In retrospect, the 5th of August 2004 to the 19th of August 2004 was at times hectic, spattered with encouragement from well wishers, both verbally and with many reaching into their back pockets to support Black Lightning financially. A sterling performance by all the pit crew was apparent and appreciated.

I had originally planned to leave Wichita the morning of the 4th for the NA rally at Deer Lodge. My friend and helper on the project since 1996, Mike Shea, had driven down from Maryland, a 1200 mile trip in his 3/4 ton truck. The plan was to set off from Wichita with two trucks, as everything pertaining to the pit and liner was here. The only exception was that John MacDougall of Vancouver was to bring a set of tools and a few spare parts he had lying around the house for use if needed. Steve Doherty of California volunteered to bring the plyboard floor for the pit along with some fuel cans. He was originally going to bring the fuel, but we later found out that a tanker truck with alcohol was being provided by the S.C.T.A. at the salt.

Mikes truck in my eyes was a bit suspect in it's ability to complete a round trip of some 3800 miles, so it was decided to use one vehicle to haul everything.

The launch date had to be postponed by a day and a half due to the discovery of a bent exhaust valve on number 1 cylinder three days before we were to leave. That, coupled with the trailer people who were working on both the salt trailer and the highway trailer and did not finish the job on schedule as promised. The ol' saying "if something can go wrong it will" was proving it's merit. By the time we finished loading we didn't leave the house until about 2 p.m. on the 5th. To make it to Deer Lodge by the 7th as promised a non-stop straight through drive was in front of us. The route selected was straight north on 80, then hang a left on 81. Pretty simple, huh? Didn't get 20 miles out of Wichita when the only old tire on the trailer decided it had enough abuse with the excessive weight that the operator insisted it should handle. The score ended with: Tire 1; Operator 0. One hundred dollars and 4 hours later--Deer Lodge here we come. With the one week old new fender now flapping in the breeze due to the forces incurred by the blow out, the idea of pulling into Deer Lodge looking good gradually also began to be deflated.

Only got lost once in a deluge of rain somewhere in Wyoming. Had to back track 50 miles to get headed again in the right direction. Mike was driving when the mishap occurred, (or so I say, he has a different story) I would prefer to report that the rest of the trip was uneventful but it wasn't.

Once a motorist pulled alongside frantically pointing at the rear. He seemed quite excited so we pulled over for a look-see. The safety chains had been dragging, wearing one in half. The one that was worn in half had been flapping and did a number on the trailer light plug. We fixed what was most needed and that was the tail lights to the trailer. The rest of the entire trip was conducted without trailer turn signals and stop lights. So after the makeshift repair, off we went, now playing a game of "Russian roulette" with the safety chains.

But the most exciting moment and what really got my adrenalin going-- early morning, misty rain falling, when a deer decided that the grass was greener on the other side of the road. We missed the deer but you would be amazed how wet asphalt can put the trailer into the drivers seat, so to speak. After several near jacknives the old 1500 Chev's front wheels took a bite and straightened her out. So after 2200 miles, which equates to 44 hours of window time, there was a sign along the road that read "Deer Lodge". FINALLY!