Barely drove my big red at all this summer. Seems like it rained every weekend. The best I could do this evening was take a short run followed by a photo op. I can derive satisfaction just watching her and her new friend, the Laguna.
Illinois sucks. I cannot wait until the day I get out of here.
Meteorologically, politically, economically...the list goes on for Illinois negatives. I still dream of California but from everything I hear, it's nothing like I imagine. Which makes me sad. I maybe think of California as it was in the golden age of hot rodding in the 1960s. Which, of course, is no longer the case. Tisk tisk. There is no ideal spot I suppose. I could imagine living down in Tennessee in the locality of the Dragon's Tail. I really liked it down there. Just washed the Laguna. I'm going to have a hard time letting that Boss 302 LS go, contrary to my dad's instructions. We shall see. I get psychologically connected to cars. It's weird.
+1 - but I will put up and pay up
JG
Captain's log. Earth date 9-29-19. Plan to take red Hertz on driving assignment early Sunday morning ahead of traffic. Mission aborted once again by soaking wet conditions. Must check on the Shelby ship. Make sure she hasn't floated away.
Living in Illinois is tough. Both my wife and I are from the area originally, and most recently we lived there for 5 years until we made a work move to San Antonio. I LOVE Chicago...and, at the same time, it's a place for which I wouldn't want to live again. It was so tough to enjoy a classic in the city. And, getting out to some good roads (other than Lakeshore Drive; which WAS fun!), meant many, many stop lights.
And, the weather (as previously noted) is extremely tough. Each spring, my wife used to come to me in a panic, "We only have 12 weekends to enjoy the summer!" True.
There are 3 seasons:
1) Winter
2) The 4th of July
3) Construction
Quote from: deathsled on September 28, 2019, 09:36:49 PM
Meteorologically, politically, economically...the list goes on for Illinois negatives. I still dream of California but from everything I hear, it's nothing like I imagine. Which makes me sad. I maybe think of California as it was in the golden age of hot rodding in the 1960s. Which, of course, is no longer the case. Tisk tisk. There is no ideal spot I suppose. I could imagine living down in Tennessee in the locality of the Dragon's Tail. I really liked it down there. Just washed the Laguna. I'm going to have a hard time letting that Boss 302 LS go, contrary to my dad's instructions. We shall see. I get psychologically connected to cars. It's weird.
Only about 45 minutes from my house ;D
Been super dry here for the past 6 weeks and no relief in the form of rain for another 10 days or so. Been driving the Mach 1 on occasion ;)
Quote from: 69mach351w on September 29, 2019, 10:45:30 AM
Quote from: deathsled on September 28, 2019, 09:36:49 PM
Meteorologically, politically, economically...the list goes on for Illinois negatives. I still dream of California but from everything I hear, it's nothing like I imagine. Which makes me sad. I maybe think of California as it was in the golden age of hot rodding in the 1960s. Which, of course, is no longer the case. Tisk tisk. There is no ideal spot I suppose. I could imagine living down in Tennessee in the locality of the Dragon's Tail. I really liked it down there. Just washed the Laguna. I'm going to have a hard time letting that Boss 302 LS go, contrary to my dad's instructions. We shall see. I get psychologically connected to cars. It's weird.
Only about 45 minutes from my house ;D
I am enamoured with the Tail of the Dragon. A fantastic little slice of the U.S.A. among many others. The U.S.A. one of the world's biggest race tracks. (This is not an endorsement of street racing or driving fast. Please obey all local rules while motoring and never ever exceed the speed limit even by so much as 1 mph.) Yeah, right.
Been super dry here for the past 6 weeks and no relief in the form of rain for another 10 days or so. Been driving the Mach 1 on occasion ;)
ONCE UPON A TIME.....actually about 4 years ago I did a Sunday morning cruise in early January in the R model down Lake Shore Drive. Not a cloud in the Guardsman Blue sky, above freezing, glass Flat Lake Michigan. Pulled into North Avenue Beach parking and took a shot of the car against Lake Michigan.....now if I could just find it (do I miss the old site)...but I will never forget the drive, the thumbs up and the small crowd and a group of Chicago's finest watching the Lake thaw at the beach, and the echoes of that incredible exhaust. No heat, no sound deaden-er, carpet, or side windows......yeeeeehaw, just the warmth of the exhaust system under my butt.
Quote from: deathsled on September 28, 2019, 09:36:49 PM
Meteorologically, politically, economically...the list goes on for Illinois negatives. I still dream of California but from everything I hear, it's nothing like I imagine. Which makes me sad. I maybe think of California as it was in the golden age of hot rodding in the 1960s. Which, of course, is no longer the case. Tisk tisk. There is no ideal spot I suppose. I could imagine living down in Tennessee in the locality of the Dragon's Tail. I really liked it down there. Just washed the Laguna. I'm going to have a hard time letting that Boss 302 LS go, contrary to my dad's instructions. We shall see. I get psychologically connected to cars. It's weird.
I understand your frustration. As a native Californian, and currently a resident of the Central Coast, I know the joy of being able to drive either of my cars virtually any time of year. There are many cool places to drive almost any day. Up the coast through Santa Barbara all the way to Gaviota. Over Highway 154 to the Santa Ynez valley. Or Highway 192 from Carpinteria to Goleta. You can even waive to Oprah along the way if you so desire.
Politics and the cost of living aside, I do not know of a place I would rather live. Both sets of grandparents emigrated from Southern Greece in the early 1900's, building a life in California ten times better than they had in Greece. That is a foundation and legacy I am currently not willing to give up. In my almost 70 years of living, 55 of it really paying attention to politics, the pendulum has swung back and forth many times. My hope is one day soon it will swing back towards the center.
As for the car culture, I just attended one of the biggest car events yesterday. It is call Cruisin' for a Cure where some 3500 cars of all types gathered. The age group ranged from infants to old dudes like me. With many of participants and onlookers being young boys and girls very interested in the classic cars, hot rods, customs, and pickup trucks on display. Not to mention the numerous Cars and Coffee events every weekend in So Cal. So, I would say the car culture is very alive and well in California.
Sorry for the ramble. Just my thoughts.
Greek
Ramble at will. I enjoy reading all of these comments. Makes me dream a little. Madulook, well said. It's not all that bad here in Illinois overall. Route 66 roads outside of Chicago are arrow straight and decently paved. Affordable housing in Illinois is a plus too. I couldn't afford to live in my own home town Toronto. Average house price there is $1 million. What the hell??
Lived in Illinois for a few years, weather the same as Michigan. Late September meet fizzled out because of the threat of rain. If you keep moving, you don't really get wet. '08 may be faster than the '68, but the top goes up quicker on the KR when you need it.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/187-290919154228.jpeg)
Good looking 08.
Calgary Alberta this morning. One of the largest (High River) car events was to be today. Would have had to ski if I wanted to attend.
What, no snow tires? :)
Quote from: 1690 on September 29, 2019, 10:23:52 AM
There are 3 seasons:
1) Winter
2) The 4th of July
3) Construction
LOL!!! Soooooo true.
I just got back from a fishing trip in Wisconsin. Those road builders and politians in Illinois have some 'splaining to do about the lousy roads in Illinois but gee, the roads in Wisconsin seemed so nice.
Don't worry, as the dummy congressman explained, Florida will be the next state to sink into the ocean....after Guam flips over.
I guess no area of the country is perfect. Weather has been perfect down here (Florida) for driving. But the car has stayed in the garage because of these evil insects!
Good point. I almost forgot about the Monarch Butterfly migration that takes place in San Antonio. It happens every year, and as you'll see by the attached pictures, they not only do they funnel right through our neck of the woods, but you can't help but cover the front of your car during the migration, given how thick they are...it's like a Biblical Plague!
https://www.ksat.com/weather/return-of-the-snout-nose-butterflies_
California is heaven for car guys. Nothing like driving the coast from San Fran to LA in a drop top Mustang with a full moon just in time to make a 8am flight back to friggin' ChiTown.
ONCE UPON A TIME....I went from Ukiah and tried to get to Mendocino - through the Lost Coast - UNBELIEVABLE TOPOGRAPHY - down Low Gapp Road - never got to Mendocino - anyone interested in that story, give me a call. I have since been told others who have tried to do what I did were never seen again. I know why....
Quote from: madeulook on October 12, 2019, 03:51:43 PM
California is heaven for car guys. Nothing like driving the coast from San Fran to LA in a drop top Mustang with a full moon just in time to make a 8am flight back to friggin' ChiTown.
ONCE UPON A TIME....I went from Ukiah and tried to get to Mendocino - through the Lost Coast - UNBELIEVABLE TOPOGRAPHY - down Low Gapp Road - never got to Mendocino - anyone interested in that story, give me a call. I have since been told others who have tried to do what I did were never seen again. I know why....
I have not driven Low Gapp Rd. Ukiah to Mendocino. I believe that the CA. Lost Coast Is further North and I have driven that twice. The route I took was Humboldt Redwoods State Park to Honeydew, Petrolia and Ferndale last year after SAAC 43 and the reverse before SAAC 35 in 2010. If you ever get that way I recommend it if you like drives off the beaten path.This route is a secondary two lane paved road that has tons of elevation changes, twists, turns and beautiful scenery. A section of it runs right on the coast with little traffic and very few people.
Living in west central NH, we have 4 seasons. Winter, mud season, black fly season and leaf peeper season. Winter encompasses pretty much 6 mos. of the year. We did have some choice weather this summer though, I put a couple thousand miles on my '68 GT coupe. I went on a business trip to Chicago in mid-April this year and the weather was actually pretty decent. I went to Navy boot camp in Great Lakes, spent Feb-July 1986 there. Arrived there in a blizzard, left there on a beautiful summer day. The wind off the lake in the winter combined with the cold was unreal.
Terry
A little salt never hurt anybody ???
We are never really sure if it is spring or summer here. We try to leave all our salt in the water. The fish seem to like it.
Aloha from the middle of the Pacific Ocean.8)
Quote from: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on October 17, 2019, 03:43:41 PM
A little salt never hurt anybody ???
What a great picture! Your ever faithful and steady constant in your life. Great memories spent together! Your alter ego.
Quote from: deathsled on September 28, 2019, 09:36:49 PMI still dream of California but from everything I hear, it's nothing like I imagine. Which makes me sad. I maybe think of California as it was in the golden age of hot rodding in the 1960s.
I was born in MI but was smart enough to move to CA when I was 2. In grade school we had cowboy stars come to school and do their rope and quick draw tricks. In high school it was run what ya brung at Irwindale and visiting big name drag teams when the Winter Nationals were in town. We had cackle fests on the quad before they became popular. The local Ford dealer hired a salesman away from another dealership and had him drive their Thunderbolt. Later Gas Ronda got into Mustangs. Belenger Headers, Performance Associates had SA connections. Our Boy Scout troop got free passes to Riverside for taking posters around town. A few shows stand out. The GM parade of progress when I was about 5 or 6 and the Chrysler turbine car at the local shopping center. I had my dad take me to the Chevy dealer to see the 63 Vette when it came out and couldn't get him to stop at Hertz to rent a GT350 when we took him to LAX for business trips. Today Russ Davis Ford is a condo complex with streets like Henry and Galaxy and the car is the enemy, some hot rod parts manufacturers still exist and there are many car builders who rely on the history/reputation of SoCal to boost their business but bottom line CA sucks.