Keep the Show on the Road!
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Posts posted by Keep the Show on the Road!
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Hey folks, I have it on good authority that someone about to make a trip to Connecticut from Indiana in the next four hours might be planning a journey on the Mohawk Trail within the next week. This person, who shall remain nameless, was seen on his or her computer last evening looking up Mohawk Trail info. This person, who shall still remain nameless, is also a pretty good "pitcher taker", so I would suspect images will be available within two weeks. You heard it here first.....and last!
Roadmaven,
Great news. We'll all look forward to hearing the rest of the story! I'll bring the pretzels and beer, if your pick up the the chips and dips.
Keep the Show on the Road
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Wisguy,
Really appreciate the posts....good stuff!
Yep, let’s tear it down and “see what we got here.” They did that in my home town 50 years ago. Called it Urban Renewal. It took 50 years to recover.
But, the caboose came back...
Looks to me like you know your Yellowstone Trail! I have only been on the western sections (only as far east as mid Montana), but want to head further east when I get the opportunity. Since your other post recognized Seattle landmarks, does that suggest you have traveled the full length of the Yellowstone?
Keep the Show on the Road!
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I got to wondering how that homeless lady in Maryland was doing and was pleasantly surprised to learn that she had slipped home without me knowing. The Maryland Madonna of the Trail, displaced by a water main break in December 2004, was returned to her rightful place on June 6. Read all about it (with photo)
DennyG,
Loverly! Thanks for the good nerws and the link!
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[Mike,
Thanks for the much appreciated added info! And the astute observation about the ferry terminal.
You sound like you know your stuff. Not too many folks have a 1916 Automobile Blue Book, let along one that includes the Northwest.
Are you a Yellowstone Trail fan, old roads in general, collector, or all of the above?
Keep the Show on the Road!
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David,
I don’t mean to diminish the “wars and great leaders” histories, but local history rules! Wherever I travel I end up buying the local history books that are usually only available in the community, and sadly sometimes only at the surviving mom and pop bookstores.
To live in an 80 year old building near the intersection of the Lincoln and the Dixie, inextricably ties you to both. And what a location from which to launch road adventures, or road research!
Roadhound didn’t mention he is off tomorrow on a Lincoln Highway adventure including the Utah and Nevada sections east of Ely. Your guests will have terrific stories to tell about sites in that area...Stone House, Tippets Ranch, the Pony Express, Gold Hill, the Goodyear Cutoff...on and on...oh, how I wish I could be at your affair to enjoy the evening!
Share as much with us as possible! And take a photo or two if you are digitally adept!
Welcome aboard!
Keep the Show on the Road!
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Dave,
I would not suggest you change what you have already done. However, the forum software does provide for including attachments wherein you can place thumbnails in the story where the photo goes,and the software easily uploads your photos (oh, joy!!)
Invision (the forum software providers) made it easy to do (see my Columbia River Highway post) but were chincy on storage. The result is a great, useful, and efficient feature Invision has provided that is inadequately implemented by their hosting service (in my opinion). You will run out of storage quickly.
THe AR folks have tried to work around the limitations as best they can, but at the root of the problem is Invision's stingy storage provisions, at their hosting end. So that no one thinks I'm down on Invision, I'm not. They have an excellet product, but their hosting service is not thinking in terms of a photo rich forum. Too bad, because it severly limits the application of their excellent software in settings where images are important.
By the way, if anyone has a different view, or if I'm wrong, wade in!
That's my tirade for today!
Keep the Show on the Road.
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Alex,
Thanks! Your history of the tunnel is spot on!
I shifted over to Virtual earth for another view. I think the Google Earth dot that pops up “Hoosac Tunnel” represents the “central shaft” which I take to be an air or ventilation shaft. Note the name of the road there. The structure at that site (dot) may house fans, etc. Virtual Earth places Hoosac Tunnel just off Tunnel Road, which is incorrect, but closer.
But I did discover the entrances. You can view the east and west entrances to the tunnel on Google Earth at the following coordinates:
West entrance: 42.675396, -73.091439 (outskirts of North Adams)
East entrance 42.674646, -72.995556
(I set the Google Options under 3D for Show Lat/Lon to “degrees”)
A straight line between the two runs through the dot you spotted. The tunnel is just about 4.75 miles long.
Kind of a kick. Now someone needs to drive the road and post a report.
Keep the Show on the Road
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Keep The Show.... wrote "......I didn't spot evident straightening or other major mocifications."
I was looking at the road using Google Earth and couldn't help wondering about the road to the right just after coming to the summit of the hair pin as you head east. This road could well have been an original alighment as it runs parallel to the current road down to just east of the Hoosac Tunnel where it rejoins. It is obviously a "used" road as there are houses and buildings along it.
Just a thought.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
You are right! A closer look seems to suggest the possibility of several interesting old alignments. I also noted several semi’s on the road, suggesting it definitely has been significantly improved. I was way too quick to pass judgment. I take it all back!
For example, what do you make of the road at 42.694111, -73.055079? It appears on brief inspection that both segments of N County Road may have been an old alignment and that the dirt road at the above coordinates may have preceded it.
I bow to your knowledge and keen eye!
Give me the coordianates for the tunnel, will you. Thanks
Keep the Show on the Road
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DennyG, it kind of surprised me that you were not a regular user of Google Earth and Microsoft’s Virtual Earth. I was beginning to believe no tool of the road escaped your dominion. (Incidentally, why don’t we do a little “technology for the road” thread one of there days?)
Both Google Earth and Microsoft’s Virtual Earth have their virtues and sometimes one has better coverage than the other. I am a long time user of Google Earth and love it, but Microsoft Virtual Earth has caught up with some crisp images and a super map overlay feature that (in my opinion) works better than Google’s. I could compare the pros and cons, but the best way is to choose an alignment and look at it with both. Both are great tools and provide entertaining and very useful 3D features.
Alex, that was a terrific story of the 30 Ft RV on the Mohawk. That cat image is now stuck in my mind. Purrfect description!
I used Google to track the road and I didn’t spot evident straightening or other major modifications. I hope DennyG or Roadmaven (or you) will drive it in the sunshine one day soon. Frankly, I had written it off as “lost and forgotten” until DennyG popped up with his comment and link and Roadmaven responded.
Maybe it is, or will be, like the Columbia River Highway. Twenty five years ago it was deteriorating and forgotten by most. Today they are fixing the roadbed, repairing the rock walls, and restoring the wooden railings. On any summer day you will see scores of bicyclers, vintage cars, and even hikers enjoying one of the most beautiful roads in America.
I think it is great that you obviously have a knowledge of the history of that area. You and I are in the same generation, and lucky enough to have accumulated a mental storehouse of information, trivial or profound. It is almost impossible for me to drive a two lane road in the west without enjoying a mental image of events and experiences that occurred along the route. In some ways it’s like watching a good movie where my mind provides the plot and the dialog! Our younger friends are building terrific libraries, whether they realize it or not!
Who else has driven the Mohawk Trail? Let’s have a report.
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cruisers992000, that is a good tip. They did a nice job. Thanks!
Roadmaven, I'm headed for Google. Should I look for skid marks?
Keep the Show on the Road!
Roadmaven,
First, Google Earth did provide a terrific 3D view of the curve (42.708, -73.063) and the canyon beyond.
I don’t see your concern. The drop is only 800 feet into the valley below, and they have built a catch basin for auto salvage at the base of the cliff. In the fog it would have been a quiet, peaceful ride, except for that one abrupt stop at the bottom. I doubt you would have reached terminal velocity much before the end of the short cut, especially if you had a roof rack or anything else to add drag.
More seriously, the Google shot was taken when the leaves were off the trees but even then, it looked inviting. Too bad it was foggy.
Keep the Show on the Road!
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Oh man, do I remember that "Famous Hairpin Turn"! I was driving my mother-in-law's 15 passenger Ford Econline van. Westbound MT was downhill and you have to make a HARD left turn. Fortunately, there's a restaurant with a parking lot at hairpin to drive off into if you're coming down the hill a little too hot (hot is "fast" in racin' terms). And as I recall, once you've made the turn, it was a decent drop off the side of mountain, though there was a guardrail there to protect you (although I sure wouldn't want to test its strength!). The hairpin is east of North Adams, MA. I'd really like to get back to it again. We really didn't get to enjoy it too much because of the fog and rain that day. Too bad I'm not heading to CT next week with Jennifer, as we'd probably have to give it another shot!
If any of you have Google Earth, I'd view it from there. The detail is MUCH better than the other satellite images. You can really zoom in on the hairpin and even see the lines on the road.
cruisers992000, that is a good tip. They did a nice job. Thanks!
Roadmaven, I'm headed for Google. Should I look for skid marks?
Keep the Show on the Road!
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I've driven the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts. We were in Connecticut a few years ago visiting Jennifer's family when we headed north to check out the basketball hall of fame before heading west to Albany, NY to visit with Route 66 roadie Steve Rider. I insisted we take the Mohawk Trail so I could visit mecca: Clark's Corvair Parts in Shelburne Falls, MA. As I recall, it was quite rainy and quite foggy that day. But, from what I could see, the scenery was fantastic.
I’m glad Roadmaven could report on the Mohawk! According to the picture brochure I have in hand, the trail was opened to traffic in 1915 and ran between North Adams and Greenfield (although I’ve seen it marked on maps further).
The frequently cited vistas along the trail include, the “Famous Hairpin Turn,” the view of North Adams, the Elk statue, the War Memorial on Greylock Mountain, “Hail to the Sunrise” which is a statue of a Mohawk Indian, the Deerfield River Bridge, Bridge of Flowers, and French King Bridge. I also recall an observation tower on top a restaurant as being popular somewhere on the road. Roadmaven, anything familiar there?
As a sign of its popularity, I also have a View Master stereo reel of 3 D photos of the Mohawk Trail. I think I am safe in saying that not even the Mother road is so honored!
Keep the Show on the Road!
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While looking for something completely different, I found a site offering a rather interesting looking guide to the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts. The publisher has a stated goal of producing guides for other Massachusetts auto trails with this being the first. I know nothing about the book, the publisher, or evin the Mohawk Trail. You?
The Mohawk must have been one of the most publicized old auto trails in its day. There is almost never a time when you can’t buy a vintage Mohawk Trail Guide or postcard on Ebay. It was a little like the old Columbia River Highway in that it was celebrated for its views and vistas. Those old fashioned brown booklets bound with gold twine, and filled with color images of and from the road were produced by the truck load. I’m sure I have one, and probably at least a few post cards.
I could get the exact route but your link has the details. It guess it still exists and if I ever get back to Massachusetts, I’ll do a road report!
Keep the Show on the Road!
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A few of us are sitting around the air conditioner here at the American Road Garage discussing what forum members like to see in a post. Some of us are hitting the old two lane roads in the next couple of weeks. Help us bring back what most interests you by responding to the survey.
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Mobilene,
The bull frogs live down by the dock and still croke at night, and the dragon flies still skim the lake. The nearest roadside tavern is a couple of miles away on old 99 and it advertises that it has sold 50,000 tacos. No frog legs as far as I know! And the sheriff probably doesn’t look the other way.
There is a wolf sanctuary near the tavern just off old 99, and when they howl at night it carries in the wind our direction. ‘Ole Bo perks right up. There is a railroad crossing about 6 miles up old 99 and the wail of the train horn at the crossing is practically the only other sound at night (my wife would add my snoring to the list of night sounds!).
There is much to be said for city or country life, and it isn’t where you live, it’s the life you live that counts. Right!?
The 'ole Philosopher...Keep the Show on the Road!
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Hecter_nec, enjoyed your recollection of the truck stops! I wondered sometimes why so many guys were eating such bad food! Now I know!! If the good folks at AR would archive some of your recollections they would have the material for a great story.
Here in the west, I don't recall the good food. I can still see the old standard truck stop special....practically taste it. I used to eat occasionally in a diner outside Tucson, but good food it wasn't. And I wasn't getting the extra service, either.
You got your coffee in a heavy tan ceramic mug with the rim and handle roughed up by thousands of washings by some burley dish washer, and I don’t mean a machine. The plate looked about the same, and often had a little grease on the underside left over from the previous diner.
The trucker’s special was a hamburger patty, lima beans and mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes had a crater in the center filled with a brown greasy goo that was a combination of brown pan drippings and gray canned gravy bought by the gallon. The hamburger patty had a crunchy crust on it that was the result of burning it on a greasy grill, and the lima beans were over boiled and mushy. At the fancy stops you got a slice of red cinnamon apple as decoration. I have always wondered who in the heck ever ate red cinnamon apples at home!
The smoke was so thick it burned your eyes. The cash register had some semi obscene sayings taped to it, and beside it sat the jug of pickled eggs. Your receipt was “filed” on the sharpened spindle that served as the accounting system, and your change included real silver 4 bit pieces. (For you “youngins” 2 bits is 25 cents and 4 bits is a fifty cent coin.)
Keep 'em coming and Keep the Show on the Road!
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Mobilene & Roadmavern,
Mobilene, one word...Subscribe! I was a pre publication subscriber and enjoy every issue.
And Roadmavern, I'm really pleased to see that AR is on the news stands. I haven't looked for it there, but I'm sure it shines!
Keep the Show on the Road!
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Now, Mobilene, that’s what I call a terrific reply! A touch of small town drama and something special about the song’s writer. Much appreciated!
You know how much time it takes to put a post together. This one took the better part of an afternoon. I really appreciate the reply, and especially one that is so on target.
I had never heard Giddy Up Go so I listened to it on my music service. Tex Ritter and Ferlin Husky did it. We should have had a category in the last contest of “Saddest road song with a happy ending!”
I am a small town “nut.” I guess it’s because I grew up in the Los Angeles and San Jose areas. I left when I was in my mid 20’s and moved to a small town. My career allowed me to live almost wherever I wanted, and I did. I have stayed as close to small town life as possible, given that I had a career. For the past 20 years we have lived in rural Washington about 15 miles from Olympia, on a small lake. The deer, ducks, and an occasional otter are our closest neighbors. Tenino is the closest town and its about 10 miles away.
Right now, as I’m writing this, it is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. There is a little mist on the lake and the ducks and geese are silent. The sun is just coming up through the trees across the lake, and I’m sitting in my easy chair watching the morning arrive. Bo, the ‘ole Malamute Wonder Dog is lying by the chair hoping I will give him a little snack...but he’s too fat already.
I see the two lane roads, the small towns, and the people you meet around both to be part of an integrating experience too often missing in the “big time.” Jim wasn’t a fellow I would have typically run into, nor was Edd or Reese, but the road and the small town brought us together to share a few minutes of camaraderie. I left the richer for it.
That’s a big swallow of philosophy, but life is a terrific experience and you won’t find it in your Ipod.
Keep the Show on the Road!
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Tenino is a small town on old US 99 (the old Pacific Highway) south of Olympia, Washington. It is typical of the communities once on the main road, but now bypassed by I5. As is often the case, the main street of town is the old road. Its breakfast time and the Biscuits and Stuff is host to the community regulars. We take a table by the window looking out on the old road.
This is the kind of cafe you find on America’s two lane highways. The old timers gather to share the news, and the cute waitress, Shannon, keeps the coffee cups full. She stops to talk with each customer and knows most of them by their first names.
Halfway into my “good for all day” breakfast, Sheila, Rose of the Road grabbed my arm and said eagerly, “Look out the window.” I figured maybe the chocolate store across the street had just hung out a “Big Sale” sign.....but no, a fine green machine called the Giddy Up Go has just pulled up to the curb.
Not being one to miss an obvious opportunity, I step outside, and strike up a conversation with Jim, her owner. Jim has been working on this 1923 Model T delivery wagon for ten years. The work is all his, and he proudly shares its details. Seems this was a milk truck and belonged to the grandfather of a local man. He tells me it’s the only C Cab Delivery Model T in Washington and that the art work on the panel was done by an artist who also does work for Budweiser Beer.
It s a beautiful machine and Jim is a lucky fellow to have it. In the 18 second movie, Jim tells why he built the Giddy Up Go, and as he pulls out you get a change to hear that engine sing a few notes. Give it a few seconds to load and it should play in your Windows Media player.
We finish breakfast and after Sheila does a little antique shopping, we drive down old 99 to Eds roadside Hot Dog stand. Ed has been here for five years and has made a success selling barbeque burgers and hot dogs beside the old Pacific Highway. I remember driving by when he had just a lawn chair and a barbeque. Now he is a regular fixture of the community, and a popular stop along the old highway.
When we arrive there is a small crowd gathered including a fellow in typical Northwest lumberjack garb, with the red suspenders, blue-gray shirt with rolled sleeves, and heavy work boots. We see fewer and fewer of these men as logging diminishes as a way of life around here. I’m afraid they are going the way of the Indian as the symbol of the Northwest.
The early customers are fed and Ed comes out from behind the counter and his able assistant Reese takes a break. I wondered whether it was Ed’s barbeque or Reese that attracted the crowd.
Rose of the Road suggested I stop speculating.
If you have access to a music service and don’t know the song Giddy Up Go, take a listen. And Keep the Show on the Road!
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I boldly assert that I am unafraid of admitting, and providing photographic evidence of, my road gaffes!
So will there be photos of your jaunt this week, Keep?
As we speak I am preparing a sampler of breakfast on 'ole US 99, better known as the Pacific Highway to us 'ole roadies. Rose of the Road and I did a short drive and had a two lane road morning to share.
Then later this week I'm hoping to spring loose and go down US101 along the coast to Seaside, Oregon, inland along the Columbia River Highway, down to the Snake River on the Old Oregon Trail Highway, and back through the high desert along US20 to Bend, Oregon where my son lives. Then I'll probably take the California - Baniff Beeline on the way back.
I'll take the computer machine along and watch for your write up.
Keep the Show on the Road!
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There is a lot going on here at the American Road Garage. Several members of the gang are just back or just leaving for two lane adventures.
Roadhound is headed for the wilds of the Nevada and Utah deserts in the Rickmobile. He will be traveling the Victory, the Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean and the Lincoln along the old 49er emigrant trail across the Salt Lake Basin. Then he returns along the older alignment of the Lincoln and Midland Trail and the Loneliest Road in America. To boot, he takes another two lane adventure along the famed Tioga Pass to Mono Lake and the ghost town of Bodie in early August. Watch for more award winning photos!
Mobilene just returned from a cruse along the National Road in Indiana and Illinois, and is writing that story up for the gang. He may not admit that he hung the Red Rover up on the old brick road, but I will. Then he is off on another two lane cruise the end of the month, including a short section of the Dixie Highway. He is sure to include some terrific insights as to the old alignments and the roadside artifacts he has documented.
Eyerobic has been on the road, and reported on the Blogfest at the Colonial Theater in Phonixville, PA. He posted a photo in his gallery here.
DennyG, the our bon vivant road ranger, recently returned from touring Route 66 across Oklahoma and Texas, clear to the New Mexico border, and did his typically great write up. As usual you meet the interesting folks along the way, so don’t miss a visit to his posts.
Hester_nec has been critiquing old bridges this week on Roadhound’s bridges forum. Strange Mr. Hudsonly didn’t spot the old Hudson in Mobilene’s post on the National Road. Its up front and bold. Must be slippen....
And ‘ole Keep (me), is packing for a cruse this week along US101, the Columbia River Highway, and US20. And take a look at the virtual US101 videos served up by the Oregon DOT.
That’s just some of the action this week. Post your plans or share your adventure withl all of us.
Keep the Show on the Road!
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*!#!&*@+!!! I have been looking for two bridges side by side, not a single two tiered bridge! No wonder I can't find it!
Back to the maps!
Keep the Show on the Road!
Visually, it looks like the I Street Bridge in Sacramento. I haven't confirmed the auto routes but a rail line looks to have crossed it, so lets ask "Is it the I Street Bridge?"
Keep the Show on the Road!
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You are getting closer. It is geographically between Davis and Roseville and within 10 miles of I-80.
Don't forget that it is also a railroad bridge.
roadhound
*!#!&*@+!!! I have been looking for two bridges side by side, not a single two tiered bridge! No wonder I can't find it!
Back to the maps!
Keep the Show on the Road!
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You are getting warm my friend despite my attempts to muddy the waters by including the reference to Memphis and the road that runs through it.
roadhound
If old US 40 crossed this bridge it was in the dead of night!
The only way to go form Memphis along I40 for as many as 1679 miles is via Barstow. And unless Mapquest backtracks (it doesn’t), that necessarily places the subject section of US 40 in Northern California.
The only north south US highway intersecting US 40 in California is US 99 E & W. The only place US 40 runs with either is between Davis and Roseville.
To reinforce that possibility, this is a pivoting bridge which exists only on navigable waters, which could be any of the sloughs or associated waters of the Sacramento or San Joaquin Rivers.
That said, I have scouted every bridge along that route and find no two bridges so close beside one another.
So I will ask, is this bridge geographically between Davis and Roseville within 10 miles on either side of I80?
Keep the Show on the Road!
Welcome - Please Introduce Yourself!
in General Discussion
Posted
Roadhound,
HAVE A GREAT TRIP. BE SAFE, and WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPORTS!
Keep the Show on the Road!