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MG TD TF 1500 - Rallye to St. Charles or How I got to the GOF

Actually begins with a Saturday car show I have never been to about 60 miles away. Featured British Iron this year so how could I not go? Well represented but disappointed not to see Ed with his TD and I know of at least two other TD's not that far away that didn't show.

Top honors to a Bently...oh the shame.


LaVerne

Up bright and early and off to Boise, Idaho. I know your saying that ain't the way to St Charles. It is if your'e going via Olympia, Washington. About a 608 mile leg according to mapquest. Damn hot, in fact damn hot the whole trip. Was happy to get inside a cool motel room even if it was next to the Boise airport using airport transfers tonbridge. Surprisinly I never heard a plane.


LaVerne

Off the next morning to Olympia, 536 miles for those of you keeping track. Stopped for a break here along the Columbia River.


LaVerne

So why is this place of note? Talked to the girl in the booth and although I didn't enter the park I did get the map. Note to self..clothing optional beach at east end of the park.


LaVerne

Arrived at John and Nancy Brickell's B&B in Olympia late in the day.


LaVerne

LaVerne-
I like your nav program, one of these days I'll get something together and we can take a few weeks to go to the grocery store down the street!
When are you starting on the vintage rally thing?
You sure you want to let the Rooster Rock without clothes?

FRM
FR Millmore

John's working on a beauty and both he and his wife were lovely hosts. Got his engine running after about an hour of fiddling. Diagnosis ..intermitent spark from brand new set of points and condenser. Still runs a little rich but John will work that out I'm sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDX3lkgNys0&feature=youtube_gdata


LaVerne

Alex the "Salsa King" came down for a photo op and took me for a spin in car. She's a screamer and Alex drives it like he stole it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MquJ33UFfRs&feature=channel&list=UL


LaVerne

Yes, LaVerne worked a miracle in getting the TF running after it decided to quit about a month and a half ago. Earlier, LaVerne who was attempting to guide me in trouble shooting to determine why the engine had stopped running made the mistake of saying, "If I was out there I'm sure I could diagnose the problem and get 'er running again". Next thing I know, LaVerne is on his way from Colorado to Olympia, "on my way to Chicago" he says laughingly.

Alex Waugh joined us in Olympia on the second evening LaVerne was at our place, and I have posted a couple of photos of the three of us and our TFs.

LaVerne is the type of person who exemplifies those who participate so frequently and helpfully on this terrific BBS. I owe him, especially, and many of you a debt of gratitude for all of the assistance you've provided. As you can see, the TF is close to being finished and will post appropriate photos when done. As the saying goes, "I couldn't have done it without you."

John


John Brickell

second photo


John Brickell

While at Jon's I addressed the first little glitch in The Green Hornet. Thought I was hearing just the slightest valve knock while pulling the interstate grades at 70-75 in 5th. Backed the timing down to tdc and still heard it. Brought along the larger blower pulley and belt just in case so swapped them at John's. When I got ready to depart no turn on the starter. A little help from John's charger got her running and I was off towards St Charles. Late start got me only as far as Spokane for the night. 320 miles.

Anytime Fletch...make sure to pack a lunch. Just for observation at the park...make note to self...keep the binoculars in the car.


LaVerne

Next day on to Missoula Mt. Lots of road construction but great roads if you have to be on an interstate highway. Little hot and tired there so called it a day and took a long nap that I had been missing.


LaVerne

Bright and early the next day and off to Sheridan, Wyoming. 475 miles. Terrain changing from the mountains I love, to the plains. Having tapered off the beer down to about nothing I had a couple of cold ones at the tavern next door to the hotel. did I mention it was hot? Most days on this drive were above 100.


LaVerne

Next day on eastward and a stop in Rapid City, South Dakota with my recently retired USAF cousin. now pulling duty at a Menards store. While waiting for a return call I checked out the welcome center.


LaVerne

Asked the cousin what was about 2 hrs east of Rapid City. Said he really wasn't sure because out of the 6 years he's lived there he hasn't been east. Did eventually suggest Mitchell. It's a lot farther that 2 hrs. Wheeled into town and pulled into the Ramada a dark. No rooms. None in town. Crap. None in Souix Falls 75 miles on east. I'm screwed. Who knew the rodeo at the Corn Palace was such a big draw? So found a nice resturant and had dinner. The waiter suggested a place about 20 miles back west in Plankington. I called and sure enough they had a room. So off back the way I came for the night. Can't say I'd recommend the room unless you are desperate... I was desperate.

I wonder how to change the color of the icon?


LaVerne

Dan had told me the Minnesota T group was traveling to St Charles in a pack and hooked me up with Tom Maine. It was determined that they would be doing lunch in La Crosse, Wisconsin so that would be my next stop. 385 miles..Oh by the way Sheridan to Mitchell with the back track 545 miles.

Think they could spell my name right.


LaVerne

Had a nice evening in La Crosse. Just around the corner from the motel..just what I was looking for.


LaVerne

Nice atmosphere and a cold one to boot.


LaVerne

Nice evening but did I mention the heat? Now add the liquid air I'm not used to. What ya do?


LaVerne

Since the Minnesota group won't be arriving till about 1 at the Wendy's it gave me time to wash the bugs off the car and mess around. I found the only shadey spot to park in the lot. Well it was shadey when I parked.

More to follow later. Have to go see the doc for a follow up. I'll have to see if he has anything for a sore butt.


LaVerne

LaVerne-
Lunch? I never travel without a couple days food and water, and required camping gear, since I am prone to taking roads that are not even on the map, and am far too old school to have them electrogizmos. Never rented a room. I have the whole setup including my coffeepot in a lightweight plywood box I built to bolt on the Norton luggage rack with 4 wingnuts, and three rubber straps. Plus a tent and a tarp to fasten to the car on one side and a couple legs for the other side.

You will have to pick up the pace - 1400 miles from here to Parker CO is 24 hours including a nap in Kansas. Next stop since I didn't know you when I went right past your house is someplace in Nevada, then SF Cal.
2009, Daughter and I did 12000 miles in a month, about a thou of that sideways, but spent most of the time visiting with 5 different sets of friends and the EAA museum and Yellowstone along the road.

Have you done US2 across from Minneapolis to the coast? Or US 191/89 diagonally across Montana? No interstate! Utah 12 = heaven, aka the DR Seuss highway.

Red rooster say, cocka doodle dee do
Richland woman, she say, any dude will do.
- Richland Woman Blues, Mississippi John Hurt

Gonna buy me a pony, get paid for trotting round...
- Highway 61, Mississippi Fred McDowell

FRM
FR Millmore

Great pics. Was good to see you again, up and running. Hope the Doc finds thing good. That was a fun GOF. Glad Gene got a trophy. We will be in MN in 2014. Think about comming up. Keep the photos comming.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

LaVerne, what show was that 60 miles away? I didn't even know it existed!
Ed
efh Haskell

I'm baaack. All things good with the kidney bean. Running at 55 percent which is more than my brain cells I think. Took me off the last of the meds..see him again in two months.

Now back to the trip. And I do mean back. Forgot to mention the second hiccup with the Green Hornet. Had lunch in somewhere Wisconsin or Minnesota and after lunch I filled up with petrol ....by the way you guys got it good there...93 octane and no alcohol...and after filling did my usual walk around cursery inspection. Whats this??? a broken spoke on the left rear...hmmm closer inspection reveals 4 broken spokes all side by side. Not good...I don't remember any severe bump, but out with the hammer and jack and on with the spare before continuing. Ordered 6 each long and short and a spoke wrench over nighted to St Charles. Lesson learned. 48 spoke wheels should only be for show...not much good for go. automatic finger inspection for every stop there after. All good to home.
Show was the annual Montrose show Ed. I thought for sure you would be there.
LaVerne

Hi La Verne, I use the same icon on my TomTom, same gripe about the color. I think it's just a pic file of some sort, one of these days I'll pull it out and see if I can just change the color. To green of course. Externally our cars pretty well match up. Wish I had the super charger and lower ratio to run 65-75 on the interstates. Do have a lower ratio, but not as low as yours. Thanks for helping me out on the grill "fingers", never did find the ones that disappeared here.
nice pix and trip rundown, I followed you all the way across country last yr (on the screen).
Al
54 TF "Emma"



A W Parker

True to his word, Tom and his partners showed up at the Wendys and nobody balked at the idea of another T car joining the pack. Maybe they liked the idea of extra spare parts. A few snippets here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8n2E14g3-M&feature=g-upl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhzS6Ho21JI&feature=g-upl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDSpXKSRF_g&feature=g-upl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZYHS60FG9g&feature=g-upl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMASgkClRZM&feature=g-upl
LaVerne

traveling with the "pack" we had a Chinese fire drill at the top of the hill as the group came to a halt and started circling like a chicks around the hen. We all pulled into a auto lube joint and all I could think of was "damn someone has some serious oil leakage". Turns out a fellow lost the nut off his throttle linkage and as good MG people do, someone had a spare to get him back on the road.
Lube manager was most gracious but I suspect the EPA will have to bring in a hazmat team for clean up.


While on the road I thought it would be cool to capture the group rolling by. I suppose it would have been nice if I had given them a heads up. I flew by and the video I had imagined didn't quite happen. You will understand if you watch the video.



Forgot all about the fingers Al..Emma looks good.


LaVerne

Guess it would have helped if I had put the link in.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNqgm6irgf4&feature=g-upl
LaVerne

Next stop was S&S engines in Timbuktu Wisconsin. V twin builders for the likes of Orange County Choppers, Harley Davidson and oh ya...The new Morgan trike. They had an example there and free rides were the order of the day. A tour of the factory was also part of the agenda.


LaVerne

Think Tom's looking for cup holders :-)


LaVerne

Looks like a nice facility. I skipped the tour and the ride as I left the group here and headed on to St Charles as I had a room there and the group was taking another day.

Had bit bit of trouble getting it into gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UmU0j6q-eI&feature=g-upl


LaVerne

So on I went, turning on the GPS and letting it guide me. I didn't have a clue where I was or how to procede so I just listened to the "bitch in the box". Thanks Sharon and Dan for that. It took me through Madison Wisconsin at rush hour. Not bad until everything came to a grinding halt. After taking over an hour to travel one mile the Green Hornet began to climb well over 100 and it never over heats. Did I mention the heat. I finally said screw this and pulled off the side of the road even though I only had 9 tenths of a mile to my exit. Opened the bonnet with a towel as it was too damn hot to touch with bare skin and walked across an on ramp with my home made trail mix and my iced tea and sat in the grass and watched the traffic move with the rotation of the earth. after about 20 minutes they started to move with pace and I went back to the car to find it completely cooled down..unlike me and I hit the road again with no further issues to the host hotel in St Charles.

Traffic was already rolling when I took this.


LaVerne

I think that's enough for this thread so I'll start a new one tomorrow for the GOF and points farther.
LaVerne

Wow. Great Travelogue! Thanks for posting. It was fun watching you buzz my friends!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Montrose! Well, I missed another one. I never knew it existed! Call me next time, eh LaVerne? I would have been there for sure. I drove half way there a few weeks ago.
Ed
efh Haskell

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2012 and 01/08/2012

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