There are people in that photo? :D:D

Miguel was supposed to come into Houston today. I haven't heard from him since this morning. I showed up at the GTG spot this afternoon around the time he said he'd arrive and he wasn't there, nor was halman2228. I've been calling their cell phones and there's been no answer from either one of them. Odd. I hope everything is ok. Has anyone else heard from him today?

I got a PM from him about 9:30 this morning about meeting tomorrow (Monday). The note said that he would be in Houston today and Dallas tomorrow. I haven't been online all day today and he hasn't responded to my PM.

-Jody

We are sorry for the delay, we got sidetracked and both of us forgot our phones, as we were expecting to use the swimming pool. D'oh!

Now, for the Dallas forum members, the meetup will be held in Hard Eight BBQ in Coppell. It is wedged between Dallas and Fort Worth, a perfect location for us all. Everyone in the area is welcome to attend! This is their address and phone number:

Hard Eight BBQ
688 Freeport Parkway,
Coppell, TX
(972) 471-5462

The time is 7pm.

Will write today's entry tomorrow morning. A long day awaits tomorrow!

One thing I should mention. You MUST stop at Woody's Smokehouse on the way to Dallas. Woody's is the home of the Annual Texas Mercedes-Benz Get Together (coming up June 11th this year). Take exit 164 on I-45 North for Centerville. Turn right at the stop sign on the offramp, then make a left at the first street where Woody's is (it's a combination BBQ place/Shell station) (don't miss it, that street will come up on you quick!) and go up the hill where you'll find parking for vehicles with trailers. Make sure to get some of that good BBQ and jerky. They have samples, so don't be afraid to ask!

Will do! A road trip is not a road trip until beef jerky enters the equation.

Day 10: Good Ol' Boys (listen to today's theme)
Immediately after writing yesterday's entry, I was approached by a very friendly lady who asked me (the sore thumb city boy using the massive 17-inch laptop in the restaurant) about the Scotty trailer.

I got out of Frog County and kept heading West on I-10. Something that you notice when you enter Texas is, stereotypically, the size of everything. The roads, for some reason, seem wider than in New England or Europe; they are laid with generosity on the land. I had some unnerving experiences with tailgating F-250 pickup trucks and pimped-out, gazillion-inch-chrome-wheel beaters cutting me off. Somehow I am getting a wide picture of the kind of drivers nationwide, which I will post at the end of the trip, perhaps in the form of a antropological map.

Garmin Sandiego guided me to a dead end full of logs. A quick call solved this issue, so I got ready to make a U-turn. Towing a trailer on a narrow dirt road, I got in part of the neigboring field and, as you would expect from a heavy, rear-wheel drive car with almost bald tires, I got stuck. I unhooked the trailer and, once Kevin (halman2228) arrived, I drove out of the shallow ditch I had gotten into.

In no time we were in his backyard, admiring his collection of Mercedes. Two W116s, one R107, one gorgeous cream W113 (my absolute favourite of the bunch) and two W126s: one sedan, one coupe.

"Do you have a swimming suit?" Kevin asked.
"Yes, I used it yesterday in the beach".
"We'll go to my brother's pool".

We changed clothes, but unfortunately we failed to remember to take out cell phones with us, which made it impossible to reach exemplary member H-townbenzoboy. We are terribly sorry for this, my friend!

Down in Kevin's borther's, we were welcomed by an energetic, edgy lady. I met both of Kevin's siblings, one of which owns a stunning, signal red R107 300SL, euro import. Absolutely gorgeous.

Some good talkin', massive platters of BBQ steak, rib and chicken, a case of cold beers and a volleyball tournament took care of the afternoon. Before leaving, I claimed my prize for outstanding sportsmanship, an ice cream sandwich. It was a good day!

On to Kevin's house, I was invited to stay over and charge my electronics. Currently writing from Kevin's dell laptop, I say: Mercedes owners of Dallas, here I come -after a visit to R_Leo, that is.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1306856315
If you ever wondered what is the frog capital of the world, there you go!

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Sometimes clouds get so beautiful one cannot but stop and shoot.

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Big-ass refinery in the border with Louisiana.

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The eyes of Texas are upon me, this time.

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Texas is NOT a deserted land! Take that, stereotypes!

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Much to my shame, Newport is not a 4x4.

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Halman2228's workshop area, a collection of pristine rust-prone jewels.

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Mercedes, trees and friendly dogs. Who wouldn't?

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Kevin's fluffy creatures. The big one demands constant petting.

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A great, relaxed afternoon of Texas hospitality.

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Watching the "CatDog" theme. Halman2228 (Kevin) is the middle guy.

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This is the best "Welcome to Texas" ever!

Darn - upside down, shouldn't have installed it on creeper:rolleyes:

For those of you who haven't met Miguel yet -he is quite a talented young man. He is living the dream of traveling around that probably most of us only daydreamed about. We had no voids in time, we used every second to talk about cars and all the strange places in the world we have visited. What a great afternoon/evening. Miguel will definately be a person who will become famous one day, and a few of us will have the bragging rights to say we met him.:D

What a journey! I was thinking of you this weekend, Miguel, as I was on my whirlwind trip to Louisville, KY and back for my son's wedding. By the time you get to SF, you will have seen a lot more of America than most of the people who have lived here all their lives. I look forward to your photos and travelogue everyday.

Precisely, a fine young man! I'm fortunate to have met him and been able to spend an afternoon together.

Did you treat Miguel to some of that fine Texas chili and beans, Randy?

Hah, everyone's a comedian.

Actually, Miguel and I finished off some briskit, sausage and pork ribs that I'd smoked on Saturday. And filled in the corners with beans and some cucumber, onion & tomato salad. The briskit was from good 'ol #66.3...the pork and sausage were from the grocery store. The tomatos were from my garden.

Yum.

Awwww, John, stop it! :o :P Definitely do not know about fame, but I can guarantee with certainty that I will be doing what I am passionate about: traveling like a madman.

It was an absolute honor to meet you, Randy, and seeing a farm the way is supposed to be. If someone thinks that all happy cows come from California, he should go to Berry Hill. Actually, I think the farm's name makes up for an interesting pun, given how busy it is!

What a wonderful meal! That was some of the best meat I have had so far; it flaked and melted like no other kind I have tried!

Day 11: Road to Dallas (listen to today's theme)
I am currently writing from a pretty cool library in the area around Dallas. A few feet from me there is a crowd of kids singing along a theme to encourage reading amongst the youngest. Do not tell me that is not adorable and heartwarming. With that spirit, I will narrate everything that happened throughout yesterday, which is a lot.

The morning started with a fresh shower at Kevin's, followed by the preparations to depart from his house. I put some air in my tires (thank you Kevin for letting me use the air compressor!) and met one of the family's ponies, a beautiful creature just brought from Mount Olympus.

We had breakfast in a local diner full of bikes and policemen; however, the tension was not there. I had hash browns from the very first time in my life, and quite liked them! The time came to say goodbye, and we both parted our ways. On to Berry Hill farm, then!

Uneventful drive. I stopped at Milano, TX, to communicate with R_Leo (Randy), who gave incredibly accurate directions to his farm. Milano had some interesting abandoned buildings, product of this crisis, as well as a very friendly local villager who, in the middle of her yard sale, waved goodbye at my funky train. I thought this song would be relevant.

I arrived to Randy's, who greeted me right outside his farm in a little diesel golf cart. Immediately after a small tour of the friendship train and a quenching glass of ice cold water, we took a tour of the farm. Randy had formerly been a city boy, but decided to opt for a healthier lifestyle by getting some land. So far, I think he is living the perfect life: close to Mother Earth, but still in touch with technology and civilization; knowledgeable about what is alive and is mechanical; with a loving, kind wife, the loyalty of his two Chow-Chows and the skill to make things work; well traveled and down to Earth. Not your average farmer, a person whose knowledge would make a cubicle dweller look like a redneck.

Randy's farm is beautiful, full of expansive hills, a couple ponds and very healthy, well-cared-for cows. He also owns a noisy donkey and a majestic horse who loves apples. I must confess, his rare euro 240D looked dull compared to the many interesting things surrounding it.

Time for lunch. Mouth-watering ribs and sausage, accompanied by one of the best briskets I have ever had: flaky, tender, layered with thin veins of healthy far. Absolutely superb. Randy keeps his meat in an old ice cream truck with a powerful freezer, which does the job wonderfully.

Time came for Dallas, a city of tall skyscrapers and high temperatures. I stopped by Woody's Smokehouse in Centerville to grab username Panzzer some buffalo jerky, as well as some for the trip. And absolute must if you are on the road!

I met gear-head and Panzzer at the Hard Eight BBQ, and talked Mercedes after a hefty amount of beef. I ended up camping in front of Panzzer's, and today I am headed towards a junkyard to grab a euro bumper for Newport. I will stay in Dallas for today, in hopes of meeting other members. Until then, wish me luck finding cool W123 stuff!

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It's a HUGE trailer! And Kevin's wife is VERY, VERY tall.

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Kevin's dog, commando style. It dragged itself like that for a good 20ft!

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Follow that dentist to... breakfast!

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Two beauties in a parking lot.

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The way to Woody's.

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An old diesel locomotive at the side of the road!
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R_Leo (Randy) and his son.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm!

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"People are going to think I am a redneck", Randy said.

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Imagine waking up to this. Who needs Manhattan?

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The cow did know I was taking a picture. It stood perfectly still.

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Huddling in the shade during a hot, hot day!

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Motherly affection.

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Do you think I was born yesterday? Whoops!

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Dallas, in the distance.

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Panzzer's 300CD and gear-head's 560SEC.

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Their respective owners.

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Motherload of MEAT.

Oh man - do I wish I had your diet

Trip Reports
 

Keep up the great reportage ! .

I am so loving this .

I've been criss crossing this great country for nearly 60 years now and I'm not tired of road trips yet .

I hope you remembered to grab all the small ancilliary bits with that Euro bumper ! .

Miguel, the cows are sad that you had to mooove on so soon.

Have a safe trip, come back when you can eat more.