Most Distance Award - Springfield 2007

kwhopper89 · 06-17-2007, 05:35 PM

As the recipent of the Most distance travelled award for the Springfield Gathering, I'd like to share my trip...

First - Thanks Lloyd and Gerry - LLOGER - A+ for organizational skills!
And also to all that attended the Springfield gathering - the largest SSR gathering I've attended yet.

This was our first major roadtrip across the country ever - not just in my SSR, so Kim (my daughter) and I were quite excited to make the drive! We even had 'elaborate flag changing ceremonies' as we crossed into a 'new' state (We flew a small flag in the cab).

We clocked in at 1740.8 miles on our journey to Springfield - the longest distance travelled. (I do pale in comparison to those that had just completed the HRPT - those folks had put some serious miles on their vehicles!) But, as far as miles from home to Springfield, I was given the award - a beautiful glass trophy. I also now have in temporary possession the BOB A. award. This is the Gas Filler Cover from his SSR - I am humbled to have this item - which is used at various SSR gatherings across the country.

Additional stats (I won't break down my COSTS - as I don't think I want to see that just yet!

) - trip home was 2010.0 miles (via Kansas/Colorado/Utah/Nevada/Yosemite) for a total of 3,750.8 miles...

Whatever the dollar amount, it was a great roadtrip!

The drive out: Solo to Barstow, Kim was a trooper and was ready to go at 6am the night after her graduation. We were off at 6:30 or so. Made so good time to Barstow where we found a few more SSR's waiting for us...

Pics:
1. Sunflowers the day before I left
2. Drivers eye view of the Interstate...
3. Roadside oddity
4. Crusin' the Interstate at 85+
5. I was the only Slingshot in the bunch!

kwhopper89 · 06-17-2007, 05:56 PM

Oh the Interstate! I don't like Interstates!

I know the Interstate is very efficent, and it is fun to be in a group of SSR's crusin' at 85+ (gotta stay out of the way of the trucks!), and chatting it up the the radios - but, I couldn't believe all the trucks on the road.

More pics:
1. We blew the doors off of the train!
2. Split formation!
3. At one point the Interstate became a parking lot - truck fire ahead...
4. Gary NEVER takes a bad photo! Even at 125mph...
5. Layin' out the bedroll in Am-a-REE-oh

Paul Simpson · 06-17-2007, 05:58 PM

Good Show Keith!! And congrats on the Long Distance Award. Great memories and quality time for Kim and Pop.

kwhopper89 · 06-17-2007, 06:13 PM

Due to the stalled traffic from the truck fire, Dan found a safe place in the median to turn around and head West to the next exit. We were able to bypass the mess by taking a portion of the old Route 66!!! I did however, pick up a rock hit to the windshield that caused a pretty good crack! So now I can say: I got my NICKS on Route 66...

1. Route 66 w/ I-40 to the left - By the time we got to the next on ramp to I-40, we had passed up a BUNCH of traffic and had pretty clear roads for awhile...
2. Sunday morning at the Big Texan...
3. Saturday Night at the Big Texan...
4. Headin out of Amarillo
5. Time for a QT...

kwhopper89 · 06-17-2007, 06:30 PM

We got into Springfield at about 5:00pm on Sunday - 1740 miles - is the same as my VIN.

1. We're excited that we are almost there!
2. 1740.8
3. Who's here??? Checking out the back lot!
4. Lamberts parking lot.
5. Lamberts

kwhopper89 · 06-17-2007, 06:47 PM

We have relatives in NIXA Missouri that recently lived in California and retired back there. I had fresh BlueBerries that I brought from home and took them by Monday afternoon before the Lamberts dinner. They also treated Kim and I to a dinner on Tuesday - my birthday! It was very nice to see them!

I also made a point to have lunch at the Crosstown BBQ on my birthday with a friend from work at home. He happened to be in Springfield visiting his twin brother. The Crosstown IS the REAL DEAL for BBQ there...

Pics:
1. A street scene in Springfield - near the Crosstown BBQ.
2. Relatives pad in Nixa
3. Parking lot at oasis
4. Steak and Shake...
5. Group Photo Day...

ssr71 · 06-17-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhopper89

I know the Interstate is very efficent, and it is fun to be in a group of SSR's crusin' at 85+ (gotta stay out of the way of the trucks!), and chatting it up the the radios - but, I couldn't believe all the trucks on the road.

I know what you mean. It's gettin so that it's a near continuous line of trucks on the road from border to border. At least that's the way it seemed to me on the trip back home from the HRPT through Tennesee and Virginia. I-80 through PA is like that too with all the trucks coming out of New York.

kwhopper89 · 06-17-2007, 11:48 PM

1. SSR's everywhere
2. ...
3. The Auction
4. Long Distance Awards
5. Nearing the end of a great evening...

kwhopper89 · 06-18-2007, 12:14 AM

I need to mention that JeffDBF was a great help to me in Springfield. I had noticed that I had a nail in a rear tire and was cleaning up my SSR (Thanks for the help Alex) for a quick run to the local Goodyear down the street & mentioned the nail to Jeff. He grabbed his plug kit and had the tire good as new in no time!

We decided to get an early start from Springfield on Thursday morning - Kim and I were on the road at 6:30. I-44 to Joplin then US 400/Highway 50 West thru Kansas. Didn't take in pics in Kansas, as I was just trying to get thru the line of thunderstorms. Greensburg was a reality check. Arriving into town fron the East, I thought the damage wasn't too bad - but then things changed quickly. Tent hospitals still in use - Red Cross stations etc. But, the damage - and complete destruction as we got farther into town was unreal. I was too shocked to stop and take pics. God Bless those folks.

Had a bite to eat in Dodge City (spoke to Denny and kay on the phone, but didn't get to meet up with them) and pushed on to Colorado Springs.

Got a fairly late start out of Colorado Springs and headed up the Rockies. Had lunch at 2:30 with my brother in Keystone and then Jumped on I-70 West. Very unique freeway - built on stilts - thru the canyons to Grand Junction. Pushed on thru to Salina Utah.

Pics:
1. Hoosier Pass - Hwy 9 Colorado
2. ...
3. ...
4. ...
5. ...

jwthomp · 06-18-2007, 12:24 AM

I know what you mean about Greensburg. Growing up in Dodge City - I'd taken many trips through Greensburg - either headed to Wichita or elsewhere. I remember the town as it was, and seeing it how it is now - well, there aren't words for it. Only prayers. It's been six weeks, and it looked like it got hit yesterday.