Southern Hospitality

[knightfan26917]

TV, radio, the movies ... talk about "Southern Hospitality" and things like "Sweet Home Alabama". For just over a week, I experienced this "Southern Hospitality" phenomenon. And, yes, it is VERY true!

I can hardly believe my 2007 road trip is over.... The wintry weather mix (mainly ice/snow) that greeted me when I returned Saturday, December 1, was NOT the way to welcome me back home; though, it was nice to see many people at our annual Christmas Open House that evening.

As for the trip itself, I met a lot of great people along the way, saw some "old friends", and missed meeting a number of people as well. I had a blast ... and want to go back on the road ASAP!

I rented a 2008 Buick LaCrosse. I wanted a Dodge Charger, but Enterprise did not have one at the time and offered me the Buick LaCrosse for the same weekly rate.... I told several people during my road trip that, while I like most of the new cars that GM offers, I wouldn't buy them because they are front-wheel drive. This Buick is no exception. Fine car ... handles/drives/rides well, even after about 3,000+ miles were added to it by me . But, I wouldn't buy it.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

This IS the "Reader's Digest" version.... When you click on each pic linked below, you'll see/read further detailed info in the captions....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23

=Elgin IL - Zionsville/Indianapolis IN - Louisville KY - Lexington/Nicholasville KY

=IL RT 47 S...SR 24 E...I-65 S...I-465 E/S...I-65 S...I-64 E...I-75 S

* stopped in Zionsville IN to meet Keith ("85t5mcss", MCC) for lunch at Applebee's [met Keith for the 1st time].

Pic:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mcc_IN_jpg.html

* stopped east of Louisville KY (Simpsonville KY) to meet Janet (MonteCarloSS) to see her "new to her" Caprice Classic wagon.

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...coa_KY_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...CCrear_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Cfront_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...et_wCC_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...wMCcap_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ick_KY_jpg.html

* stopped in the Lexington KY area to meet Dino (NMCOA) and his family. We ate dinner at Applebee's [the HOT raspberry tea was delicious!]; I spent the night at their home [met Dino and his family for the 1st time].

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...n_LxKY_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...erview_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Places_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...OverKY_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...coa_KY_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...MCrear_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Cfront_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...MCside_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...milyMC_jpg.html

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24

=Nicholasville KY - Knoxville TN - Sevierville TN - Pidgeon Forge TN - Gatlinburg TN - Charlotte NC

=KY RT 27 N...I-75 S...I-40 E...TN RT 321 S...I-40 E...NC 321 S...I-85 N

* stopped in Knoxville TN to meet Andreas (FGMC); Karin (ACHA/SavingLittleHearts); and RJ ("crazyhorse", MCSS/MK) for lunch at BridgeView Grill [met Karin and her family and RJ for the 1st time].

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...l_kvTN_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...tadium_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._group_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...N_boys_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ickWmc_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...css_TN_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...yhorse_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...geView_jpg.html

* stopped in Sevierville with Andreas and RJ to see the Muscle Car Museum.

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...museum_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mpala1_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mpala2_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...impala_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Cshirt_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Camino_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mpala1_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mpala2_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mpala3_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mpala1_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mpala2_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mpala3_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...trains_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...poster_jpg.html

* took the "scenic tour" of Gatlinburg when I missed a crucial turn...and passed by a General Lee on display but couldn't get over soon enough to stop to look at it....

* stopped in Gastonia NC to spend Saturday and Sunday nights with my best friend, Heather, and her husband, Eric.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25

=Gastonia/Charlotte NC

=I-85 N...I-485 S...Exit 1...and then reverse

* lunch (2:30p) at O'Charley's amidst rain showers with Jay O (MCML); Donald T (MCSS/NMCOA); Jim ("Big Jim", FGMC); Stella/Kevin (FGMC); Josh ("Future_Of_GM", C&G); Bryan (RacingOne) [met Jim, Stella, Kevin and Josh for the 1st time].

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._group_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...group2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...group3_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...e_Cars_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._Cars2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...MCaero_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...e_72MC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._Cars3_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Stella_JPG.html

* relaxed/visited with Heather/Eric that evening.

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ric_NC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...erCats_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...herCat_JPG.html

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26

=Gastonia NC - Anderson SC - Atlanta GA

=I-85 S...Exit 11...I-85 S...I-285 W...I-75 N...Barrett Parkway (Exit 269)...THEN I-285 E...GA RT 78 E

* stopped in Anderson SC to meet and eat lunch with Kevin W (FGMC) and Jared R (FGMC) and see Kevin's #12 "Coke Machine" 1972 Monte Carlo [met Jared for the 1st time]. In August 2005, Kevin's "Coke Machine" was just in the BEGINNING stages!

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...rsonSC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...CMrear_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...bbySIG_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...MjrSIG_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._CMads_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...dKevin_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._CMwME_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...poster_JPG.html

* stopped just NW of Atlanta GA at MCMLer John C's home for dinner. Larry T (MCML) brought his '78 MC and Chris (El Camino Mailing List) brought his son, Carter, and his Corvette-powered Volvo station wagon [met Chris for the 1st time].

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._JohnC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...hiteMC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...6Chevy_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...vette1_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...vette2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...yT78MC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...T78MC2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...aGroup_JPG.html

* stopped just E of Atlanta GA for the night at the home of Brian ("Roopull", CarNuts.us) [met his wife and son for the 1st time].

Pic:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Roo_CN_JPG.html

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

=Atlanta GA - Macon GA - Tallahassee FL

=I-285 S...I-75 S...Exit 160A (Macon)...I-75 S...SR 300 W/S...SR 19 S...SR 319 S...I-10 W

* missed the exit for GA SR 85 and missed seeing Jim ("Drachen", CarNuts.us), though had seen him just a year ago when a group of CarNuts.us members were in Elgin IL en route to Elkhart Lake WI.

* stopped in Macon GA to see my cousin, Sarah, whom I hadn't seen since 2001.

Pic:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...zSarah_JPG.html

* took the "backway" to Ken's home in Tallahassee FL [noting along the way the plethora of 4-lane roadways where virtually no traffic is, while in Northern IL we have tons of traffic but lots of 2-lane roads ... noticed this along Alabama's SR 55 N, too]; stopped for a DELICIOUS BBQ (including scrumptious baked beans). Along with Ken ("MC87SS", MonteCarloSS/NMCOA), David ("dbreeze", FGMC); Chris ("mcswain", MonteCarloSS); Jeff ("80 Landau", MCML); and several of Ken's local club members joined us [met Ken, Chris and Jeff for the 1st time].

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...L_MCs1_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...L_MCs2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...L_MCs3_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...L_MCs4_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...L_MCs5_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...L_MCs6_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._KenMC_JPG.html

* stopped in Marianna FL for the night ... my only night in a hotel the entire trip.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28

=DeFuniak Springs FL - Birmingham AL - Nashville TN

=I-10 W...SR 331 N...SR 55 N...SR 106 W...I-65 N...AL RT 31 W/S...AL RT 150 W...back to I-65 N...Bell Rd/Old Hickory Blvd E...I-24 W...Briley Parkway E...McGavock Pike

* stopped in DeFuniak Springs FL to meet Ann ("hensylee", ValveReplacement) and had a lovely visit, including breakfast at the Waffle House and a tour of DeFuniak Springs [met Ann for the 1st time].

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Ann_VR_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._AnnMe_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...buicks_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...tshirt_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._MeAnn_JPG.html

* On SR 55 N, passed by what appeared to be a "slightly used" General Lee sitting at the edge of a driveway parking lot.... Then, along SR 106, saw signs for a Hank Williams Sr Museum.

* stopped in Birmingham AL to meet Brandon (MCSS) and his wife, Samantha, for dinner at Logan's Roadhouse along RT 150 W, near Walmart.

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mantha_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...mantha_JPG.html

* stopped in Nashville TN to stay with college friends Kevin and Lori and their 3 children, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29

=Nashville TN

=drive around the area, including Antioch TN

* Mary (ValveReplacement) and her husband drove through Nashville en route from their home (Cape Girardeau MO) to Birmingham AL (onto Florida); they stopped for lunch and met me at Applebee's, across from the Opryland Hotel. A few of us from the NMCOA ate at that same restaurant for dinner one night during the 2002 MC Nationals.

Pic:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._Me_VR_JPG.html

* After driving around the Nashville/Antioch TN areas a bit and visiting with Lori and the 3 kids later in the afternoon, I went to the Opryland Mills Mall to meet Mike ("blue02SS", 2000montecarlo); Mike (FGMCC); and John (Monte Carlo Mailing List) for dinner.

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._Group_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Group2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Group3_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...e_2KMC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...n_MCML_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._John2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...e_FGMC_JPG.html

* After dinner, Kevin, Lori, Maleah, Micah and Jaren met me to go see the decorations at the Opryland Hotel. We noticed signs about the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in the hotel, but it wasn't until I got back home that I found out that those meetings started Monday, December 3 ... 4 days after I was there.

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Hotel1_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Hotel2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Hotel3_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ryants_JPG.html

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30

=Nashville TN - Big Sandy TN - Jackson TN - Ava IL

=Briley Parkway...I-40 W...TN RT 641 N...TN RT 641 S...I-40 W...45 ByPass...SR 45E N...Purchase Parkway (future I-69 extension)...I-24 W...I-57 N...IL RT 13 W...IL RT 127 N...IL RT 4 W

* On I-40 W, saw signs for the Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch....

* stopped in Big Sandy TN to visit John and Dot, friends who used to live in Elgin IL. John took me for a ride in their '79 Caddy and '55 Packard, and then we had lunch.

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Sandy1_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Sandy2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ckards_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ackard_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ackard_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._Caddy_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...usFGMC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...sFGMC2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ackard_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...9Caddy_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Caddy2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...dillac_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...incoln_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...n_boat_JPG.html

* stopped in Jackson TN to meet Judy (from DeVillbiss, with whom I worked when I was at Sears) [met Judy for the 1st time] and meet Richard O (Monte Carlo Mailing List) and his wife for dinner at Steak'n'Shake [the hot sweet tea was DELICIOUS!].

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...JudyMe_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...rd72MC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ichard_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...Cwheel_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...rdWife_JPG.html

* stopped in Ava IL to spend the night with Eric ("Otto", CarNuts.us) and his wife [met both for the 1st time]. Eric used to live in Elgin IL.

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...ric_CN_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...icWife_JPG.html

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1

=Ava IL - Marion IL - Champaign/Urbana IL - Elgin IL

=IL RT 4 E...IL RT 127 S...IL RT 13 E...I-57 N...I-74 E...Lincoln Ave S...I-74 W...IL RT 47 N...to home....

* stopped in Marion IL to meet Don ("darndot", GMI) and Mark T (Monte Carlo Mailing List) for breakfast at Steak'n'Shake [met Don and Mark for the 1st time]. Given the impending icy conditions up north, I did not have time to see the rest of Mark's G-body collection...next time, for sure.

Pics:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...T_MCML_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...rkT_MC_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...kT_MC2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...on_GMI_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...n_GMI2_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1...rionIL_JPG.html

* stopped in Urbana IL to meet Scott W (NMCOA) and his Dad for lunch, despite the icy conditions.

Pic:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/RT1..._Scott_JPG.html

...and then drove home...arriving about 6:20p, just in time for the remainder of our annual Christmas Open House....

COMING IN 2008:

I'm not planning a "full" road trip in 2008, but I intend to attend the following events/gatherings.... Let me know if you want to meet up along the way ... or at the gatherings!

April 11-13, Friday-Sunday

...Monte Carlos @ MI International Speedway (MIS)

...Michigan (Brooklyn-Detroit)

June 27-30, Friday-Monday

...NMCOA MC Nationals

...Pennsylvania (Greensburg-Pittsburgh)

August 8-12, Friday-Tuesday

...family reunion/side trip

...Indiana (N Manchester-Fort Wayne) / Ohio (Akron) / Pennsylvania (Holsopple-Pittsburgh) / New Jersey / Maryland (Baltimore) / Virginia (Alexandria)

September TBD, Saturday

...annual CHD Quilt Project/Golf Outing

...Illinois (Sandwich)

October 3-5, Friday-Sunday

...MidWest Monte Carlo Gathering

...Missouri (St Louis) / Southern IL

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Traveled down the road and back again" ... Andrew Gold ... 'Thank You For Being A Friend'

[76ChevyTrucker]

Hey Cort, sorry about not being able to get up with you. I just got recently promoted at my job and its been pretty hectic catching onto the learning curve.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I had a blast too, everyone was very cool.

I felt kind of rushed though, because I had a Relay For Life meeting that night and had to rush off a little early.

I'm a big fan of this kind of thing because I think it's cool that a lot of us are so close, yet we've never met and probably wouldn't even know each other on the street if we passed. It's nice to put a face with a name.

[I hope GMRULES again]

Holy Cow! You sure took a lot of pics. Looks like it was a blast. I hope there will be a C&G meet one day.

[76ChevyTrucker]

I say that we all meet in Bowling Green, Ky at either the Corvette museum, or the plant.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Wish I could have met up with you, Cort. Sorry, man.

Maybe I won't have to work next time you're in KY.

[knightfan26917]

76CT ... I understand. I had noticed you hadn't been on the board in a while ... and figured you hadn't received my PM in time with my ph#.... I hope there will be a "next time"! Course, I like that Bowling Green idea .

F_O_G ... you needn't have felt rushed. Everyone left pretty much after you did, anyway. We didn't hang around too much longer, given the weather conditions. I suspect if it had been sunny and/or warmer out, we may've stayed longer, but I don't know. It DEFINITELY is good to put a face and voice with the name!

YJ ... no worries. You weren't the only one to have to back out on the KY meet up. Maybe I'll come through KY again ... when you aren't working...he he he .

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"It's snowing in the pines" ... Alabama ... 'Christmas In Dixie'

[knightfan26917]

Just wanted to add quickly that, as I'm betting most of you know by now, I LOVE to travel ... and I love meeting people. IMHO, it is very cool to put a face and a voice to the name on the computer screen. For me, it certainly makes the experience of participating on the various forms more enjoyable.

I can only hope to continue to be blessed enough to travel and meet people each year...and I sure hope others of you are able to do the same.

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Windows open on the rest of the world" ... Suzy Bogguss ... 'Drive South'

[2005 EquinoxLS]

Those are some nice pictures. Of course my favorite car in the whole bunch is the 1979 Caddillac. VERY nice.

[loki]

next time you're in champaing/urbana find famous dave's bbq, if you've never eaten there before.

[knightfan26917]

2005 ... I love that '79 Caddy. That is my favorite car of theirs!

loki ... Yes, I've eaten at Famous Dave's before ... we have a couple in the Elgin area ... good place, indeedy!

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"No store bought gifts to open, but there'll be Christmas just the same" ... Kenny Rogers ... 'Kentucky Homemade Christmas'