Archive for 2012 « JESDA.COM | Cars, travel, etc.

PART 4: Nissan Sentra Spec V, 1951 Chevy truck, Thanksgiving dinner

PART 6: In N Out Burger, NICOClub Headquarters in Surprise AZ

PART 7: Driving 1931 Ford Model A, first-generation Honda Insight, and 1967 Datsun 411 wagon

PART 9: Barstow CA, Arvin CA, cruising SR-99 to Lemoore CA

PART 10: Aaron in Lemoore CA – Mexican food, Autozone, and Naval base

PART 11: In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

PART 12: The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

PART 13: Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

PART 14: Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke

PART 18: Heading home through Montana, Newton visits the vet

PART 19: Boulder CO, Denver CO, show at Cervantes, heading home

PART 18: 2011 Western American Road Trip, Heading home through Montana, Newton visits the vet

Newton enjoys his food bowl and Teddy Ruxpin is belted into the back seat.

Newton pricked his paw on something in dad’s backyard, and he licked it until it was infected. At a Motel 6 west of Butte I gave him a bath and covered his paw.

He managed to get the towel off so I tied it shut.

The next day I found a veterinarian who had time to take us in the same day. I highly recommend them:
Animal Medical Clinic
3302 Monroe Avenue, Butte, MT 59701-3826
(406) 494-3630 ‎

An accident on I-90.

Someone drove through the guardrail and went off the cliff.

Lots of snow but roads were clear.

Clean facility. I think I heard a goat back there. Veterinarians in Montana take care of everything from rodents to show horses.

LOL, that’s what you get, dog.

Antibiotics and anti-itch powder. $130 for the whole visit. Not bad at all!

Lunch at Wendy’s across the street.

More of beautiful Montana.

Livingston MT

We stopped at the Livingston Inn. We didn’t stay the night but I was here a few years ago and wanted a couple souvenirs.
The rooms are sparkling clean, affordable, and recently renovated.

These postcards are awesome. They had a real bear come in for a photo shoot in 2007.

Montana might have the friendliest people in the country.

The vanity plate on this Seville says “COMFY”

Me and Teddy at a truck stop in Montana.

Using cheese to give Newton his meds.

“I hate this”

Checked into a Motel 6 in Wyoming.

Divided into sections:

PART 1: Overview, Expenses, Map – 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days

PART 2: Joplin MO Tornado Damage, Terry’s Subaru STI in Oklahoma, Route 66, U Drop Inn, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo TX, Leaning Water Tower

PART 4: Nissan Sentra Spec V, 1951 Chevy truck, Thanksgiving dinner

PART 6: In N Out Burger, NICOClub Headquarters in Surprise AZ

PART 7: Driving 1931 Ford Model A, first-generation Honda Insight, and 1967 Datsun 411 wagon

PART 9: Barstow CA, Arvin CA, cruising SR-99 to Lemoore CA

PART 10: Aaron in Lemoore CA – Mexican food, Autozone, and Naval base

PART 11: In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

PART 12: The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

PART 13: Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

PART 14: Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke

PART 18: Heading home through Montana, Newton visits the vet

PART 19: Boulder CO, Denver CO, show at Cervantes, heading home

PART 17: 2011 Western American Road Trip, Eating, drinking, farewell dinner

After two weeks I decided it was time to head home. I didn’t have any obligations, but I was so tired of sitting around in the cold and waiting for time to pass. As much as I love and adore my family and friends, being in that town is sometimes like being in prison.

We met up at Thai On First for dinner. This is, WITHOUT QUESTION, the best Thai restaurant I’ve ever been to, and that’s taking into consideration three visits to Thailand.

I have no problem calling this one of the best Thai restaurants I’ve ever been to, even considering the places I’ve eaten in Thailand. Best pad Thai… EVER. They aren’t open very late so be sure to call first.

Thai On First
411 West 1st Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201-3706
(509) 455-4288 ‎

Went to Bo’s house to hang out. This little puppy, Simba, passed away from a virus recently. ☹

I always look forward to leaving Spokane but I hate saying goodbye to family and friends. This snow that started falling the night before we left is a trap.

Divided into sections:

PART 1: Overview, Expenses, Map – 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days

PART 2: Joplin MO Tornado Damage, Terry’s Subaru STI in Oklahoma, Route 66, U Drop Inn, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo TX, Leaning Water Tower

PART 4: Nissan Sentra Spec V, 1951 Chevy truck, Thanksgiving dinner

PART 6: In N Out Burger, NICOClub Headquarters in Surprise AZ

PART 7: Driving 1931 Ford Model A, first-generation Honda Insight, and 1967 Datsun 411 wagon

PART 9: Barstow CA, Arvin CA, cruising SR-99 to Lemoore CA

PART 10: Aaron in Lemoore CA – Mexican food, Autozone, and Naval base

PART 11: In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

PART 12: The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

PART 13: Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

PART 14: Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke

PART 18: Heading home through Montana, Newton visits the vet

PART 19: Boulder CO, Denver CO, show at Cervantes, heading home

PART 16: 2011 Western American Road Trip, Bar hopping downtown

I met up with some friends from high school and embarked on a downtown bar tour.

Met up with an old friend for martinis.

lol

Here’s the photos from the rest of the evening that I can share with the public:

Travis, Rocky, Monica, Kim, Ben

A bathroom wall at a bar.

Pizza at Monterey Cafe. OUTSTANDING.

And of course we had a taxi.

The Swamp!

Talked to these people about travel and Thailand.

It was a wonderful send-off for Kim, who was moving to Qatar. Big thanks to everyone for a great night.

Divided into sections:

PART 1: Overview, Expenses, Map – 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days

PART 2: Joplin MO Tornado Damage, Terry’s Subaru STI in Oklahoma, Route 66, U Drop Inn, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo TX, Leaning Water Tower

PART 4: Nissan Sentra Spec V, 1951 Chevy truck, Thanksgiving dinner

PART 6: In N Out Burger, NICOClub Headquarters in Surprise AZ

PART 7: Driving 1931 Ford Model A, first-generation Honda Insight, and 1967 Datsun 411 wagon

PART 9: Barstow CA, Arvin CA, cruising SR-99 to Lemoore CA

PART 10: Aaron in Lemoore CA – Mexican food, Autozone, and Naval base

PART 11: In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

PART 12: The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

PART 13: Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

PART 14: Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke

PART 18: Heading home through Montana, Newton visits the vet

PART 19: Boulder CO, Denver CO, show at Cervantes, heading home

PART 15: 2011 Western American Road Trip, Drinking, eating

Next day…

Whisper and her family treated us to dinner at their house. I checked out her Deville, which recently had its head gasket replaced.

I <3 cake

Me, at the dinner table, dressed casually.

Next day…

Seen at Costco. That’s a lot of purple.

Katie made some corn bread and chicken chili.

Next day…

Are you noticing a theme? I didn’t have much to do in town but eat and drink… and drink… and eat…

Dad made steaks and sausages.

Morty’s on the south hill.

Divided into sections:

PART 1: Overview, Expenses, Map – 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days

PART 2: Joplin MO Tornado Damage, Terry’s Subaru STI in Oklahoma, Route 66, U Drop Inn, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo TX, Leaning Water Tower

PART 4: Nissan Sentra Spec V, 1951 Chevy truck, Thanksgiving dinner

PART 6: In N Out Burger, NICOClub Headquarters in Surprise AZ

PART 7: Driving 1931 Ford Model A, first-generation Honda Insight, and 1967 Datsun 411 wagon

PART 9: Barstow CA, Arvin CA, cruising SR-99 to Lemoore CA

PART 10: Aaron in Lemoore CA – Mexican food, Autozone, and Naval base

PART 11: In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

PART 12: The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

PART 13: Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

PART 14: Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke

PART 18: Heading home through Montana, Newton visits the vet

PART 19: Boulder CO, Denver CO, show at Cervantes, heading home

PART 14: 2011 Western American Road Trip, Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke

We finally arrived in Spokane, descending into the valley on I-90.

An oversized load brought traffic to a crawl.

I was happy to make it to my dad’s house and finally sleep.

Friends of mine, the Flahertys, just had a new baby. She’s genuinely very cute.

I ran into them at the store.

Tyler and Kara recently got engaged.

Jack and Dan’s Pub

Went elsewhere with Tyler to sing some Careless Whisper, drunk of course.

Next day…

Wandering around Safeway

XBOX TIME

Bo and Linda’s puppies!

Bo gave me an authentic Teddy Ruxpin. I still need to find some tapes.

Divided into sections:

PART 1: Overview, Expenses, Map – 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days

PART 2: Joplin MO Tornado Damage, Terry’s Subaru STI in Oklahoma, Route 66, U Drop Inn, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo TX, Leaning Water Tower

PART 4: Nissan Sentra Spec V, 1951 Chevy truck, Thanksgiving dinner

PART 6: In N Out Burger, NICOClub Headquarters in Surprise AZ

PART 7: Driving 1931 Ford Model A, first-generation Honda Insight, and 1967 Datsun 411 wagon

PART 9: Barstow CA, Arvin CA, cruising SR-99 to Lemoore CA

PART 10: Aaron in Lemoore CA – Mexican food, Autozone, and Naval base

PART 11: In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

PART 12: The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

PART 13: Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

PART 14: Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke

PART 18: Heading home through Montana, Newton visits the vet

PART 19: Boulder CO, Denver CO, show at Cervantes, heading home

PART 13: 2011 Western American Road Trip, Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

Headed to Target to pick up some things. I almost bought this but Facebook said it was awful, so I passed. ☺

Rogue Chocolate Stour and Hazelnut Brown Nectar

Pepper and Ian

Hoover likes to lay down while he eats. What a comfortable life!

Trying a smashed potato recipe from a friend at CadillacOwners.com.

Boil red potatoes for 25 minutes, drizzle generously with olive oil, and smash it.

Drizzle more, add salt.

Oregano

25 minutes in the oven.

Gary treated us to steaks.

DELICIOUS

Ian bought us a raspberry cake.

We slept well (and full) and hit the road the next morning.

To get to Brandon’s house in Ellensburg we had to cross the Columbia River and wander up US97, a narrow and winding somewhat mountainous two-lane road. Too many trucks for my liking.

Ellensburg

We got to Brandon’s house and met his mom, then we drove each other’s cars to Campus Burger. Here’s a review of Brandon’s Sebring convertible.

Left: His Chrysler Sebring
Right: My Cadillac Seville

Divided into sections:

PART 1: Overview, Expenses, Map – 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days

PART 2: Joplin MO Tornado Damage, Terry’s Subaru STI in Oklahoma, Route 66, U Drop Inn, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo TX, Leaning Water Tower

PART 4: Nissan Sentra Spec V, 1951 Chevy truck, Thanksgiving dinner

PART 6: In N Out Burger, NICOClub Headquarters in Surprise AZ

PART 7: Driving 1931 Ford Model A, first-generation Honda Insight, and 1967 Datsun 411 wagon

PART 9: Barstow CA, Arvin CA, cruising SR-99 to Lemoore CA

PART 10: Aaron in Lemoore CA – Mexican food, Autozone, and Naval base

PART 11: In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

PART 12: The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

PART 13: Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

PART 14: Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke

PART 18: Heading home through Montana, Newton visits the vet

PART 19: Boulder CO, Denver CO, show at Cervantes, heading home

PART 12: 2011 Western American Road Trip, The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

Beautiful Audi Avant.

Newport Marina

Gary treated us to dinner.

I ordered fish and chips. DELICIOUS. Great service too. I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant.

The lighthouse.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

A hair display.

Steep stairs.

The attic.

Watched a video about the family that used to live in the lighthouse.

Yaquina Bay Bridge

Art deco pillars.

Heading back.

Stopped at a Dairy Queen. Butterscotch topping.

That’s why I didn’t order a large, LOL.

Divided into sections:

PART 1: Overview, Expenses, Map – 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days

PART 2: Joplin MO Tornado Damage, Terry’s Subaru STI in Oklahoma, Route 66, U Drop Inn, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo TX, Leaning Water Tower

PART 4: Nissan Sentra Spec V, 1951 Chevy truck, Thanksgiving dinner

PART 6: In N Out Burger, NICOClub Headquarters in Surprise AZ

PART 7: Driving 1931 Ford Model A, first-generation Honda Insight, and 1967 Datsun 411 wagon

PART 9: Barstow CA, Arvin CA, cruising SR-99 to Lemoore CA

PART 10: Aaron in Lemoore CA – Mexican food, Autozone, and Naval base

PART 11: In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

PART 12: The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

PART 13: Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

PART 14: Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke

PART 18: Heading home through Montana, Newton visits the vet

PART 19: Boulder CO, Denver CO, show at Cervantes, heading home

PART 11: 2011 Western American Road Trip, In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

We found a Motel 6 in Williams CA and perused a gas station for dinner.

Next morning.

The new Land Rover Evoque on its way to a dealer.

Piles of trash at a parking area off I-5.

Gas station in California.

Mapped our way to Gary’s house in Independence OR which was a few miles west of I-5.

Newton and Hoover meet again!

Gary on piano.

Pepper

Two Sevilles, both 2001. I found a shop in Corvallis to repair my noisy wheel bearing.

I took Gary’s car for a spin. The Seville SLS has lighter steering, a softer ride, and slightly more body motions (no electronic suspension), and more low-end torque in exchange for slightly less horsepower. I loved his beige and tan interior. I couldn’t really tell a difference in acceleration. Both cars are respectably quick.

After dropping off my car at Ken’s Car Care Center we headed to Newport to see the coast.

They got the car done the same day and the price was very reasonable. I highly recommend them:
Kens Car Care Center
1419 Northwest 9th Street
Corvallis, OR 97330-4510
(541) 757-7511 ‎
http://www.autorepaircorvallis.com/

Gary put a snazzy badge on his glove box door to spruce up the interior.

Wooded, winding two-lane roads. One of several things I miss about the northwest.

Divided into sections:

PART 1: Overview, Expenses, Map – 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days

PART 2: Joplin MO Tornado Damage, Terry’s Subaru STI in Oklahoma, Route 66, U Drop Inn, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo TX, Leaning Water Tower

PART 4: Nissan Sentra Spec V, 1951 Chevy truck, Thanksgiving dinner

PART 6: In N Out Burger, NICOClub Headquarters in Surprise AZ

PART 7: Driving 1931 Ford Model A, first-generation Honda Insight, and 1967 Datsun 411 wagon

PART 9: Barstow CA, Arvin CA, cruising SR-99 to Lemoore CA

PART 10: Aaron in Lemoore CA – Mexican food, Autozone, and Naval base

PART 11: In N Out Burger, Northern California, Gary’s house in Independence OR

PART 12: The Pacific coast in Newport OR, Lighthouse

PART 13: Grilling at Gary’s, shopping, Brandon’s house in Ellensburg WA and 2000 Sebring convertible

PART 14: Arrival in Spokane WA, drinking, karaoke