On March 20, 2004, I shall embark on a journey to all points East of the Mississippi. Like last years California Trip, i used this Bullboard to ask for your assistance in a place to lay my head on my travels. If I am near your town/shop, I would like to stop in and see you, (time permitting), and possibly stay the night. Please respond to this post or personally Email me if you like.
The Route. ....Minnesota to a Meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Illinois.(Aledo&Lincoln) then on to North Tonawanda New York to Drop off the Panel Saw to Bruce Bowers. then to Great Barrington, Mass. to drop off the Cabinet Mark Rogan bought here at the Muster Auction. Then down thru New York City, The White House,(I've been told use I-95?) and down thru the Virginia's, Maryland, North carolina, and finally to Civil War 2004 in Laurens, South Carolina. After the Meet, (the 28th) I am thinking of heading to Fort Myers and finally see the gang at SignCraft and maybe catch My Minnesota Twins at Spring Training! I need to stop in Albany Springs Georgia to find my Uncle who I have not seen since 1965 when I was 4. Then up and over to team up with my fellow Pilot of Flying Biscuit Antique Sign Co....Mark fair in Montgomery Alabama.
After Alabama, I head straight back north to Minnesota thru Tennesee, Missora, and Ioway.
Now is the time I will breakdown and get me a LapTop and keep you guys informed on the trip!
So, what do you say...Any takers? Posted by Brian Hansen (Member # 2946) on :
Mike if your in our part of the WORLD...your always welcome in the Maritimes.
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
Mike,
Bloomington Illinois may be on your route. You did mention Lincoln Illinois, which is 30 miles South of here. Bill diaz lives just 45 minutes North of here, in Pontiac.
Sorry we couldn't get to your meet...(it was all that smoke) hahahaha The CNC was supposed to be here, then got delayed. Its hard to plan anything when dates keep changing on us. We should be here when you pass through.
I have one of your pictures on my bullentin board. Its a painting of a fat girl in a two piece bathing suit swinging on a tire swing. I love that picture. Makes me smile everytime I glance at it.
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Yes Mike get a Laptop, I hear now they have the wireless, where you hook up a router to it so you can pick up a phone reception without a phone line, something like that. Set up your cell phone as a nationwide so you don't have to pay roaming charges. I didn't have all that. I had a laptop, and all my sign equipment, so I was able to do a quick layout, pull out ladders, jacks, plank. And paint away. When I was on the road I used to go to the local libraries and get online to see what the latest scoop was on the BB, or to let the people know where I was or headed to. I'm sure you'll get lot of invites.
Another thing you might want to do is throw a press release to some of the cities you will be stopping at. Let em know what you're about and doing. Wish we could have chatted longer, I'm working on a project about traveling again. In fact I was thinking for your next meet, I wouldn't mind to pick up a good size van and drive over to Mazeppa. But do it a little different then when I was on the road in '98. As a signpainter on the road it isn't as easy as everyone thinks. I know it's fun to paint but when your in towns no one has ever heard of you it is a little different. but I know you'll do great, you have build quite a name for yourself. And you been around the block more than a few times, So have fun and enjoy everyday. It's a beautiful world and lot of dynamite people even with all the maddness that goes on within it. Have a BLAST!!!
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
Guest Room Available to ALL traveling Letterheads! Especially YOU!
You would be surprized how close to Ft.Myers Pompano is.
Dinning on the Ocean Pier Sand in your shoes Half Dressed Women Duckies and Ducketts
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
I'm assuming your probably bunking with Bruce when you get there. Wouldn't make much sense to drive 45 mins. to bunk again but I'd buy ya lunch or something as you pass (I'm like 2 miles from a thruway exit you'll pass).
If time doesn't permit let me know when your passing through and I'll wave.
Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :
Hi Mike, Stop in on your way to or from Bruce's. We've got plenty of room in this old farm house. Bring your ski's if there's time (you can see Bristol Mt. Ski Resort from my front porch). Give me a little notice and I'll pick up a couple of Macanudo's
[ February 19, 2004, 07:29 AM: Message edited by: Terry Baird ]
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Thank You folks! Please Email your phone numbers and addresses so I can have em ready while I'm on the road! Cisco...YOU are the Man! I'm with ya...I'll do the things you said, and when your ready to do YOUR trip, we'll get this media device put to work for you, and make sure that there are jobs waiting there DOWN THE ROAD, AHEAD OF YOU..so life will be easier, on you, the traveling artist, AND the sign shop that needs a hand!
I do appreiciate the kind offers and as usual, my shop/home is YOUR shop/home!
Terry..those are good, I'll smoke one with ya!
Posted by JohnHurst (Member # 4308) on :
If you're hoppin' on the turnpike through Indiana and Ohio.... the Rock 'n' Roll hall of fame is about 20 minutes north of the route in Cleveland. I only have a small apartment .... but I've been told my couch is comfortable that is... as long as you don't mind me smoking ... hehehe
[ February 19, 2004, 07:49 AM: Message edited by: JohnHurst ]
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
I think you already know, but you can stay here overnite or whatever,,,is your wife coming too ? I am a good stopping spot after Laurens, about 5-6 hours south. You could take a day and visit one of the great springs around here, or go to either the gulf of Mexico or the atlantic....we're mid-way between them both.You could be here incognito if you like, or if you prefer I could call up a few people and have a little sign people get together one night...it's up to you. I could put you to work for a day too, if you want to do that.I still don't know if I can get up to Laurens or not, One of the things at the Gatornationals this year is some more grass painting, so if it rains I will probably be on call to touch that up.
More later.... Jeff
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
Hey Mike,
When you head North from Montgomery, if you stay on I-65 until Bowling Green, KY (about 10 hours) you can get on the Natcher Parkway for about an hour and be in beautiful downtown Pleasant Ridge, KY. I'm about 3 miles from there.
Not a lot of excitement around here, but a real good place for some r&r. Shop is kinda nestled back in the woods. We have a nice big front porch where you can look out across the neighbors lake, and if you get up early enough, you can watch the deer getting thier morning drink.
Smoking in the shop is Ok, but if we are at the house, we will have to go out and sit on the porch. Even though they don't live here any more, I haven't smoked in the house since my daughter brought the newborn twins home 3 years ago.
You're welcome anytime. The wife does prefer a little bit of advance notice if possible.
Contact info should show up in my sig file.
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Hi Mike, you will be very close to my place when in New York City. The door will be open for you if you can find the time to visit. I felt bad about not making your meet, it sounded like a very memorable one. Let me know when you plan to be in the area and I"ll give you directions to get here.
Posted by Nevman (Member # 332) on :
You know where I'm at Mike.
I'll give you a key to the shop.
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
John Hurst...Let's go smash a Flying "V" guitar at the hall of fame! (Is there a special Polka section?) Jeff Ogden...Line up the work I'm bringing my Brushes and everything i can to do it up right! I want to Grass Letter!! Please please! Serious Jeff, I do! Don, can we eat a Moon Pie and swig RC cola and spit off the porch? Do you have tow truck we can drive around in? Are there any hot chicks that have short cut off jeans and drive jeeps?
Hey Bill, Let's hit 42nd street..then show me all the pretty stuff OK? can we be on the Today Show? I thibk Katie Curic is Hot!
We can hold up SIGNS behind Al Roaker!
Hey Cisco, wanna come along? This might be one hum dinger of a trip!
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Mike, sounds like your voyage is coming together. I would love to take off again!! The last time I was set up to leave with renters taking care of my house, I was able to be gone four months. To short of notice and no renters right now. I don't know if you've been to Miami, but since you'll be down in south Florida, you have to go to "South Beach" try to check it out on a week end. That place is wild! The chicks will be in clothes shorter than cut jeans, I don't know about the Jeeps, but what ever they're driving, it'll be nice! Hey amigo, I just found something I'll put in the mail. It's a collectors item, be looking for it by early next week, you'll get a kick out of it! Have fun, prepare well...
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Hey Meyer! If you want to roll on over my way there's room for you - three hours east of New York - otherwise, I'm looking at making the Laurens trip, so if nothing else, we can rendevous near New York and caravan to the Southland. What about meeting at Bill Reidels, if that's OK with him?
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
The Diaz bed & breakfast is available! I sent you an e-mail with all the info. Would love to have you see Bill's guitar collection and look at my watercolors and quilts. I love to cook for company! What do you like?
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Hey Cam, Sounds Ok to me, totally up in the air at this point but I'm always game! thanks Jane, I'd love to stop in...Anything with Chicken!
yum! Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Mike,
When you stop in at Mark Rogans.... If he doesn't have a room for you for the night we have one here...we live basically in the same neighborhood. 1755 house... certified Ghost Free!
joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
"Jambalaya, Crawfish Pie, File Gumbo"!! Aiyeeeee ! Don't just sing it, live it!
Stop by here. Lloyd and I always have room for Letterheads on the move. We are just accross the Lake from N'awlins.
If you can't make it here let me know and I think I can arrange a trip to MonkeyTown.
Posted by Mike Contreras (Member # 1571) on :
Uh Mike... Please stay away from this part of the Woods.. I just want to be honest... Man I don't have time for friends.. And after all the Bad things I said to People up Heya about you .. They are really scared... I Mean Like a Section of the Squeegee missin Scared.....
What Day & Time do you think you may be up here so I can go Somewhere Else with Ma Hippie..
Oh yeh .. LapTops...they Rock... I cant leave home without mine...
Other Interesting uses for the Laptop:
Nappin in the Car.... Laptop for Pillow.
Flat Tire.... Yep Laptop for Jack Stand...
Sleddin.... You Know It....
Lovin..... There are Mouse cords,Power Cords. You Figure that one out... LOL Yeeehaaaaa!!!!
Hope to See you again you non-Grainbelt Drinkin' Aaaahhhhhhhh!!! Boooki Boooki Booo..
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
what??? you'll go to f*&king massachusetts but not stay north and make it to the beautiful white mtns of new hampshire...what are you thinking dude? Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Sorry karyn what the F#*k was I thinkin'? Ya never know when I might pop in yur way, so get the f#*kin' Hot Wata ready cuz I like my Tea HOT!
Posted by stewart mclaren (Member # 2737) on :
If you happen to be in the area, we could maybe stretch a few nights in sunny alloa, maybe a few in sunny amsterdam, or you could just book into bairds (respite care for the elderly) bar... for the entertainment alone!!!
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
Instead of "Where's Waldo?" it'll be "Where's Mike?"
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Mike, I am not sure of your route .either way....... You are welcome here anytime.....I have a spare room...(Smoking outside only)..lol lol . I am sure we could share some "Sign Painter Stories"
I am in "Mayberry USA" Mt Airy N C about 7 miles from the Virginia border..about 100 miles north of Charlotte NC If interested email for directions........ artbyshep@surry.net.cell 336 325 6589 Shep'
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Mike I'm an hour and a half south of Jeff about 10 minutes off I-75...I would welcome a visit. Keep us posted of your itinerary.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Mike, That's Radium Springs in Albany,GA. I can direct you to the Springs. Be sure and come by for a visit. We have iced tea but I think I can still boil water if you want hot tea when you get this far south! We have a room if you wish to stay also. Looking forward to seeing you at the Dixie Meet and here in Albany. Judy
[ February 20, 2004, 08:37 PM: Message edited by: Judy Pate ]
Posted by Jeff Spradling (Member # 1615) on :
Mike, I know you've already been to Belvidere but were just a turn or two off I-90...if your lookin' for a food stop we have one of the best family owned Mexican Restaurants this side of the Mississippi. If nothin else wave if your on I-90 goin' thru...we can see it from our place.
Jeff
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
If you make it through Atlanta (coming or going) we have plenty of room. And if it's a weekend, I'll take you to the weirdest Elvis show you've ever seen.
Posted by Gail & Dave Beattie (Member # 572) on :
Mike!! R.T. here from Gail's on the beautiful Fraser Coast of Queensland. Australia!! Jon and I have finished our work and now it's play time. More on my trip whne I really have time to sit down and type something out. I should be back in the states around the 18th of March. I have more than enough room for ya. Come on down. We'll eat some fried catfish and hushpuppies!
Hope to see you soon!
R.T.
Posted by Kurt Gaber (Member # 256) on :
Mike,
I'd make an offer to roll out a bunk over here, but heck that's only 2 hours away, and if you're tired that soon, you're gonna have a Loooooooonnng trip!
You could stop by and I could arm you with some venison pepperoni. You could convert that into methane gas and keep the cab of your truck warm the rest of the trip!
Maybe Lloyd will give you a little of his cheese popcorn and you can munch on that for a few miles too. "What time you came? You get done today?"
Have a good trip.
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
[ February 20, 2004, 06:04 PM: Message edited by: mike meyer ]
Posted by Robert Thomas (Member # 1356) on :
Mike, I'm just south of Ft. Myers. I just might hit the SignCraft office as well.
You got a place if you need one.
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
Hey Mike,
Moon Pies in th cabnet. If'n ya let me know ahead I'll fetch some RC from th store. Spittin off th porch is OK long as the wife don't catcha. Aint got no tow truck, but I do have a 1974 Mercury station wagon, don't need no tow truck. As far as th hot chicks in Jeeps... short cut-offs only in the summer time. Rite now they all got thier tops and side curtains on. Posted by dave parr (Member # 3868) on :
Certainly would enjoy the chance to meet you Mike. Peoria is on 74. Depends on the route you take & time you've got I guess. Been doing a bit of painting & floor refinishing here, probably be back to normal by then. Posted by Michael Latham (Member # 4477) on :
message from a newbee, I have room if you like dogs. Your trip sounds fantastic! Off I95 south of Richmond Va. The sidewalk rolls up at 9pm sharp, small community with a big wal-mart and the largest Arby's. P.S. you don't have to sleep with the dogs (4) they will greet you though.
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Mike, Since my daughter moved out while I was in Mazeppa (yeaaa!) I now have a spare room and would really like it if you came and stayed and came to my shop. If you come across Il. to Indiana, pick up I-69 that goes north into Mich. You can then take it straight across Mich to Bruces. We are 1 hour west of the bridge into Canada. You wouldn't be far from Steve and Barb's that way.
I just hired a new designer and while looking in her portfolio, she had some really nice lettering that she had to do in pencil. I told her that she would probably like sign lettering (she just graduated from college and hasn't had a graphics job yet).
I have been trying to get my other designer to come to some of the meets because he is so artistic and doesn't know what else is out there. So if you stopped, I'd love it if you brought in you brushes and showed them a whole new world to painting. Maybe we could even get you to work with us on glass chipping and gilding. Can't wait.
[ February 22, 2004, 11:53 AM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
testing again sorry, Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
That sho is a fine looking geetar Mr. D.
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Mike, Do you know your route yet?
Posted by John Jordan (Member # 2368) on :
Mike,
I'm not sure if you realise it BBBUUUTTT Sydney and Renmark are both East of the Mississipi, that is of course if you continue east from New York, when can I expect you ??
Regards John
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
You know you all have a home away from home here in Fergus, Ontario. Mike got close a few years back when he dropped by Doug Downey's home in Stratford. We even got to feed the cows.
![[Thanks]](graemlins/thanks.gif)
If I am near your town/shop, I would like to stop in and see you, (time permitting), and possibly stay the night. Please respond to this post or personally Email me if you like. ![[FYI]](graemlins/fyi.gif)
....Minnesota to a Meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Illinois.(Aledo&Lincoln) then on to North Tonawanda New York to Drop off the Panel Saw to Bruce Bowers. then to Great Barrington, Mass. to drop off the Cabinet Mark Rogan bought here at the Muster Auction. Then down thru New York City, The White House,(I've been told use I-95?) and down thru the Virginia's, Maryland, North carolina, and finally to Civil War 2004 in Laurens, South Carolina. ![[Applause]](graemlins/clap.gif)
After the Meet, (the 28th) I am thinking of heading to Fort Myers and finally see the gang at SignCraft and maybe catch My Minnesota Twins at Spring Training! I need to stop in Albany Springs Georgia to find my Uncle who I have not seen since 1965 when I was 4. ![[Dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
Then up and over to team up with my fellow Pilot of Flying Biscuit Antique Sign Co....Mark fair in Montgomery Alabama. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
and get me a LapTop and keep you guys informed on the trip!![[Smile]](smile.gif)
The CNC was supposed to be here, then got delayed. Its hard to plan anything when dates keep changing on us. We should be here when you pass through.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
