Sunday, May 29, 2016
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
THE STEERING COLUMN
On our last "Steering Column" post, I want to give those of you have never driven a "brass era" car an idea of what it is like to drive one.
I'll start first with the "sounds" of motoring:
Going down the road at 35 mph, which may seem like 50, you will hear the slight flapping sound of the canvas top. There will be a droning sound of the transaxle that will change pitch at different speeds. From the engine you will hear a little clicking from the valves moving up and down, maybe a little rattling of the timing gears. When accelerating at certain speeds, you will hear a slight "hissing" sound from the carburetor as it sucks in air to be mixed with the fuel. The driver is always tuned in to all mechanical sounds, always listening for any kind of noise that is out of the ordinary. Certain noises can be a sign of trouble and heading off a potential mechanical failure is important. There were countless horns blown all along our travels as people saluted us. It was their way of saying, "I like your car".
The "feel of motoring:
There is often a slight "wandering" of the car caused by uneven roads and cross winds. The tires and wheels are not 100% perfectly round so at times you will feel a slight bumping. You will feel the wind rushing by as the sides are open. Sometimes the wind is cold and raw, sometimes it is soft and cool. It is a smooth ride on smooth roads, slightly bumpy on bumpy roads and when you cross rough railroad tracks everything shakes. You can occasionally feel sunshine on your shoulder or rain on your shoulder.
The "smells" of motoring:
Maybe you never thought about motoring having smells, but there certainly are in an open car. Before hand cranking the engine, the fuel level in the carburetor must be elevated by holding the float down causing the fuel to spill over slightly and drip on the ground. You will get a "whiff" of gasoline. When going down a long mountain hill and brakes are over used, you'll smell a burning smell which is the overheated brake lining. That will be your cue to pull over and let things cool down. And then there are "nature" smells - freshly mown grass, blooming honeysuckle and the tang of a ocean breeze, a dusty road, sagebrush, juniper, BBQ cookouts, and a few unpleasant smells like skunks, feedlots and the spreading of fertilizer.
The "sights" of motoring:
Traveling slowly in an open car, you are much more aware of all things around you. Passing through towns you will see people's smiles and waves and thumbs up. Often kids will motion for you to blow your horn. The world looks friendlier in an open car. It is gentler and more peaceful, people are friendlier. You see the red line of the motormeter (thermometer) rising as you go up a hill. You will notice all the little things along the road that you just never saw notice in a modern car, like brilliant blue of a small flower, the scurry of a chipmunk into the grass, the stuff in people's back yards. We had two police vehicles pass us, turn on their lights and give us a "thumbs up".
Thank You:
So many people have helped us along the way by suggesting car-friendly routes that we should take or helping us with mechanical issues or advising us of places to visit and things to see. We are most grateful to all of you. You have certainly made our trip easier and more fun.
I want to give a special thanks to my wife, for being my biggest fan and greatest supporter and for being a first class navigator. No, we never got tired of each other. Our traveling through life in all forms has simply brought us closer together. There has been also a special person who has been our greatest encourager, supporter and sounding board, advisor, commiserator and friend. When we were 300 miles from home and experiencing engine trouble and things looked uncertain, he said he could have his engine out of his E-M-F in 3 hours and be to us in 7 hours if we needed him. He also said in his gentle and encouraging way, "Dammitt boy, you are going to finish under your own power and I am going to wave the checkered flag when you come in", and he waved the checkered flag as promised with a huge smile on his face and looked so proud. It is truly a blessing to be able to call Clay Green a friend.
This is our last post for this trip.
.......THAT'S ALL PART OF MOTORING.........
We are Joe and Betty Swann.
Goodnight.
On our last "Steering Column" post, I want to give those of you have never driven a "brass era" car an idea of what it is like to drive one.
I'll start first with the "sounds" of motoring:
Going down the road at 35 mph, which may seem like 50, you will hear the slight flapping sound of the canvas top. There will be a droning sound of the transaxle that will change pitch at different speeds. From the engine you will hear a little clicking from the valves moving up and down, maybe a little rattling of the timing gears. When accelerating at certain speeds, you will hear a slight "hissing" sound from the carburetor as it sucks in air to be mixed with the fuel. The driver is always tuned in to all mechanical sounds, always listening for any kind of noise that is out of the ordinary. Certain noises can be a sign of trouble and heading off a potential mechanical failure is important. There were countless horns blown all along our travels as people saluted us. It was their way of saying, "I like your car".
The "feel of motoring:
There is often a slight "wandering" of the car caused by uneven roads and cross winds. The tires and wheels are not 100% perfectly round so at times you will feel a slight bumping. You will feel the wind rushing by as the sides are open. Sometimes the wind is cold and raw, sometimes it is soft and cool. It is a smooth ride on smooth roads, slightly bumpy on bumpy roads and when you cross rough railroad tracks everything shakes. You can occasionally feel sunshine on your shoulder or rain on your shoulder.
The "smells" of motoring:
Maybe you never thought about motoring having smells, but there certainly are in an open car. Before hand cranking the engine, the fuel level in the carburetor must be elevated by holding the float down causing the fuel to spill over slightly and drip on the ground. You will get a "whiff" of gasoline. When going down a long mountain hill and brakes are over used, you'll smell a burning smell which is the overheated brake lining. That will be your cue to pull over and let things cool down. And then there are "nature" smells - freshly mown grass, blooming honeysuckle and the tang of a ocean breeze, a dusty road, sagebrush, juniper, BBQ cookouts, and a few unpleasant smells like skunks, feedlots and the spreading of fertilizer.
The "sights" of motoring:
Traveling slowly in an open car, you are much more aware of all things around you. Passing through towns you will see people's smiles and waves and thumbs up. Often kids will motion for you to blow your horn. The world looks friendlier in an open car. It is gentler and more peaceful, people are friendlier. You see the red line of the motormeter (thermometer) rising as you go up a hill. You will notice all the little things along the road that you just never saw notice in a modern car, like brilliant blue of a small flower, the scurry of a chipmunk into the grass, the stuff in people's back yards. We had two police vehicles pass us, turn on their lights and give us a "thumbs up".
Thank You:
So many people have helped us along the way by suggesting car-friendly routes that we should take or helping us with mechanical issues or advising us of places to visit and things to see. We are most grateful to all of you. You have certainly made our trip easier and more fun.
I want to give a special thanks to my wife, for being my biggest fan and greatest supporter and for being a first class navigator. No, we never got tired of each other. Our traveling through life in all forms has simply brought us closer together. There has been also a special person who has been our greatest encourager, supporter and sounding board, advisor, commiserator and friend. When we were 300 miles from home and experiencing engine trouble and things looked uncertain, he said he could have his engine out of his E-M-F in 3 hours and be to us in 7 hours if we needed him. He also said in his gentle and encouraging way, "Dammitt boy, you are going to finish under your own power and I am going to wave the checkered flag when you come in", and he waved the checkered flag as promised with a huge smile on his face and looked so proud. It is truly a blessing to be able to call Clay Green a friend.
This is our last post for this trip.
.......THAT'S ALL PART OF MOTORING.........
We are Joe and Betty Swann.
Goodnight.
What can I say? We made it home at exactly 2 PM day before yesterday, on time to the minute.
We turned in the drive and it sure looked good.
It was a good feeling to come down the drive and we anxiously awaited seeing the home place.
We were met by good friends, flags around the circle from all the states we had visited and a finish line with a checkered flag!
Flags flying for each state we had visited - some 25 or so.
The finish line and checkered flag. Joe raced across the finish line to applause and hugs and good wishes for a trip well done.
After everyone left, there we were, at home, with no place to go. It really seemed strange as we went inside and sat down in our own little chairs in our own little house and thought, we don't have to look at a map to check our route for tomorrow. It was all a little strange.
The house smelled musty from being closed up for so many months, dust lay heavy on the furniture and there was a pile of mail to be gone through and a room with packages that we had sent home along the way. Joe spent several hours sorting mail. Several friends come over during the afternoon and evening, to welcome us home and to hear about the trip while others called.
Yesterday morning, a crew from WGAL Channel 8 in Lancaster, came over to interview us for the evening newscast. Joe is an old hand at the interview business now and does a great job of it. It still gives me the "willies".
We've been spending the day getting caught up on loose ends, like a little grocery shopping and getting my driver's license renewed. It had expired while we were on the trip. There are a ton of dirty clothes to be washed and just general cleanup to be done.
I'm glad to be home but really do miss being on the road and seeing something new every day. I guess you could say I am experiencing "post-vacation funk". It happens every time we go on a long trip.
We'll still have a few posts yet before we call this trip "over and done".
We turned in the drive and it sure looked good.
It was a good feeling to come down the drive and we anxiously awaited seeing the home place.
We were met by good friends, flags around the circle from all the states we had visited and a finish line with a checkered flag!
Flags flying for each state we had visited - some 25 or so.
The finish line and checkered flag. Joe raced across the finish line to applause and hugs and good wishes for a trip well done.
After everyone left, there we were, at home, with no place to go. It really seemed strange as we went inside and sat down in our own little chairs in our own little house and thought, we don't have to look at a map to check our route for tomorrow. It was all a little strange.
The house smelled musty from being closed up for so many months, dust lay heavy on the furniture and there was a pile of mail to be gone through and a room with packages that we had sent home along the way. Joe spent several hours sorting mail. Several friends come over during the afternoon and evening, to welcome us home and to hear about the trip while others called.
Yesterday morning, a crew from WGAL Channel 8 in Lancaster, came over to interview us for the evening newscast. Joe is an old hand at the interview business now and does a great job of it. It still gives me the "willies".
We've been spending the day getting caught up on loose ends, like a little grocery shopping and getting my driver's license renewed. It had expired while we were on the trip. There are a ton of dirty clothes to be washed and just general cleanup to be done.
I'm glad to be home but really do miss being on the road and seeing something new every day. I guess you could say I am experiencing "post-vacation funk". It happens every time we go on a long trip.
We'll still have a few posts yet before we call this trip "over and done".
Saturday, September 26, 2015
This is our LAST night on the road! We are about 50 miles from home!
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. Traveling in the old car has become a lifestyle. I enjoy meeting new people and seeing new roads and having new adventures. I know it can't go on forever and I have been extremely fortunate to have been able to have this grand adventure. I am anxious to get home and to see friends, see my own little house and sit in my own little chair and sleep in my own little bed. I want to see how my plants look, I want to find a special place for my frogs to sit and I want to just be at peace in my own little world. A few days ago I posed the question, "Will I be sad to see the trip end", and the answer is yes and no.
I posed the question, "Would I do it again"? I have thoroughly enjoyed the trip but we have met the challenge and been successful. We have seen those roads and had those adventures. I think I would like to take a trip in a modern car to see places we were not able to go in the antique car. I will still be ready to tour in the antique car at the drop of a hat, but maybe not 4 months next time.
There are so many special people that we have met along our trip who have helped us and touched our lives in so many ways. To all of them, our many thanks and best wishes always. You will always be a part of this grand adventure.
Touring in the E-M-F with the breeze blowing through the car, feet on the dash, camera in hand to catch that elusive glimpse of an elk or the magnificent rock formation wrought by mother nature has been such a dream come true. It doesn't matter if the road is dirt, mud, gravel, brick, concrete or asphalt, it doesn't matter if the scenery is desert, mountain or great plains, or the Inland Passage to Alaska, it was all special, all immensely exciting to see and all a part of the Majesty that is our great nation. It is our privilege to live in the United States and to have the freedom to travel and experience our great land and it's history, it's diverse cultures and it's many unique natural wonders.
We will be home tomorrow afternoon about 2 PM but the blog will continue for a few days more as we recall those special moments of the trip and those special people without whom the trip would not have been possible.
Stay posted.
Thanks for following us in spirit on this most wonderful of trips.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. Traveling in the old car has become a lifestyle. I enjoy meeting new people and seeing new roads and having new adventures. I know it can't go on forever and I have been extremely fortunate to have been able to have this grand adventure. I am anxious to get home and to see friends, see my own little house and sit in my own little chair and sleep in my own little bed. I want to see how my plants look, I want to find a special place for my frogs to sit and I want to just be at peace in my own little world. A few days ago I posed the question, "Will I be sad to see the trip end", and the answer is yes and no.
I posed the question, "Would I do it again"? I have thoroughly enjoyed the trip but we have met the challenge and been successful. We have seen those roads and had those adventures. I think I would like to take a trip in a modern car to see places we were not able to go in the antique car. I will still be ready to tour in the antique car at the drop of a hat, but maybe not 4 months next time.
There are so many special people that we have met along our trip who have helped us and touched our lives in so many ways. To all of them, our many thanks and best wishes always. You will always be a part of this grand adventure.
Touring in the E-M-F with the breeze blowing through the car, feet on the dash, camera in hand to catch that elusive glimpse of an elk or the magnificent rock formation wrought by mother nature has been such a dream come true. It doesn't matter if the road is dirt, mud, gravel, brick, concrete or asphalt, it doesn't matter if the scenery is desert, mountain or great plains, or the Inland Passage to Alaska, it was all special, all immensely exciting to see and all a part of the Majesty that is our great nation. It is our privilege to live in the United States and to have the freedom to travel and experience our great land and it's history, it's diverse cultures and it's many unique natural wonders.
We will be home tomorrow afternoon about 2 PM but the blog will continue for a few days more as we recall those special moments of the trip and those special people without whom the trip would not have been possible.
Stay posted.
Thanks for following us in spirit on this most wonderful of trips.
Friday, September 25, 2015
THE STEERING COLUMN
The other day I was talking to you about the problems we are having with our engine and it occurred to me that we celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary the same week. Folks, it is not too late to get in on the gift-giving.
For your convenience, I have set up a "Gift Registry". The following are things that we really need:
New pistons
New piston rings
Cylinder sleeves
Bearings
Brake lining
Tires
New hat to replace one that was lost in California.
All new clothes without grease and oil stains.
New shoes that are not soggy from oil.
Eyeglasses with TWO lenses.
Two $75 computer cords to replace those lost on the trip.
Camera that is "waterproof" to replace one dropped in the ocean.
.......AND THAT'S ALL PART OF MOTORING........
The other day I was talking to you about the problems we are having with our engine and it occurred to me that we celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary the same week. Folks, it is not too late to get in on the gift-giving.
For your convenience, I have set up a "Gift Registry". The following are things that we really need:
New pistons
New piston rings
Cylinder sleeves
Bearings
Brake lining
Tires
New hat to replace one that was lost in California.
All new clothes without grease and oil stains.
New shoes that are not soggy from oil.
Eyeglasses with TWO lenses.
Two $75 computer cords to replace those lost on the trip.
Camera that is "waterproof" to replace one dropped in the ocean.
.......AND THAT'S ALL PART OF MOTORING........
THE STEERING COLUMN
The other day, I stopped in a parking lot under a tree to add more oil. While I am busy working on the car, Betty likes to read a book. Since it was shady, she opted to sit on the curb, unaware that she was also sitting on an anthill. Probably about two pages into her reading, she twitched a little and then stood up abruptly. Now, I don't ever recall "having ANTS IN MY PANTS", but seeing someone else with this condition, I found quite amusing. Ants cause people to exercise in unusual ways with rapid repetitive motions! It also causes them to rapidly survey the area in all directions, not once, but twice, apparently to ascertain whether immediate disrobing is necessary. Apparently it was decided that disrobing wasn't required, but IMMEDIATE removal of the ants was required by reaching in and dragging them out as soon as possible.
Folks, amusement is where you find it!
......AND THAT'S ALL PART OF MOTORING.......
The other day, I stopped in a parking lot under a tree to add more oil. While I am busy working on the car, Betty likes to read a book. Since it was shady, she opted to sit on the curb, unaware that she was also sitting on an anthill. Probably about two pages into her reading, she twitched a little and then stood up abruptly. Now, I don't ever recall "having ANTS IN MY PANTS", but seeing someone else with this condition, I found quite amusing. Ants cause people to exercise in unusual ways with rapid repetitive motions! It also causes them to rapidly survey the area in all directions, not once, but twice, apparently to ascertain whether immediate disrobing is necessary. Apparently it was decided that disrobing wasn't required, but IMMEDIATE removal of the ants was required by reaching in and dragging them out as soon as possible.
Folks, amusement is where you find it!
......AND THAT'S ALL PART OF MOTORING.......
It's Friday and we've only got about a day and a half before we arrive back home. Our travels today were in familiar territory in central Virginia where we have taken many back roads on car tours with Billy Melton and our Model T friends in Virginia. Central Virginia is really a pretty area with some significant history.
Thomas Jefferson, our third U.S. President designed and began building Monticello, his primary plantation near Charlottsville in his mid-twenties. It is a modest home for such an important man but is unique because Jefferson was an inventor as well as a President and astute businessman and farmer. One of the interesting features to me is that his bed was built into an alcove and opens on both sides - on one side to his study and on the other to his dressing room. He was a man that was organized and innovative and interested in the the exploration of the American continent. He was the President who authorized the explorations of Lewis and Clark into uncharted areas of our country in the Northwest. We didn't take time to go to Monticello on this trip, but it is well worth visiting if you are in the area.
Our day started out chilly and with a slight drizzle. How chilly? I only needed a light jacket and a heavy jacket this morning - a definite improvement over yesterday morning. This is a picture of the fields and low mountains near Waynesboro, VA which is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Don't you love this bridge? It was at the entry to an old estate on the road from Charlottesville to Bremo Bluff where we were to meet good friends for lunch. I wouldn't mind having this bridge. I don't have a creek, so I don't need a bridge. That doesn't mean I can't wish for it. I don't have a village of old buildings either, but I still wish for it,
Into the life of every antique car person comes the time when you have your first flat tire. Today was our day. Joe was been driving antique cars since the mid-1960's and had never had a flat. We were on our way to see Billy and Barbara Melton in Bremo Bluff and were about 30 miles from them when we had our unexpected adventure. The jack was, of course, in the compartment which supports the back seat cushion. The back seat cushion had been removed for the trip so that we would have storage room for everything we needed to take on our trip. To change the tire, you need the jack, so everything had to be unloaded from the back seat of the car. Everything, included our frog friends!
Joe changing the tire. With this type of old car, you exchange the flat tire with the spare. It is a reasonably easy fix and a reasonably speedy one. We were back on the road in about 30 minutes.
Another old gas station on the left for my village. I'll also take the other old buildings. Anyone want to help me move them? We saw these on the way to Bremo Bluff.
On this quiet and relatively traffic-free road we made pretty good time after changing the tire. It was great to see Billy Melton and his sister, Barbara, again. It had been a almost 4 years since we had seen them. I meant to take a picture of them with the old car, but got to talking with them, reminiscing and just catching up on what was happening in their lives and goodbyes are always tough, so I just forgot to get the picture taken. I really regret that.
We are spending the night in Orange, VA and will travel on to Leesburg tomorrow evening. Early Sunday morning, we'll cross the Potomac River into Maryland on a small car ferry at White's Ferry. Then by back roads we'll travel across Maryland and into Pennsylvania, arriving home early Sunday afternoon.
Thomas Jefferson, our third U.S. President designed and began building Monticello, his primary plantation near Charlottsville in his mid-twenties. It is a modest home for such an important man but is unique because Jefferson was an inventor as well as a President and astute businessman and farmer. One of the interesting features to me is that his bed was built into an alcove and opens on both sides - on one side to his study and on the other to his dressing room. He was a man that was organized and innovative and interested in the the exploration of the American continent. He was the President who authorized the explorations of Lewis and Clark into uncharted areas of our country in the Northwest. We didn't take time to go to Monticello on this trip, but it is well worth visiting if you are in the area.
Our day started out chilly and with a slight drizzle. How chilly? I only needed a light jacket and a heavy jacket this morning - a definite improvement over yesterday morning. This is a picture of the fields and low mountains near Waynesboro, VA which is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Don't you love this bridge? It was at the entry to an old estate on the road from Charlottesville to Bremo Bluff where we were to meet good friends for lunch. I wouldn't mind having this bridge. I don't have a creek, so I don't need a bridge. That doesn't mean I can't wish for it. I don't have a village of old buildings either, but I still wish for it,
Into the life of every antique car person comes the time when you have your first flat tire. Today was our day. Joe was been driving antique cars since the mid-1960's and had never had a flat. We were on our way to see Billy and Barbara Melton in Bremo Bluff and were about 30 miles from them when we had our unexpected adventure. The jack was, of course, in the compartment which supports the back seat cushion. The back seat cushion had been removed for the trip so that we would have storage room for everything we needed to take on our trip. To change the tire, you need the jack, so everything had to be unloaded from the back seat of the car. Everything, included our frog friends!
Joe changing the tire. With this type of old car, you exchange the flat tire with the spare. It is a reasonably easy fix and a reasonably speedy one. We were back on the road in about 30 minutes.
Another old gas station on the left for my village. I'll also take the other old buildings. Anyone want to help me move them? We saw these on the way to Bremo Bluff.
On this quiet and relatively traffic-free road we made pretty good time after changing the tire. It was great to see Billy Melton and his sister, Barbara, again. It had been a almost 4 years since we had seen them. I meant to take a picture of them with the old car, but got to talking with them, reminiscing and just catching up on what was happening in their lives and goodbyes are always tough, so I just forgot to get the picture taken. I really regret that.
We are spending the night in Orange, VA and will travel on to Leesburg tomorrow evening. Early Sunday morning, we'll cross the Potomac River into Maryland on a small car ferry at White's Ferry. Then by back roads we'll travel across Maryland and into Pennsylvania, arriving home early Sunday afternoon.
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