PJ’s MG 2013 Oregon Trail Road trip

[lawnvett]

Paul,

Do it, and just take your time.  I have to get out and stretch often. BESIDES HOW ELSE CAN I TAKE ALL THESE PHOTOS.  If there is alot of stuff to see I might only travel 100-150 miles.  Some days I've done 350 but that was in an area where there was not much of old Rt 66 si I used I-40 and went much faster.

That was some serious driving in a 4cyc MG back in the day, I assume you had OD.

[lawnvett]

a few more

[lawnvett]

A Stop in Elk City Oklahoma for the route 66 Museum, resulted in meeting a group on a bus tour group from Japan.
Through and an interpreter one of the ladies was telling me the typical story, she had an right hand drive MG back in the 60s in Japan.
With the group surrounding the MG, the car is almost blocked but not the biggest Rt 66 sign I've seen.

This is an area where large cattle drives took place . Thus the photo of the two cowboys in front of a local bank;
they are shaking hands and the sign underneath says binding contract.
Had a great burger El Rino, thanks to Swamperca.
I was challenged by the exact change tollbooth going around Oklahoma City. The MG set too low for me to reach the dollar changing machine.
Glad it wasn't rush hour as I had to get out of the car to feed the machine. The total was $1.15 had to have all coins
No human beings present to assist a somewhat befuddled newcomer to this toll system.
Having lived all my life in the East , it's comforting to me to get back to an area where things are green instead of brown.
The deserts are beautiful but I think I like my green landscapes best.

[pspeaks]

No, no overdrive back then so I had to be watchful of the distance to the next gas station that would take my gas card but  I drove it so many times I had the trip down pretty well.  Now days I use a debit card so I can stop anywhere; don't even have a gas card.  Haven't driven the LBC with the T-5 but I'm sure I'm going love it.  Sold the house in California so don't have a place to stay but someday I'd love to do it again now that the Navy doesn't have me on such a tight schedule and I could take time to see the sites.


Paul

[lawnvett]

I started Day 9 with short drive over to visit with Jenny and Bill in Wichita Kansas.  Bill's been real active in the British V8 website and roadmaster project.  He's had a pretty rough spell lately with his health but he's on the mend now.

It was then 200+ miles through rural Kansas on back roads.
Found some twists on Rt 60 in ok near AR..  Really enjoy all the trees and  lakes; looks a little like home.
But it's the eastern Shawnee nation.

States visited today ;  KS. OK. MS. AR.  and drove 350 miles of backroads.

The Pig Trail and a few other scenic byways are on tap for day 10 on my way to Memphis,TN.

[lawnvett]

I was cruising thru the Ozarks about an hour into my drive when I smelled anti freeze.

The Radiator had sprung a leak.  Did a little smart phone research and found some great guys at a shop not far away who liked the challenge of custom built cars.  They helped me get the leaks fixed and six hours later my journey continues.

[lawnvett]

today started with a little re-work of the fan shroud, then on to meet Keith in Little Rock.  He's building a V8 MGB.  
 Had to remove the radiator shroud again this morning. Shim it out to give it more clearance  from the fan.
Was back on the highway by 10:30 AM central time.
 I want to make Little Rock time for lunch.  Meeting an online friend from the MG experience.
I arrived at the Flying Sacer on time and  Keith and I enjoyed telling stories about our cars experiences.  
 After lunch I drove a couple of blocks to see the Bill Clinton library and park.
I've had the part ways with historical 66 it went up to St. Louis and I'm headed to Memphis. I plan to go south on the Riverroad and find a welcome to Mississippi sign for Moss motor challenge  
Heard this area is also called the redneck Riviera evidently there's a lot of gambling casinos down there maybe I can find another hotel for 20 bucks just like I did in Laughlin Nevada.

Haven't turn the windshield wipers on one time.  and this is the 11th day of driving from SFO

As I get closer to the Mississippi River I begin to realize that this trip is coming closer to an end. Three more days I should be sleeping in bed.    A three state day today:  AR,TN, & Miss.  
Tomorrow I plan to drive to Chattanooga by way of Huntsville, AL.
 MGB.

[kstevusa]

Welcome to   Ala. PJ.  If you drive  on  I-565 into Huntsville. Ck out the Saturn 5 Rocket and the SR-71 Blackbird  within view of the highway.  The size of the Saturn 5 rocket boggles the mind each time I drive past.    Hwy from Memphis down south to Miss. is good and then the main one across northern Miss. to Huntsville, through Muscle Shoals and Decatur is easy ride.  Have  a safe trip.    SAFETY FASTER!

[lawnvett]

Kelly,

Call me if you want to try to meet up.  336-four six two-1147

[lawnvett]

Passed thru 4 states on the 12th day of my SFO to NC trek in the MGBT

Should be home tomorrow

[lawnvett]

On this 12th day of my San Francisco to North Carolina journey traveling along northern Alabama right parallel to theTennessee border.
Blessed with another day of blue skies weather is 60°F range.


There are harvesting the cotton in northern Mississippi

 Was just looking at the blackbird CIA aircraft that flew back in the 1960s. also on display was a hugh Saturn 5 rocket and a space shuttle.
 I spent 12 days getting here from LA and the blackbird could do the trip  in just a little over an hour.   Saturn rocket on display here is equally or . just one more impressive.

Should be a good ride up through the smokey mountains tomorrow, but first I will be checking out a choo choo on track 29.  I think I need a shoe shine.  

So you'll know whereI am tonight

[kstevusa]

PJ, which was more impressive, the Saturn 5 Rocket or the SR-71 Blackbird?   It sure took a PAIR to mount that Saturn 5 ! :-)

[lawnvett]

I had a fantastic ride from Chattanooga to Winston-Salem on the back roads of TN & NC.  Can you believe that in 13 days on the road from SFO to home I had excellent weather all the way!


There was a final Friday party to attend in my neighborhood an hour after I parked the BGT in front of our 101 year old home. We have a monthly get together to make sure we know our neighbors in this front porch community of West End.

The mountains were a joy to drive through yesterday. I arrived home just before sunset with half a tank of gas and a full bag of dirty laundry .

Our dog, Claire, remembered me and the red MG, which had been absent from home since July 5, 2013.
I flew home at the end of July a week after MG 2013 leaving the MG at On the Road Again Classics in Morgan Hill, CA. then did the eastbound portion of the trip over the last too weeks.

In all these days on the road, I met new friends and visited old friends. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

If you think you might enjoy a long distance trip in an old British sports car, start your planning now. Yes, these old cars can do it. French Lick MG 2014 will be here in no time.

Thanks to all of you who have commented and followed my travels. There were some evenings when I was a bit tired and I was tempted to turn on the telly and get in the bed rather than post pictures and attempt to write a few words. You guys kept me from procrastinating.

It's much to cold to wash off the bugs from the MG so I guess I'll get started on my household honey do list.

[psmg]

PJ, Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I followed you every day and enjoyed your photo album as you traveled. What a  "Fantastic" way to enjoy both the MG and a great tour of the USA. You made all of us envious as we all wish we could do the same. Thanks again PJ, you are truely an ambassador for our hobby.

Paul

[lawnvett]

Thank you Paul for your kind remarks.

[kstevusa]

PJ, regret I was not able to meet up with you as you traveled through Huntsville Al..  Sometimes the planets just don't line up! I enjoyed the entire saga and could relate to the cross country trip.  Back in 1998, we took the northern route across Dakotas from Wisc. to Wash. and down to San Diego.  Back thru Vegas and Denver, KC and St Louis and Paducah Ky.  Did not get as far south as you.  Hope to meet up soon, maybe French Lick, In.?  SAFETY FASTER!

[lawnvett]

I hope to be in French Lick & Colorado Springs next year, see you then.

[pspeaks]

Thanks PJ, I totally enjoyed your trip and the pictures you shared.  If my GT ever becomes dependably road worthy I might take your advise and give it a try.


Paul

[britcars]

PJ, thanks so much for sharing your drive with us. It sounds like you had a wonderful and memorable time.

Phil

[pspeaks]

I forgot to add, as a retired Navy P-3 Flight Engineer I flew over almost every acre and saw every bit of this country from 30K feet for 28 years which is to say I haven't seen anything.  Thanks again!


Paul

[rficalora]

Excellent update PJ - glad you're home safe.  Really enjoyed reading your updates!

[TR6-6SPD]

PJ,

P-3 Orion I assume?



Thanks for posting your Oregon Trail Road Trip. Good fun!

[pspeaks]

Yes, P-3A through P-3C update's, but to be perfectly honest I don't miss it much.  From now on I'll just stick with the B model...MG that is.


Paul