Westward ho to Knotts

Go West, young man. Didn't Horace Greeley say that? Well, this old geezer is doing it too, beginning on Sunday morning, April 17th. I will be traveling mostly on I-40 with possible U.S. Route 66 segments through AZ and NM, depending on how the trip progresses. My overnights are tentatively set as follows:

1. Henryetta, OK
2. Moriarty, NM
3. Needles, CA
4. Buena Park, CA.....this is actually Wednesday

This plan allows an extra day as a buffer if the trip proves to be too ambitious or for any purpose I do not foresee. If all is going well, I will use the time for an unspecified side trip.

Anyone who is planning on attending Knotts and would like to drive along with me (I am solo on the trip but my other half is flying out to meet me), please let me know. I would enjoy the company.
John as in Hoss

ps. Anyone on the route who is not making the trip but would like to drive along for a ways, let me know also. I already have one taker in the Nashville, TN. area.

Hoss,

You get my "attaboy". I'll be mentally traveling with you. In 1964 I took my Healey 3000 from Chicago to Phoenix in October. I used the Mother Road, US 66 most of the way. This was before the Interstate System but a lot of it was 4 lane in IL, Mo, Ok, TX but then the 'ol two lane blacktops. I love to do that still, even in my advanced age, I envy you. Into the great unknown!

I should be pulling into Knotts Thursday afternoon, my Escape will be loaded down with some Shiners and Anchor Steam, even got a 6 of the A.S. ale for you to do a taste test on. We can toast the trip and get the Knotts experience off to a great start. May even round up a few other early comers and grab a steak next door at the Outback Steakhouse and tell road stories!

Getting excited, Bruce, "The Eagle Point Guy"

Hi John,
Sound a like a great trip you have planned - drive safe, rest often and have fun.

Someday I'd like to drive the spyder down the pacific coast highway (hwy 1). Steve would have to be the passenger so I could drive the whole way.

Like he's gonna let that happen... See you at Knotts!
angela

Go get 'em, John!

John, I'll post on this a little more later. For now my main comment is I think your driving distances are all very realistic and will give you some time to set up your gear and go check out the local diners. I have a few road cafes to recommend. Henryetta is very near the home town of Woody Guthrie (Okemah)and claims him as one of their own. Your NM spot is on the high side (high plains) of ABQ and the base side of the Sandias, so it may get a little cool at night, but I think it is a much better choice than down in the valley west of ABQ. I think that leg is an easy day trip. Dont even think about Clines Corner in the high desert, not even for gas. There is an "Exit 356 Route 66" (all on one sign)at St Jo NM, a good place for a road shot..... We have done the OKC-Flagstaff many times and it is a daylight drive.. with a sunset left in April. The NM to Needles leg is a good one. Go early, or go past the early crush as ABQs I-40 section was a SOB last year at noon, it cost me two hours.

Needles to the show... you'll check in for a nice lunch. See ya there on Thursday eve..late! And,Needles in the last week of April? Bike week in Laughlin.... ahhhh, it might be pretty scenic.. You'll see!

OKC... Our place is about 45-60 minutes north of I-40 during the afternoon/eve traffic,(Edmond) and there are morning rush hours to contend with, but it is open to you 24/7. We wont be there but I could send you a key!

Jim

Jim, thanks for the kind offer. I'll pass this time, as I don't think the side trip will fit into my plans on the outbound leg. See you in Knotts bro.
John as in Hoss
ps. Thanks guys (and gal) for the encouragement.

For those of you making long trips this year, I'll extend the same offer I did to Jim Ward last year (and this still applies to you this year too, Jim).

I have an 800 number to my desk at work (or if you have lots of nationwide minutes with no long distance, a direct non-800 line), and I'll be happy to post "in flight" updates for anyone who takes me up on the offer. It doesn't matter how late you call, either. I can check voicemail from home, and then update the trips pretty much anytime, anywhere.

Either toss a message up here if you're interested, or email me privately at nicholstheta.net.

Happy trails!

Chris

Just to fix a typo (and because I use it a lot), this is Chris' email address:

nichols@theta.net

Gordon

P.S; Theron!! Will you be providing a direct tab from the home page to the "in-flight updates" as you did last year??

gn

Hoss,

How would you like some company on the the last leg of your trip. I'm in Las Vegas, maybe I can meet you in Barstow, CA and cruise with you into O.C. When do you think you'd be passing through Barstow?

Mark

Mark and all,
Here is my tentative plan for the westward ho drive:

1. Leave Tennessee early A.M. on Sunday, April 17th and drive to Henryetta, OK.
758 miles
2. Leave OK and drive to Moriarty, NM on Monday, April 18th.
596 miles
3. Leave NM and drive to Needles, CA on Tuesday, April 19th.
569 miles
4. Leave Needles on Thursday April 21st (I'll have some time to play with if I keep to the above schedule) and drive to Buena Park CA
256 miles

Since I am allowing an extra day, I may take some side/slow trips for grins.....Winslow AZ, Route 66, attractions or whatever. The dates and stops may slide a bit as a result, but the plans for Needles and the departure on the 21st are as firm as they can be.

Anyway, that's what I have come up with. Mark, I think it would be great if we could hook up in Barstow and drive the rest of the way to the destination. I would probably be arriving there mid to late morning on the 21st. Let's keep in touch on this.

John as in Hoss

The results of a long road trip.

Hoss,

Steve and Angela Lane plus myself should be arriving on Thursday the 21st also. I am thinking mid afternoon, give or take several hours contingent on the LA gridlock. Hopefully we will miss some of it. Hoss, since you and I were used to the Chicagoland gridlock it may be like old home week. One that I thought I had escaped moving to Oregon. It is fine in Oregon where we live but not in El Ay. My Speedy may be on Steves trailer, if not Angelas black Spyder will be and she may be driving my Escape, loaded with Golden Goodness we hope!

Looking forward to seeing you and the Subytub, Bruce

You guys bringing any "Terminator Stout"??

I'm not trying to start something here, (you guys know me better than that)but it sounds like Angela works on the spyder and Steve gets to drive it....Angela, you are getting the wrong end of the stick...(in other words, the shaft...)

Gordon,

Yes, if you could send a case of that "Terminator Stout" to me, C/O the Marriott in Beuna Park I will be sure to take all 24 cans and bottles and force them down Vinces throat, if that doesn't completely work, we will use another opening. That should solve his diahrea of the mouth for a few days at least.

Bruce

I'll try to remember some TS. Great stuff!

Bruce, sounds like a waste of some good stout....try any malt scotch,
that should teach me a lesson....

Vince,
Really looking forward to seeing you. You are one funny dude!

Vince,
We divide out the work about 60/40 (steve/angela) but the cool thing is the driving is about 80/20 in MY favor!!! Steve has decided that the car is a little small for him so I pretty much get to drive anytime I want. We may be building a 2nd car for him more suitable to his size. If that occurs, the spyder winds up mine.

Lest you think I short change my beloved husband, I did buy him an all steel slope-nose turbo-fendered porsche cabriolet for christmas. No drivetrain and somebody had driven it into a palm tree, but REAL nice except for that - lol. Steve does really good bodywork.

Oh and we could go on and on about me getting the shaft thing but I don't think the rating on the forum would allow it ;-)
angela

Have a great trip, John. I'll be thinking of you.

Bob
>>>>>>>>>>>>>

John,

Good luck and smooth roads. We'll be waiting to hear updates on your travels and anxious to hear the stories at Carlisle.

East Coast Bruce

Angela, no explanation necessary, Just want to be sure you get your
share of the good stuff, That, and I was bored and I am a trouble maker...........

That's okay Vince, the most interesting people are considered "trouble-makers" by the less creative! See ya at Knotts!
angela

This will probably be my last post until I return from Knotts. Although I will be sharing some road time with a couple of you, I will mostly be the lone road ranger. The extended weather forecasts look good, so it should be smooth sailing. Time to cut the grass, do laundry and pack....pack....pack.

I'll be checking in with Chris Nichols daily, probably at the end of each drive day so that my progress can be posted. Thanks for this Chris and look forward to meeting you in Carlisle.
Squadron Leader Johnny
"justice through strength and courage.....out"
(Captain Midnight's show signoff)

Great John, don't forget to pack that third bolt! See you tomorrow morning in Nashville.

Hoss, Re Cap'n Midnight.

Will see you Thursday afternoon at the Marriott. I'll have a Amber Steam Ale iced down for you as soon as Angela, Steve and I arrive. Look for Angela's beautiful Black Spyder and maybe my Red JPS emerging from their trailer, I know, you can ask later!

Bruce

Drive safe, have a FUN great trip! Can't wait to meet all ya'all in Knotts! angela :)

I drove along with John about 2 hrs this morning as he passed thru Nashville, he's moving right along, hopes to be in OK before he stops for the night.

Hi folks. I arrived home safely yesterday at about 7:30 PM after a banzaii three day charge. It looked like the weather was going to close in on me, so I opted to do a fast shuffle.

It was great meeting so many of you and I will treasure the experience, no kidding. What happened to Jim as in Bob? Got stuck for too long at CB? I thought about him when I passed through OKC.

The car performed fine, except for some continuing throttle management problems. I finally resorted to putting a second spring for throttle return, which helped. Also, my battery was stone cold dead yesterday morning in Henryetta, OK. I'm glad I purchased a rechargeable jump starter in Buena Park....good investment. Saved my butt from a protracted delay waiting for a jump. Car started fine this morning when I was going to warm it up for an oil change. Go figure.

Well, back to household business.
John as in Hoss
PS. Almost got rammed by a good ole boy near McMinnville, TN. The jerk never saw me and almost hit me changing lanes. Major dirty look delivered, but kept the finger down.

Thanks for letting us know - glad you made it home safely.

Your car is beautiful and I'll bet SAW was thrilled that you made the trip.

Your trophy/jacket is on order from the UK, should be here in 10 days or so, then off to embroidery for a "Hoss" branding.

Great to see you, your wife and car at the show.

Mike

Thanks Mike. It was a pleasure meeting you and you should be very proud of how well our part of the event came together. I'm sorry about what happened to your car and I'm certain, under the circumstances, being awarded that trophy was not a particularly gratifying experience. I hope your new ride will be everything you could wish for.
John

John, it was great meeting you and everyone else too. I wish we were able to stay longer but we had to get to San Diego to finish up some real estate. It was really great to put some faces with names and see some of the great cars you all have.
Ed (and Pat)