Alex Burr - hester_nec
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Posts posted by Alex Burr - hester_nec
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Greetings!
Your are cordially invited to attend the Opening Reception of the Michigan's Roadside Attraction Exhibit at the Michigan Historical Museum.
Sincerely,
Becky Repp
American Road Magazine
Becky,
I'd love to come to Michigan - however, I left my snowshovel in Maine when I moved down here.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Matt, et al...
I looked at tents at Cabella's and maybe the next trip will be a camping adventure. I'm not up to Beamerchef's marvelous adventures, but maybe I could do a wimp's version.
Keep the Show on the Road!
Dave
You can always camp in my back yard - it's something like 50-60 feet wide and 125 feet deep!! Plenty of room - you just got to get used to the street light in the middle of the neighbors back yard.
And maybe the moles tunneling down below.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Is that Mayport or is there something right in Jacksonville? I was briefly in Mayport in 2004 when I took a ride on the Enterprise with my son.
There were 3 big navy bases - Mainside Jax is south of downtown on the St John River; NAS Cecil Field was out west of town a few miles; and Mayport was the carrier base for Jax and Cecil Field.
From a google search they are still there.
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Another great trip report, Denny. And over some ground that I've been over before - 50 years ago!!! LOL I was stationed in Jacksonville at the Naval Air Station back in 1956!!
While I was following your trip, I was/am reading Least-Heat Moon's River Horse - I found a copy at the library. In the History section - figure that one out. That's as good as his Blue Highways and The Road to Quoz.
Thanks again for taking all of us with you on your road trips - your writting is enjoyable and interesting. And the photos excellent.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Mark,
Welcome to a most wonderful group of friends. No matter how or when you find this place, you are immediately welcome to be here. Enjoy the ride...
Add my welcome to the group, Mark. I've had some upheaval in my life in recent years and this American Road family, along with my Hudson Car Club family, has been an anchor for me. You couldn't find a greater group of people.
Drop by my "Back Yard Roadtrips" http://www.freewebs.com/yankeetraveller/ - sometime - nothing fancy as I don't really know how to build a really good web site. But it gets the job done, I guess. I really got to get back to work on it.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Dedicated to humor is very proper!!! They just left after a dinner over the fire... we aited for you but we were too hungry...
Thank you Dave... we are getting on some new roads tomorrow! Dry runs I call them...
And it was Christmas Day, Tx
Be well… Ara & Spirit
Ah, yes, the man does have a sense of humor - now if you can just teach that reindeer sitting in the side car to fly, think of the benefits!!!!!!!!!!
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I learned to shave with one of those injector razors - back in the early 50's!!!!! A few years back I got tired of buying disposable razors and bought an electric. Don't shave quite as good as a blade - but, hey, I ain't going to visit the queen!!!!!!!!!!
Have a great, and safe, trip Denny - we'll look fwd to each day's report, as we always do, with anticipation.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I wish you guys would stop talking about Florida and Key West. We have so much snow we have not been able to get out of the driveway, even with chains, since Friday, and by the looks of it, we could be snowbound until Wednesady or even Christmas....grumble, grumble, grumble.
Keep the Show on the Road!
Dave
Dave, tho it is in the 30's here in Mempis, there isn't any snow on the ground - I don't have any trouble getting out of my driveway.
Yeah, I really miss New England and winter - like maybe a root canal????????
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
(Sunny) Memphis, TN
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Those fire dances are awesome to watch - my ex-wife and I went on an Hawaiian cruise in 1995 and one of the things we got to see was a Samoan fire dance at the Hawaiian Cultural Center out in Laie on Oahu. The show was mesmerizing.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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There is a ghost grade for an unbuilt northward extension of the Taconic at I-90, too. I'm not sure of where it was ultimately intended to go. It would be interesting indeed if those plans could ever be revived.
Mike
In the 1950's it was planned to extend the Taconic State Parkway as far north as US 20 in West Lebanon, Rensselaer County. There was some talk of eventually extending as far north as Buskirk (at the intersection of NY 67 and NY 22), on the Rensselaer-Washington county border and still earlier there were plans to extend as far north as the Canadian border. As usual the gremlin that stopped this ambitious project was lack of funds.
Perhaps it's a blessing it didn't happen. I'm sure that the extension, if it had been built after the 1950's, would have turned out to be just like the interstates today - far, far from the wonderful experience one can enjoy on the existing road today.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
Check out this web site, where the material above was taken from: http://www.nycroads.com/roads/taconic/
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Blue Star Memorial Highway marker on Interstate 81 northbound near New Market, Virginia
The Blue Star Memorial Highways are memorial highways in the United States that pay tribute to the U.S. armed forces. The National Council of State Garden Clubs, now known as National Garden Clubs, Inc., started the program in 1945 after World War II. The blue star was used on flags and outside servicemen's homes during the war. The program has since been expanded to include Memorial Markers and Memorial By-Ways. These markers are used in National Cemeteries, parks, veterans facilities, and gardens.
As an aside, during WWII homes that had men, and women, in the armed forces displayed a blue star flag in their windows. In the event of a death of a serviceman or woman a gold star flag would be displayed. You may have heard of "gold star mothers" who are (or have been) traditionally honored in Memorial Day parades by riding in a convertible in the parade. Given the time that has passed there are probably very few gold star mothers surviving.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL -
HERE'S TO SAFE TRAVELS IN 2009
MAY CHRISTMAS DAY BE FILLED WITH LOVE, HOPE AND HAPPINESS FOR ALL!!!!
Hudsonly.
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN -
I've driven the Merritt many times going back to the 1950's. Indeed it is (was) a pleasant drive. As has been said driving during commuter hours in the morning going into New York is murder.
Another very pleasant drive is the Taconic State Parkway between I-90 and I-84. Much of the traffic that used to use that one is now over in I-87 so it's a quiet, pleasant way to spend 50 miles.
Many times coming out of (or going back to) New England I've used the Taconic - it beats the hell out of that mess in CT they call the Hartford-Danbury corridor. Even if you use 91 between Hartford and Meridian and then 691 to Waterbury. It's still a nightmare between Waterbury and Danbury. Reason it goes thru so many cities is political. Business screamed, when 84 was built, that they'd loose all their business. Now they can sit in front of their stores and watch all their business go by on the interstate that runs thru the middle of town.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and safe travels in the new year.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
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The album was private. I didn't even know we could have private albums. (But I guess Alex figured it out
). I could see them when I was logged in (presumably because of my secret administrator powers) but not as a guest. I saw the word private next to it and was able to make it public through the admin control panel.I've seen some of those before and particularly remember the one with the airplane. That's one's got it all. The Potomac River, C&O Canal, railroad, National Road, airplane (invented just 17 years before), and plenty of telephone poles.
I keep telling you people I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing!!!! Private - ain't that a rank in the Army??
I didn't figure it out - I just went to gallery and posted my cards.
Anyway, thanks Denny. It's always nice to have somebody around that knows what to do!!!
After the first of the year I may dig around ebay and see if I can find some more cards. There are some over there now, but end of the month is coming which means end of my monthly finances.
In the meantime here's wishing everybody a very, very MERRY CHRISTMAS, the absolute best of the coming holiday season and many, many miles of safe travels in 2009.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I don't think its a personal album - I can access them by clicking on "Gallery" in the tool bar just below the American Road logo.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I finally got around to digging out the small US 40/National Road post card collection and have posted it in the members gallery section.
They span from the late teens/early 20's to, probably the late 50's - the National Motel card does mention TV in the rooms.
Enjoy.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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What always amazes me is that there isn't enough money to renovate but there's always bucks to build new - and in the long run renovate is probably cheaper than replacing.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Ara and Sprit,
I will get this out today - even tho it's a few days early. That way I won't forget (which at 71 is easily done!!!!!)
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR - AND SAFE JOUNEYS IN THE COMING YEAR.Tho we can't be with you physically, we all on this forum will ride with you in spirit. Your posts and blog of your trip have inspired us and we look forward to hearing more from you. You provide a bright spot in our day.
Stay safe and well and have the journey of a lifetime.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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A "soulful neighbor", Tx
It has become so strange about loosing days here. I sometimes look at a calendar, compare it to some recent writing or photography and realize that more days have passed than I thought.
Ara, it's called "growing older!!" You wake up one day and realize yesterday was two weeks ago and last week was 6 months ago!!!!
Growing old is pigeon poop!!!
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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This one even worse as it rained first. Hate when it does that.
Ah, fond memories of New England Winters past!!!!!!!!!! Sitting here in Memphis watching the rain come down, back and side yard (where I park my car - so I'm parked on the front lawn) flooded and I can smile. Because I know that (1) we ain't gonna have any snow with this and (2) all that water in the back and side yard will merrily flow out to the street and down the storm drain!!!!
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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I had little to do on this cold, post snowy Sunday. Well, check that, I had plenty to do here in the house, but there wasn't any of it I actually "wanted" to do.
I had a geocache to replace out in North Salem, so I decided to get that done today and do a "coast to coast" trip on the entire length...all 41 miles...of Indiana State Road 236. It was a chilly day, as it was in the upper teens/low 20's all day after a 2" snowfall Saturday throughout most of the state. Mobilene thinks that it doesn't get any more obscure than IN-42. Well, I think I trumped him on 236!
Details of this journey can be found here, and the rest of the photo shoot can be found here.Neat road trip report. Shows you don't have to travel across a bunch of states (no slam intended Denny - love your "multi-state" reports as well
) to produce an interesting road report. I've done a couple of those here out of Memphis and one of these days I've got to post them on my web site.Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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Something I should have remembered to mention. If you take the old alignment that I mentioned going past the old radio station in Stacy, be careful when you get to the south end. The road goes down a short hill, under a railroad bridge and immediately turns 90º right. You come out on Route 77. Turn left there and that will take you into downtown West Memphis.
When you reach Broadway (U. S. 70) turn left and follow E. Broadway to I-55 and pick up 61 over the I-55 bridge. The railroad bridges to your left were built back around 1916 and 1890 something, as I recall. The 1916 bridge had, from around 1926 to around 1947 or 1948, wings on either side planked over with wood. This was the car crossing - you came into Memphis on the south side of the bridge and left Memphis on the north side. I've been down where the ramps came into West Memphis and just standing there looking up at what's left of them is enough to scare one to death. You can check out the photos at www.freewebs.com/yankeetraveller - click on Memphis Day Trips and scroll down to 1 JAN 2007 - Memphis-Arkasas Speedway and old U S 70. I got to do some formating on that page.
Hudsonly,
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I've been over 61 (old and new) between Blytheville > Memphis > Clarksdale several times. Only problem is on the old alignment, which still exists, there ain't nothing out there, as Denny can attest to the stretch between Memphis (actually Walls, MS) and Lula!!! Well, Robinsonville has casinos and Tunica has a nice veterans memorial and somewhere south of Tunica is a really nice musuem, that's quite new.
However, if you want to run the old alignment for nostalgia come south on U S 61 out of Blytheville. Approximately 7.5 miles south of the U S 61/AR 118 junction in Joiner there is a road that bears left - this is AR 42-AR 30, Stacy Road. This is an old alighment. Tho a little rough it's very driveable. About the only thing out there is a long closed radio station in (was) Stacy.
The next long segment of the old U S 61 is south of Memphis. It runs parallel to the west of the new road. To accesses it you go to Walls. I missed it the first time I drove over it - easist way is to turn off the new 61 at Goodman road, go straight about 200 yards across the old railroad line. Road turns left, then go about 400 yards and turn right onto Old 61.
As I said there isn't much over there - but there isn't a whole hell of a lot over on the current 61 either. Take yer choice - 2 lanes with little if any traffic or 4 lanes with trucks and traffic.
Downtown Tunica is hasn't really changed much, like most towns in Mississippi, in the last 50, 60 years or so, there's casinos just north of Tunica in Robisonville (the casinos ARE Robinsonville - even tho their mailboxes are in Tunica) and there is a laundr-a-mat in Lulu, so I've heard, that has some sort of blues related mural inside - but I'm not sure of that.
Clarksdale is a major blues stop, as Denny has said. From there on south it's been far to many years since I drove it so can't help you there. I'd recommend Richard Knights "The Blues Highway - New Orleans to Chicago" for more information. My copy is a bit dated (2001). Amazon.com has a 2nd (2003) edition for $15 and change;
Happy Traveling
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
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A great photo trip!!!! I'm sitting here at my computer at 8:30 in the morning, my stomach telling me it's time to get breakfast, but I couldn't stop looking thru your great album.
It appears that you'll find murals, like the one's you showed, all over the place here in the south. I keep finding them on the sides of buildings - as you say "check out the side streets".
So much is going away - yet so much seems to remain.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
Lifelong Journey On The Road...
in Motorcycles
Posted
Blogs are, I think, strange - should I say entity, here - yes, entities. What starts as a daily journal, perhaps, begins to morph in some strange to something entirely different from what was intended.
One of the interesting features of the internet is that people tend to interact with others in ways they never would face to face. They begin to open up - sometimes opening their souls to perfect strangers. A blog that was intended to convey one thing, I beleive, may turn into a mirror of one's thoughts and, yes, even one's soul.
Whatever your blog has become, Ara, perhaps different from what you envisioned when you started, it has touched all of us in some way or other. Some will see your blog as a very interesting road trip; others may be inspired by what you write; for some others it may change their way of life.
Safe journey - follow your path, and your hawk, to wherever it may lead you.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN