Marauderman Visiting Fla. 1/30/06 thru 2/4/06

[Marauderman]

Me and Mrs. M will be leaving Charlotte earily AM and traveling thru Fla .on Monday the 30th. Headed to Punta Gorda, Fla to visit my retired brother for a week. Its a long drive , 700 miles one way--not sure if we'll do it it one day or two yet- Would like to stop off and visit Dennis in Jax. going down and back if possible---Return plans are to leave there on Sat. the 4th to get back for work on Monday the 6th--but may extend it a day --don't know as yet-

Our tentative route is I-95 , I-295 in Jax, , St.Rt. 301 south off I-295 to Ocala and pick up I-75 to Punta Gorda/ Port Charlotte.

SO if any of you SSM's are in the neighborhood, be nice to say HEY!

My brother has a '96 Vette and really hasn't been in my MM for a real ride yet--so how far away is Brandon from there?... Be nice to take him for a good ride..know what I mean!!

If you see us wave us over for a howdy-- we're the black MM with the special Zack diamond black grill and loud roar--oh yeah--you know what that sounds like--:lol: see ya!!--------Tom

[jimlam56]

Me and Mrs. M will be leaving Charlotte earily AM and traveling thru Fla .on Monday the 30th. Headed to Punta Gorda, Fla to visit my retired brother for a week. Its a long drive , 700 miles one way--not sure if we'll do it it one day or two yet- Would like to stop off and visit Dennis in Jax. going down and back if possible---Return plans are to leave there on Sat. the 4th to get back for work on Monday the 6th--but may extend it a day --don't know as yet-

Our tentative route is I-95 , I-295 in Jax, , St.Rt. 301 south off I-295 to Ocala and pick up I-75 to Punta Gorda/ Port Charlotte.

SO if any of you SSM's are in the neighborhood, be nice to say HEY!

My brother has a '96 Vette and really hasn't been in my MM for a real ride yet--so how far away is Brandon from there?... Be nice to take him for a good ride..know what I mean!!

If you see us wave us over for a howdy-- we're the black MM with the special Zack diamond black grill and loud roar--oh yeah--you know what that sounds like--:lol: see ya!!--------Tom
Tom:
I'm only 5 miles west of 301 off I10, you're welcome to stop by on your way down to PG. I'll even show you a shortcut to I75 from my house:D
The beer is always cold...
Jim

[fastblackmerc]

Have a safe trip...... BOLO for LEO's....

[ckadiddle]

Have a safe trip...... BOLO for LEO's....

Yeah! BOLO for LEO's...IN MARAUDERS!!!

[the_pack_rat]

I'm in Port Charlotte ....

We'll have to get together for a beer & some grub.

[Tallboy]

Tom, I enjoyed meeting you in Atlanta at SSHS5, and look forward to seeing you again. We'll have a get-together in Punta Gorda or Port Charlotte when you arrive.

First round's on me!:beer:

[Marauderman]

Sounds great you guys--Will have to start making notes who is where along the ride---thanks for the invites--and if you PM me with a number to reach you I'll give you my cell #-- Tom

[Smokie]

Tom, stick around for our meet on Feb. 4th at the Bradenton track, 10:00 am. If you are interested PM me for more info, Brandon is near Tampa were I live, if you have the time would love to see you, Javier.

[Marauderman]

Tom, stick around for our meet on Feb. 4th at the Bradenton track, 10:00 am. If you are interested PM me for more info, Brandon is near Tampa were I live, if you have the time would love to see you, Javier.
.........Oh this is serious reason to extend the visit one more day--sounds like fun---PM coming--Tom

[JMan]

Our tentative route is I-95 , I-295 in Jax, , St.Rt. 301 south off I-295 to Ocala and pick up I-75 to Punta Gorda/ Port Charlotte.



Tom,
Be careful on that stretch of U.S. 301 from Starke down to the Ocala area. Many speed traps along the way like Citra, Lawtey, Hawthorne, et. al. Have a safe trip and come join us in Bradenton on the 4th!

J

[StevenJ]

Yeah! BOLO for LEO's...IN MARAUDERS!!!
Speaking of which, I saw a black FHP Marauder getting an oil change at the local dealership yesterday....... "FHP Marauders are not a myth!" *NOTE!

[Marauderman]

Tom,
Be careful on that stretch of U.S. 301 from Starke down to the Ocala area. Many speed traps along the way like Citra, Lawtey, Hawthorne, et. al. Have a safe trip and come join us in Bradenton on the 4th!

J
Thanks--My Brother and sister-in-law has told me the same --what I don't understand is --she says it will save me an hour over going thru The big O on I-4----and the truckers use is alot as well--apparently for same reason---hummm.......maybe I should put some turn signals in the grill and on the rear shelf----ah...naw--not a good idea--:lol:

[dok]

I always take 301 from Baldwin to just north of Ocala when I go to Tampa. Just north of Ocala, I take Florida 326 over to I75. It's only about 2 miles and saves going through Ocala.

He's right about the speed traps, but he didn't mention the worst town of all. Waldo. Don't go 1 mph over the limit or they will nail you.

[King Fubar]

Tom,
Be careful on that stretch of U.S. 301 from Starke down to the Ocala area. Many speed traps along the way like Citra, Lawtey, Hawthorne, et. al. Have a safe trip and come join us in Bradenton on the 4th!

J


^^^^^WHAT HE SAID^^^^^^

Especially in Waldo.....55 means 55 and it drops down to 45 in a blink of an eye.

[Marauderman]

Speaking of which, I saw a black FHP Marauder getting an oil change at the local dealership yesterday....... "FHP Marauders are not a myth!" *NOTE!
Its gonna be kinda harder to blend in as one as I'm a bit more louder than they are--but doing the posted posties will be like that kid doing the beer commercial with his girlfriend .....best I take the weights out of my shoes:lol:

[red]

Especially in Waldo.....55 means 55 and it drops down to 45 in a blink of an eye.From the "Speed trap" article on Wikipedia: "Waldo, Florida and Lawtey, Florida are the only known towns (as of 2005) to be designated by AAA Auto Club as speed traps, with AAA going so far as to post billboards along U.S. Highway 301 warning drivers to watch their speed limits. Both traps feature multiple variations in speed limit."

You can google for Waldo Speed Trap and read about the feud between the AAA Auto Club and Police Chief Smith.

http://artmine.tripod.com/cafe/waldo150.jpg


Speaking of which, I saw a black FHP Marauder getting an oil change at the local dealership yesterday....... "FHP Marauders are not a myth!" *NOTE! Yup, seen a couple. Alachua County (Gainesville area) also has 5 Marauders (3 Silver and 2 Black).

[JMan]

I always take 301 from Baldwin to just north of Ocala when I go to Tampa. Just north of Ocala, I take Florida 326 over to I75. It's only about 2 miles and saves going through Ocala.

He's right about the speed traps, but he didn't mention the worst town of all. Waldo. Don't go 1 mph over the limit or they will nail you.

I concur! How did I leave Wonderful Waldo off the list. This is the route I used to take. And yes, anything is better than driving through Orlando. Hit that at the wrong or an inopportune time and it could become the 35 miles of Hades or the Batan Death March. Have fun and drive safely!

J

P.S. Bradenton . . . :burnout:

[Marauderman]

Thanks folks for all the road watch updates---but I have a question-------

After studing the Fla. road map--why is it better to continue on southward at Waldo on 301 rather than take st.rd.24 at Waldo over to I-75? It looks on the map as the right thing to do to avoid continuing on slow paced 301----

So why not ?--and thanks again for all this great heads-up stuff--

WOW--Can't beat the breathern of the MM--------Tom

[red]

If you take 24, be sure continue on Waldo Rd (24) to Williston Rd (331) then to I-75, and not to get on University Ave (24) through Gainesville. This route should be quick. Once you get on I-75, watch out for state troopers near Paynes Prarie (the big swamp). Also, two other things to be aware of... about twenty miles South of Ocala, you will come across the turnpike. Half the traffic splits from the interstate here, so be in your right lane around State Road 44 (exit 329) to avoid the confusion. Also, when you start approaching Tampa, just a mile or so South of State Road 56 (exit 275), traffic will split right to go to I-275 through Tampa. This time, stay in your left lane to continue on I-75. The traffic near the exits for I-4 can be a bit crazy with people darting across lanes, but for the most part the rest of your ride should be smooth sailing. Have fun!

[dok]

Thanks folks for all the road watch updates---but I have a question-------

After studing the Fla. road map--why is it better to continue on southward at Waldo on 301 rather than take st.rd.24 at Waldo over to I-75? It looks on the map as the right thing to do to avoid continuing on slow paced 301----

So why not ?--and thanks again for all this great heads-up stuff--

WOW--Can't beat the breathern of the MM--------Tom

The few times I've taken 24 out of Waldo, it's taken forever to get through Gainesville. Tons of stoplights. Not sure if I followed Red's suggestion or not. I just followed the signs that said "to I75".

301 south of Waldo isn't bad. Speed limit is 65 except for a 5 mile stretch south of Citra where it is 60. Just make sure you don't go all the way into Ocala. Turn right at the first light past Irish Acres horse farm (which will be on your right).

[Marauderman]

Once again -Thanks dok and red for your in put---WOW--It's now hard to choose what to do---but glad for all the heads up---Thanks--Tom

[the_pack_rat]

I forgot to PM Marauderman my phone #.

Hopefully he can jump on here once he's in PG, or he'll contact someone else close by.

Let me know if anyone hears from him & you're going to get together.

Hopefully it's BEFORE this Saturday.

[Tallboy]

I forgot to PM Marauderman my phone #.

Hopefully he can jump on here once he's in PG, or he'll contact someone else close by.

Let me know if anyone hears from him & you're going to get together.

Hopefully it's BEFORE this Saturday.

I PM'ed him my cell number. I'll let you know when I hear from him, Eric...:)