32 replies to this topic

[Keep the Show on the Road!]

Didn't want you guys to think I've been purposefully neglecting this. Last Monday I had emergency surgery for detached retina. Not fun! Now I have to keep my head bowed down for two weeks while it heals. This on top of the cancer situation is getting a bit overwhelming (not to say gol'dern ridiculous). I swear there's a hidden expiration date on my birth certificate - and the clock it ticking.

In a weird way, it's making me lose patience and start thinking of just piling into the old Mercedes and heading out on the highway. Not smart, but it would be a great break from the craziness I'm going through here. Minor detail that I have only one usable eye at present, and no depth perception.

Details details.
Tom in CT

Tom,

You sound to me like a guy who intends to use what he's got, not bemoan what he hasn't. And BTW one of our most active road pros here gets by with one eye. It p***** me off because he can't fully appreciate my great 3D photos!

I have tried to imagine the trip as your parents might have taken it. Obviously they would have visited the big attractions along the way, and those haven't changed much. They are still there. The problem is what about the less important sights and places, the cafes, motels, and service stations.

I confess my road history interests go back to considerably before 1982, but I can envision a trip where you stayed at 1980's motels, ate at 1980's cafes, and the like. What you need are a few resources to identify them.

It should be easy to get a 1982 Rand McNally Atlas (as Denny suggested) and early 1980's AAA Tour Books on eBay or ABE. That would give you the 1982's routes and the names of motels, and even some restaurants from the period. I have some Duncan Hines guides and some Travelmat guides (they did those place mats you may recall) but they predate the 1980's (but not the 1960's). I have also seen several Best Western guides on eBay from the period. I bet with a little research you could plan a trip staying only in motels built before 1982, and often eat in restaurants of the period.

I just bid on some Reader's Disgust Driving America maps and guide books from the early 1980's. You can have then for free if I win them, and if I don't they should come up often in eBay.

Here is a possible organizing construct. Using the places you know your folks planned to visit, identify the connecting routes on a 1982 Rand McNally Atlas. Turn to the Readers Disgust maps and books for sights, and to the 1980's AAA Tour books to identify motels and restaurants. Use the internet to check if they still exist.

With some effort you could just about recreate the experience as they would have done, had they done it. All you have to do then is find service stations that sell gas at 1982 prices!

Just a few free thoughts which are worth every penny they cost!

(Oh, one last comment. Do keep the head down or they will have to install a buckle in the eye, and that can be no fun at all.)

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road

[knightfan26917]

Men make plans, and the gods just laugh.

Yes, indeed.

Very sorry about your emergency surgery and the cancer. Thoughts/prayers coming your way.

I, too, have a few health issues going on ... and that's just another reason why I "forge ahead" and plan trips ... and act on them NOW, while I still can. I sure hope you are able to take this trip; it sounds great. Not sure what more assistance/points I can offer, as most everyone else here is farther "seasoned" than I am. But, I definitely recommend traveling as much of Route 66 and/or the Lincoln Highway as you can.

Please keep us posted ... about your health issues and your trip as the plans continue to evolve.



Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * RT_06.2011_us66+NW USA
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Enough is enough, I can't take anymore" __ Alabama __ 'Can't Keep A Good Man Down'

[Keep the Show on the Road!]

I just bid on some Reader's Disgust Driving America maps and guide books from the early 1980's. You can have then for free if I win them, and if I don't they should come up often in eBay.

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road

Tom,

I nailed the 1981 Readers Disgust materials. I'll look them over and pass them on if you send your address to my e-mail on file here. They were practically free, so skip any thoughts of reimbursement. I'll just be pleased if they prove useful.

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road.

[NutmegCT]

Dave - that is a *great* idea. Thank you very much. I didn't know about those old Drive America materials; they could be very useful in recreating the route.

I'll certainly take you up on your very kind offer. And if you're located anywhere along the eventual route, I might drop by in my 1958 Mercedes-Benz and buy you a Coke (or something stronger).

Tom

Tom,

I nailed the 1981 Readers Disgust materials. I'll look them over and pass them on if you send your address to my e-mail on file here. They were practically free, so skip any thoughts of reimbursement. I'll just be pleased if they prove useful.

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road.

[Keep the Show on the Road!]

Dave - that is a *great* idea. Thank you very much. I didn't know about those old Drive America materials; they could be very useful in recreating the route.

I'll certainly take you up on your very kind offer. And if you're located anywhere along the eventual route, I might drop by in my 1958 Mercedes-Benz and buy you a Coke (or something stronger).

Tom

Tom,

I got the Readers Digest material today and I am seriously disappointed. It is almost laughable.

I was hoping it would provide some insights into road trips in 1982, but what it contains is standard road maps copied and cut into smaller pages. They took H. M. Gousha road maps available at your corned service station and reprinted them in an 8.5 by 11 format.

And believe it or not, it includes a "traveler's Guide" booklet that will help you to identify such fascinating roadside interests as cows and horses. In case you didn't know, there are three types of roadside horses; ponies, light horses, and draft horses. Pictures are provided to aid in identification. There are more kinds of cows, and they are grouped into dairy cows and steers. There is also a primer on how cars work.

I know I have seen some well done Reader's Digest travel books, but these aren't them. If you can imagine a use for these, send me your mailing address via the message system here on the forum. If I don't hear from you in a week, I'll dump them, and renew my search for something useful from 1982.

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road!

[NutmegCT]

Dave - thanks for the update. I think I'll pass on those RD materials. But now I'm keeping an eye open for 1980s AAA travel guides.

As always, I'm probably going into overdrive on the pre-trip flights of fancy. If I were to follow even 10% of my plans, the trip would probably take a couple years.

Something I'm finding more perplexing: I want to make this trip in honor of my parents, tracing their original coast to coast dream. But in my reading and research, I'm finding more and more things to see than I possibly have time for on this one trip.

So now I'm thinking that after I return, I might sell the 1958, and buy a "less vintage" big ol' car (heavy sedan). Then I'll use it to target some regions in USA and Canada for further investigation on future trips. Maybe a 2000 Mercedes-Benz E320, or some such. Can't imagine doing a lot of traveling in a tiny car, despite the much better mpg. For me at least, something like the Smart is smart for commuting and shopping, but not for heavy-duty highway adventures.

Tom

[Dave Reese]

So now I'm thinking that after I return, I might sell the 1958, and buy a "less vintage" big ol' car (heavy sedan). Then I'll use it to target some regions in USA and Canada for further investigation on future trips. Maybe a 2000 Mercedes-Benz E320, or some such. Can't imagine doing a lot of traveling in a tiny car, despite the much better mpg. For me at least, something like the Smart is smart for commuting and shopping, but not for heavy-duty highway adventures.

Tom

Tom, at that time you may wish to look towards a MINI as they are not small on the inside, but get better gas mileage and are fun to drive! You can road test our MINI Clubman when you are in Allentown.

[Keep the Show on the Road!]

Dave - thanks for the update. I think I'll pass on those RD materials. But now I'm keeping an eye open for 1980s AAA travel guides.

As always, I'm probably going into overdrive on the pre-trip flights of fancy. If I were to follow even 10% of my plans, the trip would probably take a couple years.

Something I'm finding more perplexing: I want to make this trip in honor of my parents, tracing their original coast to coast dream. But in my reading and research, I'm finding more and more things to see than I possibly have time for on this one trip.

So now I'm thinking that after I return, I might sell the 1958, and buy a "less vintage" big ol' car (heavy sedan). Then I'll use it to target some regions in USA and Canada for further investigation on future trips. Maybe a 2000 Mercedes-Benz E320, or some such. Can't imagine doing a lot of traveling in a tiny car, despite the much better mpg. For me at least, something like the Smart is smart for commuting and shopping, but not for heavy-duty highway adventures.

Tom

Tom,

It is good to hear that you are excited about your cross country road travel prospects. Over the years I have done a lot of road trips, but it wasn't until a couple of years ago, and because of this forum, that I took a transcontinental road trip. It is described here under the Hypotenuse Trail. I did another cross country last year on "my" National Parks Highway. My only regret is that I waited so long.

When I took the Hypotenuse Trail trip, the news was all doom and gloom. If you watched TV you would be certain the country was about to implode. But when I followed the two lane roads of this country from Florida to the Puget Sound, there was no disaster in the making. To the contrary, we were happy, busy, friendly, working hard, and mowing our lawns. The same on my trip last year across the northern states on the old National Parks Highway..

What you want to see isn't in the guide books, and it won't appear on any map. It exists in the people, and along the roadsides, and on the sidewalks. It's the folks in a drug store in Kansas, a gas station in the Dakotas, and a soda fountain in Nebraska. You will see it in a cornfield in Minnesota, a winding road through the woods in Arkansas, and a snow capped peak in Wyoming. And what you see and learn will make you a better man....at least it did me.

I have one caution. Stay off the d*** interstates as much as possible. They are great for getting from place to place, but that is not your objective. On the Hypotenuse Trail trip I stayed on two lane roads all the way, except for a short section I couldn't avoid on the interstate in Wyoming. The immediate feeling on the interstate was one of distance. I was immediately disconnected from the countryside and the people.

If you want to appreciate America, meet our people, and feel the experience, do it the American Road way.......in a Mercedes, Mini Cooper, Miata, Ford F-150, or Subaru Forester.

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road!

[knightfan26917]

But in my reading and research, I'm finding more and more things to see than I possibly have time for on this one trip.

I had that same revelation as I was researching for my Route 66 trip in early 2009. I became so overwhelmed with what all I was being told I "should" see that I finally sat down, made a list of all that had been suggested, crossed off things that I knew for sure really didn't interest me, then formulated an itinerary from what was left. As I did that, I had a good idea of what I could and could not see given the timeframe, so I eliminated things further, to ensure that my 2 weeks was WELL used. And, those 2 weeks in September 2009 were the best road tripping 2 weeks.

On the Hypotenuse Trail trip I stayed on two lane roads all the way, except for a short section I couldn't avoid on the interstate in Wyoming. The immediate feeling on the interstate was one of distance. I was immediately disconnected from the countryside and the people.

I know what you mean, Dave. I felt that way on my way back home, after my September 2009 Route 66 trip. Funny thing is ... prior to that trip ... I never felt disconnected on the interstates. Why? Because every single road trip prior to that 2009 journey, my goal was to meet people I knew from various groups/message boards, including family members and friends. So, I didn't mind the jaunt on the interstates, because the quicker I arrived at each town, the more time I had to spend with the people I planned to meet. Even so, I took my time and stopped when I needed, etc., and still met a number of people along the way. Plus, in most cases, I was driving only 5-6 hours a day, giving me ample time.

I'm eager to see how my 2011 trip will go, based on those experiences. This year, my trip has to be on the interstates, given my relatively short time (just over 2 weeks) to go from some car shows in Pennsylvania to some spots along Route 66 (including stops in IL, MO, KS, OK and TX) to Washington and Oregon. I have some 2-lane jaunts planned, but not as many as I'd like. If only I had more than 2 weeks of vacation, I'd be set. Some have suggested I wait to do that type of trip until retirement ... except that is some 30 years down the road, and we are NEVER guaranteed "tomorrow"....



Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_05.21.11_FrnkGrv.IL *
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Time asks no questions" __ Des'ree __ 'You Gotta Be'

[NutmegCT]

At last, an update. I had to sell my wonderful 1958 Mercedes to pay for the unexpected expenses of 2011. (Cancer, eye surgery, two floods ... hey, don't want to get bored!)

Spent a few months in the dumps but finally snapped out of it and decided that ... as long as my body is a wreck, I might as well get a "rolling wreck" old Mercedes, and make the trip after all. Make sure it's mechanically sound, but ignore the cosmetic problems.

One ad said "Looks bad, needs help, but still runs." Just like me.

So here's my "new" 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190b. Four cylinder, 90hp, 4 speed, lots of dents and scratches.

Click on the images for a close up.

 1960MB190b.jpg   138.71K   20 downloads

 2012-10-29_12-18-28_596.jpg   148.84K   24 downloads

 2012-10-29_12-19-38_227.jpg   187.96K   14 downloads

California or Bust!

Edited by NutmegCT, 11 November 2012 - 06:46 PM.

[Keep the Show on the Road!]

Tom,

Welcome back!!! It has been over a year and we are all a little worse for wear, but hanging in there!

That is an amazingly original machine....or at least it sure looks that way from here. I really love the interior, and the simple wheel treatment.

That photo of the engine brought back my days as a gas jocky while I was in college in the early 60's. I have forgotten what spark plugs look like....mine are buried under acres of ducts and control hardware. Imagine just reaching in with a socket wrench and removing a plug!

What are your revised plans? When are you launching the grand adventure?

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road!

[mobilene]

Your car, sir, is what we like to call a "survivor," and in some ways that's better than one well restored. It bears the marks of its use. It makes it more authentic.

Please keep us updated on your progress toward hitting the road. And when you pass through Ohio and Indiana, I strongly recommend the National Road, better known today as US 40. There are several great old alignments, too, some of them brick and concrete laid almost 100 years ago, if you're into that sort of thing.

-Jim

[DennyG]

"Looks bad, needs help, but still runs." I believe quite a few of us resemble that remark.

Your "rolling wreck" looks mighty good to me. Nice to see you back on the forum with travel talk flowing.