Thursday, July 13, 2006

Day 8 - Indy Motor Speedway

Two groups with 3 model A’s in each headed for Indianapolis this morning. It was so humid, there was a light mist covering everything and it was foggy. You could definitely hear the corn growing. The corn growers have placed “Burma Shave” signs along the road knocking the buying of oil and promoting the buying of ethanol. In fact, we pulled into a service station today and one of the choices was 85% ethanol.










The big event of the day was a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All six cars arrived at various times and Don S. was met by his lovely daughter Nancy. She was glad to be able to finally match our names with our faces and cars. Highlight of the day was to ride around the track (in a van) and get a track's eye view of what the drivers are looking at. Too bad we couldn’t take our Model A’s. The museum has beautiful old Indy 500 photos on display. There are a lot of vintage and modern racecars that have won the event on display also, as well as a lot of driver memorabilia. There is a large display case devoted to Willy Ribbs from San Jose, Ray probably knows him. Yes, we are making friends everywhere, today we met a couple from the Champaign Model A club. Invited them to come along with us but they declined.

Finished off with a long hot drive on the interstate 465 around Indianapolis and down I70 to Dayton. Jack and Don took the direct route through the middle of Indianapolis and then on secondary roads instead and got here 15 minutes afterward, they would have beaten us except for a detour which took them out onto the interstate for a few miles. There must be a message there somewhere.

Talked to Bill R, he toured the John Deere plant in Moline today and also Ronald Reagan's birthplace in Tampico, IL.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Day Eight, July 13, 2006

Again we woke to fog in the morning in Bloomington. Hot, humid, clinging, fog that obscured our view of the road, like running down an endless white corridor. The only way we could tell if we were climbing or descending was by feeling the drag on the motor and watching the speedometer. After a long, farewell circle around the town ( why is it so difficult to get out of these places?), we headed East on Hwy 36, which was another two lane rural route…giving us an alternative to the frantic pace of interstate 74. The map indicated many small towns along the way, but we couldn’t see them for the fog everywhere. Running low on gas and full on…well…we made an instrument landing in Chrisman, and found a little post office along the way to mail Ken’s Birthday Card…40. Tomorrow.

We proceeded into Indianapolis, fighting the ever increasing traffic, and finally found the Speedway Museum. Took a van ride around the track and looked at all the cars in the exhibit there, and spent too much money on souvenirs. Then off we sped in another big circle around the town on Hwy 465 to Hwy 70, which was a perfect madhouse of sixteen wheelers and crazy commuters, each determined to kill us. They all failed, and we arrived, hot, wet, and tired, once more.

We are spending the night in Dayton. In the rather lower environs of the town…beyond the railroad tracks…on the wrong side of them, in fact. This is going to be a long night. I have unpacked the heavier tools from the truck in case we need to make a stand in the middle of the night. Some comfort is taken in company. Dave & Susan, Ted & Susan, us, Patti & Bob, Jack &Don, and Will are all here. They may get some of us, but they can’t get us all…

This is the kind of motel where you just leave your socks on at all times, check the sheets closely, pass on the shower, brush your teeth, and leave by 6:00AM or earlier.

One neat thing we saw was last night visiting Dave & Susan’s friends…fireflies! Charming! Then, Patti had to go and ruin the glow this morning by saying,

“Shut up John, and get in the g+dd++n car!” And I didn’t even do nothing…

On to Pennsylvania and West Virginia tomorrow…everyone’s running well, and we’re still speaking to each other…except me and Patti. I didn’t even say nothing… really.

~ Dayton (pray for us) Ohio, John & Judy and a bigger band of A’s

Anonymous said...

I am getting stoked for my trip to BOS. I went out and bought a Garman Tom Tom GPS. I hope it will take me and Larry C. around the falling down tunnel. Do any of the car have GPS on board? Larry and I are now dreaming of going to Texas next convention. OK, you all be safe..... Darryl Coe

Anonymous said...

BOB CALLED ABOUT THE AIR CONDITIONERS TODAY, THE NICE MAN SAID THEY WERE SHIPPED ON WEDNESDAY AND GAVE US THE WRONG TRACKING NUMBER...SO LETS HOPE FOR THE BEST...YES RAY KNOWS WILLIE T. RIBBS HE LIVE BETWEEN JOHN AND JUDY AND US. HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY KEN. BOY JOHN YOU MUST FEEL REALLY OLD. RAY WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ABOUT JOE LENARD AT INDY HE ALSO LIVES BY US AND RACED. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACES...

Anonymous said...

Looks like you guys have had your share of fog and humid weather.Hope tomorrow is a better day. It won't be long now before you reach your destation.Miss you guys.

Pat said...

You all know that sometimes you just have to tell John where to go at 6:30 AM.....all in good fun. We have all been having a great time, and have great traveling buddies.

Stacey T. said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture in the race car!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Bob & Pat,
Great pictures! did you see any pedal cars @ Indy? Will you be making a detour to the farm? just to see what it looks like. So does ethanol work? What was the price? take care

Anonymous said...

Great pictures, especially Patti in the race car! All smiles as usual. Happy to hear no more car problems. Tom Boyd called me last night for an update since he doesn't have a computer. Says he's too old for this modern stuff. He said he was following your weather on the TV, I said, "You have TV?"
Everythings fine at home. Bob, I checked your sprinkler systems again, everythings working. Mary comes home from Seattle today. She and Kathy have had a great time, eating, touring, drinking wine; sounds like a Model A group to me. Miss you guys. Al J.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear the cars are behaving. Here is a thought for today:
"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams."
~Ashley Smith
Pat, great job keeping John in line!
Happy birthday Ken! 40! Ouch! That's pretty old.
Janet

Anonymous said...

We are enjoying your trip across country. It's nice to "tag along".
Hi to Jack!
Charlie and Jackie Davies
Phoenix, Arizona

Anonymous said...

Honestly, is there anyone in the Bay Area related to cars that Ray doesn't know?

On the way back from Idaho City, we came across a contraption that linked 2 motorcyles (for Mom and Dad) to a side car for the 2 kids. Your photo made me think that maybe you'd like to try that way to travel next? ;)