1700 miles

[Lazy WP]

We left the house at noon our time Thursday. Stopped and visited with @bitty about 10 his time Friday morning. Had to make a detour before stopping to see him for more dry ice, since we were delivering @vtfireman85 a half of beef, and the thermometer was climbing above 20 degrees Fahrenheit and we weren’t sure how long I would visit. 
It was absolutely beautiful across PA and New York. Other than a bunch of traffic heading north out of Albany New York, the traffic was great. Arrived along Lake Champlain about 8:00 pm Friday. 
We had a great visit with Bitty and his bunch. Seth was awesome last night and we are heading to his tractor pull this morning if Jeff ever gets here. 
We are staying in a cabin on Lake Champlain and it’s gorgeous. 
I am very glad that I didn’t do all the driving. Lisa drove through Kansas, all of Missouri, and most of Illinois. I got the rest of Illinois, all of Indiana, which we are going to try to avoid on the way home. Holy Moly that state is rough and LOTS OF CONSTRUCTION!! Made it through Ohio and into Pennsylvania before my eyelids gave out. Lisa took over again and made it until we stopped for the dry ice. 
The little Duramax got better than 30 mpg. Very impressive and very comfortable. 

[augercreek]

Be safe on the way home!

[12_Guy]

Sorry you didn’t have a good experience driving across Ind. The interstate roads are always under construction here it seems. There’s lots of truck traffic and it’s hard on the roads. They’ve been talking about making 70 and 65 three lanes each way clear across the state. Probably a good idea. You might try staying on US highways instead. 24 and 30 both cross the state north of Indy but I don’t know anything about their condition. 

[acem]

Back when I worked for Potlatch I was in Minnesota occasionally.

They only had two seasons. Winter and road construction!

[SASW6]

4 hours ago, acem said:

Back when I worked for Potlatch I was in Minnesota occasionally.

They only had two seasons. Winter and road construction!

Same thing in Wisconsin and they overlap!

[Lazy WP]

Went to @vtfireman85 tractor pull and met a few guys from here. Well, had breakfast with Sid and Jeff then went to the tractor pull. I might have a new girlfriend!! Any young lady who pilots a 4fiddy like her impresses me. 
And since I am a J I Case fan I have to share the 500. Should have taken a picture of the 560 that blew all the black smoke. Think it was owned by someone here but may have misunderstood? 
That was the first stone boat pull I have seen. I would like to see them do one close to me. 
Anyway, we’re enjoying our visit back here!!

[bitty]

8 hours ago, acem said:

Back when I worked for Potlatch I was in Minnesota occasionally.

They only had two seasons. Winter and road construction!

Our state flower is a road cone, state mineral is a pothole 

[bitty]

I had a great time visiting with Nick and Lisa. I just got home from our pull then I was at a play my oldest was in tonight. I'm beat . I have some videos to upload. I was lucky enough to get a blue ribbon for 7000 lb class . I have fuel issues yet on my puller 450 and didn't do as well as the time went by today. In 7,500 my boy pulled the puller and I pulled the LP 4fiddy since that weighed 7520 bare with what I'm going to call Texas weights on the back inside and outside. 

[vtfireman85]

It was really great to see you both, and glad you brought your son @1586 Jeff. I told @forwhldrv he needs to leave his tractor pilot home next time, my 13 year old helpers were utterly useless, they don’t need any more distractions. 😂 What do you suppose the grill master has in mind for tomorrow? I hope he’s not water boarding raw salmon. 

[acem]

Nick and Lisa are fine folks.

My wife and I enjoyed their company during their visit to Arkansas.

[forwhldrv]

2 hours ago, Lazy WP said:

Went to @vtfireman85 tractor pull and met a few guys from here. Well, had breakfast with Sid and Jeff then went to the tractor pull. I might have a new girlfriend!! Any young lady who pilots a 4fiddy like her impresses me. 
And since I am a J I Case fan I have to share the 500. Should have taken a picture of the 560 that blew all the black smoke. Think it was owned by someone here but may have misunderstood? 
That was the first stone boat pull I have seen. I would like to see them do one close to me. 
Anyway, we’re enjoying our visit back here!!

Hey I know one of those tractors the driver too. She tends to get quite mad at me dad doest know anything anymore. It was nice to talk with you today. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip. It’s alway a pleasure meeting and talking to anyone I’ve met from these forums. 

[Wes806]

Nick glad you and Lisa   are enjoying your time back over here. May you both have a safe trip back.

[Sledgehammer]

Safe travels back across the Midwest. Seth probably gave you a new pair of crocs in trade for 1/2lb of hamburger? 😁

[Chester5732]

4 hours ago, bitty said:

Our state flower is a road cone, state mineral is a pothole 

You live in Michigan???

[bitty]

2 hours ago, Chester5732 said:

You live in Michigan???

Pennsylvania. They might both share these things 

[bitty]

7 hours ago, bitty said:

I had a great time visiting with Nick and Lisa. I just got home from our pull then I was at a play my oldest was in tonight. I'm beat . I have some videos to upload. I was lucky enough to get a blue ribbon for 7000 lb class . I have fuel issues yet on my puller 450 and didn't do as well as the time went by today. In 7,500 my boy pulled the puller and I pulled the LP 4fiddy since that weighed 7520 bare with what I'm going to call Texas weights on the back inside and outside. 

 

[vtfireman85]

6 hours ago, Sledgehammer said:

Safe travels back across the Midwest. Seth probably gave you a new pair of crocs in trade for 1/2lb of hamburger? 😁

 

[Lazy WP]

9 hours ago, bitty said:

I had a great time visiting with Nick and Lisa. I just got home from our pull then I was at a play my oldest was in tonight. I'm beat . I have some videos to upload. I was lucky enough to get a blue ribbon for 7000 lb class . I have fuel issues yet on my puller 450 and didn't do as well as the time went by today. In 7,500 my boy pulled the puller and I pulled the LP 4fiddy since that weighed 7520 bare with what I'm going to call Texas weights on the back inside and outside. 

What did you do for fuel for it? Looks like it did well with the tires that you don’t like 😊

[Farmall1066]

19 hours ago, acem said:

Back when I worked for Potlatch I was in Minnesota occasionally.

They only had two seasons. Winter and road construction!

You’re not wrong!! 

[bitty]

1 hour ago, Lazy WP said:

What did you do for fuel for it? Looks like it did well with the tires that you don’t like 😊

I haven't done anything yet for fuel. I see it has close to 20% yet on the gauge. I figured that if I run it out it would be easier to change the valves . I will get a hose to add from my forklift tank after I swap valves then I can move it around until I get a tank to get filled at home 

[acem]

Swap the valves?

[Alan Dinan]

10 hours ago, Chester5732 said:

You live in Michigan???

Illinois is just as bad, if not worse!

[bitty]

8 hours ago, acem said:

Swap the valves?

I have both vapor and liquid valve for the tank to replace 

[yellowrosefarm]

22 hours ago, bitty said:

Our state flower is a road cone, state mineral is a pothole 

The flower I believe, but your state mineral has to be in the chloride family!

[from H to 80]

On 9/21/2025 at 7:00 AM, Lazy WP said:

What did you do for fuel for it? Looks like it did well with the tires that you don’t like 😊

I'm guessing that you crossed Missouri on 70 i am right off of I-44 if you choose that route for your return trip.