Missed connection!

[Papaw]

I missed an great opportunity to meet one of our Down Under members today! Humber2 had told me in April that he would be visiting the States, and he stopped by my house this morning!
I was out taking photographs and missed him. He left a note and a BluePoint 13/16" Boxocket (DBE) #X26 in my mailbox!!!

Here is the PM I left him in case he logs on to Tool Talk-

Sure wish you had called me on the phone when you came by my house! My wife sleeps late and would not have heard a knock on the door. I was out shooting photos of an old abandoned house for a local paper, but was not far away and would have hurried home!

[bill300d]

How unfortunate for the both of you that you didn't get to meet face to face. Hopefully you'll get another opportunity in the future.

[turnnut]

 Papaw, thanks for the reminder.

 back in 1988 we had to make a trip to Florida, we made a 60 mile detour to stop in to see a couple that had retired
 from Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT.  he had taught me a few jobs in our department. we had become friends.
 
 found his house with no problems, but he was not home, waited about 1/2 hour, not home yet. we had to get back on our trip.
 3 days later, we were heading home on Rt 95,  it kept bugging me, we got off 95 and headed back towards his home towards
 the coast, yes, a long detour, this time Leo and his wife were home, oh, by the way, I had left him a note the 1st time.  his wife
 told us that he started to cry when he read the note as they hardly ever leave home during hot days, but they decided to go
 shopping at the mall as they had air conditioner.  well, a short visit last 4 hours.

 we kept in touch and I told him I would come for a visit when I retired, but they both had passed away before that.

 lesson for me ?  see friends now, before it's to late.  we were glad that we decided to stop on the way home.

[humber2]

Never mind Noel. I'm not really one for making appointments as I cannot plan coming to grips with time and distances to cover in the 48 states, heck even my GPS seems to know how to direct me onto closed roads or to-days one had a train of wagons being loaded with mud just North of Houston.

I booked my air tickets to spend 4 weeks and 5 weekends flying to/from Houston. That has turned out not ideal for a couple of reasons with rental cars and prepaid cell phones on 30 day cycles

The car gets returned to Mesquite midday Saturday with 7000 miles added, the Ford Focus has been ideal returning 39.5mpg

I had wanted to do a one way hire to Washington DC and use public transport for a few days there but was deterred by high penalties.

Meet Heelspur and Twertsy at the most convenient times. Left before a massive hailstorm would have damaged the car for sure.

Headed to Ohio for several days to visit museums and ride the trolley buses in Dayton.

Walked in and around the Big Muskie bucket, also walked in and around the Mansfield penitentiary of Shawshank Redemption fame.

I have found a few tools that will add to my collection, the car has generally refused to stop at Pawn or Thrift shops.

So this is about to conclude my 5th trip here, last was 22 years ago.

I plan one or two more before travel insurance becomes unaffordable, maybe next March when it will be cooler.

[Papaw]

I am sad that I was not at home!

[Twertsy]

Yup, nice gent and we had a great visit!  My shop is always open if you're traveling I95, just south of DC!

[HeelSpur]

Yup, he snuck up on me too. It was a pleasure to meet a fellow member.

[Guido Salvage]

Yup, he snuck up on me too. It was a pleasure to meet a fellow member.

How far south? I was in the Richmond area for 35 years.