Back to Indy-- Part 25: After the Race

Stuck around for the various ceremonies involving the winner of he race, including the milk and victory lap.  More power to Helio Castroneves!!

Going back down those mean old stairs is a bit better than going up, but there is a fear of a misstep and going down that would be bad.  Pitching forward headfirst on those closely placed aluminum stairs would not be a good idea.

I did buy one souvenir this trip, a small Alexander Rossi Indy car model.  Gotta back my guy, you know.

Met the others at the Legion bar which remained open to 7 pm.  John bought his obligatory round for being the big winner among us.  

Those poor Legion folks had been working their tails off since Wednesday and they were dragging.  But, obviously this is a HUGE moneymaker, one that they missed last year.

By 6:48, we were back at the RV.  Sitting outside for a cocktail and looking across Georgetown Road at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and could see the flags atop the Pagoda.  I tell you, it would be hard to get any closer to the place.  Talk about your convenience.

In past years, we would watch the complete race replay at night.  Always all sorts of things we didn't see if it happened out of our field of vision.  But, the last couple times, we were all asleep by the last part of the race.  Must be getting old, you know.

--RoadDog

A Trip to DeKalb for NIU Basketball-- Part 3: Lincoln and Douglas Halls

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22

We next went to Village Commons Bookstore right across from West Campus on Lucinda Drive.  This place can cost us a bit of money because of all their NIU stuff for sale, but we managed to get out just as rich as we went in.  Also stocked up there on Northern Stars, the student newspaper.  Always good to be in the know.

So sad to see Lincoln Hall, where I lived freshman year 1969-1970  is closed and has been for several years.  Liz stayed in Douglas Hall sophomore and junior years and that has been torn completely down.  She is not happy about that not am I happy about Lincoln being closed and I'm sure eventually to be torn down.

That is two big dorms closed now.  Each one housed 1000 students back in the day.  There is a new dorm at Northern, right across from the old Lincoln Hall to the north of it.  Student population at NIU was about 24,000 when we attended 1969-1973 and remained around that until a few years ago.  It has now dropped to about 17,000.

Definitely a cause for concern.

Reopen Lincoln!!!  --RoadColn

Things That Inspired the Movie "Cars"--Part 3: Tee Pee Curios and Blue Swallow Motel

Before beginning to work on the movie "Cars" they took a ride on Route 66 for ideas.  They found plenty of ideas.

Michael Wallis declared Glenrio "Death by interstate."

The terrain in New Mexico and Arizona as well as the continental divide was the most inspirational.

Tee Pee Curios--  classic

Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari--  each room had a place for cars to park in a covered spot.  This influenced Sally's motel.

The Yellow Horse Indian Shop influenced the Old Wagon Wheel motel.  Behind it is  a cave.

The neon signs of motels along Route 66 had big influence on all the neon signs in Radiator Springs.

--RoadDog

2017 Indy 500-- Part 26: Walking Around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

SATURDAY, MAY 27

Paul made one of his special breakfasts.

We could overhear the pa at the track announcing the names of the drivers.  Helio and Hinchcliffe, my favorite, got huge cheers.  Also Tony Kanaan, Fernando Alonso, an Indy car rookie who normally drives F-1.  Ed Carpenter, local favorite.  and Scott Dixon.  I am getting to know the racers now that I have been here several times.

An RV Black Water waste disposal unit came through the Legion grounds.  Yesterday they were charging $35 to clean out that, but today $45.  In case you're interested, call 800-909-5646 for sanitation to get rid of that pesky black water.

saw an ad for 105.7 Soft Rock station.

It cost $10 to get into the track today.  This is a big walking day.  It's walk, walk, walk and then walk some more.  We walked along every street in Gasoline Alley and then on to the museum.  We didn't go in, but like to check out the store where they sell things for cheap.  Believe me, the IMS makes a whole lot of money on their trinkets for this race.  Nothing cheap.

And, it was a very hot day.  My feet were sore so I tried to sit in Founders' Circle, but it was too hot.  Finally found some shade in the Pagoda Plaza.Saw lots of Cubs shirts since they won the World Series last year.

--RoadDog

Along 66, August 2018: National Trust for Historic Preservation Route 66 Tour Ends

AUGUST 16

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's month-long Preserve Route 66 trip to drive up Congressional support to declare Route 66 a National Historic Trail has ended.

They collected more than 58,000 signatures, made 232 stops and spent 50,400 minutes on the Mother Road.

More Stats for the trip:

**  Used 380 songs on Spotify playlist

**  Collected 35 postcards, 22 magnets, 8 cacti and 4 figurines.   These figures seem rather modest for a souvenir haul..  I can do that by myself in just the state of Illinois.

**  Highest temp was 113 degrees   Lowest was 52 degrees

**  There were several dozen stories about the tour in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV.

--RoadDog

N.C. Jan. 2017-- Part 21: Tallking CDs, DJs and You Tube

JANUARY 16, MONDAY

Walked along the top of the sand dune berm and looked at the ocean on a pretty good day, weatherwise, for January.

I then took a walk along the front row of stores (and bars) and decided to check out a souvenir store.  I was impressed.  They had a huge collection of beach-related Christmas ornaments (but I avoided buying any, but I sure wanted to).  I did spend some time going through a big collection of used CDs which I, of course, had to thumb through all of them.

I bought five CDs and found out the owner, who was tending store, was a deejay and he was selling his CDs while recording You Tube download songs on his laptop which he will now use in his shows.

I agree that You Tube is one of the best sources of music anywhere.  I use it when I am doing my once a month WLS Top 40 list on my Down Da Road I Go Blog.  The other weeks, I post the Top Ten and generally know those songs, but when I get to numbers 21-40, there are always several (sometimes a lot) of songs that I don't know, so its to You Tube I go.  Only once or twice have I been unable to find a particular song.

He also told me about a place he hangs out at when not at the store or deejaying.  It is the Fat Pelican on US-421 in Carolina Beach.  I'll have to check it out.  He also spends time at my favorite Carolina Beach bar, the Silver Dollar Saloon.

Two things I really enjoy doing (well three things) and they are hanging around with knowledgeable music people, Civil War people and road people.

--RoadDog

Indy 500-- Part 9: Six and Four Makes...

MAY 23, SATURDAY

When we got back to the Pagoda area, there were long lines waiting for driver autographs.  Thank goodness I'm not into autographs.  I don't think my tired feet could have taken more abuse by waiting in one.  But, it didn't stop me from going into a gift shop and buying more 5-24-15 souvenirs.

Sue, Paul and John wanted to stay, but I went back to the RV with intentions of resting the dogs.

When they returned, Sue gave me a poster "signed" by the pile-setter, Scott Dixon, wishing me a "Happy 64th birthday."  Then, it instructed me to look at the pictures of Sterno Coletti and Junior Hildebrandt and figure out what they had in common.  Well, I looked and looked, but nothing occurred to me.  Sue said to look at their numbers.  The first was "6" and the second was "4."  Oh. 64, I get it.

We had cocktails and eats outside  Just an absolute perfect day sitting under the trees and enjoying the weather and good friends, food and drinks.

Feers Don't Fail me Now.  --RoadDog

Indy 500-- Part 7: The Attack Of/On Indy 500 Souvenirs

MAY 23, 2015, SATURDAY:

Until this trip, I had always refrained from buying any souvenirs.  I don't need any more souvenirs.  I mean, I REALLY DON'T need any more souvenirs.  I also don't need to be getting "hooked" on any more things.  I am hooked on way too many things anyway (one reason for all these blogs).

But today would be different.  Not only am I getting hooked on the Indy cars and know most of the drivers' names now and have my favorites, but also, today, I broke the souvenir barriers and did some big buying.  Most of it was directed at anything with tomorrow's date, May 24, 2014, as that is also my 64th birthday that Paul so well sang about back in the 1960s.

It sure seemed a long way off back then.

I bought a hat, tee shirt, shot glass, flag, license plate and a tee shirt for Liz.  And these souvenirs weren't cheap.  Most every tee short and hat was $25+.

Darn it, Sue and Paul.

I Should Never Gone.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66-- April 2015

From Route 66 News site.  Ron Warnick goes into more detail and has many other news stories.  I am just writing about the ones of most interest to me.

APRIL 2ND:  Atsuywki Katsuyama of Japan  plans to retrace Andy Payne's Bunyan Derby trek.  It will be 3,400 miles from Los Angeles to New York City and plans to begin it April 25.  Here come the really sore feet.  Good luck.  He plans to be in Chicago June 21st.  Does anyone know where he is right now?

APRIL 3RD:  Kean Isaacs is restoring a 1920s gas station in Foyil, Oklahoma.  I love old gas stations.  Thanks.

APRIL 5TH:  A new Route 66 souvenir shop has opened on Santa Monica Pier in California.  It is in a trailer, but at least they now have one.  Liz and I were greatly disappointed when we got to the end after starting in Chicago, and there was nothing really there.  Hey, we wanted a frove the whole way license plates or a tee shirt at least.

Getting my Kicks You know Where.  --RoadDog

Preparing to Leave for DeKalb

Last night, Johnsburg High School won their homecoming game over Marengo 42-17!!   I was at the game until after half time and left with the Skyhawks up 15-3.  It got very cold as we had a frost last night.

And, I now know the "K' is capitalized in DeKalb.  Only took me around 45 years to figure that one out.

We need to stop at Wal-Mart in DeKalb to see if they have black NIU sweatshirts as it is "Black Out" for the game.  All my sweatshirts are red.  I do have a black coat with NIU on it and it will be a bit chilly as the game begins at 4 p.m..

I also want to look around the DeKalb Barnes & Noble since we don't have any bookstores around here anymore now that Borders is gone in McHenry.

We also want to stop at the Village Commons Bookstore to look at NIU stuff.

Looking forward to all the alumni tents and the big tent with the bands playing.

Of course, after the game, it's the DeKalb Footstompers at Lord Stanley's on Lincoln Highway (yep, that Lincoln Highway which is DeKalb's Main Street and now Il-38.

Go Huskies.  --RoadDog

So, What Did I Buy?

Since I'm retired and have really run out of places to put stuff, I try to buy less and less while on the road. Actually, I am getting better at not buying souvenirs, but still have my lapses.

Had a semi-lapse in Panama City Beach. My excuse is that it was the FIRST time we'd been there. And, I'm sticking ....

I bought several pirate figures (one on a motorcycle and another on a surf board, never thought of a pirate on a surfboard, dude), a hat, and shot glasses at WAL MART. Also, two sets of Mardi Gras beads..

A "Bad to the Bone" sign at SHARKY'S.

A Donovan's Reef tee shirt at DONOVAN'S REEF. It got some comments at "our" Donovan's Reef back home in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.

A sweatshirt at ALVIN'S ISLAND. My EXCUSE here is that it was very c-o-l-d for several days. Really, it was. Had to wear jeans, jacket, and sweatshirt to be comfortable, and I'd only bought one seat shirt.

A bumper sticker and four large postcards at MARGARITAVILLE. Something reasonably priced from old JB, WOW!!! Really like the bags they put your stuff in. Might have to cut it up and put it on the wall.

An ash tray, several shot glasses, sea shells, and a mini alligator in a box at two different EVERYTHING'S A DOLLAR stores.

A couple Jimmy Buffett mouse pads and license plates at WRECK SHIRTS (on sale).

Oh, Well!! --RoadDog

Souveniring in Panama City Beach

Like any good beach, Panama City Beach has lots and lots of places to plunk down your hard-earned money to show that you've been there.

One place I didn't see, though, was a Wings. Nary a one anywhere along the 14 miles. You can hardly go to a beach on the east coast without seeing two to four of them. Seemingly every couple miles.

Anyway, here are some souvenir places along PCB.

WRECK SHIRTS (or is it SHIPWRECK SHIRTS? I can't remember.)-- Kind of an upscale souvenir place, but with some really great special sales. Bought some Jimmy Buffett items here on sale for a lot cheaper than you can get at Margaritaville.

EVERY THING'S A DOLLAR-- Like it says, everything was a dollar and few items less. If WRECK SHIRTS is upscale, this ain't. But, if you look around, you can find some really good deals on decent stuff. Good place to get shot glasses and Florida ash trays.

ALVIN'S ISLAND-- Several of them, evidently the Wings of the Gulf. Very much like a Wings, actually, maybe they're the same company, different name. But, I was impressed with the one that really looks like an island on the outside and is one of the largest I've ever seen. It took a l-o-n-g time just to walk around. Then, there was the live shark and two very noisy birds as well as Eastern European/Russian employees.

MARGARITAVILLE-- overpriced as is everything Jimmy Buffett, but we love him anyway.

DONOVAN'S REEF-- Tee shirts sold in attached liquor store. Drink it here or take it with you. They also have a convenience store serving some great fried chicken. Fill your belly for around $3 while quenching your thirst and wearing some very hip apparel.

WAL-MART-- This place is loaded with beach-type souvenirs. And very reasonable. They had a whole aisle of Mardi Gras stuff as well.

Hey, Get Me a Tee Shirt!! RoadDog

Anniversary Trip-- Day 1 Galena to Dubuque

We arrived in Galena and took a drive down Main Street and then back out to US-20 to go to Dubuque. The storm clouds that had been about all day, then let loose on us. It was difficult to even see the road and, at one point, we had hail. This was a major storm. Driving across the Mississippi Bridge was a real joy.

Went out west of Dubuque to play NTN at the new Buffalo Wild Wings. The parking lot was running red with clay from the downpour.

When it let up, we drove back downtown to a favorite watering hole called Paul's Tavern, located near the bridge. This place dates back to the 1940s and has glass bricks out front and a sign welcoming people to come in and look at the stuffed animals. The original owner was an avid hunter, and even in his upper 80s today likes to get out on a hunt. These are all animals he's shot.

The bartender said that they have also been hit with big-time rain. Last night, she saw traffic sawhorses being swept down the street by the deluge.

I know of no other pace where you can get an old-fashioned schooner of beer, although they called it a scoop. Drink prices were very reasonable and they have a limited menu with most sandwiches in the $2-3 range. There is also an old Indian statue sitting by the jukebox with a sign on it asking patrons not to touch it. I've also seen two other Indian statues at the Canfield Hotel in Dubuque, plus four playing poker at the Turquois Tee Pee souvenir shop in Williams, Arizona, right on Route 66. I'm sure there's a story there.

Still on Day 1, but Reckon I'll Finish it Up the Next Posting. --RoadDog