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We will be updating our blog daily as we begin our travels from coast to coast leaving on May 29.

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NASA astronauts are sending tweets from outer space; surgeons are tweeting from the operating room during kidney transplant surgery BUT can Captain Buzz and Pier Master Bob tweet from the Boatswagen. Starting on May 29 we will be sending tweets as we travel from coast to coast. Not quite as impressive as tweets from outer space or during risky surgery but still a major accomplishment for the Boatswagen team.

If you are interested in following or communicating with the Boatswagen in a timelier manner than our daily blogs then Twitter.com is the way. You need to set up a Twitter account and indicate you wish to follow Boatswagen. Twitter is a free service and tweets can be viewed or sent on your computer or cell phone. If using a cell phone be sure you have an adequate number of text messages. If using your computer nothing needs to be done except setup an account on Twitter.com.

July 04

end of the journey

well, we made it!!!we're back, didn't get caught in any bad weather, no accidents, we are very lucky and we would like to thank all that helped make this 7575 mile trip a reality!!!! the sponsors,especially Sean at Industrial Spring of St. Louis, Ken Fisher at Fisher Buggies in Tampa,family, friends, loyal followers such as my cousin Morty,and the many others . All the wonderful people we met across the country,in small towns,big towns and just driving down the highway everyday. We were in 6 newspapers ,1 television show and 3 internet video sites. It was a great experience,and if I could get paid for it ,we would still be on the road, so if you know any company that needs all its stores or franchisees checked out, tell them the Captain and crew are available!!!Happy birthday to my brother today,July 4th,and everyone elsein the nation.We live in the greatest country on earth!!I cleaned up the Boatswagen and its ready to go on another great adventure.....Coming this spring around May we are going to try to "Jet Ski across Florida" if you're interested, write me on this site and we'll see if more than myself and the Piermaster will go.thanks especially to the Piermaster for this wonderful web site that we used everyday and just being himself!! Also to First Mate B.J. for all your correct directions and being there for the reurn trip. I guess I have to go to work on Monday because that Visa bill is surely coming in the mail.The piermasters daughter Lisa came down to visit with 3 friends and thought they could beat the Captain at volleyball.yes 4 against 1 with a biased judge(bj hates when i win) but alas the outcome was the same,another victory for the Captain, keeping his unblemished record intact!! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER AND WATCH FOR OUR NEW ADVENTURE IN THE SPRING!! THANK YOU ALL, CAPTAIN, BUZZ

3:26 PM GMT | Read comments(4)

July 02

movie set

we have just visited Juliette Georgia where they filmed the movie Fried Green Tomatoes .tried to go to the whistle stop cafe,closed, motorcycle museum,closed,but managed to go to a small shop there to get the Piermaster a souvenier(not my suggestion,I thought a roadside plant would suffice) The cycle museum was in an old mill on the river.There were two wild dogs standing by the front door which I attempted to greet.Lunch at Steak n Shake where once again the Captain was interviewed for the"fun channel america.com". wait a few days and see the Captain entertain thousands of viewers.The first mate was still in the restaurant,and again I forgot to mention the Piermaster.As the trip is coming down to its final days I know that someone will be very sad to see it end......the Piermaster and First Mate BJ. because they will no longer be able to spend every waking moment with the Captain....sad for them.Lets hope no rain for 2 more days and we will be back safe and full of tall tales of the road less traveled.Signed Captain Buzz

footnote from firstmate bj.....so we are leaving the Fried Green Tomato town and of course I was following the map in order to give the captain instructions to get us back on the highway. I shouted out, "make a right here to get us back". The captain drives on. OK I thought, perhaps he is still sightseeing. A few more miles down the rode he says, " so how do we get back on the highway?" Once he realized I was right (once again) he turned around and followed the street back to where I told him to turn in the first place. I just wondered what part of TURN he didn't understand. every waking moment????

Footnote from the Captain: SERENITY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

5:20 PM GMT | Read comments(2)

July 01

returning home

tuesday nite in Nashville at the Caney Fork Fish Camp restaurant. wednesday morn at the Opreyland Hotel. this is probably the best hotel in the country.have you been there? Hunter museum of art for some culture in Chattanooga tn. went thru Calhoon ga. and onto Atlanta. traffic is the worst it has been anywhere. more trucks than anywhere.more bad drivers than anywhere. closest near death experience than anywhere. even Superman was scarred!!!weather still good. sorry to hear of the rain in Venice today....hope to get into the state of Florida very soon. I have souveniers for everyone( soap shampoo tea bags coffee and more) swim time . Captain Buzz P.S. saw two dune buggies

4:51 PM GMT | Read comments(0)

June 30

monday in St.Louis

very windy day in the city with the arch and cardinals. went to lunch with friends,harke's and Rikki,tables with umbrellas blew over it was so windy.then on to the tROPICAL mOOSE ....i HAD BLACK CHERRY, LIBBIE HAD tom collins, then met alot of people around the Boatswagen for pictures.I even wore the captains hat.they were all very nice.saw my mother in her condo ,then prepared for the drive in the morning.hope my sister and b.i.l. got their a/c unit installed.its hot!!!hope you feel better kathy,and laura,keep your place clean. headed out early on 270 south to 44 east,crossed the river,Mississippi, and stopped at Dale's Harley Davidson in Mt. Vernon Ill. everyone nice,did a little filming there. then over to an old court house where Abraham Lincoln tried a case a while back,then to Steak n Shake wher they gave me some cool model cars for the grandkids(maybe) back on the road til we hit Metropolis Ill. home of SUPERMAN!!!! dairy Queen,then drive til Nashville todaY ACROSS FROM THE Grand Ole Oprey Hotel.Aron Tippin is playing tonite with others Don't know how far we go tomorrow,stay tuned,Captain Buzz

4:34 PM GMT | Read comments(0)

June 29

saturday thru monday

car show in Kansas city brought out a neighbor wanda from venice and my other cousin and family Rick,Teresa ,Alex and Leia .had lunch afterwards and then hit the road to Columbia Mo. Drove by the piermasters business then to dinner at the Olive Garden with T-bird Dan and Carol.then to Carols brother's log cabin which he built all from lumber on his property.Starr Lumber if you need hardwoods for a project. then to st. louis on sunday to see bj's friend Jean wilks. see my brother,niece and her new condo which she is keeping very neat, over to Seans garage to fix the gas leak again, and replace the rear shocks that failed. Sean helped out quite a bit and I also saw his kids erin and bridget and her friend Annie?( was I close Bridget?) After returning from nieces condo at night , headlights quit. we were about 1 mile away so we made it back to the hotel(replaced fuse in the morning and crossed fingers). I can't end without mentioning my arch rival DAVE!!!! Hey Piermaster,I don't have anyone to pick on since you left.Getting to the right place is really much more fun the first time around. also saw kathy,sister,john the woodman, mom ,and the whole Harke family (libbie) and Rikky,the only one ever to fall out of the Boatswagen while it was moving(on Harbor drive, good story) heading back to Venice tuesday morning weather permitting, stay dry,Captain Buzz

7:30 PM GMT | Read comments(1)

June 27

springfield mo.

springfield mo. on thursday.saw first mates family then on to television shoot by Abc channel 33 it was interesting to see how it was done. they showed it at 10:oopm now we are regional.it would have been a bigger story, but we were bumped by Michael Jackson, lunch at The Buzz (not made up) then back to hotel. Friday off to Kansas city Mo.Missouri wins with the Most road kill so far skunk,armadillo,rabbit,raccoon badger, unidentified . Rolled into KC at 1pm met up with cousin Morty at auto and tire place who set up my complimentary oil change and free hot dog( Tire Starz Discount tire and Brake) very nice folks there.had a nice discussion about oil viscosity with my cousin,Kansas city Star photographer came by to shoot pics of the Boatswagen for Saturday morning article (set up by Morty) then it just kept getting better with our VIP Starlite theatre Buffet with live band and a live performance by Stevie Wonder ,yes it is true,Morty and Barbara pulled out all the stops for the Captain and first mate!!!!what a nite!! then sleep at cousins house in the lower level on a futon.I think the mattress was the same one's used at Guantanamo Bay!!!! Special Boatswagen parking inside their garage with signage. you two went OVERBOARD!!!!(boating term) captain

It was wonderful to see my children and grandchildren. Wish we had more time. Thank you so much Barbara and Morty for you warm welcome. Now for some air conditoning and rest. more tomorrow. first mate bj

6:34 PM GMT | Read comments(2)

June 25

springfield
visiting the grandkids today jaden tanner amber savanna,alena and evan. had slow gasoline leak for a few days,became a little bigger so decided to look into the problem.bolt head too close to tank,created small pin hole.Quinn and the Capt. repaired it this morning.seems to be holding.had a 11:00 tv interview with ABC channel 33 in sprigfield. they only had 1 mobile microphone so the first mate was out of the picture,and I think i forgot to mention the Piermaster...oh how quickly fame changes us (stars)....they got us driving down the streets of springfield .it was fun.My niece sesha of Convey Photography set it up ,she has moved up on the Captains list. went to Andy's custard for my coffee concrete.we need one in venice. tomorrow on to Kansas city for newspaper interview and a car show on saturday. hey its hot up here!!!!! hope everyone is staying cool.went to the BUZZ for lunch in springfield its a coffee lunch place great food.great name..told them my lawyers would be in touch(name infringement) watched some footage we shot from last week.its gold!!!! Captain Buzz

1:06 PM GMT | Read comments(0)

June 24

still alive

left Tulsa at 8am and went to Mt.Vernon MO. to play in the annual Barbara Coy Classic ping pong tournament. it was close to 100 degrees on the playing field when I met some nice kids Shelby and Dakota who decided to root for me instead of my worthy opponent. after leading in the championship game 17 to 13, I lost four straight points to go to a tie then it was match point four times til I finally won 24 to 22!!!!!another trophy for me >I couldn't have done it without those kids,I couldn't dissapoint them!!!the newspaper came by for an interview afterwards so we will have the copies sent to us.Lunch at the Red Barn In Mt. Vernon which was great, then on to springfield to the hotel and covered up the boatswagen in time for the rain storm.Thanks to Barbara Coy at Carol Jones realty for her hospitality while in her town.If you're ever in Venice, call the Piermaster.waiting for the grandkids (5)to come over for a swim,brace yourself hotel, dinner tonite with sesha charles and crystal.tv interview on thursday channel 33.the Captain is going nationwide.Just can't think of the name of the guy that I went to california with.First Mate B.J. is holding up well in the heatPiermaster is back in Venice and back on the pier Thursday.visit him and listen to his side of the story even though it totally wrong AHOY, Captain Buzz

4:00 PM GMT | Read comments(2)

June 23

hot hot hot

installing a 2 ton a/c unit in the boatswagen today. just trying to work out the small problem with the 1400 mile extension cord......in tulsa today to see the giant oil man (pic) visited with the group from DEP ,nice quiet group tha follow every move we make.they all got Roscoe Original souviners . Visiting with first mates daughter and s.i. l. the neighbors are moving to Tampa,so I am giving them directions to Fisher Buggies. right down the block from here is the Bughaus of Tulsa. went in and bought a few items for the return trip and got some free Scat stickers.nice place, nice person. just got a call from Mr. hicks. I asked him to check the pool. he called and asked what my address was.Its comforting to know I have a trained professional in charge!!! stay coll and turn on the a/c ...good luck,Captain Buzz

1:12 PM GMT | Read comments(1)

June 22

progress

only got to tucumcari,then amarillo by morning just like the song said. went to the cadillacs sticking out of the ground ranch, the vw bugs sticking out of the ground ranch(conway) shamrock texas for lunch route 66 museum in clinton and now Ramada inn at Oklahoma city .thats 419 miles today kids,I trained for this , don't try it yourself....dinner with Nate and Dana (BJ's brother) today on the trip we had bj as the dj spinning the cd's made by Moyack Productions,thanks moyack,even though you're living in the past with your music, there are some tunes that are still good!(Marayah Cary is not one of them,and best of the Bee gees should only have 1 song on it,I'm not complaining,but its close)hey C-53 how are things on the homefront? Piermaster should be in New Orleans or on americas most wanted by now.the first mate is surviving,but is breaking rules every day!!we do not need to know how many trucks pass us or how many pics are taken of us.If you want to know she has the number.on to tulsa for daughter Brandies visit .I get to see her husband Ehren,makes the trip worthwhile.they're redwing fans and I get to talk about how close the game was and of course the outcome!!! Soooo close.I'm an "anything but the redwings "fan. he won't bring out the croquet game after what I did to him last year.(and his friend Charlie)two moe in the Capt Buzz fan club!! Hey tori,31 doesn't mean anything now practice your vollyball...My sister said her a/c was broken.I think its because we are getting close to her town.I'll have my friend check it out.Its hot today ,but as you know we always have a breeze....have a hot day,Captain Buzz

6:34 PM GMT | Read comments(1)

June 21

hot air

hot air balloon museum in Albuquerque nice ladies at the gift shop gave us a free ticket to the tram and some stickers for my skateboard.thank you. we gave them some Roscoe Originals sharks tooth souviners.onto the Sandia Peak tramway worlds longest,ride to the top and then a ski lift ride to the other side and back.its now 2 pm and we are ready to hit the road so we won't make it to Amarillo tonite,but close.piermaster is on the train ,did anyone see Pelham 123? good luck p.bob.thats all for now ,visit the pics, Captain Buzz

1:14 PM GMT | Read comments(2)

new mexico

went to the wigwam hotel in holbrook az. then on to the petrified forest and thru the painted desert.it really wasn't a forest and i thought someone actually painted the desert with a roller, i would have been impressed. we got caught in a small rain burst, but with the guidance of the captain the ship was saved!!dinner at the village inn next door to the taped off crime scene of a robbery shooting.nothing but the best for my crew!!meanwhile the oiermaster is being held captive in a hotel room in chinatown LA waiting for his train this afternoon.I can't believe his family left him there in such a ratty place.on the other hand , I guess they had a choice wheather to leave him there or return home and bring him back on sunday.they spent 5 days with him and I'm sure we all would have voted for dropping off dad ,after all its FATHERS DAY!!HAPPY FATHERS DAY PIERMASTER AND EVERYONE ELSE OUT THERE!! this morning we will go to the balloon museum and the Unser Museum.I told the first mate it was full of art work.Do you know whats in the Unser Museum? will try to make Amarillo by Morning( its a song) Good luck piermaster,every night he calls me and says how much he misses being with me.............The Captain numero uno

6:57 AM GMT | Read comments(1)

June 19

moving east

with the piermaster out of the picture first mate BJ is actually finding the places we want to go!!!! headed to williams arizona route 66 on our way to the grand canyon.Had a coffee shake on route 66 at 9 am. not too good.went up to the grand canyon and saw it from every angle possible.lunch at the lodge,more angles then down the mountain where a coyote crossed the road in front of us.down we went to Flagstaff az. for the night. Dinner at cracker barrel.It doesn't get too much better than that.Here at Kinkos sending pictures to the piermaster to download for all our devoted followers(and morty) to look at.Brandie ,the crowds weren't bad at the grand canyon.so it was a great experience. The Boatswagen had a little trouble in the mountains so i changed the timming a bit to see if it would help.The hodges are dropping off the piermaster tonite in LA so he can catch the train to New Orleans on Saturday.They must have had as much fun with him as I had(the previous message was sarcastic) everyone will be relieved on saturday.Good luck on your journey home piermaster,and make sure you talk to strangers!! happy trails,Captain Buzz

7:28 PM GMT  |  Read comments(3)

June 18

Muir not Mier
Before the emails start coming in Pier Master Bob is aware that Mier should be Muir. So save your emails for the next spelling error.
Thanks
Pier Master Bob

9:54 PM GMT  |  Read comments(1)

Day Twenty
Captain Buzz and First Mate BJ untied the Boatswagen in San Diego this morning and have set anchor today in Kingman AZ. A distance of 380 miles and a time of about 7 hours. They plan to visit the Grand Canyon tomorrow and then contine their trip east. I hope the Captain spends more time at the Grand Canyon than the twelve minutes he spent at the Deming AZ Museum.

Pier Master Bob and Lisa's family traveled from San Francisco to Mier Woods National Park and then on to Napa Valley. And yes we did find time to partake of the grape juice they serve in Napa Valley. We are heading to LA tomorrow where I will catch a train back to Florida on Sunday.

If the Captain can find a computer tomorrow we should have Grand Canyon pictures tomorrow.

Pier Master Bob

9:30 PM GMT  |  Read comments(2)

June 17

Pictures Day Eighteen and Nineteen
Pictures from day eighteen and nineteen are now published on the web pages.

11:38 PM GMT  |  Read comments(1)

Heading East

another day in san diego before the big push east. Torrey pines preserve for a hike, Birch aquarium at Scripps,3 beaches,lunch at the Wavehouse restaurant in Mission beach, yogurtland for dessert,La Jolla, Mission Beach,and Pacific Beach,watched the seals,Crystal pier,and dinner at Red Robin.the Wavehouse restaurant has 2 wave pools for surfing,1 flat 1 with a curl.its the wildest thing to watch.I got alot of video of this thing! The Piermaster has not yet posted the pics I have given him. It seems he was a little too tired from his big day of riding in a real car up the coast with his family.Please get some rest Piermaster so that you can do your job!!! It just never ends with my crew,you must constantly be after them.looks like he'll be back sleeping in the tub when he returns home .First Mate B.j. continues to do her job in an orderly fashion AND look cute!!Heading out in the morning,will check in at the end of the day......happy thursday,Captain Buzz

7:22 PM GMT | Read comments(1)

June 16

Breaking News

THIS JUST IN FROM THE CAPTAIN: FOR SOME UNEXPLAINED REASON, BOATSWAGEN NOW GETTING 30 MILES PER GALLON INSTEAD OF 20.......WHAT'S DIFFERENT?INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW..........CAPT. BUZZ

8:24 PM GMT | Read comments(0)

new first mate

the Piermaster walked the plank monday morning,and first mate B.J. is on board and cleaning up the piermasters mess!! Our big day started with a drive to Point Loma somthing to do with history,and watched the surfers and navy warships in the ocean(pacific). then onto downtown San Diego to the maritime museum,USS Midway,over the Coronado bridge to Hotel Del Coronado.onto the beach then to a diner in town. I had to find out how much houses were so I saw this little 2 story nothing at all fancy on a 50 ft. lot. Bj said 1,000,000 and I said 750,000 even though it looked like 210,000.the price was 2,545,000. we live in a great place!! I stopped to get air in my tires and a guy working there came out and said venice, I lived in south venice 14 years ago.we talked about all the places and changes and he told me to say hi to some friends.....small world.we then went to Balboa park and the Zoo!!! its huge. I saw someone that looked like my friend ed h.,but couldn't really talk to him since he was in a cage(sorry ed).left the zoo and drove up I-5 back to the Hodge Estate for a nights rest in the Victoria Lodge. I hope I get my pancakes in the morning.The first mate is still sluggish from the flight. another day of sightseeing and then its time to head east towards the Grand Canyon. Talked to the Piermaster this afternoon and we caught up on the missed day. I just know he is missing the Captain and was home sick so he probably slept in the tub again....just like old times.......Captain Buzz ,livin large!!

5:10 PM GMT | Read comments(1)

June 14

the Big Show Vw Classic 2009
what a day! we left the hotel at 6:45 am , on to Mickey D's for a quality breakfast(not like Lisa's) off to the show to wait in line to get in.while waiting,i used my P.A. to ask if they could direct me to the boat show.it was fun.lots of cars 600 and everything else.pic 6 are the feet shoes we saw.anyone want a pair? pic 13 is where 2 squirrels attacked this ladys legs.how about #10 for you Karman Ghia fans? wild stuff! there was live music and places to eat.I talked with Bruce Meyers and Winnie the creator of the Dune Buggy.I told him he ruined my life in a good way.they said to say hi to Sean my Vw friend in st. louis mo. The boys from Venice FL. were the only multiple award winners today and were very happy with the response.we passed out tons of Habitat for Humanity envelopes and gave away tote bags ,pens and magnets from Hagarty classic car Insurance co.It was sunny all day and warm.we were sitting in the Boatswagen with the bimini on when a guy came over and gave the Piermaster 4 jars of homemade pickle relish!!I said what's that about,i thought you went to look at cars.Piermaster said he went over to someone barbecueing and watched him make hot dogs,asked a few questions,and got a hot dog with this relish on it.told the guy it was wonderful and 3 hours later the guy comes down and gives him 4 jars. The piermaster was hungry !! we left the ampitheatre at 5:30 pm and proceeded to I HOP.It's Strawberry festival month.I got the stuffed french toast,he got the crepes.You can't ask for a much better day in California!!!!there will be a switching of first mates tomorrow and the Captain will be very sad to see the Piermaster leave(not).I have tried to teach him many things during our great voyage(addition,subtraction,spelling, manners,sleeping quietly, ordering food in a timely fashion,pulling up the anchor BEFORE we leave the dock,and a trick to figure out which way is WEST!)The piermaster will be very sad to leave the ship(not the Captain) but he will continue his journey with his daughter and her family(good luck to you guys,don't call me my phone is broken).some day we will meet again.......happy trails Captain Buzz

9:43 PM GMT | Read comments(0)

Boating Across America