Topic: Trip #1 to St Louis was too short

[knightfan26917]

I'll road trip to the greater St Louis MO area 4 times in 2009; even so, the quick trip I took down there the weekend of March 14 was not long enough.  It never is when you are meeting people and "catching up"....

Friday the 13th, I went to work for a few hours, came home, picked up the rental (a Dodge Charger, of course), finished packing and left town about 2:10p.  I made a beeline for St Louis (via RT 64 W, I-39 S, I-55 S and I-64 W), hoping to arrive for the ValveReplacement Reunion Friday night dinner.  I stopped once, at a Shell station in Raymond IL just off I-55.  I noticed a "Route 66" historical marker ... so, I suspect I was on Route 66 a bit.  Unfortunately, I didn't have time to explore that area ... or any other Route 66 area, for that matter.  I arrived in "The Hill" area of St Louis around 7:20p ... just in time for dinner ... and I only saw one police car the entire trip down.  I'm glad I rented ... I wouldn't have felt comfortable parking my '87 MC LS/CL in "The Hill" area....  Dinner was DELICIOUS ... and the late night gab session was great ... as they usually are.

Then, Saturday, after breakfast and a bit more chatting, I left St Louis around 11a.  On the way out of the hotel parking lot (Crown Plaza, Clayton MO), I spotted a silver '87 or '88 MC SS.  The trunk was open, but I didn't see anyone around.  So, I headed on to Shelbina MO, where I met Randy (from several MC clubs/boards).  I arrived just before 2p, via I-170 N to I-70 W to RT 61 N to RT 36 W.  Spent about 5 hours there; Randy took me for a spin in his MCSS (first time he had it out this year!) and showed me around town.  Later, he got out his RC cars ... and we had some fun with those.  After dinner, I left for home, taking RT 36 E to I-72 E to I-55 N to I-39 N to RT 64 E.  I left Shelbina ~7p ... and arrived home just before 1a.

I didn't have a lot of time this trip, but I tried to make the most of it.  I know I missed a number of people in the area, but I'll be back 3 more times ... end of June for the MC Nationals in Collinsville IL ... early September during the Route 66 Drive ... (and) ... early October for the 3rd annual MC MidWest Meet.  Sure hope to meet others during those road trips!



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...Chitown #2 = 07/25/09
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Just a deck of cards" ... Kurt Nilsen and Willie Nelson ... 'Lost Highway'

[knightfan26917]

I've received a few comments about my observation of "The Hill" area (not being comfortable about parking my '87 MC LS/CL there) ... namely that it is one of the better areas of STL ... so, thought I'd better clarify....  My observation is NOT based on ME feeling or not feeling safe in the area, nor was it based on a feeling that it was a high crime area.  My observation IS based on the narrow streets with parking on both sides.  Heck, my rental car almost was sideswiped by others at least three times shortly after I parked it, and some cars were FLYING through that area.  I can only imagine how I would've felt if that was my '87 MC LS/CL almost getting sideswiped....  Sorry, that is just not a comfortable feeling for me ... in ANY area.



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...RT 66 = Sept 5-16, '09
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I'm not scared now" ... Seether ... 'Fine Again'

[motorcar1]

Knightfan,

You have been dancing around area's close to where this old country livin boy is.

Would be glad to meet you on your next trip out.

Map quest Nebo Illinois, you will find that you are close.

Been trying to get a story patched together on the Harris car, never enough time.

The Tucker Club has me busy, they are re-organizing everything about the tucker conv,
"fact or fiction", very heated and being watched by many around the world.

Anyway, my area is very scenic, winding roads and beautiful scenery.

Keep in touch and let me know when you will be out next.
motorcar1@verizon.net     217-734-9400
All the best today,
John

[knightfan26917]

Oh....shoot, John!  I was JUST downstate IL this past weekend!  I was in Collinsville IL for the 2009 Monte Carlo Nationals (National MC Owners Association).

But, I will be in the STL area again this year ... September as part of the Route 66 drive:
http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=6432.0

...and, again, the 1st weekend of October for the MidWest Monte Carlo meet, just a bit south of St Louis on I-55.

Would be very cool to meet up with you either time, if you are around.  Email me ... faithcubsmc2691@aol.com



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...Chitown #2 = 07/25/09
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"You know we'll have a good time then" ... Harry Chapin ... 'Cats In The Cradle'

[motorcar1]

knightfan,
The next time you are shooting down this way, look me up.

Would be great to meet a fellow Autopuzzler.
110 Union
Nebo Illinois, 62355
E-mail for phone number or look up; Motor Car Investments

Would be fun,
John

[knightfan26917]

Hey John,

It sure would be cool to meet you, too!


I should be down your way next June as part of my 2011 road trip...
http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=13804.msg119564#msg119564

...but always a possibility of heading to central/southern IL yet this fall or next spring....



Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic |* Rt 66+northwestUS, 2011?
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I am tempted to keep the car in drive and leave it all behind" ... John Mayer ... 'Why Georgia Why'