Author Topic: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019 (Read 59641 times)

Garry · « **Reply #100 on:** August 06, 2019, 17:36:22 »

Crossed the plains and spending a few rest days in Dubuque IO. on the Mississippi after washing the bugs off and putting the car to bed for a well deserved rest.

4650 miles so far, passed half way mark and counting. Service will be due when we arrive at the Benz Dr.

Garry · « **Reply #101 on:** August 10, 2019, 01:10:53 »

Well over 5000 miles now. Car still running beautifully.

We stopped just north of Chicago and had a great dinner with Mark (Iconic) and Bob ( Barronyoungman) (maybe I should say Mr Petrol Pump) last evening. Today we headed north passed Green Bay into Door County where we are going to hang out for a few days in this old log cabin built in 1870.

Actually saw some clouds today, only a few but it’s only been the second time since landing in USA in late June. Funny what you get excited about when you don’t have something..

Garry

Garry · « **Reply #102 on:** August 11, 2019, 01:44:31 »

Drove over to Egg Harbour in Door County WI today. They were having a car show and invited me to put the Pagoda in the show.
We had to leave at 2.30, they said the car had got quite a few votes, Prizes given out at 3.30. Guess i will never know how many and what for!!!!!

Garry · « **Reply #103 on:** August 14, 2019, 23:25:20 »

5750 miles and still going well. Due for an oil change.

Headed up to the top of Lake Michigan today staying in Ministique MI and about to head over the east side of Lake Michigan tomorrow and catch up with Michael S at the weekend before working our way east over to the Gathering of the Clans in Canada the following week.

Garry · « **Reply #104 on:** August 19, 2019, 20:02:42 »

Well we crossed over to the east side of Lake Michigan over the dividing bridge and down to Michael Salemi’s for the weekend. Michael showed us around with some very interesting enclaves of Amish in the district. Was a great weekend, thankyou Michael for your hospitality.

We then moved on and have done a loop up over what the locals call the thumb to the west side of Lake Huron and now sitting at the Canadian border which we will crossover tomorrow it the Canadians will let us in!!!

Realised also that i had understated the mileage by a thousand and we have now done just over 7,000 miles so far. Bella is definitely in need of an oil change. Booked with Dan next Monday but still running beautifully.

mdsalemi · « **Reply #105 on:** August 20, 2019, 14:54:03 »

For those so inclined for detail:

Garry's first photo is of "Big Mac" or the Mackinac Bridge, the large suspension bridge connecting the upper peninsula (a/k/a "da UP") of Michigan to the lower. The bridge connects the cities of St. Ignace on the north, and Mackinaw City on the south.

The second photo is taken while passing by an Amish farm in the town of Stanwood, MI. I took Garry and Kate on a tour of the functioning (as opposed to the tourist stuff in places like Lancaster, PA) Amish. We went to a bakery, a farm stand where the produce was grown on property, and our "checkout" was with a little girl about 8 years old, not in costume but her genuine clothes. Her name was Isla. We then passed a number of Amish sawmills and greenhouses on the way to a hickory furniture shop, and then a chair factory--both of these small workshops where you order and they build.

Lastly, Garry and myself with his car "Bella" and Shelby our dog in our driveway at Canadian Lakes, Michigan.

Garry · « **Reply #106 on:** August 20, 2019, 19:47:13 »

The Canadians let us come into Canada. Hopefully they don’t regret it.

We are now stopped at an old town called Exeter after a beautiful top down drive up the eastern side of Lake Huron this morning and a lunch in Goderich and a walk around their large town square, the biggest we have seen so far on our journey.

7250 miles

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #107 on:** August 20, 2019, 22:01:09 »

Too bad you weren't here a few years ago. Gooderich was hit by a tornado and it destroyed the main circle in the village. Huron County ( where you are ) is the only county in southern Ontario that doesn't have any towns or cities. Almost all farm land.

I would recommend a stop at Grand Bend - not far down 21 highway. Lots to see. Bring your eye lids, you might need them.

You are about 2 hours from my place. See you Thursday night.

Iconic · « **Reply #108 on:** August 21, 2019, 15:09:40 »

Quote from: Benz Dr. on August 20, 2019, 22:01:09

I would recommend a stop at Grand Bend - not far down 21 highway. Lots to see. Bring your eye lids, you might need them.

Dan,
Please tell us, why the "eye lid" comment? Because of the sunsets ??
Mark

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #109 on:** August 21, 2019, 17:07:17 »

Quote from: Iconic on August 21, 2019, 15:09:40

Dan,
Please tell us, why the "eye lid" comment? Because of the sunsets ??
Mark

Uh no......... It's a summer beach resort. Maybe 1,500 in the winter and 15,000 in the summer. Lots of younger people. Use your imagination.........

Garry · « **Reply #110 on:** August 21, 2019, 19:35:48 »

Dan,

We did go through there yesterday. It was busy and we went on to Goderich. I think I missed something as we did not go to the shore............

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #111 on:** August 21, 2019, 21:02:53 »

Where did you cross into Canada - Port Huron to Sarnia? You were about a 1/2 hour away from me if you did.

Yeah, a short drive down to the lake at Grand Bend and well........it's about a 1/2 mile of skin and not much else.

Which is why your eyes have lids. It keeps them from boiling over.

DaveB · « **Reply #112 on:** August 23, 2019, 03:39:01 »

Quote from: Garry on August 20, 2019, 19:47:13

7250 miles

That's a hell of a long way in such a short time! That would surely be a test for the comfort of the seats (and everything else). How do you rate the seats?

Garry · « **Reply #113 on:** August 23, 2019, 11:39:23 »

Dave,

We are surprised how well the seats work on longer trips. mind you we try not to do more than 250 miles in any one day. They have been restored and i have also put in the pool noodles and they make a world of difference.

7500 miles. Service Monday.

Jonny B · « **Reply #114 on:** August 23, 2019, 14:48:09 »

Dave you are running out of reasons to get the Pagoda of your back on the roads of Australia!!

Garry · « **Reply #115 on:** August 25, 2019, 22:00:51 »

We have just spent three days with the Clan II group hosted by Dan with the help of Peter J and Hugh R. Thanks to all who helped put together this great gathering.

It was a fantastic time meeting all the northern Americas members that came from as far south as Ohio, some from far east Canada, and west in Canada and even one Member from Santa Rosa in California.

An amazing fact, i met one member who was born in the same small maternity hospital as i was and another who worked in the same military base in the Sinai desert Egypt a month after i had returned home. Small world.

Visits to a couple of collections, and a restoration workshop were just outstanding.

doitwright · « **Reply #116 on:** August 26, 2019, 23:13:09 »

Quote from: Garry on August 20, 2019, 19:47:13

The Canadians let us come into Canada. Hopefully they don’t regret it.

We are now stopped at an old town called Exeter after a beautiful top down drive up the eastern side of Lake Huron this morning and a lunch in Goderich and a walk around their large town square, the biggest we have seen so far on our journey.

7250 miles

Don’t let Mercedes see that windmill. They might make them take it down.

Garry · « **Reply #117 on:** August 26, 2019, 23:28:45 »

Had the car finally serviced thanks to Dan and his help. SOme minor adjustments and we were off heading for Niagara Falls Via Niagara by the lake.

Passed a great old garage display and through my home town’s namesake to now spend a couple of nights at the Falls and then decide how far we continue east in Canada before crossing back into USA. Am told State Highway 100 in Vermont is worth the drive so might cross somewhere north of that to do the drive south on it before swinging east again toward Maine.

pj · « **Reply #118 on:** August 27, 2019, 00:20:17 »

Hi Garry,
I'm really glad you stopped in Melbourne today. When we drove through there on Saturday morning, I completely forgot about it.

Garry · « **Reply #119 on:** August 27, 2019, 00:49:10 »

Peter,

I had also meant to stop Saturday at both the garage and Melbourne so made a point of back tracking there today. The old garage was so cool, but when we stopped the neighbours were keeping a very close eye on us I can tell you. Probably worried the Australians were going to pinch their petrol pumps.

mnahon · « **Reply #120 on:** August 27, 2019, 01:38:07 »

Hi Garry,

Not sure if you're interested, but this might fit your time frame:
http://www.theglen.com/Events/Hilliard-United-States-Vintage-Grand-Prix.aspx

Watkins Glen is in the Finger Lakes area of upstate New York---a very picturesque area, basically on your way to Vermont from Niagara Falls. I think Jack Jones is going; you could ask him for more info.

If you decide to make your way back around the north side (Canadian side) of Lake Ontario, once past the Toronto area, you could skirt the lake on highway 2. Prince Edward county and the Thousand Islands are pretty areas. One place you could cross is at the Thousand Islands bridge. Then take route 11 (on US side) over to Rouses Point, then down route 2 (Vermont) through the Lake Champlain Islands. Once out of the islands, get over to 104 and 15 to the north end of 100. Then head south through Stowe and eventually Killington (both great ski resorts).

I look forward to hearing more of your exploits.

Meyer

Garry · « **Reply #121 on:** August 27, 2019, 01:42:08 »

Thanks Meyer,

I will have a look at that route on my maps and google, sounds interesting.

Garry

mclewis · « **Reply #122 on:** August 28, 2019, 14:48:02 »

Gary,
If you don’t mind some further suggestions and are driving down to Killington, Vermont, you may want to consider going east on Route 4 from Killington through Woodstock, a lovely New England town, and Quechee (same, though smaller). The Woodstock Inn has a great bar and Sunday brunch. From there you could continue east on Route 4 to New Hampshire or detour up Route 5 to Norwich, Vermont and across the Connecticut River to Hanover, New Hampshire, a quaint university town. From Hanover you can take Route 120 back to Route 4 east through Enfield and Grafton. Another diversion would be to pick up Route 104 north toward Lake Winnipesaukee. Although not a Great Lake, it is quite scenic. From there you can head southeast and pick up Route 202 up to Maine.
If your travels take you through northern New Jersey, let me know. There are several members in the area.
Marc

pj · « **Reply #123 on:** August 28, 2019, 14:58:59 »

How about opening a section in the "Technical Manual" where we keep a concise list of our favourite drives?

Garry · « **Reply #124 on:** August 28, 2019, 19:54:43 »

Yesterday Niagara. Nice dinner in spire. Today in Belleville Ontario after order drive. Some minor adjustments today as idling a bit fast after service adjustments.

total miles covered so far is 8300 miles and counting. Tomorrow through the Thousand Islands and cross back into US if they let me.

Noticed on a “toll road” today it said if i am not a resident of Ontario they will send notice to collect. There were no toll booths. Now that will be interesting when they read the plates!!!

News:

Author Topic: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019 (Read 59641 times)