Day 6 - Woke up and wonder of wonders, it was DRY!!!! And it was Speedway Motors day. From the ladies, “never saw the men so excited to get up and go” (Speedway Motors only two miles away). Judy opted not to go, Patti went to keep the tour under 2 hours and failed miserably according to her. From the men “what a great tour and it was way too short.”
Never saw so many pedalcars or engines or lunchboxes or tether cars or real race cars, and race driver memorabilia. Loved the Indy display, marveled at the yellow cab memorabilia display. (Mary J, they had over 400 lunchboxes).Patti was at the door blowing the whistle, when we finally departed at 10:45. Got out of Lincoln after 800 red lights and rock-and-rolled across Iowa. The terrain is very rolling, 60 mph down for 1/2 mile, 55 mph on the flat for 1/2 mile and 45 mph on the uphill for 1/2 mile, over and over and over.
We stopped in Red Oak to meet the Hoeghs (young Bob’s inlaws). Bill R (Calif. farmer) talked farming with Monty Hoegh (Iowa farmer). Did you know that there are 480,000 trucks and pickups in the Midwest and 564,000 tractors and 85,500 combines????
We sent John and Judy out ahead as scouts and when the temperature and the humidity reached 85 degrees, they called it a day and we are encamped at Chariton, IA. We had a Chinese buffet next door to the motel, and not bad for this far from China and across the street from a really big Harley Davidson dealer.PS from M: Thanks to John and Judy for the pictures - my dad is having "damn flaky internet problems" and couldn't get them online.
* Update 7/12 at 5:30am: got a few more pics from my dad so I added them above. ~M
11 comments:
Hey I recognize the car in the first picture! Wow, I still can't believe how far you've traveled...
Wonderful pics!
It looks like you guys are having a greaaat time. Wish I was there...I could have hid in the back...Hee hee....just kiddin. I hope you guys continue to have a greaaaat time. Other then the tire problem you had a few days ago... Oh yea and your car doesnt look like its been driven halfawy across the country!~~~Lauren
July 11, Day Six (?)
I’m forgetting what day this is, sitting here in the parking lot of the Speedway Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. Just had to fix that throttle linkage before it drove me nuts, so missed the museum tour. We got on the road luxuriously late this morning, since the museum is only a few miles from the motel. Will’s front bearing seems to be holding…the old one had to be chiseled off the axle last night by the light of car headlights…at least it wasn’t raining at that point. They just came out of the museum…more strangers have walked by to comment about the odd sight of a man sitting on a Model A running board with a laptop balanced on his knees (10:30 AM).
We left Lincoln by a circuitous route. Seems you can’t get out of this town without driving a fifteen mile maze, with forty stoplights and a hundred people hanging out their car windows…”where’s the car show?” Crossed the wide, muddy Missouri river at noon on an ancient toll bridge, complete with a little old guy in a wooden booth collecting $1.25 per car…and writing down each transaction with a pencil! Over the bridge and into the rolling farmland of Iowa we sped along a two lane highway under clouds that made the humidity palpable. Corn everywhere as far as the eye might wander. Highway 34 ran through little towns like Glenwood, Red Oak, where we had the obligatory sloppy joe for lunch. Then on to Afton, Osceola, Lucas, and finally Chariton, where we said “ENOUGH” and stopped for the night at a little rustic motel (Royal Rest) run by East Indians. We walked down the highway to a Chinese Buffet…all this in the middle of Iowa!
All the churches have steeples, the corn seems to be higher, and the little towns along 34 belong to another time long ago, although each one seems to have a Subway Sandwich franchise. We go on to Bloomington Illinois tomorrow, while Bob & Pat & Bill make a short detour to the Deere Plant in Moline. Don’t know what Jack and Don have planned…we’ll ask his drummer…you know…that different one. More than once, he’s started behind the group, we’ll drive several hundred miles, only to find he’s out there in front of us as we approach a town. He’s having generator problems, so we’ll have to keep him on a shorter tether out here in the wilds of Iowa.
And finally, Tom, back there in civilization, we’re thinking about you tonight. Take care, buddy. See you when we return…
John & Judy and a band of A’s
Chariton, Iowa 9PM (early for a change)
Following your progress on an itinerary highlighted map. Sounds like a very fun trip. Do you think a 1960 Austin Healy would make a USA crossing? Looking forward to seeing you on your return trip through MN. Give us a call anytime. Bob and Pat Wantabees
Half way there WOW. Ray and Linda were here tonight. We are going to leave on the 23rd. Can't wait to meet up with you guys.We went to the Speedway Motors before they moved. It's really something to see.Hope day 7 is a good one for all. Is Mr Rose keeping cool?
You guys are making great time and having a great time doing it! Talked to Don last nite and he told me all about the tractors and pedal cars and tons of neat stuff.
Could we have some pictures of all the cars and the people? A group shot?
I need faces and cars to go with names 'cause I don't know anybody but Don and Jack.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks
Carol Stewart
Neat pictures of the Missouri River from a Model A's viewpoint. Glad you guys got to meet some Iowa VIPs. :-)
Cool slideshow Ken!
In trying to keep y'all abreast of the law, here are the laws you need to know when staying/driving through Illinois (I included a special set for Bill Rose as I believe he is going to Chicago)
Dumb Illinois Laws
You may be arrested for vagrancy if you do not have at least one dollar bill on your person.
You may be convicted of a Class 4 felony offense, punishable by up to three years in state prison, for the crime of "eavesdropping" on your own conversation. -720 ILCS 5/14-2.
You must contact the police before entering the city in an automobile.
The English language is not to be spoken.
Chicago
Law forbids eating in a place that is on fire.
It is illegal to give a dog whiskey.
Kites may not be flown within the city limits.
Spitting is forbidden
In the Pullman area, it is illegal to drink beer out of a bucket while sitting on the curb.
It is forbidden to fish while sitting on a giraffe's neck.
It is legal to protest naked in front of city hall as long as you are under seventeen years of age and have legal permits.
Love the daily news!
Janet
Hi Bob, Pat & gang -
I'm commenting without my Bob's help. :-) Talked to my mom last night and she said they had such a wonderful time meeting you all in Red Oak. Thanks for taking the time. Bob & I wish we could have joined you too. After reading John & Judy's recap, I can just picture the GREEN cornfields all around. I love the fields of corn & beans! (also brings back memories of walking the beans to pull weeds...everyone's summer job).
We love to read the blog.
Love, Jane (little Bob's wife)
Harley says "hi".
Bob, with Marymia's help, I have found a way for you to feast your eyes on some chocolate! Go to this page.
Enjoy!
Janet
bob and pat
aim the buggers, straight ahead,
or as the crows fly ???
have a soft landing
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