Bliss

I've owned a few "fun" cars but most were grocery getters, kid haulers, and drive-to-work types. Here's my list anyway: Fun - 1977 Monte Carlo w/factory rainroof (still in my garage) 1979 Vette t-topper (now in my son's garage) 1987 Monte t-topper 2004 Supercharged Monte (still in my driveway) Utilitarian - 1984 Buick LeSabre (driven 214K for over-the-road work) Bliss

If you locate a driveable route between STL & New Madrid that is different from old U.S. 61 please share it, as I would be interested in driving all or part of it. I was not aware there was an El Camino Real in MO. However, being a native Bootheelian, you know there are numerous county blacktops and gravel routes close to the Mississippi which, I guess, could be part of what you're looking for. Interesting.....Bliss

And here's a really decent site for this old highway. After the "IL" portion there's a photo of the 54/36 "Y", site of numerous fatal accidents and just 4 miles west of where both my wife and I lived when we were kids....Bliss http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_54

I've driven U.S. 54 from Pittsfield, IL, across MO and into KS as far west as Mullinville (just east of Dodge City). MO 54 is an extremely scenic drive, as it winds through the famous Ozarks and hill country. U.S. 54 in KS is far less scenic and way more desolate but lots of fun to drive. This is truly a time-travel trip.....Bliss

Cool pics, Cort. Question: The '87 Monte's steering wheel doesn't look like the one on my former '87 SS and, instead, looks more like the 79's and 81's in your photos. Is that the original wheel on the '87? I've owned 3 Montes and still have 2 of them. You've seen photos of the '77, as we talked about me joining your 66 cruise a couple of years ago. You've also seen photos of the '87 from a later discussion. I still have the blue '77 and she sets covered and cozy in my 1-car garage. Has about 62K on the clock, up 27K from when I found her in '92. The last big trip she went on was the '08 Iowa Lincoln Highway Motor Tour. Averaged around 17 mph for nearly 1,000 miles of cruisin'. I bought the '87 in 1995 from a local dealer's lot and she had 56K on the clock; T-topper SS with 305 V8 and auto tranny. I was still working on the road then and added 100K to her before I sold her to a friend a few years later. Loved that car and the varoom she provided with duel glass paks. She couldn't pass the MO inspection, though, without big bucks and I had to let her go. She has since been sold by my friend and I've lost track of her. Bought a new '04 supercharged SS and she now has 60 on the clock. All the bells and whistles, including sun roof. Awesome car and very quick. Averaged 27 mph on a 66 cruise to CA in '04 and seemed to get better mileage on the return via slab at 80 and 90 mph than poking along on old 66. She will be my last Monte unless I weaken and start looking for a cherry '86 or '87 SS. Doubtful due to insurance, licensing, and maintenance costs(and I've promised myself no more old cars or old women).....Bliss

Has anyone visited this park and, if so, what are your impressions? Thanks.....Bliss http://www.georgiastateparks.org/net/content/images.aspx?s=46.0.0.5