Fall Fun

There is no better way to start out the Fall season than helping a friend, so when Jesse said "I have a Corvette in Illinois that I need to go get" only two words came to mind for several of us: ROAD TRIP!! So Dave, Jesse, and I borrowed a car-hauling-trailer from John, piled into the truck, and kicked the rooster in the ass one Friday to start a 1,300+ mile journey to retrieve Jesse's stuff (and pick up some beer along the way of course!). And, boy howdy did Jesse have "stuff" to bring back.

After stopping off in the ATL to feed the growlers, we passed through the North Georgia mountains during a beautiful sunrise that revealed Fall foliage as far as the eye could see. We had to navigate the mountains of Tennessee, and I snapped a few pics along the way.


I don't think my road trip companions were very pleased with me doing the photog thing while simultaneously driving at 70+ mph, but they brought extra shorts for the overnight trip and managed quite nicely.

"Should I be driving?" is what Jesse's thinking right about now.
Here's downtown Nashville just after sunrise:

Not sure what came first, the river or the state, but we found ourselves crossing into Kentucky and over the Ohio River sometime before lunch.

Dave kept his better half informed with texting on whether or not Jesse and I dragged him into a strip bar along the way.Psst......just keep the cash coming Dave and we'll never tell............

We stopped off in Peducha, Kentucky to eat at the Kountry Kastle.......after driving around for 30 minutes trying to find someplace else to eat! If the parking lot is full, the food must be good!
Now, as soon as I find that frakin' picture of the drunk doing the Weeble-Wobble stagger in the parking lot of the strip club next door I'll post it. Oops........sorry Dave.

We also cruised by Flipper's old crib. Didn't know Jesse was royalty...
...and DAAaammmmmnnnnn!!! Boy had a nice little piece of the American Dream tucked away on a hill.


After arriving in Troy, Illinois we began loading up Jesse's "stuff". Holy hell did Jesse have some stuff! He said he had a rock collection, but we didn't realize it was the remains of a quarry. I didn't get any pics of all the boxes of rocks as Dave did, but we just did fit everything into the truck. We also put Jesse's 1976 Corvette on the trailer we borrowed from John. Now THAT was worth driving 1,300+ miles for. And yes.......we had to put boxes of rocks in the Vette as well. Here's a piece of advice for you: if you live in a glass house, don't piss off Flipper!
We decided after loading up parts every geological sample on the face of this planet, and perhaps a few other planets yet to be discovered by scientists (but not Jesse), we headed out on the road to see one of the most awe inspiring monuments I've seen: the St. Louis Arch. It was night time when we got there, and the pictures we took don't do it justice, but man what an experience!

Dave at the base:
Three Amigos.. Not sure what building this is, but I attempted to snap a decent pic of it. We got to touch the Mississippi too.

After a long day of driving, taking pictures, and loading rocks into the truck, we crashed for a few hours before doing the return trip home. The next day we headed south and along the way we viewed some interesting sights, purchased mass quantities of exotic hops and barely before most people had morning coffee, and took more photos.
Express yourself.....

How much "stuff" can you put into the back seat of an F-150? 6 cases and a Jesse. Heavenly Art
Dave gathering evidence of my photo taking/driving exhibition.
Wonder what's on Jesse's mind......
My Precious...
Make this the law in Georgia, but for cyclists, and things will change...
Damn Vette kept drafting me all the way home...
After a very long journey of nearly 1,400 miles, we knew we were close to home when traffic came to a crawl just outside of the ATL...This was one of many journeys I've made with great friends, and I'm sure there will be many more in the days ahead. We found some outstanding beer in the unlikeliest of places; we discovered that the American way of life and the American dream is still thriving where neon lights, old fashioned service, and respect for your fellow man is held close to heart; and we helped a friend find some closure with his past by building on the future. Thanks for passing time with me guys.

Looking forward to the next time.........