New Purchase & Seeking Larry Jowdy

Yep, you'll be rolling through Rolla

Larry, your comment sounds foreboding. Perhaps I can find another Bates Motel in some other town?

Perhaps Tom, but I'm headed to Stanistan 

In the back of my mind I was think these old guys - Jack and Rich - sure do rock with miles they put on antique cars --- then I looked in the mirror,.  OH NO, not me too!

Rich, Needles is good enough for a 1 night stand... 

Funny, Greg, funny 

"One night stand"? Oh, boy! I doubt it though, I'll probably have a headache by then.

Rich, are you doing pretty much a let's get her straight home or looking to do a little sight seeing along Route 66 as well ? Obviously you've got the straight route home on that map but if you haven't done Route 66 before, there's a few things you don't want to miss that are right on your route and easy to find. Then, there's much more if you have the time. I'd be happy to suggest a few spots....and I think the Bates Motel might be in Winslow, Az.

You're committed now, Rich.

 

You are an official guest of state in the People's Republic of Stanistan. We've got 4 spare bedrooms to choose from in the Presidential Palace-- we'll plan to put you up in the "ambassador's suite" (as long as you have no Packer's gear hidden in your luggage). I can even offer you a stall in the taj-mgarage to protect your new limo from the elements.

 

I've got a Texas roll-back trailer with a winch, and can offer you "sag-wagon" service within a hundred mile of the borders of my little republic (not that a mighty 1500 would ever need that). We can try to connect with Bob for a little pre-daze meeting during your visit, should you have the time.

 

How can you say no to an offer like that?

David, I'll be playing the trip with the hand dealt to me. That said, sadly, I don't think I will have much play time. John Hallstrand has mentioned some stretch of Route 66 that i might veer off on. Timing is never good for me and my home life.

 

Stan, not only are your The President, but a gracious one to boot. If my hours behind the wheel of "Betty" (the now-owners call her that) allow for such socializing, I'll gladly take you up on the offer. Currently (as of today), I might be able to pull into Stanistan on Friday evening, traveling from the Joplin area that morning...all things pending white outs in the Texas pan handle which I guess is happening today.

 

Thanks, men! This SOC-thing gets better everyday!

Just to clarify, that's "President for Life", beloved by the citizens. You may simply call me, "his eminence".

 

All joking aside: there's nothing to talk about here-- you sir, are committed. Let me know when you plan to be here, and we'll kill the fatted ribeye.

I gotcha Rich. Sounds like our first trip when we bought the speedster in Idaho. So, my short list of things right on your travel plan: Williams, Az is a nice place for a night, get your pic taken "on the corner" in Winslow, Az but don't stay there overnight. Continue on and stay overnight in Holbrook, Az at the Wigwam Motel. Stay or at least eat at the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, NM. You should try to stay for the night at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM. Mex food at the Pow Wow Cafe/ Lizard Lounge or excellent BBQ at Watson's, two blocks off the main drag. If you slow down near Amarillo, TX and like steak you can't go wrong at the Big Texan. Oklahoma City has some of the best steak at the Stockyards... 

David, without doing more research (my head is currently spinning with all of these urgent logistics), the only thing on your list right now that seems to fit (so far) is the motel in Tucumcari. That currently is one of my planned destination overnight pit stops, so that's good to hear of a recommendation. Last week, if someone said I would be spending a night in Tucumcari, I'd think they were off their rocker. Just shows you what life can hand you.

Don't sweat the trip, Rich. Get the front end pointed East and enjoy the ride. Lot's of nice places to stop all along the way. I was just naming a few of our favourites. You'll find some of your own too.

Cool purchase Rich! Please keep us up to date on your grand road trip.  Will be fun!

Perusing the news this morning, I'm awfully glad that I'm not traveling along I-40 right now. Hopefully it will all be melted for my expedition next week.

Rich,  I haven't been in Needles in decades so it must have changed.  We used to hunt White winged dove there and the cockroaches on the side of the restaurant(s) were bigger than the birds...Just a recollection FWIW 

 

Roy, on the subtle advice of many (cockroaches have been mentioned), I'm going to try to push on a little further that first night to Kingman,AZ. Perhaps the scorpions there will cut me a break.

Here's the intended itinerary as of Friday morning:

Fly out Monday morning for LAX

Purchase in Santa Barbara Monday evening

Depart for Larry Jowdy's in Ontario from Oxnard Tuesday morning

Arrive Larry Jowdy's appx. 9:00am

Depart from Larry's at head for Kingman, AZ whenever Larry gives me the green light.

Depart for Tucumcari sometime Tuesday (I hope, see above), NM Wednesday morning

Depart for Jane, MO Thursday morning

Depart for Stanistan Friday morning

Depart for Colgate,WI Saturday morning

First sign of bad weather, windy conditions in AZ, NM and TX about the time I'll be passing through. I hope they're tail winds. Anyone know if there are prevailing westerlies?

Sure hope it's a tail wind, Rich. You've set yourself a pretty ambitious schedule getting out of Kingman, Az....

Thanks David, I know you speak from experience since I've looked into your travels when you had originally posted. You were on a "joy" ride, I'm on a forced march. If I can't do it at that pace, I'll just have to live with it. My stop in Missouri is with a friend. Friday's visit with "The President for Life of the Republic of Stanistan" and his Deputy of the Neighborhood, Bob Garrett, is intended for Friday so I won't completely mess up there weekend. "The President for Life of the Republic of Stanistan" has been very gracious about his offer and might bend his rules if I show up late.

Rich---I sure wih I was making this trip with you---what a wonderful adventure!  Please keep us posted along your route!

What Jack said - keep us posted if you can and be safe!  Avoid $15 a night motels.

 

This has prevailing wind info:

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/htmlfiles/westwinddir.html

 

 

 

 

"The President for Life of the Republic of Stanistan"

Isn't he called "The Lovely Leader" or something like that by "his people"?

 

Enquiring minds want to know........

 

And how come nobody signed up to make this trip as a Navigator??  You got BO or sumthin?

 

And on those $15/nite motels - I stayed in the fabulous Thunderbird motel in Las Vegas once - just once.  The worst flea-bag I've ever stayed in, anywhere in the World, including el Salvador (and THAT was pretty bad, believe me!). Fortunately, you're not gong through Vegas (or ARE you?)

Rich,

Nice Beetle.  I can relate, bought a brand new Bug in 1970 - orange - and drove it all through college and two years of the first job.  Have a safe trip and keep us posted on progress.   

*Ahem.*

 

Since you asked, that's "President for Life, Beloved by his People", but you're a friend Gordon, so you may simply refer to me as "His Eminence".

 

I also have a take on the $15/night hotels. Stay in 'em. Road tripping in an old car by oneself is the most cathartic thing I can think of. The only things that can make it better are several pounds of beef jerky, a "field-repairable" breakdown somewhere along the way, and crashing for the night in a hotel owned/operated by somebody from the Asian subcontinent. My winner for 2012 was in West Wendover, NV: $29/night. For internet access, they gave me the WEP code for the Super 8 next door. Priceless.

 

I'll look for you Friday night, Rich, but we'll leave the light on for you all weekend.

When I was a VP of Engineering, I preferred to be addressed as "your VPness."  (Say it out loud)

"For internet access, they gave me the WEP code for the Super 8 next door. Priceless."

  Very funny!

It was seriously most excellent, Ron.

Dear "Your Eminence", if I can stay on track on Wednesday and Thursday, the 600 miles plus days, Friday should be a piece of Cake, only about 475 that day...you might have to quit work early on Friday. If I beat you home, I'll be the derelict in the driveway with the Sea Breeze Blue Dub.

600 mi should be a piece of cake, Rich. It's 4 of them all in a row that might get to 'ol blue.

 

Keep in mind that it's the process, not the goal that makes the whole thing fun. If you wanted efficiency, your best bet would've been to put it on a covered transport and see it in a week or so.

 

But you knew that already.

 

I'm personally wearing ruts in the road between Peoria and SLC. I plan to do it again in May or June, driving my '64 panel back (and breaking in the rebuilt 2110 and transaxle) rather than the speedster (or tow rig) this time. It's a LOT more fun in an air-cooled car. FWIW, I know every Motel 6 on the I80 corridor between Omaha and Rock Springs, W/Y.

 

Be well. Buy beef jerky. Keep us updated. Enjoy the adventure.

So true, Your Eminence, I think just seeing dirt, sand and maybe some grass (they don't believe in that stuff out southwesterly do they) will do me good. I'm sick of white (the presence of all colors), it still looks like Iglooville up here. I shall do what is needed to cope with the situation at hand each day.

Sounds like a fantastic 'road trip'.  Too bad John Belushi couldn't join you.

 

Bob, Dan Aykroyd signed up just this morning. My gas mileage just took a dump.

Oooops... Your Eminence, I noticed an error above. I will be departing Jane, MO on Friday morning. FYI

Dear "You're Immense":

 

Please accept my sincere apology for my earlier faux pas.  Being from humble beginnings, I was unaware of the proper protocol of addressing someone of your immense stature.  When I was working, I had 'my people' (those of less fortunate beginnings) refer to me as "el Hefe de Oro" ( The Boss of Gold ).  

 

I really liked that.  

 

But they kept calling me the 'Heifer of Oreos' and, since that time, I have never appreciated that cows and cookies went together all that well.  

 

So I guess your Immensity's finding out about my past and sending me off to the mines of Stanistan to work for a while is a wise and just way of showing me my small place in the Universe (or multiple places, if you're a Quantum Physicist).  I promise to learn much from this experience and hope, soon, to use my new-found knowledge of these Quantums to be in multiple places at once and get the hell out of here.  Maybe even to Carlislestan.

 

 

Okay, okay, this is the first time thread drift is affecting me (must be my bad thread drift karma). This particular thread could be my life line next week. Can we hold down the "Immense" and "Eminence" chatter here. If you guys want to talk about your titles, let's open another topic...lest I get stranded out in the middle of New Mexico or someplace worse

How about Roswell?  That's seems appropriate based on this thread.

 

 

I'm in Roswell but if you get stranded in the surrounding areas, you might get scalped by the Navajo or have your money taken by one of the casinos.