Alex Burr - hester_nec
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Posts posted by Alex Burr - hester_nec
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I am going to let this idea "mature" a bit, but here is the follow-up as of today (June 11, 2010)
I think I can have printed 100 copies of a 75 to 100 page book (soft cover) with color cover with 25-30 pages of color inside for $600 or less. If ten of us wanted to contribute a piece, each of us could get 7-9 pages of text and photos in the book.
But that is vastly different than your book, and if contributors of pieces expected a top quality product, they could be disappointed.
I think I will take a wait and see attitude. I'm game to consider pulling together a little amateur self published book, and spend a few hundred for the fun, but I don't want to spend money and have friends expectations not met.
I'll keep the topic open for more thoughts.
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road!
Sometimes off-the-wall is better. We are a diverse group - I for one would not expect professional style production (ie, Houghton Mifflin, William Morrow, et al) - I would enjoy having a self-published book on my shelf that contained writings by, and for, my fellow road travelers. I can go to one of the on-line .com's (Alibris, Amazon) or my local book stores and buy pretty much anything I'd like to read (tho these days I'm trying to "read-out" the library).
No, I'd love to have a little book, such you propose, and it would be something I'd point out to people who came by to visit as something special. I do hope you will pursue this - and I hope, if and when, I have a little spare cash (I'll get it somewhere) to purchase a copy.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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There are blogs here?
Yeah, there's a Blog link under the picture at the top of this page. I started one yesterday.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Going just a bit further over the past 30+ years I've put together a 300 page book, General Information Book for Hudson Built Automobiles. At least it's 300 pp now - the first one I put together around 1984 ran about 175 pages. It done got fat over the years - which is what computer access will do to you.
Now, this effort of mine ain't never gonna make the New York Times best seller list - probably won't ever get out of the basement. The old adage "you got to spend money to make money" is one factor against me. I don't have money to make money with!!! Besides I'd hate to have to change my tax bracket - I get all my with-holding back now so why tempt fate.
Anyway, what happens with this is every so often I go on the Hudson forum and nudge people that I do have something to sell out here. I usually do this when I can try and generate sympathy for my cause - like the cat's got to go to the vet and I need a few bucks so buy my book - (actually such things as "I need a few bucks to get to the National meet" - where I might sell a few copies - or "I need some help here paying my dues" help a lot).
Point I'm getting to is I got (1) a scanner that one of these days is going to self destruct from over use; (2) a good OCR program (Optical Character Recognition for those of you who don't have a clue what OCR means); and, best of all, an HP Laser Jet 1018 laser printer. Only drawback to this little jewel is toner cartridges are, if you buy "off-the-shelf" around $65, last time I looked. Ah, but there is a little jewel out there called InkJetSuperstore.com who are more than willing to send me rebuilt cartridges for $21 each. Good for at least 1600, 1700 pages, but you can get a little over 2000 if you play with it.
So with a laser printer, some 96/24 ink jet/laser paper from Wally World I can print off a 300 pp copy in about 45 min to an hour. Just as an aside, an ink jet printer takes about 2 days and 5 or 6 cartridges - at about $25 a pop for them things.
So there's a thought for you. It's about as cheap as you can get. As for binding, I put my production in a 3-ring notebook simply because I got one of them old (weighs a ton) 3 hold punches and 1" binders at Wally World can be had for a tad under $2 once in a great while. A sprial binding would be even better - but I don't have the equipment for that.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I could contribute one of the stories on my freewebs.com/yankeetravller about trips around the Memphis/Delta area.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I have the original in my collection - the lead car appears to be a 1936 or 1937 Packard (from the shape of the grille).
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Great lead, Denny - thanks. One advantage traveling by bicycle is you can really get onto the old alignments where you couldn't go by car - like where the road was washed out. Try hauling your SUV over that by hand!!! LOL
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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It feels weird that I haven't made my first road trip of this season yet. But I've been quite busy with work and some long-overdue projects at home -- projects I put off in 2008 and 2009 in favor of the road. I absolutely need to not neglect my home another year, so I may not make as many road trips as I would normally. But I kind of have analysis paralysis over where to go this year, and now that's got me kind of stuck. Here's what I've been thinking about:
US 50 in Indiana - This road is cram jam packed full of old-alignmenty goodness, including some long ones. And you know how I loooooove the old alignments. It also promises to have some twisty parts, and I love twisty parts almost as much as I love old alignments.
The Buffalo Trace in Indiana - This road is about as old as it gets in Indiana. US 150 more or less follows its route today.
The Bridges of Putnam County, Indiana - My US 36 and US 40 trips across western Indiana both passed through Putnam County, where I've found some great bridges. This is largely a rural county, and (strangely for Indiana) its roads aren't a neat grid. I'm a fan and contributor over at bridgehunter.com, a catalog of US historic bridges, and it shows several through and pony truss bridges still in use on its country roads, and I'm thinking spending a day finding them all would be just wonderful.
The National Road in Ohio - You know I wanna. Of course, this would involve some overnight stays, and I'd have to bring the dog, so that makes it complicated.
I also continue to think about the Lincoln Highway and the Yellowstone Trail (what's left of it) across Indiana. And my last trip down the Michigan Road in southern Indiana showed me that a couple places I photographed in 2008 aren't there anymore, and so I'm feeling the need to do a recon mission.
So what do you all think? What should be my first road trip of the year? If the weather holds, I hope to make it this coming Saturday!
jim
End the suspense - start at the top and work down!!!!!!!!!!
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Steve,
That is one great find! I would get lost deliberately if I could spot an old service station sign like that each time.
Was it Milton Berle who was sponsored by Texaco? I think it was, and the "regular" gas was called Fire Chief and the premium was called Sky Chief.
I like how you highlighted the sign and post in color and turned the rest grayscale.....but can you really "trust the man who Photoshops?" Just kidding of course! What would any of my shots look like without a tweak or two? I can tell you.....dull.
The fact that sign is still there is surprising because the station looks really long abandoned. Very nice find!
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road!
Milton took over the show around 1948 - previously it had been a radio show in the 30's and 40's with Edd Wynne as the "fire chief". He gave way to Fred Allen and eventually Berle took it over when it went to TV.
That was the golden era of TV. Berle, Sid Cesar and Imogine Coca with their show - it was also the golden age of comedy.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Steve,
Now I know where the exclamation "dog gone!" came from!
But something tells me that Bentley may not be a very enduring landmark. He may be subject to the "winds of fate. " But I suppose he will be "all tied up" through the "dog days of summer!"
Dave
Keep the Show on the Road!
Dave, I'll bet you stayed up all night thinking up that post!!!! LOL
Alex B
Memphis, TN
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As you say the place has frozen in time. Not many of those these days. Most tourists have a driving need to be entertained. Suggest they come to a place like this and simply curl up in a corner with a good book and they'll think you insane. I think it is insecurity. They have to have something of the familiar, like a MacD or Burger King - some symbol they can recognize - or they are totally lost. They have to have crowds and crowds of people, so they can complain about how crowded it it. Places like this are still about, but now you have to search for them.
Great write-up - I'm ready to head for Florida.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Nope. I want to know about those red wheels. A factory color? Period appropriate personal touch? Current owner's rebellious splash of color?
The red wheels were a factory color. The November 1950 Hudson Service Merchandiser, a house publication, lists several synthetic wheel enamels for 1951 Hudsons, among them a color called Vincennes Red. The body color looks to be a 1952 combo - Boston Ivory over Ebony Black ( also available in 1951)
Steve, welcome to the wacky world of Hudsons - glad to see your interest in the marque. Drop an email to our Hudson-Essex-Terraplane club magazine editor Sam Jackson @ hetfortyqtpi@earthlink.net (drop the het) and ask for a complimentary copy of the magazine, The WTN. I've been a member of the HET club long enough to wear a 40 year pin with pride.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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...and even one MORE piece of Hudson trivia: Hudson successor American Motors (AMC was formed by the merger of Nash and Hudson, although it was really more of a Nash takeover than a merger of equals) kept the rights to the "Hornet" name and brought the name out of mothballs in 1969 for the all-new 1970 AMC Hornet. The Hornet's second incarnation lasted through the 1977 model year, and the basic 1970 Hornet body lasted, through the Concord and Eagle, all the way until the takeover of AMC/Jeep by the Chrysler Corporation in 1987!
Yep - unfortunately the AMC Hornet, while a decent car, sure wasn't your Daddy's Hornet!!!!
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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That is a 1951 Hornet Sedan. Not sure who it belongs to as there are several '51 Hornets in Indiana. Powered by a 308 cubic inch flat head six cylinder, these babies, in coupe form mostly, tore up the competition on the early NASCAR and AAA stock car tracks due to the low center of gravity - the floor pans are welded to the bottom of the frame, which gave rise to the name "step-down" as you "stepped down into the car."
These cars were designed to run on the roads we love to talk about and were very good at it. At one time, in the southeast, they competed very well against Ford coupes running moon-shine over southern roads.
Now you know more about Hudson's than you probably ever wanted to know.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Welcome aboard folks. This is a great place to share stories and get info on places you'd like to go - I've been agitating people on here pretty much from the beginning.
Due to having a military career stretching from the mid-50's into the mid-70's I drove a lot of the old 2-lane highways on the way from one duty station to another. I've probably covered all states east of the Mississippi River and most of the western states, except Wisconsin - might be another. I've driven on U S 2, 12, 20, 40, 50, 66, 1, for example and a bunch of others. Unfortunately that was 50 years ago and they have changed. I wind up on one of those highways and I can't remember a damn thing!!! Of course that might be because I'm 72 and the old memory ain't the same as it used to be.
I've been working on documenting some of the old roads here in the Memphis, TN, area, like U S 51 and the blues highway 61. Made a trip with a friend of mine, Denny, back in 2007 from Jackson to Clarksdale, MS, on 49 (and 49E). Had a great time too.
So y'all keep us up-to-date on what you're doing and we'll be riding along with you on your trips. Take care and safe travels.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Unbelievable that this has been going on for 60+ years! Do you know how this got started? jim
Check out this site for a history of the springs and the mermaid show.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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The original photo is circa 1930
~ Steve
Love these "before and after" photos. Looks like about the only thing that hasn't changed are the guard rails. Somehow the road in the newer photo seems wider than the original. Or maybe it's the double lines making it appear larger.
Thanks for the pics.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Dave,
You can keep the manatee's - I want one of them mermaids in my bathtub!!!!!!! LOL
I think maybe the lack of comment on your 3D photo's is not many of us have the equipment to view this format. Not really a lack of interest.
That's what happens with new technology. Takes everybody a while to get comfortable with it.Keep on trucking - safe journey.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I was just looking at that today. I think GoogleMaps routed me that way. I tried to change it, but it wouldn't let me. I'd be sticking with US 68, avoiding the super slab. GoogleMaps is great, but it does have some limitations.
This is the updated one. I had to "bypass" an old segment to make the overall route more true to what I want. Of course, I'll still be hitting the old alignment.
-Eric
I've found streets and trips works quite well. And Mapquest, among others, will give you great satellite shots.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I was looking at the route on your way back to the west. On Day 3 your plan is from Murphy, NC to Paducah, KY. Being a little familiar with the area I'm wonder why the dip south from Russsellville to I-24, then back up picking up U S 68 west off I-24, west of Hopkinsville. Why not just take 68 west out of Russellville thru Henderson?? Unless you want to say you went thru TN.
Sounds like a great trip - be looking fwd to trip reports. Safe journey
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I was surprised to spot the back of my Cadillac, mostly under the carport, but the back end sticking out into the driveway a little, on Google Earth. Clicked on one of the little cameras in the middle of my street in front of my house and there's my car - could tell by the license plate number.
I've lived here since July 2007, so they must update periodically. I also took a look at where I used to live in Maine - my ex told me she'd had the house painted - GE showed it clearly.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I finally managed to win an eBay auction for a Mohawk Hobbs Guide, a 1928 National Old Trails. It came today! Whee!
And then I won another auction for a Mohawk Hobbs, this time a 1924 National Old Trails. I suppose I didn't need both, but I bid on both figuring at least one would ascend to the ridiculous price heights these things seem to go for. But I got them both for $10.50 each. I'm still awaiting the 1924 Mohawk Hobbs.
I am dancing a little jig here in my computer room. Really.
jim
Congratulations!!! Ain't ebay just the greatest place. I've managed to find a number of guide books, like AAA and ALA etc, from the 1920's for decent prices (meaning under $30). Most pretty well worn, but a couple of 1942 AAA (Northeast and Western editions) are in near mint condition.
The best score?? Probably has to be the General Index Map that fits the 1926 Automobile Blue Book (Volume 2 - Southeast) that I have that didn't have a map with it. Neat thing about this map is it shows the "key to organized highways", ie, (B ) Bankhead Highway, (H) Horseshoe Trail, (LS) Lakes to Sea Highway that was in effect prior to numbers. Neat.
I picked the map off ebay for under $10.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I'm not really up on current diners - some of my favorite diners from back in the 1950' would include (in Maine) the Palace diner in Biddeford, the Miss Portland in Portland, (in Massachusetts there was the Miss Ann in Salisbury and the Agawam in Agawam (both right on old Route 1).
Of course we would be remiss if we didn't mention the famous diners - the Maine Diner in Wells and the even more famous Moody's diner in Waldoboro, again both on U S 1. A trip down east wasn't complete without a stop at Moody's.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Delelted by poster.Sorry bout that.
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The difference between the old brick roads and the cement type is - on a brick road you go rumble, rumble, rumble. On cement highway you go ka-thunk, ka-thunk, ka-thunk.
Great video - drop a 1930's car in there and it would be instant time travel for sure.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
By Motor To The Golden
in General Discussion
Posted
By Motor to the Golden Gate is a great read. It's amazing what these early motorists accomplished, simply because they didn't know it couldn't be done. LOL The true American spirit of adventure.
I also have, somewhere around here, the book about the 1919 Army transcontinental truck romp across the U S. The current interstate system was born from that little jaunt.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN