Weather is one of the reasons the bay area is so valued, ussually not too hot or cold, the other is you are two hours from any outdoor sport you want, you can surf in the morning and go sking in the afternoon.
JDCoopIf you have time stop by Chuck's Depot in Marion, IL. Based on your map you will be driving past it. You can see the store from I-57. Take exit 54. Take Illinois 13 east, turn south on Carbon St, turn west on Rendleman St and he is at the end of the street.
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I was not able to make it. We got rerouted into the area that was flooded, and traffic went out of control. We were delayed by several hours.
SPSOT fanI forgot to tell you to hit Deer Lodge Montana, they have a Little Joe, and E8, and a rib side Caboose there! All MILW equipment.
I will need to get there on the next trip.
Water Level Route Still fun to see the sights you have! Great travelogue. I think I'm going to be sad when you get home.
I have been having a great time. Even in spite of the terrible weather the last three days.
York1Hope your driving is better today. I think you should be out of the ice and snow today.
The driving was much better today. We did not have rain until the very end of the day.
rrebellWeather is one of the reasons the bay area is so valued, ussually not too hot or cold,
My daughter and her husband love it there. I could not put up with the people for very long. I also cannot get over the fact we had to bus our own tables in every restaurant we ate. It is a completely different lifestyle.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Day 20:
This was a late start. I really needed some sleep.
While driving towards the UNION PACIFIC museum in Iowa, we chanced upon the town of Missuori Valley, and they are quite a "train town" to be sure.
They have "Watson Station" in their city park with a 15 inch gauge miniature railroad in operation. All the equipment was put away today, but it looked very impressive.
The UP museum was interesting. There is no real railroad equipment on display, but there is a lot to see in the museum. Everything is very clean and well maintained. It was worth the time to visit.
The displays were well set up for taking fun photographs.
We ended up in the flood damage in Iowa. Lots of roads were closed, and most of the highways were down to one lane and 45 MPH speed limits. It took forever to get around, and I needed to detour all the way to Kansas City to get through the mess.
Since we were accidentally back in Kansas City, it only seemed right to eat barbeque for dinner again. These ribs were delicious.
Heading into Tennessee and Georgia tomorrow.
Sorry to see the trip winding down, it was a fun ride along and you are a great host.
SeeYou190We ended up in the flood damage in Iowa. Lots of roads were closed, and most of the highways were down to one lane and 45 MPH speed limits. It took forever to get around, and I needed to detour all the way to Kansas City to get through the mess.
The sad part of the flooding is that it was preventable. In 2011, the exact same thing happened, and it was months before the water went down so homeowners could get home.
Right now, the governors of Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri are in talks with the Army Corps of Engineers. Expect lawsuits.
The states want to see that the dam system on the Missouri River goes back to its original purpose - - flood control.
In the recent years, led by environmental groups and environmental laws, the Corps has kept the reservoirs too full of water during the winter, and then the system can't handle the spring runoff. Environmental groups have forced the Corps to adjust water flows to protect the least terns, piping plovers, and pallid sturgeon population.
The result is that the original goal of flood control is now not a priority.
York1 John
rrebellSorry to see the trip winding down, it was a fun ride along and you are a great host.
Yes, I am almost home. I too wish this adventure could go on and on.
York1The sad part of the flooding is that it was preventable.
We have a similar situation in Florida with Lake Okeechobee. No flooding as of yet, but green algae/slime and red tide are happening.
Day 21:
Today was a double-hobby-shop-bummer day in Tennessee.
My first stop was an old hobby shop that I have always wanted to visit. When I went in the door the smell of cat urine was overwhelming. I could not stay in the store and shop. I only saw one cat, but it smelled like a dozen were inside.
The second stop was at Dixie Flyer in Wartrace. It is closed and out of business. I looked up the store, and they have been closed for over 2 years! I guess it has been longer than I thought since I visited this store.
The photography conditions again were terrible today.
The mountains are covered with trees. I guess that confirms that I am getting closer to home.
I saw a couple neat birds, but did not get pictures as good as I sometimes do.
Since we are back in the South, we grabbed dinner at Zaxby's. I have not seen a Zaxby's in two weeks, and it was good to get a familiar taste of home.
Tomorrow I will be heading the last leg home.
Wow, Kevin, it really is the end! I’ve really enjoyed this thread over the past few weeks. Still, can’t wait to see you return to your regular posting when you get back home.
Here’s and idea, you should put a recap of all the hobby shops you visited and all the stuff you got on this trip once you get home!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Hope there's a Zaxby's in Baton ROuge. There was one in Bossier when I was up there and that was my weekend meal each week - go out to a museum or something, then stop there on the way back and get an order of wings.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
SPSOT fan Kevin, it really is the end! I’ve really enjoyed this thread over the past few weeks.
I am back at home... for ONE DAY!
Then off to vacation on Daytona Beach!
rrinkerZaxby's... go out to a museum or something, then stop there on the way back and get an order of wings.
The Grilled Cobb Salad with fresh squeezed lemons for dressing is my go-to on the menu. YUM!
SeeYou190I am back at home... for ONE DAY! . Then off to vacation on Daytona Beach!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
JaBearAnother vacation by Bear, on Flickr
All my life I have heard people say they need a vacation to recover from their vacation.
I decided to do it! I love the Bear Toon!
Day 22:
I made it back home! We are safe, and the trip was a remarkable success. What a great time.
We crossed into Florida at about 1:00 in the afternoon. I have to say, the "Welcome Center" in Florida on Interstate 75 is the best I have seen anywhere. We really do it up right for our guests here.
There is a new "Selfie Set" in the Welcome Center where I snapped this quick picture.
And... I just love the sight of these magnificent trees welcoming me back home.
The last hobby shop stop on this tour was Rob's Hobby World in Ocala, Florida.
We have some beautiful birds here in Florida.
We have some very creepy looking birds too.
I am going to sort my stuff tomorrow and figure out haw many treasures I acquired.
Welcome home, even if from the other end of the continent! Thanks for taking us along for the ride. I've enjoyed the scenery, birds, trains, and yes, even the food. I even learned a few things from the shared experience. And now we all definitely have a friendly face to associate to Kevin or "See You 190".
I'm just not a huge fan of traveling myself. I've even said that I wouldn't mind going more places if it didn't involve travel. So this kinda helped do that.
You gonna share the new toys that you haven't already?
Dan
SouthgateYou gonna share the new toys that you haven't already?
The haul is not as impressive as I thought it would be. Once it was all unpacked, I became a little disappointed in myself. I have bought more than this in a single trip to Gulf Coast Model Railroading before.
The only items missing from the picture are what I bought from Ready To Roll in Miami. I left that package at my daughter's house by mistake, and she needs to send them back to me.
The five STRATTON AND GILLETTE boxcars in the back were brought along to "donate" to hobby shops for their in-store layouts, but very few of the hobby shops I visited had in-store layouts. I gave away 5 or 6, but I wanted to leave these all across the USA. I have tried to spread the SGRR all across the land.
It was quite an adventure!
The burrowing owls are out this morning and welcoming me back home.
Well as we are in the hobby long enough, we tend to need less stuff including tools, I even have duplicates of all my really important tools but then I tend to buy these for really deep discounts.
SeeYou190The five STRATTON AND GILLETTE boxcars in the back were brought along to "donate" to hobby shops for their in-store layouts, but very few of the hobby shops I visited had in-store layouts. I gave away 5 or 6, but I wanted to leave these all across the USA. I have tried to spread the SGRR all across the land.
What a neat idea! I had never thought of that.
SeeYou190
Is that a muscovy duck? My MRR friend has some of those, I kinda like them. Have fun with your new toys.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
Well the haul is quite small. I’ve come home with like 10 time that much stuff on trips to PF&S (the place you visited)! You did seem to regrettable miss a few shops. Still is a nice looking load!
I see you’ve got an AM models garage kit. I love those kits, I built one last year. I need to do another which I put a bit more detail and effort into!
It’s pretty cool to see the Stratton and Gillette is spreading across the country!
I'm going to join the owls in welcoming you home Kevin. I'm glad you had a safe trip. Thanks for taking the time out sharing your long ride and experiences with us.
Now enjoy your vacation from your vacation at Daytona Beach. Winder down slow. Easy on the and the
TF
rrebellWell as we are in the hobby long enough, we tend to need less stuff
Yes, and true. I definitely do not need very much more stuff. Sometimes it is hard to find something to buy.
York1What a neat idea! I had never thought of that.
There are at least two dozen hobby shops with STRATTON AND GILLETTE freight cars, another 30-50 given away to model railroaders of noteworthy status, 10-15 given away to members of this forum, and one in a museum.
Still, as far as I know, none have been included in any printed article. Three of the people who have them have had layouts featured in Great Model Railroads.
When GMR did the report on Scale Rails of Southest Florida, there were no SGRR freight cars featured at all. That was a crime. I am a founding member of that club, and they have a fleet of my equipment. Just one SGRR freight car in a picture... is that too much to ask?
HarrisonIs that a muscovy duck?
Yes it is. Here in Cape Coral they have the same status as a pidgeon or a rat. It is illegal to feed them.
SPSOT fanWell the haul is quite small.
It really felt like I was buying a lot more. When I unpacked everything it was really a disappointment. I added up the reciepts, and I spent $200.00 less on hobbies than was budgeted!
I did not spend all the hobby money and I left Las Vegas with a gain. How weird is all that?
Track fiddlerI'm going to join the owls in welcoming you home Kevin. I'm glad you had a safe trip. Thanks for taking the time out sharing your long ride and experiences with us. Now enjoy your vacation from your vacation at Daytona Beach
Thank you! If you look carefully at the pictures of the loot I acquired, you will see an N scale 40 foot undecorated boxcar!
rrebell Well as we are in the hobby long enough, we tend to need less stuff including tools, I even have duplicates of all my really important tools but then I tend to buy these for really deep discounts.
I have a lot of duplicates of cheap tools, but not on purpose. I usually can't find something, finally give up looking, and go to the hardware store and buy another one. Then, about two weeks later, I stumble on the original one.
Day 23:
All unpacked, laundry is done, and we are packed for Daytona Beach!
According to Mapquest, the total mileage for the trip was supposed to be 8,110 miles.
According to the odometer on the rental car, we traveled 9,671 miles!
To me, that means 1,561 miles were well spend wandering around off of the Interstates and finding really cool things to report about.
Thank you for following along.
Like everybody else here, I enjoyed travelling along with you. Hope you have a nice vacation now, from your just-finished vacation.
SeeYou190...To me, that means 1,561 miles were well spend wandering around off of the Interstates and finding really cool things to report about....
Either that, or the rental company's fiddlin' with the odometers.
Wayne
York1 rrebell Well as we are in the hobby long enough, we tend to need less stuff including tools, I even have duplicates of all my really important tools but then I tend to buy these for really deep discounts. I have a lot of duplicates of cheap tools, but not on purpose. I usually can't find something, finally give up looking, and go to the hardware store and buy another one. Then, about two weeks later, I stumble on the original one.
rrebellNo, I am talking about quality tools like a Shay Miter or a Dremel Stylus (those I only paid $15 a peice for).
I in no way meant to imply something negative. I just was laughing that I end up with duplicates due to my low brain power and disorganized tools. Sorry.
Did not take it as an insult, just wanted to clarify, I have too many poor quality tools too, I should get rid of a bunch of those.
SeeYou190 . Track fiddler I'm going to join the owls in welcoming you home Kevin. I'm glad you had a safe trip. Thanks for taking the time out sharing your long ride and experiences with us. Now enjoy your vacation from your vacation at Daytona Beach . Thank you! If you look carefully at the pictures of the loot I acquired, you will see an N scale 40 foot undecorated boxcar! . -Kevin .
Track fiddler I'm going to join the owls in welcoming you home Kevin. I'm glad you had a safe trip. Thanks for taking the time out sharing your long ride and experiences with us. Now enjoy your vacation from your vacation at Daytona Beach
I had to take a double-take but I saw. SWEET!
Kevin You Da Man!
doctorwayneI enjoyed travelling along with you. Hope you have a nice vacation now, from your just-finished vacation.
Thank you. Day one of my Vacation/Vacation has been very good!
JaBearI note that days 19 and 20 involved some pretty big steps, so I can see why a local holiday would be welcome!
Yes, the original plan was to return home on Sunday, but we decided to move up the return date by one day, so that made three days of the return trip brutal.