Just filled up at the Flying "J" - my FULL size Bronco (32 gal tank), and 6 - 5 gallon cans (screw you Ko-skin-em/Richards) "FULL WAY IS OK FOR MY FULL SIZE BRONCO TODAY". Went by last night at 2300-every pump lined up. Went by again at 0730 this morning, 1000, & filled up at 0130 (same as last night, every pump taken with 2 cars waiting in line for each). I saw several of those people pulling 5 gallon jerry cans out of the back of their trucks and filling them also. I have also seen a tanker in the parking lot getting ready to fill the pumps the last 3 days. I drive by this station several times a day to & from work and heading to drop the kids off and G-ma & G-pa's. I have never seen the station anywhere near this full (and it is constant)!!!

Also had just picked up an extra 5 gal propane tank to finish off the preps - and was going to fill it at Flying "J". Cashier said that they had 2000-pound tank full on Friday and was bone dry this early afternoon. His exact quote was "if I were you I would get down to Suburban Propane (large propane company) and get that filled NOW".

One neat thing happened on this my FINAL prepping voyage. As I was living an older gentleman (probably mid 80's) flagged me down and asked if he could get a "jump". Being the KIND doomer I am - I most graciously jumped out and helped him start his vehicle. As I talked to him he stated that the very old "beat up" vehicle hadn't been on the road in close to a year, but his wife and him decided they should store as much gas as they could for Y2k - also said that it looked like everyone in Boise had the same idea. He stated he had brought his other two cars in early today.

We will see what the next few days bring for the gas stations in my area, but 4 days out looks like "Halfway is OK" - BS is not shaping up like .gov had hoped. But you all know how us Idahoans feel about big bro.

-- Matt (4moretil@TOAST.com), December 27, 1999

Answers

WOW, Matt, big wide eyes reading this one.

The hubby went last night to fill up his Jeep Wrangler, the two 6 gallon gas cans and the smaller one, and the guy at the Racetrac told him he could only fill up the Jeep and ONE of the 6 gallon cans in one day. So he did it and went to another Racetrac with my van, filled up the van and the other 6 gallon. He is going tonight to fill up the smaller can (can't remember what size that is).

Now to get that cammo netting to cover the hiding place where we have the 6 gallons stored (outdoors--don't feel too comfy with that stuff in the garage).

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), December 27, 1999.

I had no problems filling up at our BP gas station in Cincinnati, but I turned into the Kroger's parking lot to see what was going on, and it was extremely busy.

I spotted an older lady with lots of bags of groceries. There was several giant packages of toilet paper peeking out of the bags plus 6 or 7 big jugs of water on the bottom of her cart.

With a few exceptions, everyone I spotted had a cart full.

-- Barney Fife (day@late.inCincinnati), December 27, 1999.

No lines that I could see yet in my SC city, but all pumps at the station I just went to were out of unleaded.

-- Ethyl (@ .), December 27, 1999.

We finished filling our spare cans last week...expecting the last minute fill-ups to jam up the lines. I plan to do a last minute top-off of my car's tank thursday morning...and minimize travel after.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), December 27, 1999.

The herd finally stirs.

Was in the local Food Rite yesterday, and the shelves were full of bottled water (1 and 2.5 gallon jugs). Today, only the higher priced stuff remained, and the shelves were 1/2 cleared out.

No problem filling the SUV today, though. And I can relate to the bringing the old car back to life. My son has an old vehicle that's been parked in the driveway for 6 months. Was going to "donate" it to one of those car donation groups before the 1st for the tax writeoff, but have decided otherwise. It will be filled up tomorrow, along with the wife's car. That's another 60 gals. to go with the 80 in gerry cans.

-- Nom (nom@de.plume), December 27, 1999.

wow. nothing with regards to gas here that i can see. Northern VA-- outside DC>

-- tt (cuddluppy@nowhere.com), December 27, 1999.

I took an informal poll among friends and family over the holiday weekend, and it seems that everyone plans to "top off" their vehicles, but that's about it for preparations among the group.

-- Matt (mattd97@hotmail.com), December 27, 1999.

" "Halfway is OK" - BS is not shaping up like .gov had hoped. But you all know how us Idahoans feel about big bro."

LOL! Yes, the Idaho contrarians will fill up every vehicle and container they can get their hands on if the government tells them not to. You guys are alright!

-- (RUOK@yesiam.com), December 27, 1999.

Wishing I were in Idaho instead of near Chicago. Absolutely no activity in the 4 gas stations in town except for a couple of full service & car washes.

-- Sandwich (anon@anon.anon), December 27, 1999.

Screw a five gallon can. I have the fuel company coming tommorow with 275 gallons to put in my newly installed underground tank.

The 24 600 pound bales of hay came yesterday and the three tons of grain came this morning.

Just a few more little things to tidy up before the week is out.

Paul Milne

Clinton: "I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinsky"

bks: "It was not overt lying. It was overgeneralization for rhetorical purposes."

-- Paul Milne (fedinfo@halifax.com), December 27, 1999.

A few days ago, I had three 5 gallon gas can on the tailgate of my pickup, and as I was starting to fill them, an older fellow pulled up at the pump behind me. He saw the cans I was filling, and quipped, "You must be stocking up for Y2K"

I just looked back at him, and with my most sincere voice replied, "No, sir. The President has said that the computers are fixed and that we have nothing to worry about. The President wouldn't lie to us."

He pondered that and replied, "I think I'd better go home and get some cans myself."

-- Watt (foolon@hill.com), December 27, 1999.

Not a bloody thing happening here in SC PA state. Gas is plentiful, no lines, shelves are still well stocked...boy are these people in for a rude awakening (if they ever do).

Me. I have some last min preps to do, but I'm largely good to go.

-- Bill (billclo@msgbox.com), December 27, 1999.

I went to Texeco in Green Lane PA this morning to fill up. The lines to pay at the register were 7 people long, longest ive ever seen there, mind you this a work day during work hours. Oh well i want to get more tanks and more gas. Good luck all!

-- Oc Tane (notenough@fuel.stored), December 27, 1999.

My mountain bike don't need no stinkin gas!

get wheels while you still can, before the rationing hits!!!

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), December 27, 1999.