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slowdriving.us 2004 Trip A much longer version with more pictures is also available here. Nashville N36 09.7946 W86 47.0231 to Paducah N37 04.7536 W88 40.9676 Day nineteen Thursday May 6, we drove 313 miles.
There was some traffic as we left downtown Nashville, Patty was looking at maps for Amish quilting towns, she wanted to see their quilts. I turned off on highway 12 instead and headed toward Clarksville. At Clarksville we took route 79 to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreational Area which is located between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. The road is called The Trace. The following history is from Kentucky Lakes Information. TVA
recognized the geographical uniqueness of the Kentucky Lakes Area when Lake
Barkley was created in the 1960s. This led to the creation of the (LBL) Land
Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. The first campground, Rushing
Creek Campground, opened in 1964. Over the next four years, TVA would be
relocating thousands of individuals from the 170,000-acre area to other places.
This meant abolishing the town of Golden Pond, which in 1960 had about 200
residents. Golden Pond was a thriving community located on US 68 in the
middle of LBL. The town was abolished officially in
It was funny, we were looking at the animals and they were looking at us. We continued on to Paducah where we stayed for the night. We had a good meal in their new redeveloped downtown area. We watched as a freight boat came to dock and looked at the old train engines on display on a siding.
Paducah N37 04.7536 W88 40.9676 to Arcola N39 40.7893 W88 17.7228 Day twenty Friday May 7, we drove 147 miles
From Paducah we went west to Cairo and crossed
the Ohio river, then the Mississippi into Missouri. Then turned around and went
back across the Mississippi. Then we turned north on highway 51 and drove a
short distance until we were on I-57. By now Patty was tired of either ridding in the car or me. She wanted to get to Rockford and then Chicago where she had a reservation to fly back to San Diego. I wanted to hurry so we both could drive all the way back to California.
Interstate 57 through Illinois is a very good road, there are nice rest stops. The first one was a Welcome to Illinois Visitors Rest Stop. We got a free map, and good history of the region. Also information of places of interest up ahead. One of the places we decided to stop at was Abe Lincolns place. It is east of the highway, just before you get to Mattoon. Abe wasn't home but some of his friends showed us around the place
Paul said goodbye to Mrs. Lincoln our guide and interpreter, and we once again headed off on our adventure. We drove back to Matoon and on north to 133 where we turned off to Arcola. The Welcome to Illinois people told Patty that Arcola was a good place for quilts as there are a lot of Amish in the community. This is where we stopped for the night.
Arcola N39 40.7893 W88 17.7228 to Rockford N42 16.271 W88 58.2951Day twenty one Saturday May 8, we drove 252 miles.
These guys could not hide, as they were on a wagon with nowhere to go.
I saw these horses and buggies tied up at the bank. I parked the car and Patty took a picture. We learned from a fellow later in the day, the buggy owners would not leave the bank building until we had taken our camera and left. Some of the Amish are progressive, they will talk to you on the street, they respect your way of life and ask you to respect theirs. Other ones don't want anything to do with outsiders.
While looking around town we stumbled upon a museum for Raggedy Ann and Andy.
Out toward Arthur we found Rockhome Gardens an educational amusement park with old farm machinery and blacksmiths. Children can go for pony rides. They have stores, and Patty found one full of quilts. Some of the quilts were not sewn together very well, but she got a tip of where to go and find better quality work. We found the place and Patty ordered a custom made quilt. Now it was time to leave if we were going to make it on to Rockford tonight.
On the way north to Rockford, we stopped in at Streeter to visit Patty's sister-in-law Kathy's relative, who is a Fireman there. The truck was gone when we arrived so I parked the car in the station door and Patty took a picture. The building is at least as old as the car.
From Streeter we drove into a strong quartering head wind that slowed the car down considerably. Now on Illinois 51 then on 52 we headed to Dixon. I wanted to drive the Rock River Scenic route. As we were leaving Dixon Patty saw this covered bridge. I had to drive through it for a picture. Soon after we stopped at the covered bridge darkness fell and the rain started to fall. We continued on through the on and off rain to Rockford where we got a room at the Red Roof Inn.
Rockford area Day twenty two Sunday May 9, we drove about 125 miles
Sunday was Mothers Day, so Patty and I drove to the Cemetery in Durand to visit my mothers grave. I left her some flowers, she always liked flowers.
My brother Aron, is living in the farm house that my mother grew up in, and lived for many years. It was built about 1910.
A view looking north of the barn.
Rockford N42 16.271 W88 58.2951 to Stockton & Back Day twenty three Monday May 10, We drove about 170 miles
After checking out of the Motel Patty and I went to say goodbye to Gladys and Ken, Then we drove to Durand to say goodbye to Aron on the farm. Aron's friend Lee was there too, that is Lee and Aron with Lee's old Oliver tractor in the garage.
Once in town we stopped at the newspaper office to see if cousin Curtis was in, He was, and is pictured here with the old car and me. I was anxious to get going as I had convinced Patty to come on along with me all the way back to California. I told her if we didn't get back in time she could call in sick for a day or two.
Patty and I drove west on route 75 to Freeport, then continued west on US Highway 20. It started to rain in Freeport, and the engine began to sound different. We continued to drive anyway. When I got to Stockton I had to stop, there was something wrong with the car. We pulled into a closed bank drive through and parked, a lot of oil was dripping from the rear of the engine. A short walk took us to the gas station with a coffee bar and booths. While we drank a cup of coffee and waited for the rain to stop, I was trying to figure out how to continue on. After some long thoughts I decided to end my attempt to get Patty back to California, we decided to go back to the farm. I walked down the street and purchased four cans of STP to add to the engine. My theory was that the heavy oil would cushion the bad bearing and stop it from making so much noise. Patty said she was glad she did not cancel her airplane ticket. She could still fly out of Chicago as scheduled on the thirteenth. We drove back to the farm with the worst shaking, loud rattling engine I had ever heard. There were times I had to push in on the clutch because I could not stand the noise any longer. I was happy when the farm showed up over the hill and I drove into the driveway. I asked Lee to move his tractor to the machine shed so I could put the car into the garage, which he did. Patty and I rode into Rockford with Lee to get a motel room for the night.
Working on the Car Day 24 Tuesday May 11, The car did not move
I called a rental car office just down the street
from the motel, and got them to come and pick us up so we
could then rent the car. After getting the rental car we went back to the motel
and checked out, I don't mind the place but it is old, and Patty wanted
something in a better part of town. Back in Jacksonville, I got distracted while changing the oil, and started the engine with no oil in it. Well, several hundred miles later the engine is not working anymore. It was all my fault. I returned to Rockford and began to look for someone who could repair the engine. I called all the places in the phone book that said anything about old cars, but none of them did that work and did not know where to send me. Patty suggested to me that we go to the Rockford Library and get on the internet and search for a shop. I liked that idea, as she could also check and send email to friends.
I did the search and found someone in the area who belonged to the Rockford Model A Club. I called him but got no answer. I would try later. I called truck rental places, and car haulers, none of these were going to work out. Their prices were as much or more than a new engine. After a short walk around the Sinnissippi Gardens Park we headed for the same motel we had been when we first came to Rockford, and then out for dinner. We went to the Machine Shed Restaurant for dinner.
This picture is of a team member of the Rockford Peaches, the all women's Baseball Team that was formed during World War II. The movie " A league of their own" is about that team.
Rockford Day twenty five May 12, the car did not run.
I
called the number I had tried yesterday and got an answer this time, (Wendell Anderson, of
the Rock-Ford A's) said he would
help me. Patty and I drove over to his house and rode back with him in his truck
When we got to Wendell's farm he and I began to remove the engine. Patty and Wendell's wife, Sharon stayed out of our way and talked in the house. Once the engine was out of the car and opened up, he agreed that the engine would need to be replaced or overhauled. Wendell knew of one shop in Chicago. I called the shop and he said to bring it in.
Rockford to Skokie & Back Day twenty six Thursday May 13, the car did not run
Patty was scheduled to leave Chicago on an early morning flight. I dropped her off at the bus station in Rockford. And waited for the car rental place to open so I could trade the car in for a van. Then I went to Wendell's and loaded the engine into the van and drove to Skokie, just north of Chicago. I got there in the afternoon. Richard removed the rear main cap and agreed the engine would need rebuilding. Richard does Babbitt work and also conversions for inserted bearings. The price would be about the same either way. I decided to go for the inserted bearings, that way I could change them while the engine was still in the car. Richard agreed to expedite the job and have it ready in early June. That was far enough away I calculated it was no more expensive to fly back to San Diego than to rent a car and pay for a Motel room. I hurried back to Rockford in a pouring rain and slept at the farm. The old farm house is not in good shape, and Aron has so much stuff packed into the extra bedrooms I thought the van would be just fine. I had a cot and sleeping bag. I set it up in the back of the van and had a good nights sleep.
Rockford to San Diego Day twenty seven Friday May 14, the car did not run
I awoke early and went back into Rockford had breakfast and waited for the Rockford Library to open. When it did open, I went in and used one of their computers to book a flight to San Diego. I was able to get a flight late this afternoon. I quickly went to Wendell's to let him know what I was planning to do. He agreed to let me leave the car there until the first of June, but he wanted it moved into the old dairy barn. He towed it to the barn where several members of his club parked their cars. I thanked him and went on my way. I hurried to return the rental car and catch the bus to Chicago where I had booked a flight back to San Diego. I remained in San Diego until the first of June when Richard said the engine was ready.
San Diego to Rockford Day twenty eight Tuesday June 1, The car did not run.
I took an early morning flight to Chicago. The bus took me to Rockford, where I called the rental car company and got the same van I had just a couple of weeks before. It was late so I could not make it into Skokie before closing time. I drove out to the farm and slept in the van again. When I opened my check-in bag, I noticed a slip of paper telling me that my bag had been searched. The new dipstick for the engine was on top of my clothes. I guess the scanner is not programmed to allow a dip stick through without looking at it. I'll bet they could not identify what engine it was for.
Rockford to Skokie & Back Day twenty nine Wednesday June 2, I drove about 50 miles.
Today I left early for Skokie, and arrived as
Richard was opening the shop. The engine was done. We loaded it in the van, I
paid for it, and away I went, back to Wendell's farm. I stopped along the way to
get oil and shop towels. Arriving at Wendell's before noon. Wendell was ready to
help me get the engine installed. We towed the car out of the barn and back into
his shop. The engine went in without any problems, we both had done this
before.
Rockford N42 16.271 W88 58.2951 to Durand N42 25.1868 W89 17.3533 Day thirty one & two Friday & Saturday June 4&5, I drove about 67 miles.
I stopped in on Curtis again and took him and his wife Marcia to lunch up at the Lake.
Curt and Marcia's house used to be a one room school house that my Mother went to when she was in grade school. The stone part, is the original building and is made from Lime Stone quarried near by.
After driving to the farm I noticed the throttle linkage was not installed correctly, I could not get full throttle. To get to the rear engine bolts holding it, I had to remove the seats and front floor boards.
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