stop by commerce you can park park in the same place as before.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Some of these guys have no concept of distance and time! I'm here to save you some on the first leg. We drive Toronto to Chicago regularly. Sarnia and Lansing (spelling is correct...I use to live there!) will add about a hour to your trip. Stay on the 401 to Windsor, go over the bridge to Detroit, follow the signs to I94 and take it straight across Michigan to the Indiana border. As long as the customs guy at the border doesn't stand in your way very long it is under 7 hours from Burlington to Gary, Indiana. Three in Ontario, three plus across Michigan, and less than one in Indiana.
If you do go the Sarnia, I69 to Lansing route be sure to wave at my mother when you pass Imlay City and wave at Laura Butler in Lapeer.
-------------------- Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945 Posts: 633 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6740 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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We are on the way to Florida from Mendocino, we have done it the other way with Dusty. Drive Safe.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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The camper is packed, but Mother Nature is up to Her old tricks. It started snowing here yesterday afternoon and at this point we have almost 1 foot of new snow. May have to delay our departure until Monday.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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So does that mean we have to clean our shop before you get here!!!! Sounds like you will be here Wednedsay or Thursday? I better get busy!! Jane
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2109 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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Thanks Steve! Thanks Mother Nature, as I am free on Tuesday, but wasn't on Sunday. What time will you be sliding into Illinois? Hear this, WE HAVE NO SNOW! As of today, we have not gotten more than 8 inches since last year!! Everyone else is getting it. First year that any of the oldtimers here can remember this freak weather! Roads should be great (hopefully). Call me and let me know if you will be coming in near I-55, as maybe we can hook up as I have some things to be delivered to the meet too! Deb ps. I'll email yas
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Steve and Barb, on your way from Houston to Florida remember that there is always a warm bed and indoor plumbing here! You know the way and should know you are more than welcome.
-------------------- Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist. Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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So far...so good. We're at a Motel 6 in Hammond, IN. The drive was pretty good except for some blowing snow and slippery conditions near Kalamazoo, MI. That big high camper is a bear to keep on a straight line in the wind.
Just set my clock back an hour, so it is 6:45 pm. Still have to find a bite to eat. We'll call Jack at One-Shot in the morning and see what time they want us over there for a tour. I think we are only a couple miles away.
Not sure what the plans are for later tomorrow. We'd love to see Empy, Deb and anyone else in the Chicago area that are interested. I'm wondering if we can all arrange to get together somewhere around the junction of I-94 and I-55. We'll try calling Empy and/or Deb later tonight.
If you need us, the phone number here is 1-219-845-0330 Ext 130
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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Hey Guys, If you are going by way of I-10 from Texas to Florida y'all should stop by Long Beach, MS for lunch or something. Maybe we could hit a casino or two and then gorge ourselves on their buffet. R.T. Thomas lives less than an hour away I'm sure he'd be up for it.
-------------------- Lee McKee McKee Studios Birmingham, Al Planet Earth (sometimes) Posts: 277 | From: Birmingham, Al | Registered: Jan 2003
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What would we do without the BB Grand Central Station! Yeah, I'm game to meet with you, will have my phone lines free after 8:45 central time. Call and I'll hit I 90 to meet ya! Let me know, sure wish I could make it to Fred's meet but too darn busy this time of year! talk at ya soon, drive slowly! there aint no fire.... Deb
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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So it sounds like you will come down I-55 on Wed. or Thursday? We will be here. Hope you can stop! We are looking forward to talking to you a bit and giving you the grand tour. Jane & Bill
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2109 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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If y'all are coming back from the Sandcastle Panel Jam and find yourselves near Atlanta, I would love to hear you play my new Gibson SG. I'll also throw in a trip to Steak n' Shake.
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4117 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Well it's around 6PM here, there's only about 0.375" of snow, and there's 20 pieces of chicken in the oven, and one sweet potato.
Haven't heard from the travelers today but, if you're comin over, bring some beverages - unless you want Elgin Well Water. It's great if ya like sulphur and iron. Personally, I prefer NON diet RC or Pepsi or Coke (or Quervo) but I'm kinda gettin used to this rotten egg water.
I have coffee.
If Steve & Barb don't show up, I'm gonna look like Dom DeLouise or Fat Albert after eating all this chicken. Maybe I should make some rice too... hmmm that sounds good.
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Oh, oh. We're in big trouble. We awoke this morning to find 7,400 pieces of mail in our mailbox. It was all addresed to letterhead.com, but with different names in front of the @.
We called our provider back in Ontario and they said we were the victims of a "denial of service" attack. I asked them to dump the whole 25 meg of mail in the mailbox. If you have tried to e-mail us from Monday at midnight, we'll probally not get your message. Please send it again.
As a result of all this, we never got to 1-Shot until after lunch. We had a wonderful tour and had an opportunity to meet a number of the people that make this legendary product. More about our tour at another time.
I'm sorry Empy. After talking to you and Deb on the phone last night, we made a decision to not make ant decision until we got to the junction of I-80 and I-55. Tried to call Deb, but she must have been out. It was already starting to get dark, so we decided to head down 55 to Bloomington. That's where we are now.
We're planning on back-tracking tomorrow to see Bill & Jane Diaz in Pontiac, Il. Gotta see our old pals Dave and Cindi Draper as well. We'll probally end up staying here Wednesday night too. From here, we are scheduled to make a stop at Tom and Kathy Durham's home.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
I wasn't in on this, we had plenty of roasted veggies for dindin here!
I am on chat now telling Steve and Barb that the last time they came to Ohio to visit me, my girlfriend and I cooked a huge meatloaf and dinner, (10 lbs of ground chuck) so they wouldn't be hungry. They didn't know and they ate right before they came. I was giving away meatloaf for days! Ha, ha. But, I managed to get some donuts in them the next morning!
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Hey Steve and Barb!! Glad you are on your way, with no problems!! We are not only ready for you guys(with BBQ in mind) but we have decided to go to Freds Meet!! Been awhile, and we really need some time away from this place...when we saw MOnte's plea, well we just couldn't stand it!! Will be great to see the gang! Sounds like you might be here on Thursday, since we are snowed in, I'm sure we'll be in. See ya!
-------------------- Tom & Kathy Durham House Springs, MO Posts: 654 | From: House Springs, MO | Registered: Apr 1999
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