Illinois Peeps

Jeanie and I took the speedster up to Chicago to visit my daughter and her husband this weekend. Friday afternoon, it was 99 deg in Dwight, and pouring rain from Joliet on. I waited over an hour in stop-n-go traffic to cross the Fox River bridge south of Joliet.

It was a blast. September is absolutely the best month of the year to drive these cars in the midwest. As crazy as the trip up was, that's how perfect the trip home was. I got into a caravan of guys rolling 85- 90 mph on 55 all the way home. The car is running fantastically.

These cars are made to drive-- and after 13 years of owning them, I've finally got a group of good guys to cruise with. I'm really looking forward to Starved Rock/Ottawa/L-P with you guys.

Ditto!

Breakfast/Coffee your Majesty?

What do you have going today?

Kids baseball game and a get together at a neighbor's but good the balance of the week after drop off at 8:30 qt the Academy on Willow Knolls.

Hey guys, just to FYI, at Starved Rock there is parking up by the lodge AND there is also parking down lower by the visitor's center. If you come in off of I-80 at the Utica exit, (watch your speed too!) you cross the river and see the entrance to the lower lot on your left. If you come in from the Ottawa exit (First right as soon as you cross the river!) (recommended as the twisties on west 71 are fun!), you'll come to the lodge entrance that is the upper parking. They are connected. I'm just saying this in case one of you shows up and doesn't see anyone else, they are probably in the other parking lot!

By the way, if you do come in via the Utica exit, the JC Whitney store/ warehouse is right there which I know may be below everyone's standards, but still, it's there if you need a quick VW part.

Jeff

Hey, has anyone sent out the formal invite to Carey Hines?

That would be a solid 3 hour drive for him!

Yep. No hill for a climber.

Roll 'em.

Can you do this for us, Rich?

Starting to get excited about the Starved Rock event! What.... three weeks away?

Just took the speedy out for a short spin as I haven't had the opportunity to drive it in about three weeks. I fall in love with it every time, and mine is just a simple driver.

It's a solid 3 hours for me too...boohoo

I shall e-mail Mein Leader shortly, don't hold your breaths.

Mine is in pieces collecting dust in the shop. Just waiting for the crew to come by and sealcoat our driveway.

Anyone who isn't willing to drive 3 hours for a Speedster event should have their man card rescinded.  Heck some of us drive 2 or 3 days for Carlisle.  That's "drive", not "trailer".

I drive down to Effingham every 3 or 4 years for the VW show. It says on Google maps it's 3 hours, it actually takes about 4.5. Does that count?

You'll fit right in!

Roll 'em!

I will say, and this is totally off the topic, I've been writing a book for several years and the main character drives a red speedster. In one part he drives from Nappanee, Indiana to Gordonville, Pa in one shot. That's 610 miles, 11 hours.

We usually drive down in the morning, see the show and then head back home that night. Gotta stop in the Amish area for some fried chicken though!

I drove my speedster from Peoria, IL to Sacramento, CA almost exactly a year ago this week. The longest day was from Rock Springs, WY to Reno, NV. That was about a 750 mi day with a 6 hr stop at Blackline Racing in Salt Lake City. I burned and/or threw over 10 qts of oil that day (I had a split cylinder)-- left Rock Springs at first light, and got into Reno at 2 AM. It was the most fun I've had in a car since I was a kid. I'd still be driving around out there, if I had the time/resources.

Good times. They were made to drive.

Yeah and there's unfortunately an outlet mall right there in the area as well off 57 I think...  right seater heaven! Ever eat that shoo-fly pie the Amish sell down there?

How about an Amish speedster? One horsepower, black over black, neat wheels and a cool straw hat. 

Yeah, I know the strip mall. There is a HUGE antique store down there too!

I'd drive my VWs more if I could make them run longer than getting to the end of our driveway! It's my VW curse. I can design a suspension system with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back but I can't keep an air-cooled VW running more than 2 minutes. And completely forget about having one idle!!!

We will be heading down 47 to 80 to meet you guys in a few weeks .  This is part of 47 

^ most excellent, Marty.

This is shaping up nicely to be a good meet. It seems we hit that sweet spot of between 6 and 8 cars for these Illinois cruises.

Let's you stretch out and open the cars up on our good roads, enough distance between to be safe, close enough that the leaders don't lose the last folks in line. Our country roads work well for spring cruises (Corn Daze) because the crops aren't up too high and we can see around the twisty turns. 30 days later no sane individual would do what we did in some spots because the corn is too high and you can't see around the bend.

Maybe a late season, post harvest cruise would be another option. Cool weather, great fall colors and a couple stops for cider! Peoria Pumpkin Run? 

I'm in, Bob.

I'd like to get to Starved Rock via 89 thorough Metamora/Washburn. Honestly, the corn will be at least 50% down by the 21st.

Stan, now that I am a seasoned Land of Lincolner, that's a favorite road for me...I can putt along there really good and only get passed by a few pickups.

Hey Guys,  and Ladies;

                     I did some reconnaissance driving yesterday around my proposed route for the Starved rock Speedster drive...     And I'll admit I took my Hyundai Sonata !?!

     Yesterday was super hot and humid and it was nice to have the cold air cranked,  and it's not so easy to referr to various road maps in an open, breezy speedster.     I found this out a couple of weeks ago plotting the route around Oglesby in my speedster.

I'm now 85% carved in stone for the route.   I'm going for a long Motorcycle Ride Sunday morning,  with neighbors,  and I've explained that I need to finish refining a route maybe as far west as Spring Valley.  

           Trying to minimize the 'boring' straight roads as much as possible...     However,  they are often unavoidable as I try to tie together the awesome roads.   And there are many Awesome segments of this Drive!

The 'principle' stops are carved in stone:    Lunch will be around 1PM (or so) at "Tully Monster"  in old down town Morris IL.     This is a Bar & Grille with lots of appetizers and sandwiches and many craft beers on tap. (a pint of Victoria is $4).    There is also an Italian Rest. directly next door called "Corleone's".  

Dinner will be at "Captains Cove"  around 6:30-7PM  at Starved Rock Marina.    My plan is to call them at 11am with a head count reservation.

Plenty of "little stops"  (5-15 Min.):

            -Silver springs state park...    Good photo/bathroom break

            -Norway General store...   Gas/Soda.   Store has been operating since 1848

            -Seneca LST Memorial:  about 150 large LST's were manufactured on the IL. river

                                       during WW2

            -lot's of sections of abandoned I&M canal are all along this area.

Still planning on providing each car a color coded map!

Keep your fingers crossed for the weather!

regards

Chris 

This late dinner hour may necessitate me spending a night on a starved rock someplace with a soft bed...either that or I'm tailing off about 4-5pm. It gets dark early all of a sudden and grandpa here ain't diggin' night driving in a Speedster so much any more. I'll see how the day goes.

Joe Soltis! You still on?

Carey Hines? You've been silent. I thought I emailed you, but my memory fails me.

Mr. Boney?

Pete Konkel? You were notified!

Steve W., a day away from Rockford would do you good.

Starved Rock Lodge has some nice rooms. Even cabins if you feel so inspired!

Jeff

We will be there. Are we meeting at the upper parking lot? We'll be showing up in a blue Toyota FJ Cruiser. So if you see us, just flag us down.

Jeff

Chris, we should try to stop for dinner on the early side of your time estimate.  Rich, you can crash at our place Sat night and head home Sunday morning(no traffic).  No charge for breakfast  

OK,     Consider it done;

                 Lunch will be at 12 Noon...     And Diner will be at 5:30-6:00 PM.

Still need all the fingers crossed for perfect weather!

Chris

So,without having to reread the entire post, what is the projected # of participants in this event. Al & Bobbi Shapiro will be there.

Al:

Looks like 8 to 10 cars and 12 to 16 people. 

This will be fun! Can't wait to see your car, Al. I've enjoyed the pictures of it and I'm certain that it is even nicer in person.

Here's a list (since I have nothing to do)-add or subtract as anyone sees fit:

Stan & Jeannie

Bob Garrett

Rich Drewek

Marty & Sandy

Chris & Sue

Al & Bobbi

Jeff & his wife

Joe Soltis?

Tom Boney?

Joe Fortino?

Steve Wojciak?

Carey Hines?

Pete Konkel?

Chris and Illinois folks...I'm not familiar with the park.

Do we need any form of a pass? Will we be driving exclusively within the park or traveling other roads outside. Just curious.