THE GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE LOOP TOUR - Day 5

August 20, 2017,  Twin Falls, ID to Cascade, ID, 215 miles.  Interstate 84 to Boise, with a stop at the Glenns Ferry Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

Well stocked Conestoga wagon on display in the Center.   But every corner in this little town seemed to have a wagon somewhere.   They do a reenactment of a wagon train crossing of the Snake River here every year.

Just happened to stumble on this new tractor lot, it was love at first sight, I want one of these.

Turned north from Boise on hwy 55 along side the Payette River, very scenic drive, lots of rafters in the white water sections.

We made it, Cascade we are here. 

Got our eclipse gear so we are properly attired to watch.

Staying at the Ashley Inn, a real elegant facility in this little town.

Love the grand staircase,,,,,

Oh, oh, Patti found teapots for sale.  Me:  "No, no, no, we can't possible squeeze one of those in!" Patti: "Do we need this ugly bag of tools?"

Everyone on this tour finally all in the same place at the same time.  Gathered at the Van't Hof  cabin for a taco feast,  Dave and Janet and their two beautiful daughters did an incredible amount of work just for us.    Thank you, thank you, not only for the feast, but also all the preliminary legwork for us.

Finished off with a sunset from the Van't Hof deck.

Long day,  but I must say we did receive the following picture of Tippy waiting for our next post.  Don't worry Tippy, we will be back in a couple weeks.

THE GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE LOOP TOUR - Day 4

August 19, 2017,  195 miles, Tremonton, UT to Twin Falls, ID.  Off we go to Promontory Point, site of the meeting of the transcontinental railroad.   Lot of pictures here, click on any one to get a larger version.   The railroad was built from the west by Chinese workers and from the east by Irishmen.  About one mile of track was laid per day, except one super effort where 10 miles was laid in one day.   Tunneling through the Sierras progressed at 8 inches a day.













The engines could not be pulled out for the spike ceremony today because of a broken rail, which has been broken for months.   The sad story is that the Park Service, the State, the County, the Indian tribe, archeologists and environmental impact people all must give their approval to replace one length of track.  And so it sits, mired in red tape.   Amazing.   Anyway, we toured the engine house and admired those beauties.   Click on any picture for a large version.

But they put on a pretty nice reenactment of the driving of the spike with all the dignitaries and their speeches.   Study the picture below, one of those dignitaries looks mighty like one of our own.  Incidentally, Chuck wore long pants today just so he could get a part.   (Governor Safford from AZ)

Second stop was at Orbital ATK (formerly Thiokol) where they have a display of all the missiles and propulsion systems that they have produced over the years.

This is the business end of the reusable space shuttle boosters.

Next stop, a repeat visit to the Ranch Café in Snowville for lunch, todays special, strawberry rhubarb pie with ice cream.

Hello Idaho.

Look at this speed limit,,,,,

I think we are getting close to the eclipse zone,,,,

Impromptu tail gate party at one of the fuel stops.

Tonight, got a sunset shot over the famed Perrine Bridge over the Snake River.

Base jumpers were going off the bridge while we were there.  Leisurely end to the day strolling on the edge of the Snake River Gorge.

And tomorrow the craziness begins, been watching the news about the eclipse, I hope we can get to our destination.

THE GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE LOOP TOUR - Day 3

August 18, 2017, 255 miles, Elko, NV to Tremonton, UT.  Today was rather low key for our adventurous bunch.  Just drove and drove and drove.  Actually got in early for a change, which was nice. 

Morning drivers meeting.

Interstate 80 to state route 233/30, you know not much is happening when you start counting cars in a train, 101 cars incidentally. 

At our gas stop in Montelo, NV, I think we outnumbered the citizens of the town.   Anyway, made their day at the gas station/store.

Welcome to Utah's back door.

I nominate route 233/30 for the new loneliest road.  Nothing but grass as fur as the eye kin see.

Lunch in the little town of Snowville, UT, you have to go to a mom and pop restaurant to get fresh homemade peach cobbler.   

Back to civilization on I84, found out my A wants to do 60 when the day is almost done.

Told you it was a low level day, tomorrow is Promontory Point.

THE GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE LOOP TOUR - Day 2

August 17, 2017,  284 miles, Fallon, NV to Elko, NV.  Five summits, the highest was Mt Airy at 6679 feet.  Few little A problems:  Bill Nicholson lost his fuel pump, had to direct plumb his Weber carb.  Chuck Elderton is losing water, I am losing water, and my fan belt adjustment loosened itself somehow, I thought, oh, oh, alternator is fried.  Tightened the belt, and it seems to be okay.  Added a little stopleak, we'll see.

This morning while doing my walk-around, I discovered dents in my radiator from yesterday's hail storm.   Holy Cow!!!  Good thing I screeched to a stop when I did.  That thing is pounded.

Had the morning drivers meeting, and hit the road.  Next door in the Big 5 parking lot there was another drivers meeting going on.  This bunch of motorcycles are on their way to an American Legion Convention in Reno.   Talked to a couple of them, they do a fundraising ride to the National Convention (Where ever it happens to be).  Last year they raised one million dollars for veterans.    Most of the guys were Viet Nam veterans, although did talk to one Afghanistan vet.   Worthwhile cause really supported by the vets.

Pressed on to Middlegate,  an old Pony Express and stagecoach stop. 

Bob found a new restoration project.

Inside Middlegate, the ceiling was covered with one dollar bills,  Bob Beaman says he has one up there somewhere.

Linda liked the little riding horse, we tried to plug it in to no avail.

And guess what,  down the road, the shoe tree is still there!!!

Pressed on, lots of this,,,,,,

After all, it is the loneliest road.

Lunch in Austin, think this is redneck country???

More lonely road on route 305,  not much to do, took a selfie of Pat driving.

We are in Elko, thriving NV town, driven by gold and minerals.  And this is Basque country so found us a Basque restaurant to stuff our selves.

Leaving the restaurant, we were informed that we were on the edge of the redlight district.   My censor won't allow any pictures.     Internet at this motel is excrutiatingly slow, yawn. Goodnite.

THE GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE LOOP TOUR - Day 1

August 16, 2017:   319 miles.  San Jose, CA to Fallon, NV.   Gathered at the usual Model A meeting spot in Milpitas, and took a group picture.  Kelly Bybee and the Fontaines came down to see us off.  Click on any picture to get a large version.

Waded through the morning traffic on 680 and onto the backroads of Livermore.  Just love this scene on Vasco Road heading out of Livermore.

Vasco to Hwy 4, held my breath on this tight squeeze for Rich.

Lunch at Cook's  Station on Hwy 88 above Jackson.   We have passed this place so many times in the past and never stopped.    Well, today we stopped and had a very nice lunch.

Mega burger for Chuck

After lunch, continued on 88.   Dark clouds, raining, and then marble sized hail, I thought the windshield was going to break.   Slapped on the brakes and sat it out.   Discovered all my roof leaks.  When we continued, the road was almost covered with hail.

Once we crested Carson Pass, the weather was behind us and we cruised down into NV.   We are in Fallon tonight, where we met up with Jones's, Griffins and Andersons.  So now we are 6 Model A's, 3 moderns and 2 RV's.         319 miles for us from our house.   All cars running fine so far.

Riddle for the day:  When is a door not a door?         When it is a jar.

Pat's favorite sign today:   Worm Farm and Saloon.

THE GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE LOOP TOUR

Departing on Aug 17 for Cascade, Idaho with at least 7 Model A's and a couple of moderns and one RV.  We will view from a mountain top north of Boise, hosted by David Van't Hof at his cabin.  The hoopla seems to get bigger every day, with tens of thousands of people expected in this little town of 900 people.   Farmers are renting out fields for RV's, motel prices have gone throught the roof, grocery stores will probably sell out, highway patrol is expecting jammed highways, who knows what to expect?  We made our hotel reservations a year ago, before they realized they could quadruple the rate and still have a full house.

Anyway, the A is packed (with A stuff) and Patti is working on the people stuff and we will be away next Wednesday.

And after the eclipse, it will be wandering Model A's all over the Northwest with our northern most destination being Victoria, BC.        Stay tuned,,,,,,,,,,,,    

Update:   The A is packed (stuffed) and we are ready to go, Maybe we should leave tomorrow, before anything else appears.