On The Road ( not by Jack Keruac)

[birdshill123]

We are in Wisconsin in our Tacoma toad on the way to Georgia to PU
our non Bird. Of course this requires fuel stops. Forget all the
platitudes you hear on TV about how gas is still cheaper than a
gallon of milk or it is double that in Europe. Unless your last name
is Jessop one does not normally buy 20 gallons of milk. The fact
remains that people are hurting. A lady in front of me at the pumps
rung up $84.00 filling her PU. From the attire she was on the way to
work. I am assuming she has a family and that her husband also has a
vehicle. I bet they go through $150 a week in day to day fuel costs.
How do they handle this outrageous cost? There has to be something in
their budget that has been removed. Maybe that new RV or boat. Maybe
taking a shorter vacation. At the same time they are suffering from
increased food prices. Either way we are about to see a fundamental
shift in people's spending habits. Too much of our income is going
for energy costs. The economy is driven by the consumer not business
or government. If the consumer stops spending the economy grinds to a
halt. This is happening as we speak.

We were on I 94 yesterday. This is a major route for the "haulers"
that drive RV's from Indiana to the midwest. We saw lots of smaller
pull trailers ( 18 to 25 ft.) and a few big 5th wheels. But not one
Diesel Pusher. Of course one day is not a good statistical sample. I
will watch today and continue this report.

BTW: Have any of you ever talked to these haulers and observed them
at the "J"'s. This is more like a cult. We are people watchers and
often strike up conversations with these fellows. My conclusion is
they would be better off as Wal Mart greeters! More $ with less
hassle and you dont have to sleep in your PU. However if BB wants to
hire me to deliver the new units I am available !!!!!

Bruce
1988 FC35