Summer Vacation 2015

[Toms007]

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[TD="class: odd, bgcolor: #E9E9E9, colspan: 3"] I'm officially starting this thread as of July 4. We are in KC for our "normal July 4" family get together.Rosie did her 5k walk and three grands did the run.

Rosie and I went to the Royals game tonight. Couldn't have asked for a better evening. 80* at first pitch and light breezes.

Tomorrow we will leave pretty early so I'll try to do an update later. Plan is to spend the night in Fort Wayne tomorrow evening. And then on to Lowell MI and spend a couple days with Scott and Claudia (Scottsredvette).

More to come tomorrow.



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[jrose7004]

Looks like fun Tom!

 

[Toms007]

Well, today was spent driving. We left daughters house in KC about 6:30 and headed east. By-passed downtown St. Louis around the north and continued east through Illinois and into Indiana. Followed I70 until we got to Indianapolis and again by-passed the downtown area around the south and met up with I69 going north. Stopping in Fort Wayne for the night.

I will say that I used to think that Missouri had bad roads....not anymore, they have put quite an effort into making I70 a pretty nice road. Not a lot of construction. I70 in Illinois on the other hand, was pretty rough, they are however trying to fix it. Which means lots of construction zones. Thankfully it was Sunday and they weren't working so they allow normal speeds. Coming home will probably be a different story (stay tuned for that chapter). Indiana roads were a little bit better, some construction, but not as bad of condition as Ill.

We did make our first stop at Effingham, IL at Mid-America Motorworks. The museum hasn't changed much, a couple new cars in there a few cars I remember were gone. So I guess it's like most museums, changing things around to make it interesting. I had to take the opportunity to take a picture of the Corvette in front of the vintage gas station.

 

[Mac]

Atomic Orange is such a striking colour. I hope you have a great trip, Tom!!

Mac

 

[Toms007]

Yesterday we went through the Auburn-Cord-Dusenburg museum, what a fantastic place. Some of the most beautiful cars ever built (IMO) and innovative cars in their time. And then through the another auto museum in Auburn. They had some very rare cars in there as well, some more modern and 60's muscle cars.

Maybe my favorite one at the ACD museum, a 1935 Auburn Boat tail speedster.







The National Auto and Truck Museum.










Today we switched gears and went through the Meyer May House in Grand Rapids (a Frank Lloyd Wright design). Oh, my, if you have never been through a restored FLW house you MUST go. His attention to detail is unbelievable (almost OCD). I was totally impressed. After that we toured the Gerald Ford museum and that brought back lots of memories. We then went to the Grand Rapids Public museum and was blown away by the things there. I've got pictures posted on my FB page.

 

[Toms007]

Haven't done an update for a couple days.....so busy. Scott and Claudia took us to Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. such a beautiful place with tons of sculptures throughout the gardens.

The horse statue that was designed by DaVinci which he never could successfully create. The scale isn't very good, the horse stands 30+ feet tall



Looks like weathered wood, but is really cast in bronze and chemicals used to create a weathered wood patinia.

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One of many man-made falls in the garden.

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The next day we toured the Gilmore Car collection. Some rare cars there.

63 Dodge 330 with a factory race hemi.

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Yesterday was basically a travel day. From Scott/Claudia's house in Michigan to Bob/Susan Johnston (67Heaven) in Post Hope Ontario, Canada. Mac drove down from Ottawa to join us. Bob and Susan were such gracious hosts. Showing us around the yard. Bob has quite the green thumb (understatement of the year). They served us dinner but before we could eat Bob's brother shows up in his 2014 Corvette (I likey very much) and after dinner they had some other friends over and we talked until pretty late.

Today is another travel day for us back to the US.

 

[Toms007]

Today was a travel day, but not very far as compared to other days. Left Port Hope, Ontario, Canada headed for Alexandria Bay and Boldt Castle. Boldt Castle is an amazing place, built on Heart island. Thanks to Bob for recommending this stop. I would never have known about this place if he hadn't suggested it.













This building on the waters edge produced the electric power.

 

[Toms007]

Today we drove from Watertown, more or less, along the shoreline of Lake Ontario until we got to the Niagara river. A much slower drive, but not much traffic either. Once we made our way around and to Niagara we had planned on doing the Canadian side today, but I couldn't figure out how to get around to it. I tried twice and failed both times. I gave up and said "screw it" and found a motel. We'll do both sides tomorrow. We did stop at what is called "Whirlpool park" which is down stream from the falls. Water is a funny green color rather than blue that I expected.









Tomorrow we'll do both sides of the falls.

 

[82ColEd]

Thanks for the wonderful pictures and trip description. Jealous over this side of the pond.

Stefan

 

[Toms007]

Than you Stephan, my intent is to try and let others feel like they are on the trip with us. I can only show so much. The sampling of pictures really don't do many of these things justice though.

I'll continue until we get back to Kansas.

 

[Toms007]

I'm a day behind here. Monday Rosie and I went to Niagara Falls, I'll say this; If you have never been to Niagara Falls, plan to do so. It is an awesome display of natures beauty and power.

I am only a few feet away from the edge of the falls in this first picture.





The "Maid of the Mist" boat ride to the base of the Canadian falls.



This picture shows the observation tower which also has the elevator down to the "Maid of the Mist" boat tour.



We took the boat ride too. The first thing they do is give you a "slicker" to keep you dry. Rosie asks me, "Do you think I will really need this?" "Ah, yes dear, I think we will get pretty wet."







Here we are about 150 feet from the base of the Canadian falls.



Kept the slicker on for a hike up the side of the falls. You can see the stairway and people with the blue slickers, lower left.

 

[Toms007]

This picture, taken from the "Maid of the Mist" boat tour, shows the American falls. In the foreground you see the stairs and decks that you traverse on the "Cave of the Wind" tour. More on this later!



Ok, in this picture, we are on the "Cave of the Wind" tour. They give you yellow slickers here. This tour puts you "IN the falls"












Here we are on Goat Island, this island separates the American and Canadian falls. The Canadian falls are in the background.



You really can get that close to the edge of the falls. Rosie is about 10 feet from the edge of the Canadian falls. It is truly amazing.





This picture is taken from "The Rainbow Bridge". The bridge you can drive over or walk to the Canadian side. We walked over.



The Canadian side is much more "touristy". Beautifully manicured gardens, ultra clean sidewalks and everything right there along the gorge.

 

[bill81vette]

Been to Niagara several times.the beauty of it is unmatched.
Awesome display of the power of nature!!!
and of course how deadly it can be if not respected properly!
Glad your having a great time!!!!

 

[Toms007]

Well a mere 360 miles today and we are at our daughters house in KC. I guess the vacation is officially over, even though we have another 400+ mile trip on home.

Rosie told our daughter, "Dad planned another very fun and successful vacation." I guess that means that I did good.

 

[Toms007]

Some wrap up thoughts

Here are some wrap-up thoughts on our trip.

Roads: Most of the roads we took (mostly interstates to and from) were decent.

Kansas I70 is pretty good and is posted 75mph which I set the cruise at 80-82 and they never give me a second look.

Missouri I70 is much better than it used to be, actually pretty smooth. There was some construction, but not a lot. Posted speeds for the most part is 70mph, but the flow of traffic is closer to 75-80. The only time we saw troopers was around St. Louis and they were there in swarms. My detector was going crazy.

Illinois I70 was not great, from the time we entered the state it was under construction and the roads were bad....more than likely the reason for the construction. I "think" that they have those lighted signs every 1/2 mile. Didn't have them saying anything, but I believe they had radars in them, as every time we got near one my detector would go crazy, then as we passed it, the detector would ease back. And the signs posted say "Speed Enforced by Camera", so I'm thinking they may have cameras in them. Wasn't impressed with the roads in Illinois.

Indiana I70 and I69 are nice, posted 70mph but flow of traffic was running about 75.

Michigan I69 is good, I think it was posted 70mph flow of traffic 75-80. Most of the time we spent in Michigan we were chauffeured around by Scott.

Canadian Roads Holy crap, the US could take lessons in how to maintain Interstates. The 402 (I69 turns into 402) is a wonderfully smooth road. Posted 100kph (about 63mph) I switched to metric on the dash, but at 100kph I was like a boat anchor. Most cars were running 120-130kph (75-80mph) I tried to keep it around 115kph. The 401 is just as good but once we got close to Toronto, it was pretty busy, and on the suggestion of Bob, we switched to the 407 (toll road) and took it around the main city and merged back on to the 401 where the traffic was bad for several more miles before things cleared up.

New York. Roads were pretty good, posted 65 and 70 for a lot of it. We entered back into the USA in upper state New York and came in on I81. Nice road, but watch your speed. (Thank you Bob for the heads up) Troopers sit there waiting for you in an area that is posted 40mph. This section is wide open and no apparent reason for the low speed limit, other than a speed trap. We saw more troopers in New York than any other state on the trip. Tried to take some back roads for more scenic driving, so we got on the Lake Ontario Parkway, a 4 lane divided highway that runs along Lake Ontario. Not much traffic, but the road was ROUGH and it had a 55 MPH posting. I didn't push the speed limit there at all. I was a bit concerned about the Corvette. When leaving Buffalo we decided (on some suggestions from some forum members) to not take I90, but State Highway 5 along Lake Erie as we headed south and west. These two roads, more or less, parallel each other, but SH5 hugs the lake more closely and more scenic, albeit much slower. We are certainly glad we took SH5 as it was a more relaxed drive and very little traffic. It is posted 55 in the open areas (which are few and far between). The map shows little towns scattered along this route, but in reality, they seem to be one pretty much continuous community and speed limits accordingly 35-45mph. Neat houses along the way and grape fields for the wineries and every so often a marina and piers. Very pretty drive all the way to Erie, PA.

Pennsylvania Left Erie on I90. Road was ok for the 20 some odd miles we were on it. Posted 70mph (IIRC). Flow was closer to 75-80.

Ohio. I90 was a good road, posted 70mph flow was pretty consistent at 75. Lots of troopers around the Cleveland area, especially where 271 splits off of I90. They were thick through that area and all the way down to where we hit I71. My detector had a good workout there. I270 around Columbus was good, as was I70 on west. Posted 70 but as seemed to be the norm, 75-80 appeared to be the running speed.

Back to Indiana, I70 was beautiful as a rule. We drove through PA (although only 20 some odd miles), Ohio, Indiana and half of Illinois in one day. The only place where the roads weren't very good was Illinois.

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

Haven't done an update for a couple days.....so busy. Scott and Claudia took us to Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. such a beautiful place with tons of sculptures throughout the gardens.

The horse statue that was designed by DaVinci which he never could successfully create. The scale isn't very good, the horse stands 30+ feet tall



Looks like weathered wood, but is really cast in bronze and chemicals used to create a weathered wood patinia.

]

One of many man-made falls in the garden.

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Yesterday was basically a travel day. From Scott/Claudia's house in Michigan to Bob/Susan Johnston (67Heaven) in Post Hope Ontario, Canada. Mac drove down from Ottawa to join us. Bob and Susan were such gracious hosts. Showing us around the yard. Bob has quite the green thumb (understatement of the year). They served us dinner but before we could eat Bob's brother shows up in his 2014 Corvette (I likey very much) and after dinner they had some other friends over and we talked until pretty late.

Today is another travel day for us back to the US.

That famous horse and the Meijer Gardens pictures look pretty familiar to us! We live about 2 miles from there. Sorry we missed you.
Rod (ROCKETBLOCK) and Sharon (Me and Step Son @ Horse)

 

[Toms007]

My bad, Rod. :ugh We got so wrapped up in doing things I forgot to get in touch with you.

 

[Toms007]

More details. did some figuring this afternoon, so far on this trip we have traveled 3119 miles, have put 119 gallons of premium fuel and spent $420 for that fuel.

That's 13.4 cents/mile. 26.2mpg An average price of $3.52/gallon

Highest paid $4.23/gallon (Canada) Least $2.97/gallon (Kansas)

Still have at least 400 miles to get back home.

 

[Mac]

Sorry about our gas prices, Tom... Despite oil being down for literally months, Big Oil is profit-taking. ad

Mac

 

[Toms007]

Not complaining at all, Mac, just stating facts. :L I remember waaaay back when I was a kid and we went to Canada on vacation, gas was higher then too. I'm thinking it was like 41 cents/gallon, of course we were paying like 30-33 cents/gallon then (1968 IIRC). otfl Of course we were buying metric gallons then which are bigger.