CJ Road Trip NC to FLA & Back

[gone2hatteras]

Well the wife and I are heading out on a CJ road trip, in 7 days, to see her son and his new wife at Eglin AFB in FLA for a week. He is in the Army and was given the word he’ll be deployed sometime this fall. So we’re going down as tourist and enjoy the sun, surf and being with the youngins.

Every once in a while you have to do something you normally would not do, like drive a CJ on a 2000 mile round trip, to feel alive.:driving: We both decided that after the past couple of years we needed an adventure to make some new memories and have some fun. The Jeep will do just fine, not too sure about us; we ain’t 20 no-more.

Anyway, you guys down that way can give us a few ideas on what to check out?

 

[rr41mag]

Big biker week here in Panama city, lots of traffic here

 

[gert]

Well the wife and I are heading out on a CJ road trip, in 7 days, to see her son and his new wife at Eglin AFB in FLA for a week. He is in the Army and was given the word he’ll be deployed sometime this fall. So we’re going down as tourist and enjoy the sun, surf and being with the youngins.

Every once in a while you have to do something you normally would not do, like drive a CJ on a 2000 mile round trip, to feel alive.:driving: We both decided that after the past couple of years we needed an adventure to make some new memories and have some fun. The Jeep will do just fine, not too sure about us; we ain’t 20 no-more.

Anyway, you guys down that way can give us a few ideas on what to check out?

sweet great idea

 

[Vvajk]

I spent about 7 hours straight in my CJ once on a road trip. I couldn't feel my arms when I got home.

Have fun with it. Sounds like a good time.

PS - Tell your son-in-law, Thank you for his service. atriot:

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Sounds like a fabulous adventure. My only suggestion is ear plugs or something of the sort. When I was in my 20’s I use to travel between Kalispell, Montana and Portland, Oregon in a 1972 CJ5 . Not the 2,000 miles round trip miles you are doing but still around 1,200 or so. That many hours with the wind slapping my head around left me about half deaf for the first few days after reaching the other end. My solution in the day was to tie a handkerchief bandana (before they represented gang colors up here) around my head to keep the hair out of my eyes then a good old fashion pair of cup style headphones over the ears. I either looked like a total buffoon (most likely) or just crazed enough to scare women and children, but either way everyone let me alone.

 

[tinhorn]

The Jeep will do just fine, not too sure about us; we ain’t 20 no-more.

Haha--I've had three doctors tell me to stop acting like I'm in my 30s! Seems my ole bod insists on more respect than that.

I make a cross country trip a few years ago (not in a Jeep). I just wish I'd allowed more time for spontaneous stops and messing-around en route.

 

[gone2hatteras]

Thanks replies!

When I was younger I would make what I called a Banzai trips. My wife has forbidden me do any more, last time I came home with the Jeep (It did follow me home so I felt obligated to keep it) and the time before that a 57 Nomad. This trip will be at a deliberate pace but it will be for the adventure. We’re planning to make more than a few stops, to smell the roses and see a few friends along the way. I also have a stock of Aleve as well and the kid has the beer chilling.

I’ll look into the earplugs as the top does make some noise when exceeding 60 mph, not a bad idea, Thanks.

 

[gone2hatteras]

Haha--I've had three doctors tell me to stop acting like I'm in my 30s! Seems my ole bod insists on more respect than that.

Never give up, live life as part of it not as a bi-stander. That what health and life insurance is for…

Carpet cleaners are done, going out to do some final prep on the Jeep.

 

[gone2hatteras]

Arrived in Florida yesterday after 16 hours on the road, Jeep ran like a top for 900 plus miles. Only issue a woman was texting in Alabama did her best to take us out by attempting to pull in to the side of the Jeep. She caused us and about 5 to 8 other vehicles including a big rig to do some very creative evasive maneuvering. All made it around the 50 year old woman who nearly killed a lot of people by forcing vehicles to take to shoulders and median at 80 mph. I was very proud my wife, who communicated to woman how displeased she was with the woman's complete stupidity.

 

[Scooter402]

Awesome, I'm jealous! The last time I took a road trip in a Jeep was 10 or 11 years ago, I drove about 3000 miles round trip in the YJ I had. I drove from Northern VA where I was stationed south of DC to about 45 miles south of Dallas, TX where my dad lives. The first day was right at about 1000 miles in 18 hours. Made it to about a half hour past Little Rock. The next day, I drove the last 400 miles with the top down, forgetting all about the sun beating down on my head in the Texas summer. And with a haircut nice and short compliments of the USMC, needless to say...my head got a little fried.


Anyway, I'm glad to hear everyone made it out OK from some crazy woman paying more attention to her phone than the road...gotta love that. Is your wife Italian? Mine is. She has no problem expressing her feelings to others, especially when she's a little perturbed.

 

[brotherjohn]

What is life without adventure? What is adventure without risk?

 

[fishinfool98]

If you need anything while your down here let me know I'm in panama city.
Glad you made it with no problems.
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[elwood blues]

Pictures man, we need pictures!!!

This is sounding like an awesome road trip, glad to hear that the CJ is running well and that you and your wife are having a good time.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Pictures man, we need pictures!!!

Yep with out pics it didn't happen

 

[gone2hatteras]

Thanks everyone, so far it has been an awesome trip. The wife and I went to Destin as the kids had to work so we cruised the beach area with the top down of course. We are both a little fried but not bad as we were a little late with the sun screen. When the kids got home from work we went to McGuire’s for dinner, great food and service. I had filet mignon and a few screwdrivers as I was not driving, all had a great time.
We’re going out today with the kids and will get pictures for you that require them. I will not make promises to post them today or tomorrow but will soon. We want to spend as much time as we can with the kids but I may get to post them tomorrow morning while they sleeping in. It seems we tire them out, go figure.
Fishin, thanks for the offer of assistance if need, it was truly appreciated. So far we have not met any strangers; my wife can’t believe the locals are so friendly. Our son lives in a quiet neighborhood and seems to have a few good neighbors as well. Neighbors seem to lookout for one another and it a mixture of active and retired military. The kids seem to have fit in very well.
Scooter, No may wife isn’t Italian, she is a California girl from the High Desert and she is quite a hand full if she is crossed.
So far the Jeep as not used or leaked any oils or fluids, all surfaces are dry or have very minor seepage. She has averaged a little over 15 mpg coming down and at times exceeded the speedometer’s ability to indicate the rate of speed (yes I have a picture). She was capable of keeping up with the flow of traffic, which was a concern but unfounded so far.

 

[gone2hatteras]

Headed out this morning, looks like we will running out in front of the showers forcast this morning. Planning on a little site seeing along the coast before jumping on the 10 for the run to Jacksonville.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I hope you have a good trip home.

 

[gone2hatteras]

We arrived home safe and sound. We are a little tired and sun burnt but overall had a great time. Our huskies were over joyed on our walking in the door. They had taken great care of my 85 year old mother while we were away. I think she feed them vanilla wafers, a pork roast, and PBJs while watching the Fox News Channel the entire time we were gone.

The kids have a nice place and we’re very proud of what the two of them have done I such a short time. They were wonderful host to the old folks and we only wish we could have had more time.

The trip back was not without its high points; we decided to go home the long way via Panama City along coast. We didn’t beat the rain showers but we did cover some new territory and were able to see some very nice homes and interesting places along the way. We were held up by the bike race near Panama City and as we were setting waiting for the bicyclist to go by we received a number of positive comments on the Bright Orange Jeep one asking if it was new.

After leaving Panama City we headed to Interstate 10. We discovered that there not much to eat after you get past Tallahassee until you Jacksonville so we fueled up and stopped in North Jacksonville. The Chilies Restaurant we first stopped at had such poor service we got up and left. We end up in a place call Sticky Fingers and received great service.

After leaving Jacksonville with all tanks topped off we headed north on 95 stopping as needed. As we approached our turn off at Rocky Mount we came upon a White Chrysler 300 swerving and darting left and right.

We attempted to get him to pull off by flashing lights but we could only back off watch what would be apparent. My wife had her cell in her hand getting ready to call NCHP but the 300 darted left then right exiting the interstate and in to a tree with a loud frap. My wife called 911 as I grabbed the flash light and ran back to see if I could help the people in the car, not knowing what I would find.

As I came over the slight berm I could see the lights from the car and the front end rapped most of the way around the tree. The driver was outside and next to the car, very disorientated. He wouldn’t seat down and I was unsure of the extent of his injuries so helped him up the rise to the shoulder of the interstate to wait until NCHP arrived. The driver was bruised and scrapped but the EMTs said he was OK. Thankfully he was the only occupant in the car. From what I saw, his hands and wrist are sore today, the air bag that saved him did a number on his hands.

The Jeep ran over 2000 miles and did not miss a beat. We averaged a little over 15 mpg running in access of 70 mph. Not bad for a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a brick and carbureted too. I’m right happy with the old girl, she got us home safely.

 

[gone2hatteras]

Pictures: