Porcher Odyssey Pre-Planning Discussion Phase II

[Uncle Willie]

There is not going to be an easy way to say this, so I'm just going to put it out there .. when I initially speculated about the Road Trip, I did not do the math on the trip .. and I should have .. it's my fault .. and it seems to break down as follows :

29.3 Hours at an Average of 70 MPH not considering stops / road work / food breaks / etc .. the route considers St Louis to Dallas, then South to Houston, then on to Bradenton, 1910 miles one way total .. add in a margin for road work, which looks to be quite extensive on some legs of the trip, add in stops, etc .. I think a best case scenario is 35 hours on the road .. possibly pushing 40 hours in a worst case scenario .. I double and triple checked everything, but it's possible I may be off slightly ..

Reverse that for the trip back ..

Although I know there had been some discussion on a marathon drive, I just don't see that .. keep in mind, my degenerative lower back issues as well as my heart issues .. when I had my check up last week, I ran the trip down with my DR as a Marathon or multi-day drive and he essentially said, "Are you nuts .. ??" .. my yearly Road Trips are generally a 4 hour drive, stay a few days, do another 4 hours, etc .. it has been many years since I've contemplated a drive trip of this type ..

If it can be done in 35 hours, which I am doubtful of, 3 Days at near 12 hours a day driving is still a stretch, IMO .. if 40 hours is what it takes, then 10 hours a day driving .. 4 days .. either scenario cuts the time actually in Bradenton down substantially .. 4 days of driving cuts it to near nothing, because the trip back must be considered ..

Better that this info gets into the mix now, rather than later .. and, again, my apologies for not putting the pencil to this earlier on ..

 

[Debadoo]

Better that this info gets into the mix now, rather than later .. and, again, my apologies for not putting the pencil to this earlier on ..

We all committed to this and so did you. You were the one saying from the get go that folks needed to understand that once they were committed, they needed to stay committed. That the only way this works is if everyone can count on one another. Two of us committed to the group based on your assurances that you would get us there. Seems to me the time to have put this into the mix was before the house was rented. I'd really like to discuss this with you face to face so I hope you'll come into the hangout

 

[oldbroad]

I, for one, don't want to put into the "general fund" to cover others if they can only stay for a couple of days rather than the week I'd be paying for. I also have to cover my round trip flight. I'm a bit disappointed in this latest major glitch, to say the least....

I've gotten over my pique, and first, want to apologize for what I said when i went to the hangout after i read Willie's last post...I allowed my immediate reaction to take over instead of calming down first. Then I recalled that I'd said that I'd do a roadtrip with a couple of people ( why'd the letters go on a slant?!..oh well....) I could have been in the same boat as Willie if I hadn't changed my mind about it early on.Luckily, I'd already done a cross-country trip a few years ago,and it was very hard on me....it took me days to recover...and i don't even have heart issues....so I changed my plans for this trip and decided to fly instead.

Maybe his heart was in the right place when he offered to do the road trip and hated to have to change it and so put it off till the other day.

Willie, I apologize for what i said in the hangout the other night.

We'll all, together, get this worked out, just a glitch in the works temporarily...

 

[Mrs C]

Willie may have overestimated what he could do (keep in mind his intention when he said it without thinking it through completely). For heavens sakes no one needs to crucify him for a mistake in judgement that he caught and set straight 8 months away from the trip.

We have a bit to figure things out, Let's everyone calm down and not say anything in anger or confusion that will only muddy up things.

 

[MikeE3]

Willie may have overestimated what he could do (keep in mind his intention when he said it without thinking it through completely). For heavens sakes no one needs to crucify him for a mistake in judgement that he caught and set straight 8 months away from the trip.

We have a bit to figure things out, Let's everyone calm down and not say anything in anger or confusion that will only muddy up things.

Well said, Mrs C.

 

[MattB101]

Willie may have overestimated what he could do (keep in mind his intention when he said it without thinking it through completely). For heavens sakes no one needs to crucify him for a mistake in judgement that he caught and set straight 8 months away from the trip.

We have a bit to figure things out, Let's everyone calm down and not say anything in anger or confusion that will only muddy up things.

I second that. Willie must be beating himself up 14 different ways. It's not too late to figure this out.

 

[seapeach]

 

[Kenna]

Willie may have overestimated what he could do (keep in mind his intention when he said it without thinking it through completely). For heavens sakes no one needs to crucify him for a mistake in judgement that he caught and set straight 8 months away from the trip.

We have a bit to figure things out, Let's everyone calm down and not say anything in anger or confusion that will only muddy up things.

Agreed.

 

[Janet H]

OK, so we've finally hit a serious (but maybe not insurmountable) bump in the road. Thought this was all going too smoothly. Personally, I always thought that a 4000 mile road trip was pretty generous especially since it's not going to span several weeks. Willie should listen to his doctor. We just lost a very dear friend because he didn't. The head might be willing even if the body is not.

Also, I wondered about the expense of a trip lasting a few days. You gotta eat, and gas up, and sleep. A flight would probably end up costing less unless you planned on pulling over to sleep in the truck. Hmmm, that would be interesting... but you'd arrive exhausted too (at least the driver sure would).

So, the initial travel part has a glitch. So, find another way to make it happen. Willie, rather than take a long roundabout route, what route would you go if you were just going by yourself? Is there any point along the way (or close to it) where those you were going to pick up could meet you? I mean, figuring what the cost would be to eat and sleep for three nights and then look at what a flight/bus/train would cost to a point on your route? IDK, just picking at an idea here. It would take some coordination. It could be that a shorter flight wouldn't be that much less expensive than a direct flight to Bradenton. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that it would be worthwhile to check into some other possibilities.

 

[Semiretired]

Yeah Willie, pick a flight in (Orlando, Tampa, etc.) - you will have someone at the gate to pick you up... Do not want you to miss out on our Golden Vapers meet... It is going to be great...

 

[Kenna]

I said last night that I will pay my share whether I end up making it or not. That's what I promised. It's wrong to put others in a position of having to pay more just because I can't get there. I. Will. Not. Do. That.
Willie, I would not have you risk your health or wellbeing in attempting this. Especially when your Dr has so strongly adised against it. However, the time to come forward was the day you knew it would not be possible. That was, according to you, last week while we were still looking for a house & before the house was found, agreed on & the reservation & deposit made. All based, in part, upon your commitment. Much could have been done differently had you come forward immediately. I completely understand the decision you've had to make. I do not understand failing to come forward sooner, & denying you made that commitment, walking back your written staements & other .....footing around with this. Because it's all right here in black & white. And the internet is forevah, Baby.

 

[MikeE3]

I fear, perhaps, we moved too fast on this Odyssey and it's going to leave the porch in splinters and hard feelings. I sincerely hope folks can be tolerant of each others situations and we don't lose anyone along the way. Seems we're having a rough time ... we've always referred to each other as extended family ... time for the family to come together and work together ... please!

 

[Kenna]

I fear, perhaps, we moved too fast on this Odyssey and it's going to leave the porch in splinters and hard feelings. I sincerely hope folks can be tolerant of each others situations and we don't lose anyone along the way. Seems we're having a rough time ... we've always referred to each other as extended family ... time for the family to come together and work together ... please!

I have zero hard feelings about this. I have no room to. I agree that we should be respectful of each other & individual situations. This is not the Porches. This thread is for discussing & keeping up with arrangements for this meet up. Imo none of the Odessey discussions should be on the Porches because not everyone there was interested in it & t it takes up a lot of thread counts & is boring to the others. That is why this seperate thread was started. I don't see this breaking apart the Porchers. We love & care for each other & we should remember that we all have our weaknesses in multiple ways. But it has to be resolved & this is where that should happen. And remember, I am a Texan, I tend to just spit it out but try to do so politely. Bless my heart.

 

[Janet H]

Willie, listen to your doctor! What we'd like to do and what we actually can do are 2 different things. Don't want you having a heart attack on the road although it would be funny to see Deb and Kenna trying to push a truck!! Might even make the local news! Dress appropriately ladies! Seriously, we've all got limitations and that includes you whether you like 'em or not. It's plenty early enough to make other arrangements. We all want to arrive happy and ready to party and definitely want you there!

I was actually surprised that a decision had been made on which house. Thought it was still in the talking stages since there was a post on a different house. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that a decision was made, but thought there were other decisions that hadn't been discussed yet, like the cost of driving for days to get to FL. Like I said before, you gotta eat and sleep and there's the gas and hope you don't break down on a trip that long, but maybe that was done privately. There is also money that will be needed to put in the pot for food and drink at the house. I know money is tight for some and we certainly don't mind putting in some extra to help cover things, but I will not spend time deciding on each individual share. Split the cost and concentrate on having a good time. Geez, $180-$200 is dirt cheap for a whole week in a lovely house like that and I know some people have already graciously offered to help cover some costs.

Kenna, I don't see how it matters if Willie said he couldn't drive for 4000 miles last week or this week. What if he'd had his doc visit this week? What if he'd had a heart attack next week? Or his truck blew the transmission in Sept. We make concessions for everyone's limitations. That should include Willie too.

Anyway, seems like we've hit the inevitable bump in the road that always happens when a group of people try to do something like this. I hope everyone can get through this and still be friends. At this point I'm almost sorry I agreed to go and I don't want to feel like that. PLEASE lets just move on with this.

 

[3mg Meniere]

, like the cost of driving for days to get to FL. Like I said before, you gotta eat and sleep and there's the gas and hope you don't break down on a trip that long, but maybe that was done privately.

With all those costs, a plane ticket often ends up being cheaper.

 

[Uncle Willie]

I said last night that I will pay my share whether I end up making it or not. That's what I promised. It's wrong to put others in a position of having to pay more just because I can't get there. I. Will. Not. Do. That.
Willie, I would not have you risk your health or wellbeing in attempting this. Especially when your Dr has so strongly adised against it. However, the time to come forward was the day you knew it would not be possible. That was, according to you, last week while we were still looking for a house & before the house was found, agreed on & the reservation & deposit made. All based, in part, upon your commitment. Much could have been done differently had you come forward immediately. I completely understand the decision you've had to make. I do not understand failing to come forward sooner, & denying you made that commitment, walking back your written staements & other .....footing around with this. Because it's all right here in black & white. And the internet is forevah, Baby.

While I understand what you're saying, my last discussion prior to posting yesterday was that a small group would be researching areas in Florida, a new thread would be opened detailing various Florida spots .. copy of that post below :

"We have a dedicated Team of Professionals working diligently on the Lodging issue, based upon a Florida scenario .. at this point, April 9th thru April 24th is the date range the Team is concentrating on .. and, the Team is also considering a few locales outside of the Bradenton area, yet still within reasonable distance of airports and suitable lodging .. the consensus being, at this point, we probably don't want to go much farther South than Bradenton ..

Draw a straight line from Bradenton to probably Cocoa Beach .. areas North of the line are under extreme scrutiny ..

It's a fluid situation, however, I have full faith and confidence detailed information will be presented by the Team as soon a it becomes available .."

Since I don't live on ECF, and with any and all media I do not get auto emails when a thread is updated or a PM is sent, by choice since I don't like the constant email reminders, the earliest knowledge I had that the above discussion was thrown out and the place had already been rented, was, in fact, yesterday .. and, it came as quite a surprise to me .. I was firmly convinced that no location had yet been nailed down, IOW .. those that know my habits here know full well there are times I don't log in for a week or longer ..

In addition, I simply posted the reality of a Road Trip, in factual terms .. I did not, at any point, say I would not throw in my share .. I also made it clear in a Hang Out a while back that May was completely out for me and that my schedule was still slightly in flux .. admittedly, I did say the first 3 weeks of April, at that time, looked OK ..

I've also made it clear over the years that I still work for a living .. and I like what I do, that's why I keep working .. as I told the group yesterday, and I'll say it again here .. payment of my share will still not fully guarantee I'll be there .. because if my schedule changes or a client waves a pay check at me that is lucrative enough, I will take the money and do the work .. and not go, thus forfeiting the share money ..

The bottom line here is things change .. there is absolutely no one that can 100% guarantee a thing that takes place 8 or 9 months into the future .. that's just the way it is ..

I posted my apology, I apologized more than once yesterday .. I don't know what else I can do .. I made a mistake when I did not do the detailed homework on the trip, that's all I can say .. apparently, for some, an apology or four is not enough ..

I personally would prefer to set this issue aside as old news at this point .. if you or anyone else wants to continue to flog me for a mistake, then feel free if it makes you feel better .. the end result is not going to change anything .. and to those that have indicated "But you are ESSENTIAL for this trip .. " .. one person should not preclude others from doing what they want to do .. if my one statement causes the cancellation of this thing, I'll not take that blame, because, I am not essential .. I'm just one person ..

 

[seapeach]

This "thing" is not being cancelled. We don't want ANYBODY too exhausted to enjoy the week in Florida, nor do we need anyone stressed. Flying will save time and money in the long run, and most likely be much less stressful. Current plan: Deb is going to Houston so Kenna won't have to be flying alone. We're trying to arrange for a flight into Orlando on the fifteenth, and a flight back from Orlando on the twenty-fourth or fifth (whichever is most affordable). It's workable. Willie, seriously consider flying in. That's a huge drive with who only knows what sort of delays. Then, you can fly back early if it looks like your gig might be pushed up. Anyone who is willing and able to contribute monetarily toward flights let me know.

 

[Mrs C]

Can we please keep things in perspective. There is plenty of time to work on the bumps that always come up with an endeavor this big.

I'm seeing some pretty selfish attitude being shown by some people. I'm not going to call out names but if they sit and think about things said in the last 24 hours they will know who they are.

I don't see the bump as a reason to jump ship but some peoples attitudes are sure the H E double hockey sticks not a positive contribution to the planning.

Willie has been upfront about his situation and to expect him to not change his plans under those circumstances is just plain selfish. Like it or not It is what it is. The flippin trip is 8 months away not 8 days let's keep that in perspective.

 

[MattB101]

Can we please keep things in perspective. There is plenty of time to work on the bumps that always come up with an endeavor this big.

I'm seeing some pretty selfish attitude being shown by some people. I'm not going to call out names but if they sit and think about things said in the last 24 hours they will know who they are.

I don't see the bump as a reason to jump ship but some peoples attitudes are sure the H E double hockey sticks not a positive contribution to the planning.

Willie has been upfront about his situation and to expect him to not change his plans under those circumstances is just plain selfish. Like it or not It is what it is. The flippin trip is 8 months away not 8 days let's keep that in perspective.

I agree a bump on the road and really not a huge one at that. The cost of a flight will most likely be considerably cheaper than the cost of a drive. I am not that old and a 15.5 hour drive from. VA to FL damn near kicked my .... and that with doing nothing but laying around recovering. I didn't realize how far Willie would have had to drive. An inch on a map doesn't really sink in till you drive it. I know that from personal experience.

 

[seapeach]

All lives matter. Everybody is essential. We're as close as family. Let's stay that way. Sometimes family feels hurt or betrayed. Forgiveness demonstrates unconditional love. Willie apologized and needs to forgive himself.