July 26, 2008
About 6:30, Taylor and I caught Historic Route 66 at Riverton Kansas and drove 724 miles it all the way to the beginning in Chicago. We spent the first night in St. Louis, then stayed the second night with Greg's parents in Chicago. Weather was hot but not that uncomfortable. Taylor and I enjoyed the evening with Pat, Bob, and Tim in downtown Chicago. Thanks again for your hospitality.
We left Chicago then drove to Indianapolis where we attended the National Impala Association convention at the Adam's Mark hotel. Displayed the Impala on Tuesday at the 'Show & Shine' car show. Headed home on Wednesday at noon after watching a few minutes of the Impala drag racing. Drove in rain all the way home from Indy (544 miles) so the 'shinny' Impala is now a mess.
The Impala ran great. Only issues were a burned out low beam headlight (turned out to be a bad connection), dimmer switch starting to act up, and the emergency flasher knob came unscrewed. Oil pressure was a constant 45 lbs. and water temperature ran at 205 - perfect. Did not have to add any fluids during the trip except allot of gasoline. We averaged 18.5 MPG for the entire trip, which is pretty good for a 4,500 lb. wind plow. Engine used less than 1/2 quart of oil.
Before leaving for the Impala convention I did a little restoration to the 39-year old Impala.
Here is some of the things: Installed water temp gauge, oil pressure gauge, replaced heater hoses and radiator hoses, new radiator, new brake light switch, replaced headlight switch, repaired windshield washer, new wiper blades, changed rear-end lube, changed dash light bulbs, changed engine oil and filter, new battery and battery cables, new sparkplug wires, new thermostat, had the original dash speaker re-coned, repaired rusty trunk metal and installed trunk seal, painted engine and bay, AND polished till my arm fell off.
We traveled a total of 1,551 miles in five days. Taylor was really good the entire trip and it was a pleasure sharing the experience with her. The highlight of the trip for Taylor was getting to swim 9 times. There were a few times when we didn't get to swim more than about 10 minutes, but that was OK with her. The only issue has was that I couldn't do a pony-tail as good as her mom.
Taylorisms:
Short Stack - We ate breakfast one morning at the hotel and both decided to have pancakes. The waiter came over and I told him we would both have a short stack. After he had walked away, Taylor asked me "Grandpa, is that Spanish for pancakes?"
My Eyes - Somewhere in central Illinois on a stretch of old Route 66 highway: Very seriously Taylor said, "Grandpa, there is something wrong with my eyes". I asked what she meant. "I keep seeing water" She was seeing the heat reflecting off the road (mirage)
Blew Away - We were traveling down I-64 from Chicago to Indianapolis, of course with the windows all open. Taylor had been wearing a Jeff Gordon race cap the Lauren had given her to wear. She was playing with it, taking it off and on. Suddenly a gust of wind pulled it right out of her had. Gone! Told her not to get upset, that we would go back to look for it. Had to go down 3 miles to the next exit, back 5 miles. We drove as slow as we could but didn't see the hat. Got to the hotel, unpacked the car and it was in the back seat!
Clean The Car - Tuesday was the "Show & Shine" car show. That morning and a couple times during the show Taylor got out the detail spray and microfiber towels and polished on the car. That evening after dinner we had attended the movie session and neither of us enjoyed it much. So, we left early and I asked her what she wanted to do now. She said, "let's clean the car". This from a 6-year old!
It Will Be - During our travels the first day I noticed that the left low-beam headlight was not working. After dinner we went to the auto parts store to purchase a new one. The clerk at the store noticed the car and commented how nice it was. He then looked down at Taylor and asked, "Is that your car?". Taylor immediately looked up at him and said, "It will be".
Picture Time? - Numerous times during our drive I would stop so we could take photos. Each time I would tell Taylor, "Picture Time". She would slip on her flip-flops, unbuckle, hop out and take her pose in front of the car. One time she was laying down in the back seat when I stopped at a stop sign. She popped up and asked, "Picture Time?"
Is It Stuck? - During the Impala drag racing. An Impala station wagon did a fairly impressive burn-out. Taylor looked over at me and asked, "Grandpa, is that car stuck?"
Hotel Yet? - We had not been on the road 45 minutes when Taylor asked me, "Grandpa, when are we going to get to the hotel?" I told her, "Honey, it will take ALL day". She said, "OK" (no big deal, she just wanted to know)
We left Chicago then drove to Indianapolis where we attended the National Impala Association convention at the Adam's Mark hotel. Displayed the Impala on Tuesday at the 'Show & Shine' car show. Headed home on Wednesday at noon after watching a few minutes of the Impala drag racing. Drove in rain all the way home from Indy (544 miles) so the 'shinny' Impala is now a mess.
The Impala ran great. Only issues were a burned out low beam headlight (turned out to be a bad connection), dimmer switch starting to act up, and the emergency flasher knob came unscrewed. Oil pressure was a constant 45 lbs. and water temperature ran at 205 - perfect. Did not have to add any fluids during the trip except allot of gasoline. We averaged 18.5 MPG for the entire trip, which is pretty good for a 4,500 lb. wind plow. Engine used less than 1/2 quart of oil.Before leaving for the Impala convention I did a little restoration to the 39-year old Impala.
Here is some of the things: Installed water temp gauge, oil pressure gauge, replaced heater hoses and radiator hoses, new radiator, new brake light switch, replaced headlight switch, repaired windshield washer, new wiper blades, changed rear-end lube, changed dash light bulbs, changed engine oil and filter, new battery and battery cables, new sparkplug wires, new thermostat, had the original dash speaker re-coned, repaired rusty trunk metal and installed trunk seal, painted engine and bay, AND polished till my arm fell off.
We traveled a total of 1,551 miles in five days. Taylor was really good the entire trip and it was a pleasure sharing the experience with her. The highlight of the trip for Taylor was getting to swim 9 times. There were a few times when we didn't get to swim more than about 10 minutes, but that was OK with her. The only issue has was that I couldn't do a pony-tail as good as her mom.Taylorisms:
Short Stack - We ate breakfast one morning at the hotel and both decided to have pancakes. The waiter came over and I told him we would both have a short stack. After he had walked away, Taylor asked me "Grandpa, is that Spanish for pancakes?"
My Eyes - Somewhere in central Illinois on a stretch of old Route 66 highway: Very seriously Taylor said, "Grandpa, there is something wrong with my eyes". I asked what she meant. "I keep seeing water" She was seeing the heat reflecting off the road (mirage)
Blew Away - We were traveling down I-64 from Chicago to Indianapolis, of course with the windows all open. Taylor had been wearing a Jeff Gordon race cap the Lauren had given her to wear. She was playing with it, taking it off and on. Suddenly a gust of wind pulled it right out of her had. Gone! Told her not to get upset, that we would go back to look for it. Had to go down 3 miles to the next exit, back 5 miles. We drove as slow as we could but didn't see the hat. Got to the hotel, unpacked the car and it was in the back seat!
Clean The Car - Tuesday was the "Show & Shine" car show. That morning and a couple times during the show Taylor got out the detail spray and microfiber towels and polished on the car. That evening after dinner we had attended the movie session and neither of us enjoyed it much. So, we left early and I asked her what she wanted to do now. She said, "let's clean the car". This from a 6-year old!
It Will Be - During our travels the first day I noticed that the left low-beam headlight was not working. After dinner we went to the auto parts store to purchase a new one. The clerk at the store noticed the car and commented how nice it was. He then looked down at Taylor and asked, "Is that your car?". Taylor immediately looked up at him and said, "It will be".
Picture Time? - Numerous times during our drive I would stop so we could take photos. Each time I would tell Taylor, "Picture Time". She would slip on her flip-flops, unbuckle, hop out and take her pose in front of the car. One time she was laying down in the back seat when I stopped at a stop sign. She popped up and asked, "Picture Time?"
Is It Stuck? - During the Impala drag racing. An Impala station wagon did a fairly impressive burn-out. Taylor looked over at me and asked, "Grandpa, is that car stuck?"
Hotel Yet? - We had not been on the road 45 minutes when Taylor asked me, "Grandpa, when are we going to get to the hotel?" I told her, "Honey, it will take ALL day". She said, "OK" (no big deal, she just wanted to know)
