Last hurrah

[3wbdriver]

Some teasers from the last couple days. I'll post links to full albums after I finish the trip and get them all uploaded. I'm at over 500 taken so far. :fear:


USS Alabama




I didn't even realize I had accidentally framed the 4R under the left wing until I uploaded this shot.


Pensacola.


One of dozens......


Fort Barrancas.

 

[3wbdriver]

My granddad got us a tour back in the 80's of the Air and Space warehouse and it was loaded with stuff. Remember seeing the Enola Gay and a backup bomb housing that was in plane. I guess they took 2 on each trip? Anyway he was a retired Army officer and an attorney with the FTC so I guess he had connections. I remember our guide saying the Enola Gay was not displayed for political reasons or something at the time. Also saw the German jet before it got displayed too.

Really enjoy this thread - FYI I grew up in Bozeman, MT and think you should head over to Livingston, MT and cut down to Yellowstone from there too!

I know politics had some play in it taking so long to display her. But her sheer size was a major problem. That's why they had the nose on display for several years. They had space to shoehorn that into the main museum. It's good to hear they are expanding the space to show more.

I'll think about a side track to Livingston. My original route was just a SWAG to Billings and then down to Idaho. I added Yellowstone later. Too far out to know right now. I know adding the Jambo at the end has given me a 2 day fixed goal. So I can schedule around that to some degree now.

 

[winston70]

I know politics had some play in it taking so long to display her. But her sheer size was a major problem. That's why they had the nose on display for several years. They had space to shoehorn that into the main museum. It's good to hear they are expanding the space to show more.

I'll think about a side track to Livingston. My original route was just a SWAG to Billings and then down to Idaho. I added Yellowstone later. Too far out to know right now. I know adding the Jambo at the end has given me a 2 day fixed goal. So I can schedule around that to some degree now.

Just noticed you are from Louisiana too. My family moved to Ruston when I was in the 8th grade and I went to Ruston High and later LSU. Where in Louisiana are you from? It was a pretty big difference between MT and LA and my Dad worked at La Tech.

 

[3wbdriver]

Just noticed you are from Louisiana too. My family moved to Ruston when I was in the 8th grade and I went to Ruston High and later LSU. Where in Louisiana are you from? It was a pretty big difference between MT and LA and my Dad worked at La Tech.

I'm on the western border with Texas, about centered between Lake Charles and Shreveport. Leesville. Juuuuust a little bit southwest of Ruston.....

 

[NoDak]

Thanks! Locals input is going to help wet my appetite for other sites.

sights is a relative term in ND, the state joke is the that the state tree is the telephone pole.

its mostly flat empty farmland. most of the tree's are in state parks or reserves.

if you've ever driven thru GA on I-75 to get to Florida, its the same effect. trees so thick by the interstate, you see nothing else but the highway and a tree line.

also to add, I-94 is 75mph. usually its up to a 5mph leeway on speed.

ND-85 I hardly saw any HP but if you go down ND-83 into SD, be cautious up to around Pierre SD, there are about 3 switchbacks were the speed limit drops dramatically and a SD HP loves to catch people on the change of speed limit (from experience)

 

[3wbdriver]

sights is a relative term in ND, the state joke is the that the state tree is the telephone pole.

its mostly flat empty farmland. most of the tree's are in state parks or reserves.

if you've ever driven thru GA on I-75 to get to Florida, its the same effect. trees so thick by the interstate, you see nothing else but the highway and a tree line.

also to add, I-94 is 75mph. usually its up to a 5mph leeway on speed.

ND-85 I hardly saw any HP but if you go down ND-83 into SD, be cautious up to around Pierre SD, there are about 3 switchbacks were the speed limit drops dramatically and a SD HP loves to catch people on the change of speed limit (from experience)

Lol. Thanks. I've actually been holding to a 65 mph average so far for mpg. I'm trying to average about 350 miles per day and I'm in no rush. Once I hit the wide open spaces in the midwest that mindset may change.

 

[MSinDC]

The place I'd really like to see is their "secret" hangar in Cherry Hill(?). That's where they keep the planes and stuff they don't have room to display, or that are under restoration. Did they finally fully assemble the Enola Gay? The last time I was there they had the nose in the main museum. I'll think about looking at that one of I have time and can find it. Thanks for the FYI.

Here you go: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | National Air and Space Museum

I can't really describe how big this place is - all it is is just a humongous T-shaped hangar with all kinds of cool planes/spacecraft in it. The hangars actually have access to Dulles' runways so they can fly these planes in. Yes the Enola Gay is fully assembled. Since judging by your pictures you're into this type of stuff, you should definitely check it out if you have time (best museum I've ever been to of this type). Have fun!

 

[gm350reratliff]

also to add, I-94 is 75mph. usually its up to a 5mph leeway on speed.

ND-85 I hardly saw any HP but if you go down ND-83 into SD, be cautious up to around Pierre SD, there are about 3 switchbacks were the speed limit drops dramatically and a SD HP loves to catch people on the change of speed limit (from experience)

I Agree with this.

If you go south on 85, look for manican in the cop car pretending to be using radar in one of those small towns. Gets me every time. Lots of oil rig traffic though (lots of flying rocks).

 

[NoDak]

also to add a fun lil tidbit. 83 goes from border to border (Canada to Mexico) via bottom tip of texas.

5th longest North/South road in America at just pinch under 1900 miles long.

85 is just a hair under 1500 miles and goes from border to border also. but ends on the western tip of texas where it meets mexico.

edit : only reason I know about those roads is when I was in the USAF and cross training jobs. had to drive down to texas and used 83 to go down, and drove back up 85. great times, but scary if your not carrying extra fuel at times. those small towns close up early in regards to gas.

 

[Chipper78]

Second that. If you can hit it when they're blooming just right it's pretty cool. Also Air and Space Museum out at Dulles is awesome too.

Sorry for the brief thread hi-jack, BUT.... We happened to be staying right by Dulles last night when I read this post. We spent the day at the Air and Space museum in D.C. yesterday and I had no idea that the one at Dulles existed. we decided to check it out and WOW. It is absolutely amazing. OP, if you are even close to there you MUST stop in. Its about thirty minutes west of D.C. and it is fantastic. On display are a SR-71 Blackbird, the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, as well as the space shuttle Discovery among many others. Well worth the fifteen bucks for parking, heck I'd have paid twenty, my kids are still talking about all the stuff in there. Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

[3wbdriver]

Here you go: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | National Air and Space Museum

I can't really describe how big this place is - all it is is just a humongous T-shaped hangar with all kinds of cool planes/spacecraft in it. The hangars actually have access to Dulles' runways so they can fly these planes in. Yes the Enola Gay is fully assembled. Since judging by your pictures you're into this type of stuff, you should definitely check it out if you have time (best museum I've ever been to of this type). Have fun!

MASSIVE UNDERSTATEMENT!!! I've been a military history buff since childhood, especially anything to do with WWII

Sorry for the brief thread hi-jack, BUT.... We happened to be staying right by Dulles last night when I read this post. We spent the day at the Air and Space museum in D.C. yesterday and I had no idea that the one at Dulles existed. we decided to check it out and WOW. It is absolutely amazing. OP, if you are even close to there you MUST stop in. Its about thirty minutes west of D.C. and it is fantastic. On display are a SR-71 Blackbird, the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, as well as the space shuttle Discovery among many others. Well worth the fifteen bucks for parking, heck I'd have paid twenty, my kids are still talking about all the stuff in there. Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Based on these 2 recommendations I'll be adding this to the list after the NRA Museum. Which one do I call for bail if I get nabbed for being strapped? Thanks guys!

 

[Chipper78]

MASSIVE UNDERSTATEMENT!!! I've been a military history buff since childhood, especially anything to do with WWII



Based on these 2 recommendations I'll be adding this to the list after the NRA Museum. Which one do I call for bail if I get nabbed for being strapped? Thanks guys!

No metal detectors and its in VA so if you have the proper permit you should be fine if you're carrying. Its crazy because the location in D.C. had metal detectors and I had my knife with me (carry it daily, meant to leave it in the truck but forgot I had it with me) so I had to hide it outside and get it when we were done. I was sweating bullets because I knew there was no way they would "hold" it for me and I didn't want to lose my benchmade. Left my gun in the truck, knowing that D.C. is NOT 2nd friendly.

They have some really great WWII planes on display there.

 

[3wbdriver]

No metal detectors and its in VA so if you have the proper permit you should be fine if you're carrying. Its crazy because the location in D.C. had metal detectors and I had my knife with me (carry it daily, meant to leave it in the truck but forgot I had it with me) so I had to hide it outside and get it when we were done. I was sweating bullets because I knew there was no way they would "hold" it for me and I didn't want to lose my benchmade. Left my gun in the truck, knowing that D.C. is NOT 2nd friendly.

They have some really great WWII planes on display there.

BTDT. I have a hidey hole for when I'm in the museum. I just don't want to get pulled over for having out of state plates, and rebel flag decals, and gun friendly decals on my rig.......

 

[Chipper78]

BTDT. I have a hidey hole for when I'm in the museum. I just don't want to get pulled over for having out of state plates, and rebel flag decals, and gun friendly decals on my rig.......

That won't happen in VA, we're a pretty 2nd friendly state. What day are you coming through VA? Hit me up and maybe we can get a bite.

 

[3wbdriver]

Teasers for today.

8th AF museum in Savannah, Ga. Not many planes on display, but a lot of history.



History nut that I am I had never heard of these. Apparently they only sent 6 to England and decided they were woefully underpowered with their 13hp engines. But there is actually a fully functional 4wd system under that itty bitty body. I'm in the picture to give an idea of the small scale of this thing, The fenders and side body panels were just canvas over a steel rod frame!



After the museum I met Jorge (member [MENTION=66100]dominicanborn[/MENTION]), with his 2006 4R (very clean and nice), and he took me around Hunter AAF for a tour of the airfield, INCLUDING BEING ALLOWED TO SIT IN THE COCKPIT OF AN AH-64 APACHE!!!!! I was pumped when we parted. This will be one of the BIG highlights of the trip for me. But I have to admit I was glad we didn't shoot a video of my tired old arthritic bones climbing up and in there...... :faint:



Then the first of hopefully several 4R group shots.



And then I drove through old Savannah and took a couple pictures of the Victorian era houses and the old live oaks hanging over the streets. Then on up to Charleston for a visit to Fort Sumter tomorrow, and time willing some breakfast with [MENTION=121966]kalonji[/MENTION].



Parked for the night by a South Carolina Palmetto(?).



4 states and 4 days down.

 

[kalonji]

AH-64 Apache.... That's just BADASS!

 

[3wbdriver]

That won't happen in VA, we're a pretty 2nd friendly state. What day are you coming through VA? Hit me up and maybe we can get a bite.

I am hopefully meeting [MENTION=3442]Boyds4Runner[/MENTION] and [MENTION=115932]Vrrooom[/MENTION] Tuesday evening after the NRA Museum in Fairfax. I'll be driving up Monday from Charlotte via Wytheville (I-81 - I-86), and I'll try to be in the Fairfax area by Monday night. I'll be spending Tuesday at the NRA museum, then Wednesday at the Air And Space Center now, before heading west Wednesday evening to get as far as possible toward Dayton, Oh.

If 1engineer is unable to meet me in Wytheville, I may be able to change my route to go closer to Midlothian. Only time will tell. Right now I'm pretty much locked in thru Monday morning in Charlotte, but the route to Fairfax is up in the air depending on whether [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] can meet me in Wytheville or not. It's a pretty good jaunt for him to come that far from his place. As it is it looks like I may have been overly optimistic about how many days I can spend in Utah and still make the Jambo in Texas. But if it means missing the Jambo for this year that will be sacrificed. I can do that next year. This is a YOLO trip!

 

[4RunnerPro]

Seriously.....

You are my hero and I'm way envious. Thanks for sharing this trip with us! Keep it up and stay safe.

 

[Antman]

MASSIVE UNDERSTATEMENT!!! I've been a military history buff since childhood, especially anything to do with WWII



Based on these 2 recommendations I'll be adding this to the list after the NRA Museum. Which one do I call for bail if I get nabbed for being strapped? Thanks guys!

How ironic this is! I just came back from this museum today- incredible!

 

[USMCRUNNER]

Sounds like a great trip brother! I live in Anderson SC so when you pass through Greenville shoot me a PM. Always up for meeting a member and grabbing a beer. Safe travels and look forward to wheeling with you at Lone Star as well!