Kris,

I'm sixty years old. My mom is now almost 92. She still worries about me when I'm "on the road". It's her job. And it's your mom's, too.

I said it a while ago that "your folks have a lot of which to be proud", and you reinforce that almost every day around here.

If I were you, I'd let your dad read this entire thread (before it gets overwhelmingly long) so that he has some feedback that he's done a great job in your upbringing. Of course, if they hadn't accomplished that by the time you were 14, they never would be able, so that part is over.

As an older, maybe wiser, group, we would give your trip our collective "stamp of approval", but we're not your folks. By virtue of the fact that you are who you are, they obviously have done, and will continue to do, the right thing by you.

Maybe they'll see this as the "growth experience" that this likely will be for you. I have every confidence you'll do the right thing.

Given their track record, so will your parents.

One more thing, if you get to go, take along not just a buddy, but an equally RESPONSIBLE buddy.

Pop

 

Kris, Pop is dead on with that being an absolutely critical component of your plan. You having a "buddy" will have no value in your parent's eyes unless it is someone whom they already trust and respect.

Pete

 

I will not waste anybody's time talking about your character. Your parents know you better than any of us and will either let you go or not. Since you are 17, it's their say. I'm sure they know what this means to you. Whatever the case, all of you will live with the outcome for the rest of your lives.

Having said that, I will try to assist them in their decision. I offer you free room and food here. A slight detour perhaps along the way but maybe a good pit stop. I will assume responsibility for you once you enter Tennessee, dad can be on call to that point. This includes going to get you or help you. I will be off. Once here, we can figure out how long the trip to lead hill is and I will go with you there in your truck, (I will travel armed as usual because I can). If you have a buddy then I won't go but he is welcome too.

Get your tranny work done, drive back here, spend the night. If you will be alone, I will take time off and follow you to the Smokies but can only stay the day or maybe one night. By then you will have met up with Rampage or someone else. Also you will be much closer to home.

I believe I've offered you this already. Anyway, I'd like for you to get your tranny and meet Jeremy, I think he said he would go down there. Besides, I'd like for my teenage son to meet you as an inspiration perhaps to something other than online gaming.

Do some map checking and see if this will work for you. Actually this is more for your folks, I will do what I can to help within my ability and resources, I just need to know what is needed.

Good luck.

 

Now THAT is cool. I would give you rep points Mike but cannot as it says I have to spread it around.

Wow, way and above the call of duty.

 

I can't thank you all for the input, its greatly appreciated. I've showed it to my dad and he's read the first page and he agrees with most of the input and says it is up to mom, that he approves. I told mom what i did (this thread) and she didnt want to see it.

But i am going to come up with a plan as suggested. I need to find out if my one friend (aslo an FTE member, from CT) is going with me. If not that, i have a local buddy who my parents know, that would probably love to go with me. Mike i am probably going to take you up on the offer. Stay tuned.

 

LOL... "HEY MOM! Look what all these cool guys on the internet say about going!" I can see her scepticism.


That said, I pretty much agree with what everyone else has already put up here. As you know, I have a 12 y/o daughter, and she's mature for her age (jeez -- can't wait for her to be your age. )... Anyway, I was 17 when I took off for the military and here it is almost 20 years later and probably 500,000 miles of globetrotting and my Mom still calls & emails to check up on me. It never stops. If you have kids, you'll see...

Good luck and I hope you end up making it. I've been thinking about heading up there, but I wouldn't make it Friday because of work, and by the time I get there Saturday, it probably wouldn't be worth it (did I say that?!?!).

Joe

 

Kris, if your parents say no, than i can give you one option, im going there on july31 so im leaving NY on 29th, , if you want we can make fun trip, i have my girlfriend to go with me, so if you have yours maybe this would make fun for us and for them, just somthing to considder for you ,,, a safe two truck trip, maybe sight seeing ,,,
take care bro if you go now,post some BTS results, i cannot wait

Peter

 

You are more than welcome. Let me know what I can do to help. Good luck.

 

This is mama outlaw.... Kris, I don't know you (well, actually through Scott I do feel like I know you ) but after reading your post I almost cried. What a fine young man you are! I have no doubt your parents are extremely proud of you and with good reason.

Here is the deal, it really is hard for us moms to let you guys go. I really do think it's harder on us than for the dads, because dads understand more about "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do" and I believe they worry less about what could happen. Men focus more on fact and the here and now. Women are wired to worry, I think it's left over from caveman days - when we stayed and protected our kids while the men were out hunting or something

But there is an undeniable connection between a mama and her kids, ask Scott no one better dare mess with one of my kids, Scott's seen me in action and I would gladly lay down my life for any one of them. So your mama is scared and now-a-days there is plenty of reason to be. Here she raised an awesome boy who is no doubt everything to her and she doesn't want to lose you, she doesn't want anything bad to EVER happen to you. Trust me, if we could put y'all in a big plastic bubble we would. So you need to soothe her mind. Taking your mom or dad along would be the best way, in lieu of that, do you have a trusted family member, or family friend, or another trusted adult? Taking another friend your age may work but I know unless I trusted my kids' friends immensely I would still worry a bit.

Also if you have a cell phone offering to call them every hour or so with your location might help to ease their fears. And honestly if you could get a network of responsible adults to meet you and convoy along, if none of the options above work out, that might help.

 

Everythings been said that can be said. I hope you get to go Kris. BTW thanks for the Sonnex.
Tim

 

Lol, Kris until i read this thread i had no idea you were only 17-18yrs old. I wish i would have been as responsible as you seem to be. I hope you get to go and follow everyones advice. Just have fun, the good kind.

ps at 17 and 18 both my parents and i moved out of the house permanant like not just a week long trip, i will bet your parents were right there too. Good luck
Ben

 

Ummmm, Pete,

I don't think the thought of Kris taking along his girlfriend on a road trip is going to instill a willingness in his mom to let him go.

Sorry, but I gotta' disagree with your advice.

Pop

 

Basically same thing as everyone has stated Kris. You have a good head on your shoulders. Parents are the most important thing, respect their wishes that's what makes you the person you are. My parents (Especially my father), are exactly like yours. At 17, I wasn't able to do much at all. Heck I'm not able to do much now (I'm 25); but I don't care as long as I can make them smile.

If worse comes to worse, you can still get your tranny; but the hard way. Have BTS ship it, you install, ship the core back to him.

 

Kris I sent you a PM with my cell #

 

well POP maybe not the best itea out of all of them , but im 33, so i think im responsible , and i would take care of them, as we say just throwing ideas ,,,,
Kris, if you cant go maybe i can save you some money and bring Trans to you? that would save you parets some agrivation, anyways, whatever you decide to do it will be well planned, and like everyone had said, if you decide on going, you cannot have better place to plane your trip, im sure most , if not all of the guys here will offer you help, i would if you going to NY for a trip,
so if anyone is on Long Island in NY drop me an email and we get together,

Peter
just helping out