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knightfan26917

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Everything posted by knightfan26917

  1. I love seeing the old stamps on bridges, like that "1938" carved-etched into the concrete! Sure appreciate the detailed photos, Mike. I look forward to seeing your additional pics. Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "All my pictures seem to fade to black & white" | George Michael | 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me'
  2. * I am preparing for my mini road trip to further test the working remotely capability for my part-time job! Tho I still cannot hear from my right ear (thinking maybe it is now more than just a severe inner-outer ear infection), I am driving my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis to Dixon IL tonight, where I will work Monday AM, visit friends Monday PM, then head towards Okemos MI, where I will be Tuesday - Friday before returning to IL to do a few things, have my follow-up with the PCP Tuesday, 03/07/2017, & with any luck, leave Wednesday, 03/08/2017 for the southwest US! A new theme on my website (to chronicle my 2017 working road trips) will debut later today, too, with more details. I will post the itinerary for the March trip in a week or so. If you want to meet while I am on the road this week, contact me via text: eight-4-seven three-3-seven 9897 This 1977 Pontiac Can Am, owned by a friend, was the overwhelming favorite Monday, 02/20/2017! http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/20/daily-vehicle-choice-50/ This AMC wagon, along with a blue Jeep, is along a somewhat narrow & busy stretch of Plank Rd between Elgin & Burlington IL, so chances to get a good image are somewhat slim, but I keep trying: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/22/at-the-heart-52/ A friend owned this 1980 Buick Regal in HS: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/23/thursday-throwback-8/ Another blast from my past; LOVE this picture my sister took, but what was I thinking back then? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/24/friday-flashback-8/ Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Baseball time is here again" | Steve Goodman | 'Go Cubs Go'
  3. Hey Dave, Yes ... grayscale with 1 color! Sure would cut some of the costs.... I do love those cross-eyed 3D images ... but they can be hard on the eyes, sometimes.... Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Why can't that be me?" | 3 Doors Down | 'If I Could Be Like That'
  4. * For the 1st time in a while, I got majorly sick, not going to the office Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Luckily, I was able to work remotely a little bit (even 3 hours earlier today, Saturday), so I did not lose as much time as I would have. Yet, this has delayed my mini road trip to further test the working remotely setup. I hope to feel better & be on the road in a few days; I will drive to southern IL & perhaps into KY-TN, arriving back in northern IL around 03/01/2017. If all goes well, I will then further develop the March-April-May-June-etc. outline plans I posted last weekend. Hope to see many of you along the way! Is this smart &/or surprising to you: doubt is the rust of life? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/13/monday-message-7/ The science of critical timing! Anyone else think this is a cool photo? If so, check out the entry for a link to another photo by Zach; & yes, I still celebrate Single Awareness Day, which is not fun for some reasons & quite awesome for others: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/15/at-the-heart-45/ A moment in my history, right here; read about it in the link: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/17/friday-flashback-7/ Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Everything is so messed up" | Puddle of Mud | 'Blurry'
  5. Dave ... not sure what program(s) you have ... or if you've even tried this ... but, 1 option might be to highlight the areas by turning the base photograph to B&W & coloring the area(s) you want people to see-focus attention. That may help eliminate those lines or arrows.....!? Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Isn't that the way they say it goes?" | Jim Croce | 'Operator'
  6. Dave ... this ^^^^ ... made me burst out laughing. Luckily, I had just finished swallowing a sip of tea before I opened this topic.... I will take that as a compliment ... thank you, sir. Oh my, yes, the 2003 MGM is an awesome road car. I, too, have been quite impressed by the gas mileage ... which seems to be rivaling some "fuel efficient" vehicles..... &, yes, I sure hope to be. The "test" trip is delayed because I got sick this week ... still hoping to be on the road sometime in the next few days, if all goes well.......aye. Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "All of the chaos makes perfect sense" | Joe Diffie | 'Third Rock From The Sun'
  7. * I drew this when I was 11 years old; read about why & how here: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/10/friday-fun-6/ An iteration of my former car family; of these, I still have 1, which will get antique plates later this year: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/09/thursday-throwback-6/ While my car family is much smaller now (& will be further reduced when the 1979 Caprice Classic sells), I am much happier with my current car family, particularly my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/about-cort/vehicles-chds-me/ The 1st try at working remotely did not succeed, but I am committed to finding a way, with a 2nd program & attempt this week. While I am frustrated at having to be back in IL the 1st week of each month [& some other times, like for my tentative 05/11/2017 appointments with specialists at Northwestern in Chicago] due to prescription refills, obligations-tasks, etc., I am looking forward to stepping further out of my comfort zone to road trip & work my part-time job. I hope to meet many of you along the way! Draft Itinerary, my 2017 road trips, dates-times TBD: FEBRUARY (last ~1 week) southern IL & into KY, TN MARCH southwest (including Route 66) MO, KS, OK, TX, NM, AZ APRIL southeast (including Dixie Highway) KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, AR MAY northwest (including Lincoln Highway & US RT 20) IA, NE, CO, WY, UT, NV, ID, OR, WA, MT, ND, SD, MN, WI JUNE northeast (including Lincoln Highway & US RT 20) IN, MI, OH, PA, NY, CT, MA, NJ, VA Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "The rhythm of the asphalt goes on & on & on" | The Road Crew | 'That Ol' 66'
  8. NICE! Think my favorite bridges are the long, arched ones, like the "Concrete Open Sandrel Arch Bridge"..... Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Sometimes love comes & goes away" | George Strait | 'Marina Del Ray'
  9. I second this! I wish I would've known about & seen it prior to my 2009 Route 66 road trip ... would've given me a few more ideas for places to explore! If I'm able to include California during my travels this year, I will be referencing it quite a bit. Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Take a ride, look around" | Jason Aldean | 'Tattoos On This Town'
  10. * Tuesday, 01/24/2017, I took a day off work, to drive my Aunt Chris in my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis to see an older cousin, Luan, in Rochelle IL. We decided to go to Lincoln Way Cafe in Franklin Grove for lunch & briefly visited the place in the photo; read about what it is, etc., in this link: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/04/smorgasbord-saturday-5/ SPEAKING OF WORK! After several delays, my major 2017 road trips SEEM to be a GO! I am a bit excited, especially since I will step out of my comfort zone & work my part-time job along the way. It will be challenging to map out the routes-dates-times (especially considering medical appointments, health issues, getting prescription refills & other obligations-tasks, etc.), but I always love a good challenge. I will need definite places to stop &/or stay a few days-nights; so, if you want my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis & me to visit you along the way, speak up NOW. If you want to meet, advise your location, how long you want to visit & wireless internet availability (for work, of course!), so I can plan. If you want, send me an Email: cort @ oldcarsstronghearts.com I have a bunch to do before I start driving [set up a few things, test the work-computer configuration, personal projects-tasks, pack, etc.], but I hope to be on the road within ~2 weeks. I will have to get back to Illinois by the last few days of February & 1st week or so of March, but then I will go back out on the road for most of March & then most of April. I will be in some areas multiple times, but that is OK with me! Since I most-likely will be scarce from the boards while I am on the road, I am planning to chronicle my travels on my website. This 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass was owned by a friend some 27 years ago: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/03/friday-flashback-5/ Do you agree with this about music? I originally wrote it 12/29/2012! http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/01/wednesday-wakeup-5/ Finally, 1 of my old family pics. The guy looking at the camera, leaning on what I believe is a late 1960s Buick LeSabre, is my Pappy. Read more here: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/02/02/thursday-throwback-5/ Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "T-tops down in my Cutlass Supreme" | Uncle Kracker/Kid Rock | 'It's Good To Be Me'
  11. * This is a photo I took ~4 years ago now! Anyone else have a BP gas station like this? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/23/miniature-monday-4/ I love old family photos like this! Read more about when this was taken here: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/26/thursday-throwback-4/ A few weeks ago, I posted a pic of 1 of my display cases. This pic better shows how I made it: Want more details? See: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/27/friday-fun-4/ Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "I think it's about time you should know" | Trick Pony | 'Just What I Do'
  12. I should clarify, too ... during my experience in 2009, as I stated, they were nice about the probing ... in fact, they were quite humorous about it, despite me becoming more & more nervous the more they probed. Point is ... tho I was terribly nervous, it was actually a funny & humorous footnote experience to the entire trip. Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "We'd drive around" | Cheap Trick | 'In The Street (That '70s Show)'
  13. LOL!!!! No, I can't say I had any of those goodies ... ever.... But, I'm curious ... perhaps I know what these are just not the terminology you used? ... what is a "suicide knob" & a "flocked dashboard"....? (Yes, I know what "spinners" are ... LOL!) Your comments about your generation ... times sure have changed. Most high schoolers I know have their own car [either thanks to a job they have or a generous "donation-gift" from their parent(s)]. When I went to school, a car was a luxury. I never had 1 of my own, & it wasn't until the 2nd semester of my senior year that my parents allowed me to occasionally take the family car to school. I thought I was "top dog" then ... heh. As for the parking lot ......... holy cow! At our school, the neighborhoods & city council had to BAN parking on the streets because of the overflow from the student parking lot ... & that has only gotten worse. They finally "got smart" & turned 1 of the beautifully landscaped lawns into a parking lot for students ... but that even has since been turned into half student-half faculty parking. Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "& suddenly we're all grown up" | Alabama | 'Cheap Seats'
  14. * Do you agree!? Read more about this here: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/18/wednesday-wakeup-3/ What vehicles were in your life when you graduated HS!? Read more about this photo here: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/20/friday-flashback-3/ Have you seen anything like this!? Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Something's haunting you" | Marty Robbins | 'Some Memories Just Won't Die'
  15. * If you remember the 1969 Pontiac Executive & 1969 Pontiac LeMans I posted last week, here is another old family photo of the LeMans: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/12/thursday-throwback-2/ Bet many of you will know what this car is: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/15/at-the-heart-14/ A friend sent me this vintage photo he took! He believes it is the Allentown PA Fair parking lot during a 1980 Doobie Brothers concert. What vehicles do you spy? Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Take your time, hurry up" | Nirvana | 'Come As You Are'
  16. * I have experienced a lot of change the last few years, from losing a full-time job to selling the majority of my cars. With some recent changes to my website to start 2017 [after an overall awesome 2016], this (including a photo I took along I-65 S in Kentucky, 08/17/2003) is appropriate: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/02/monday-message/ 1 of my goals is to re-arrange my model displays, including this double-decker case. See how I modified the original case here: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/06/friday-fun/ Have you ever seen a 1969 Pontiac Executive sedan? If not, you have now! Read about it here: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2017/01/06/friday-flashback/ Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Sometimes you just get a feeling like you need some kind of change" | David Pomeranz | 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now (Perfect Strangers)'
  17. LOL, Dave ... sadly, I don't have a Maserati or Ferrari on my resume of vehicles, either, & probably never will. But, I'm OK with that. That said, I'd say your list is actually an upper ... I'd love to have a convertible & a station wagon ... who knows, maybe it could be 1 & the same!? Cost of ownership is 1 thing I've never really kept track of ... & don't want to ... because, as you noted, it was money well worth it ... & I don't want to ruin that thought with how much others might consider to be a "waste"......... 1 of my regrets (so far, anyway) is most certainly not driving the heritage highways enough. I want to rectify that, &, if I'm able to go "on the road" & work remotely this year, that would be a start ... tho, at the moment, that is looking less likely..... Having not "sinned" enough is also a regret........ Good ... I was wondering if anyone would be able to run the table on the numbers! As you can see, I have all but 2 numbers covered (much like having all but 2 of the states visited). The convertible I want would cover the 5: 1975 Caprice Classic convertible. Not sure what car to own for the 4, though I think it might be neat to have a Mopar of some sort to go with my Mercury & Monte, to have 1 of each from the Big 3? Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Uh, what model is it?" | Johnny Cash | 'One Piece At A Time'
  18. Dave, You had me laughing out loud during several passages of your story. This is a very well-written piece, & I'm glad you posted it here for us to read & enjoy. During my Route 66 road trip in 2009, I remember being stopped entering California to be inspected for fruit. I'd been to CA in my younger days on family trips, but don't remember being stopped for inspections. Could be I just wasn't paying attention. Anyway, during my stop in 2009, they just about turned my rental upside down. They were nice about it, of course, but the more they "probed", the more nervous I got, which probably prompted them to inspect more ... LOL. Obviously, I passed inspection, but it was an experience I'll not soon forget. When I returned to CA in 2011, entering a bit further north through Utah, I do not remember them stopping me at all that time. Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Everybody knew it was the end of the line" | Jimmy Dean | 'Big Bad John'
  19. * "Another year comes to a close" | Sylvia | 'Reflections' Can hardly believe 2016 is almost over; it was a great year in so many ways! (No health or 2017 Road Trip news to report, yet, anyway.) Previously a Memory Monday feature, this image: prompted me to start another story (The Newspaper Limo) with new characters & plot: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2016/12/29/the-newspaper-limo/ Anyone else love observing differences & similarities between vehicle nameplate generations & years? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2016/12/30/vehicle-generations/ http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/about-cort/vehicles-chds-me/ Since I love statistics (trends, sports records & automotive details), I had some fun determining my distribution graph for the last digit of years of cars I have owned. The only 2 digits I have not owned, at least not yet, 4 & 5! 0 = 1 (2000) 1 = 1 (1981) 2 = 1 (1972) 3 = 1 (2003) 4 = 0 5 = 0 6 = 1 (1976) 7 = 2 (1997, 1987) 8 = 1 (1988) 9 = 3 (1979CC, 1989CC, 1979) How about you? Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Welcoming in the new year" | Vonda Shepard | 'What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?'
  20. Amen ... particularly the "safe motoring". So hoping I can get back out on the road in 2017 ... we'll see, tho. Hope everyone had a wonderfully very Merry Christmas! Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "May your days be merry & bright" | Irving Berlin/Bing Crosby | 'White Christmas'
  21. * Since posting this, I have added a few stops & made some timeline adjustments; HOWEVER, some health issues may derail my plans. I should know by the end of 2016 whether or not I will be on the road in 2017 (health wise & boss approval). As if my congenital heart issues were not enough: * recent test results confirm my cholesterol is too high, & I am now in Stage 3 Kidney Disease. * 2nd of 4 follow-up CT scans to monitor the speck on my lung is set for 12/27/2016. My next cardiologist checkup (along with other specialists, including a nephrologist) is set for 05/11/2017, but I found out recently Medicaid insurance may not cover those appointments. Times like these, I just remind myself the Chicago Cubs are the 2016 World Series Champions. In case I do not have time to visit the next couple weeks (what with the 2 Holiday weekends), MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! With any luck, I will post a potential major road trip route for 2017 soon? Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Remember that fat boy, bring that kid, if you want to see New Year's Eve" | Mona Abboud, Sleepy Hollow IL native-resident | 'The Pretty Little Dolly'
  22. * Anyone into HO (or other) scale trains? I certainly was when I was a youngster, & still am, actually. For many years, I had this train table set up, but had to take it down a few years ago for some basement renovations. Maybe someday I will get it back up & running! Meantime, what catches your spying-eye radar? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2016/12/05/monday-night-fun-84/ Which of these Hot Rods would you prefer: Chocolate Brown Goodness or Winter White Coolness!? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2016/12/08/thursday-survey-84/ When is a cop car not a cop car? When it is painted as such, like this Junkyard Jewel! http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2016/12/10/car-tunes-saturday-84/ Since my boss 1st agreed to revisit the possibility of me working remotely, starting January 2017, he has since said my next work computer will be a laptop & suggested ways to handle work flow with me on the road. So, I am hoping a major, working road trip actually happens in 2017. That in mind, I started a ROUGH, general overview of a potential route. Given so many variables (i.e. people to see, who I can stay with for a day or 2, needing to return to IL every so often, weather, timing, etc.), I will figure out specifics (dates, times, actual path, etc.) later. The outline below includes places I have stops for visits &/or 1-2 days to stay; some areas can be switched around, too (for instance, could stop in Cincinnati en route to FL). Let me know if you would like to meet up in 2017! WINTER months (January-March) NC Charlotte SC Darlington Anderson GA Atlanta FL Tampa AL Birmingham LA TX Arlington Dallas Austin NM Albuquerque AZ Phoenix Tucson Kingman CA Victorville Barstow LA Yreka SPRING months (April-May) CO Denver KS Wichita MO Joplin TN Nashville Knoxville VA Arlington SUMMER months (June-August) MA Springfield Boston NJ Trenton PA Lancaster OH Columbus Cincinnati MI Detroit Okemos IN Fort Wayne IL Springfield Morris Effingham WI Slinger MN Twin Cities OR Medford Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Maybe I'll drive so far they'll all lose track" | Dolly Parton | 'Hard Candy Christmas'
  23. * I quipped this (about life, cars & music) 4 years ago (2012), & for me, anyway, it still holds true today, perhaps more so: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2016/12/02/daily-dose-philosophy-fri-83/ Nice Pontiac Firebird pictured, too, btw! This is from back when you had lots of choices within 1 nameplate! I would take 1 of each, which Ford LTD(s) would you buy? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2016/12/01/throwback-thursday-83/ Remember when gas-service stations all had their own trucks? Looks like this pickup was 1 of them! http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2016/11/28/memory-monday-83/ Quite a phenomenon how things change even when it seems not to be the case: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2016/12/01/daily-dose-theory-thu-83/ Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "It's a pudding made of figs ... & bacon" | Gonzo to Miss Piggy/John Denver & Muppets | 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas'
  24. * Received my license plates for my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis! I did not get my 1st choice (PANTHR 3), but I got my 2nd choice, DLY DRV 3. At least now the plates make it official, right? ALSO somewhat official: my boss has agreed to revisit the possibility of me working remotely, starting January 2017, which means I can ROAD TRIP about as much as I want & really live those impulses to drive & see people & places. I am developing potential plans (including time to drive, work, visit, maintain my website & other personal projects-goals) & hope to have a decision from him later this month! How cool would that be if it works even somewhat close to what I envision? Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "Maybe next year I'll give it to someone special" | WHAM! | 'Last Christmas'
  25. I've been on US Route 6 in a few different states ... Illinois (it is ~1-2 hours south of me), Ohio, Pennsylvania & Utah ... maybe someday I'll be able to travel the entire length. I'm always amused looking at a map of it ... because it has so many twists & turns & literally goes in all directions. US 20 goes right through my hometown ... & I've been on it in the middle of the country & on both coasts ... hoping to someday drive all of it, too. Cort, www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pig&cowValves.paceMaker * 1979 CC to 2003 MGM + 81mc "When you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God" | Kenny Rogers/Wynonna | 'Mary, Did You Know?'
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