Warm Here We Come-- Part 3: Some More Great Illinois Travelin' Stations

Once out of range of WDRV, 97.1 FM and the Ten at Ten to 1979, we listened to METV FM 87.7, as far to the left as you can go on the dial.  They play music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.  Unfortunately, it is canned music, but the selection is great and they play a lot of songs we haven't heard on the radio for a long time and fairly often, songs from those eras that we don't know.  Fortunately, they run the names of the songs and singers across the radio dial in the car.  And, obviously, they every so often play theme songs from TV shows.  Great station.

When METV FM gets too weak at Yorkville, we tune over to WJEZ FM, 98.9, Classic Hits in Pontiac.  Then, we tune into WGCO, 106.3 FM in Gibson City which plays beautiful music and oldies.  I never thought I'd be listening to a beautiful music station AND ACTUALLY LIKING IT, but this one has me.

Once that station fades out, we get WKIO Classic Hits, 107.9 FM out of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.  I'm listening to it right now over the internet and the last three songs are Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville," the Raspberries "Go All the Way" and "Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream.

KIO was the name of my dorm floor back in my freshman year at Northern Illinois University, Keggers Independent Organization.  I wonder if the Champagn radio station has anything to do with KIO?

Groovin' Down the Road.  --RoadMusicDog

Warm Here We Come-- Part 2: Radio Tunes

As I mentioned in my last post, we listened to the radio a whole lot on our way to Panama City Beach.

Since we were somewhat late getting off on the first day of the trip, we were able to listen to Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, first at 96.9 FM and then 97.1 FM as we got further south.  Always a favorite thing for me.

The year ten songs were chosen from was 1979.

HERE COMES MY GIRL--  Tom Petty
COOL CHANGE--  Little River Band
IT'S ALL I CAN DO--  Cars

WE DON'T TALK ANYMORE--  Cliff Richards
DON'T BRING ME DOWN--  ELO
TOUCH TOO MUCH--  AC/DC
I NEED A LOVER--  John Mellancamp

LOVE IS THE ANSWER--  England Dan and John Ford Coley
BAD CASE OF LOVING YOU--  Robert Palmer
THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA--  Charlie Daniels Band

Brought Back Some Memories.  --RoadDog

Warm Here We Come-- Part 1: Radioing Through Illinois

We just returned from Panama City Beach, Florida.

We found warm...mostly.  But, anyway, even the quite cool mornings warmed up and overall, temps were mostly in the 60s.  During that time, back in Spring Grove, Illinois, averaged in the 20s most of the time, and with 12 inches of snow.

All-in-all, much nicer in PCB.

AUGUST 31, WEDNESDAY

Went through e-mails, watered plants and packed for the trip.

We listened to the radio much of the way through Illinois.

Took our usual Chicago bypass, Illinois Highway 47 from Woodstock to Mahomet by I-74.

We got gas in Morris for $2.36 and stopped at the Burger King there which was recently remodeled.  They are the only Burger King we know of that still sells the tacos.  Their tacos are the closest to Jack-in-the-Box's and we really love those.  Always a stop for us in Litchfield, Illinois, when we're doing Route 66.  It is the closest Jack's that we know.    (We have found out that the Jack's restaurants in Alabama are not Jack-in-the-Box.)

--RoadTravel

Panama City Beach's Wild Willie Radio: Real Country Legends

We just got back from our somewhat annual trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, where I came across this great radio station, evidently fairly new, Wild Willie, 100.1 which plays great oldies country songs from the last 30 years,.  That was the only station I had on the whole time we were in PCB.  Also listened to it all the way from PCB into Alabama on Wednesday.

I am listening to it right now while typin' away with my two little fingers back in the cold, cold Northlands.  You can be sure I will  be listening to this station a lot from here on out.

I also like another classic station out of Galax, Virginia, called Classic Country 98.1 FM, WBRF which plays even older songs.

Between the two of them, I will get my country fill.

They're playing Bocephus' "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound" right now at 9:03 a.m..

Good Music Maynard.  --RoadDog

N.C. January 2017-- Part 8: Radioing My Way Through N. Carolina

Continued friom March 17.  Perhaps I will get there at some time.

January 13, 2017, Friday.

I am driving through the western part of N.C., now, listening to the Classic Country station, windows down and enjoying 77 degree temperatures..

This is my fifth drive to and from North Carolina since May because of my mother's death, so I am getting quite used to the drive.  As I get east of Greensboro, I lose WBRF and switch to 850 AM out of Raleigh, which plays a mix of oldies like our MeTV Radio back in the Chicago area.

I was to meet my nephew Andy's plane from Nashville at RDU and then drive him to Topsail Beach  We drove I-40 to US-17 outside of Wilmington and took it most of the way to the beach.  We got to Hamstead at 4:40 p.m. and the traffic going both ways was almost Raleigh Rush Hour bad.

--RoadDog

N.C. January 2017-- Part 3: Gas and Indianapolis Rush Hour

JANUARY 12, 2017

Listened to the usual Illinois radio stations while cruising.  That would be METV-FM (oldies) until Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten (1973) began on WDRV, then WJEZ in Pontiac (classic oldies) and WGCY in Gibson City (beautiful music).  Then I found a classic country station out of Champaign.  I like a variety when traveling.

The temperature never got above 32 degrees until I got to I-74, near Champaign, Illinois.  Nicest thing about that was that there was no longer all that slop from melting ice the trucks were putting onto the windshield.

Gas at the usual Crawfordsville, Indiana, stop was $2.25, but I did see it at $1.96 at one place east on Indianapolis.  Usually gas stood at around $2.20 most of the trip.

Leaving home as late as I did, plus losing the hour going into the Eastern Time Zone meant I would be hitting the Indianapolis rush hour right at its peak, but, I went right through.  there was heavy traffic, but now stopping.  As a matter of fact, I found that if I went the 50-55 speed limit, I'd get run over.

--RoadDog

N.C. for T-Giving 2015-- Part 17: WJEZ FM, 98.9 in Pontiac, Illinois

December 4, 2015.

As I said, I had fog all the way through Indiana and into Illinois, but, for the most part it wasn't too bad.  That fog finally broke south of Forest, Illinois, driving north on Il-Highway 47.

Tuned into WJEZ 98.9 FM  out of Pontiac, Illinois and greatly enjoyed the Friday Oldies Get-Together Show.  It is classic rock otherwise, but this show plays the oldies and lots of them.  He also has a theme.  Today's was "Sweet."

Some of the songs:  Sweet Soul Music, Sweet City Woman, Sweet Inspiration, Sweet Nothings, Sweet William by Millie Small, Sweet Hitchhiker, Sweeter Than Sugar by Ohio Express.  Sure enjoyed listening to these songs.

(I'm listening to it right now over the internet  Starts at noon on Friday.)

On my drive to N.C., there was snow on the ground all the way through Illinois, although in decreasing amounts.  Coming back, there was none, but a lot of puddles.

I was happy not to get stopped at the Il-72, US-20, Il-47 bottleneck by Stark's Corner.  Went right through.

In Morris, I remembered that the Burger King there still sells tacos, two for $1.49.  We liked the Burger King tacos as they are pretty close to the Jack-In-the-Box tacos.  But, unfortunately, this is the only Burger King I know that still sells them.  I had to get my taco fix.

N.C. for T-Giving 2015-- Part 13: "There's a Tear In My Beer"

Leaving Mt. Airy, WBRF Classic Country in Galax, Virginia, was playing one of my favorite songs, the Hank Williams and Hank Williams, Jr. song "There's a Tear in My Beer."  It doesn't get much better country than this song.

Passed over the Eng and Chang Bridge, named after the famous pre-Civil War Siamese twins featured by P.T. Barnum, who retired and raised families in Mt. Airy and whose sons fought for the Confederacy.

Shortly after getting onto I-77, a big red pickup truck passed me like I was standing still.  I had a big smile on my face a short while later to see him pulled over by a state trooper.

Kind of strange, but there were nothing but trucks going up the long grade into Virginia.  Usually there are at least some cars among them.

Listening to the Jason Blevins show on WBRF.  Stopped for gas at Wytheville and it had gone up 3 cents to $1.89 since I last went through there eight days earlier.

--RoadDog

N.C. for T-Giving 2015-- Part 8: Traffic, Traffic and More Traffic

November 25, 2015, Wednesday.

Traffic on the West Virginia Turnpike got heavier the further south I went, but at least there wasn't a backup at the last two toll areas ($2 each).  Upon entering Virginia, I made my usual stop at the Virginia Welcome Center for my Virginia peanut fix.  They have small samples of the best peanuts I've ever tasted.  The people there said the company does sell the peanuts at a couple places along I-77, but they don't at the welcome center.  They really should sell the peanuts at the center.

Traffic got heavier through the Virginia stretch.  Stopped at Wytheville, always the cheapest gas on the trip to North Carolina.  However, this time it was $1.86 and I had bought gas in Indiana for $1.66 yesterday.  But, of course, this was before the gouge this morning.  Still, I'm not complaining.  Gas below $2 is sure nice these days.

Of course, I tuned in to WBRF, Classic Country at 98.1 FM in Galax, Virginia, as soon as I got into range.  They play oldies country music and is a favorite station of mine.  I kept it on from about twenty miles in West Virginia to about Greensboro, N.C..

I usually stop for a bite to eat in Mt. Airy, N.C., but not this time.  I was now off I-77 and on US-52 heading to Winston-Salem.  Passed by the unique Pilot Mountain  (fictional town of Mount Pilot in the Andy Griffith Show).  I did notice that traffic continued to get heavier the closer I got to Winston-Salem (home of Wake Forest University).

--RoadDog

N.C. for T-Giving 2015-- Part 7: Don't Travel the Day Before Thanksgiving

November 25, 2015, Wednesday

Decided to take my chances and drive straight through Columbus on I-70, despite it being morning rush hour.  Good decision, after the bad one on gas last night, as I went right through with no backups.  Got off at Exit 110 east of the city and took the road to US-33, about several miles.

US-33 was easy driving and got gas at Rockbridge, Ohio,  as planned and it was $1.85.  Drove past Athens, Ohio, the home of Ohio University and the team that trounced us so badly last night.  I was pleasant about it, though.

Picked up a station playing Country Legends at 101.5 FM somewhere between Ohio and West Virginia. Enjoyed it.  Oldies country, but not as old as the ones WBRF plays in Galax, Virginia.  They call themselves the Tri-State Station Big Buck Country.

Easy cruise through Charleston, West Virginia and onto the turnpike. I listened to Charleston's 107.3 FM, Tailgate Radio, a unique station that plays music that would be perfect for a football tailgate party, all upbeat songs from a variety of music types and a few oldies sprinkled in.

 I started seeing flashing signs for having my toll ready at the first tollbooth area.  I had never seen that before and soon found out.  It was a Chicago-style back up, stretching at least a quarter mile, but I lucked out into a lane that was moving along fast.  This was my first indication that perhaps the day before Thanksgiving was not a great day to be out on the interstates.

Gas along the West Virginia Turnpike was $2.23, the lowest I've ever seen it.  It was still higher than anywhere else on the trip.

The other two tollbooth areas ($2 each) were no problem, although I was sure expecting it by now.

--RoadDog

N.C. Summer Trip, 2015-- Part 8: Peanuts, Gas and Classic Country in Virginia

July 21st.

On through the West Virginia Turnpike and a stop at the Virginia Welcome Center.  main reason here is the Virginia peanuts.  These are without a doubt the best peanuts I've ever had (even better than my Mt. Olive peanuts).   Plus, there are all those neat brochures, especially the Civil War ones.  (Northern Welcome Center on I-77, the one at the south border, does not have peanuts.)  It is too bad they don't sell the peanuts there.

About twenty miles from the Va. W.Va. border, I can pick up WBRF-FM out of Galax, Virginia at 98.1, Classic Country.  And, they sure do play the classic country, quite often songs I don't know.  I can keep listening to this station until I get near Greensboro, N.C...

Gas as usual at Wytheville, Virginia, always the cheapest gas on my trip.  ($2.36)

Then, the long seven mile ride down the side of the mountains (including all those runaway truck lanes) to the N.C. border.  This is a hard drive, especially because of the beautiful views down into the valley with Pilot Mountain, N.C. out in the distance.

--RoadDog

N.C. Summer Trip 2015-- Part 7: Tailgate Radio

No problems through Ohio on US-33.  Passed by Athens, home of Ohio University and then the straightaway to West Virginia and I-77.

Approaching Charleston, West Virginia, i was seeking radio stations and came across a very interesting one called Tailgate Radio at 107.3 FM.  It bills itself as America's first tailgate party music station.  And they play music you'd expect to hear blaring over boomboxes and the like at a football tailgate party.

They play a great variety of party music from pop, hip-hop, rock, rap, country and even oldies.  Whayever is good fast, upbeat football tailgate music.  Often it is played in what they call 12-packs, groups of twelve songs.  Then, we had "Sweet Caroline."  OK, everybody do that hand thing.  I listened all the way through Charleston and considerably south.  A station I will look for next time through.

But, I have to get around to writing down the numbers of favorite stations along the drive to North Carolina as I don't always readily remember them.

there are evidently two or three other Tailgate stations: one in Florida and another in West Virginia.  I don't know if it is canned music or live deejay.

What Other Music Would You Like At Your Tailgate Party?  --RoadDog

Just Got Back From N.C.-- Part 3: Cruising South on Illinois-47

July 20, 2015, Monday.

Driving south along Il-47 now and finally clear of all that big time traffic once past Morris.

South of Sauneman, I see a Betty Boop on the east side of the road.

In Forrest, there is a very interesting house featuring a lot of those bottle trees on the west side a little south of the US-34 stop sign.

I am seeing several good old DeKalb Corn signs in test fields along the side of the road. near Sibley

Gas is $2.49 in Gibson City where I start listening ro "Beautiful Music" on their 106.3 FM radio station.  I never thought I would like this kind of music, but reckon I'm getting old.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back from N.C.-- Part 2: Tacos at Burger King

As usual, I drove Il-47 south from Woodstock all the way to Mahomet as my way to avoid the Chicago Hassle.  I see that the old two-story building at the northeast corner of Il-47 and US-52 has been torn down since I last drove through there.  I believe it was a gas station, maybe a restaurant at one time, but has been vacant ever since I started driving the route.

Gas was $2.69 in Yorkville, Illinois, where I filled up as I was nearing empty  I stopped at the Burger King in Morris with intention of getting that $1.49 for ten chicken nugget deal.  I also had to get their two tacos for $1.49.  We liked the Burger King tacos when they had them awhile back as they are pretty close to those wonderful greasy Jack-in-the-Box ones.  But, sadly they stopped selling them.  Hopefully they are coming back.

From Morris to south of Dwight, I listened to 98.9 FM, playing classic oldies.  The station is WJEZ and out of Pontiac.  It is 102.9 miles from our house to Route 66 in Dwight.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back from North Carolina-- Part 1: Blues For the Cruise

I returned home to Illinois this last July 31st, after a 12-day trip to North Carolina to visit my family.

I left Spring Grove July 20 with odometer reading 37,071 in the 2011 Malibu, the traveling vehicle for trips.  The gauge showed 29.4 mpg.

Enjoyed the wild flower/weeds, along Miller Road and much of Illinois for that matter, which were in full bloom and pretty.  Two of them had yellow and blue flowers and one was white, Queen Anne's Lace.
Gas was $2.90 most of the way along Il-47, but a high for the trip of $3.12 at the Elburn BP, always one of the most expensive.

Enjoyed listening to WDRV's Ten at Ten on 96.9, then 97.1 FM as I drove.  Today they were doing Blues Monday.

SINCE I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU--  L:ed Zeppelin
BOOM BOOM--  John Lee Hooker
THE SKY IS CRYING--  Stevie Ray Vaughan

SWEET HOME CHICAGO--  Lonnie Brooks
GIMME GOOD LOVIN'--  Blues Brothers
STORMY MONDAY--  Allman Brothers
GOT MY MOJO WORKING--  Muddy Waters

RED HOUSE--  Jimi Hendrix
HEY BARTENDER--  Koko Taylor
I'M A MAN--  Yardbirds

Got My Blues Down da Road.  --RoadDog

Getting WWHPed At Home Right Now

Lately, driving back and forth to North Carolina, I take I-74 from Indianapolis to Il. Highway 47 west of Champagne,Illinois, and then north to Woodstock as part of my drive. I have a favorite radio station to listen to from Danville by the Indiana border, through Champagne and as far north as Forrest.

It is WWHP, 98.3 FM out of Farmer City located between Bloomington/Normal and Champagne/Urbana. They play Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Rock and Gospel and just about anything else. Plus, coming out of a town called Farmer City, you get Farm Reports (Less Nessman would be so proud).

It streams as well, which is why I am getting here at home.

Give It a Listen. --RoadDog