Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
At the end of September, my friend Brad and myself are getting into my 1972 Mercedes-Benz 220D and pointing it west then driving out to Edgewood, New Mexico (where I grew up.)
Brad and I are college friends and both photographers so we're going to take six days to do a three day drive and we'll be shooting a lot of photos on the way. Should work out just perfect, considering the top speed of the 220D!
Our goal is to not drive on any interstates, instead sticking to the old US highway system. US Route 30, 50 and 54 are the main highways we'll be driving along. The map shows we'll be taking I-40 from Tucumcari to Edgewood and it's a possibility, just depending upon how tired we are. If we're up to it, we'll head south through Vaughn (1947 alien crash landing country) then up Hwy 60, stop at the dry lakes then north to Moriarty and finish the last 9 miles on old US 66.
We're going by this route
http://goo.gl/maps/eqCag
I'd love to meet a few forum members on the way out west if anyone is close to the route and has time to grab a coffee or lunch or whatnot.
Thanks all!
Phil Forrest
(this thread is cross posted from the Peach Parts Mercedes-Benz forum.)
Brad and I are college friends and both photographers so we're going to take six days to do a three day drive and we'll be shooting a lot of photos on the way. Should work out just perfect, considering the top speed of the 220D!
Our goal is to not drive on any interstates, instead sticking to the old US highway system. US Route 30, 50 and 54 are the main highways we'll be driving along. The map shows we'll be taking I-40 from Tucumcari to Edgewood and it's a possibility, just depending upon how tired we are. If we're up to it, we'll head south through Vaughn (1947 alien crash landing country) then up Hwy 60, stop at the dry lakes then north to Moriarty and finish the last 9 miles on old US 66.We're going by this route
http://goo.gl/maps/eqCag
I'd love to meet a few forum members on the way out west if anyone is close to the route and has time to grab a coffee or lunch or whatnot.
Thanks all!
Phil Forrest
(this thread is cross posted from the Peach Parts Mercedes-Benz forum.)
Mark T
Established
Sorry mate but I'm not in your country. Enjoy the trip. Sounds like a lot of fun!
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Jealous! Wish I could join you.
I'm doing a bit of a road trip as well, but not nearly as thrilling (and I'm taking my Jetta, not as cool a ride as yours). I have a job out in Tulsa in early October, so I'm driving out there for the shoot (about 1300 miles each way). Blasting out, but I think I'm going to take my time on the way back, and Route 66 is right there.
Route 30 will take you right through Gettysburg. Take a bit of time to explore that area.
I'm doing a bit of a road trip as well, but not nearly as thrilling (and I'm taking my Jetta, not as cool a ride as yours). I have a job out in Tulsa in early October, so I'm driving out there for the shoot (about 1300 miles each way). Blasting out, but I think I'm going to take my time on the way back, and Route 66 is right there.
Route 30 will take you right through Gettysburg. Take a bit of time to explore that area.
Range-rover
Veteran
That's sounds like a adventure Phil, have a good safe trip.
Range
Range
JSU
-
It's still an interesting and visually delightful route (66).
Three weeks ago, my son and I drove from Houston to Amarillo, then west on I-40 and sections of old Rte 66, to Kingman, Arizona, before the final leg of heading north to sin city (Las Vegas).
New Mexico is as enchanting as ever, I can easily appreciate why the aliens chose to visit. I thought they landed near Roswell in the south.
Vaughn was the rail stop where we went, from Alamogordo, to meet my aunt when she visited from California. I still recall the lava beds in the Vaughn area that seemingly went on forever.
Three weeks ago, my son and I drove from Houston to Amarillo, then west on I-40 and sections of old Rte 66, to Kingman, Arizona, before the final leg of heading north to sin city (Las Vegas).
New Mexico is as enchanting as ever, I can easily appreciate why the aliens chose to visit. I thought they landed near Roswell in the south.
Vaughn was the rail stop where we went, from Alamogordo, to meet my aunt when she visited from California. I still recall the lava beds in the Vaughn area that seemingly went on forever.
zuiko85
Veteran
When I saw the title I thought you were going to use and Olympus Trip for a cross country drive.
But seriously, it sounds like fun. Nice to have a photo buddy along who understands a photographer need to slow down and explore. With non-photographer relatives or friends they often don't understand why you cannot just open the window, stick the camera out, and snap a couple of shots at 70 mph!
On US 50 you'll be passing just a little north of where I grew up in Clark county, IN.
But for the past 25 years I have been transplanted in Olympia, WA. so far away from your route.
But seriously, it sounds like fun. Nice to have a photo buddy along who understands a photographer need to slow down and explore. With non-photographer relatives or friends they often don't understand why you cannot just open the window, stick the camera out, and snap a couple of shots at 70 mph!
On US 50 you'll be passing just a little north of where I grew up in Clark county, IN.
But for the past 25 years I have been transplanted in Olympia, WA. so far away from your route.
TheFlyingCamera
Well-known
Another vote for spending time out east on Route 30. I grew up on Route 30 in Pennsylvania, driving from Chambersburg (a very cool little town in its own right, with tons of Civil War history... don't miss the Old Jail downtown, which predates the war by a good 60 years, and is one of the few buildings that DIDN'T burn in 1864 when McCausland couldn't get his $200,000 in gold ransom) west to Breezewood and Bedford on the way to visit family in Altoona. There are stretches that are rather depressing, as industry and economy have largely abandoned long stretches in the middle. Also on Route 30 is the Flight 93 memorial.
In that general area (if you define general area by hand-grenade/horseshoe/thermonuclear weapons standards), there's Orbisonia, home of the East Broad Top Railroad, a railroad museum with working excursion trains and the Altoona Railroad Museum in Altoona (both would be side trips off of 30). Or if you drop down to route 40/I-68, there's Swallow Falls in Maryland, Ohiopyle Falls in Pennsylvania, and nearby Ohiopyle are two Frank Lloyd Wright houses - Kentuck Knob and the world-famous Fallingwater. A bit further west on route 40 is Fort Necessity National Battlefield, site of the opening salvo of the French and Indian Wars.
In the Gettysburg area, there's the Round Barn, just off route 30 in Biglerville. It's one of the few remaining in the country. http://roundbarngettysburg.com/_mgxroot/page_10746.html Right off of 30, in Caledonia State Park, there's Thaddeus Stevens' blacksmith shop (visible from the road - may not be open after Labor Day) and back in the woods a little ways is an iron furnace. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/caledonia/
In that general area (if you define general area by hand-grenade/horseshoe/thermonuclear weapons standards), there's Orbisonia, home of the East Broad Top Railroad, a railroad museum with working excursion trains and the Altoona Railroad Museum in Altoona (both would be side trips off of 30). Or if you drop down to route 40/I-68, there's Swallow Falls in Maryland, Ohiopyle Falls in Pennsylvania, and nearby Ohiopyle are two Frank Lloyd Wright houses - Kentuck Knob and the world-famous Fallingwater. A bit further west on route 40 is Fort Necessity National Battlefield, site of the opening salvo of the French and Indian Wars.
In the Gettysburg area, there's the Round Barn, just off route 30 in Biglerville. It's one of the few remaining in the country. http://roundbarngettysburg.com/_mgxroot/page_10746.html Right off of 30, in Caledonia State Park, there's Thaddeus Stevens' blacksmith shop (visible from the road - may not be open after Labor Day) and back in the woods a little ways is an iron furnace. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/caledonia/
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Well if you're going to do the round barn, then travel just another mile north to Hauser Winery and Boyer Orchards -- the apples should all be in season!
Gettysburg -- can't miss Devil's Den.
Gettysburg -- can't miss Devil's Den.
jkjod
Well-known
You will be traveling through the tiny town I was born in Nevada, MO (pronounced Nuh-vay-duh, not like the state). If you get hungry in Nevada be sure to try the White Grill for a good greasy cheesburger. If you are looking for some of the best fried chicken in the country its not too far in/around Pittsburg, KS check out Chicken Annie's or Chicken Mary's. These two places are literally next door and the rivalry is pretty heated between the two!
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Thanks for the suggestions!
The 1947 event happened in a rancher's field north of Corona. The evidence was taken to the Army Air base down in Roswell.
We're not spending any time in PA since I lived in Philly for seven years and my friend grew up outside of Harrisburg. We've both had plenty of Pennsylvania exploring time. Don't get me wrong, it's a great area to explore and photograph but we want to focus on things farther away from home (pun intended.)
As for going fast, that's the whole reason I'm taking a 220 diesel Benz. A car that is world renowned for easily driving more than a million miles but doing it all at less than 65mph. And with pretty good fuel economy too!
I applied for a job in Nevada, MO not too long ago. The pronunciation reminds me of El Dorado, KS (pron: El Dor-ay-doh.) Well, I guess folks had to be different in their pronunciation of Spanish derivatives.
We haven't set up a blog or anything, perhaps we'll just be using our own blogs and sites for updating this journey.
As for the car, she got new CV axles today. I found a torn boot and three very badly cracked boots so it was either time for a rebuild or time for new ones. I treated her to new axles and will rebuild the original Benz CVs at a more leisurely pace. Transmission fluid was changed today as were the tranny shifter bushings. She's out in Bayside, Queens right now in a driveway at a friend's house with the gasket compound on the differential cover curing. Tomorrow morning I'll head out early, get on the Long Island RR to Bayside, fill up the differential, warm up the engine and drive back to Jersey City.
After this, all she needs are door seals, window gaskets installed and a patch of rust stopped in its tracks.
Photos to come soon.
Thanks all!
Phil Forrest
The 1947 event happened in a rancher's field north of Corona. The evidence was taken to the Army Air base down in Roswell.
We're not spending any time in PA since I lived in Philly for seven years and my friend grew up outside of Harrisburg. We've both had plenty of Pennsylvania exploring time. Don't get me wrong, it's a great area to explore and photograph but we want to focus on things farther away from home (pun intended.)
As for going fast, that's the whole reason I'm taking a 220 diesel Benz. A car that is world renowned for easily driving more than a million miles but doing it all at less than 65mph. And with pretty good fuel economy too!
I applied for a job in Nevada, MO not too long ago. The pronunciation reminds me of El Dorado, KS (pron: El Dor-ay-doh.) Well, I guess folks had to be different in their pronunciation of Spanish derivatives.
We haven't set up a blog or anything, perhaps we'll just be using our own blogs and sites for updating this journey.
As for the car, she got new CV axles today. I found a torn boot and three very badly cracked boots so it was either time for a rebuild or time for new ones. I treated her to new axles and will rebuild the original Benz CVs at a more leisurely pace. Transmission fluid was changed today as were the tranny shifter bushings. She's out in Bayside, Queens right now in a driveway at a friend's house with the gasket compound on the differential cover curing. Tomorrow morning I'll head out early, get on the Long Island RR to Bayside, fill up the differential, warm up the engine and drive back to Jersey City.
After this, all she needs are door seals, window gaskets installed and a patch of rust stopped in its tracks.
Photos to come soon.
Thanks all!
Phil Forrest
hausen
Well-known
Wow that sounds like a trip. Enjoy Phil.
kxl
Social Documentary
Well, if you were going to take Route 66 all the way to the end of the trail, we could meet for lunch...
kknox
kknox
Sounds like a great road/photo trip. I once drove a 74 220D for a month. If I remember correct I did a speed test, 0-60mph was about 34 seconds. Fast huh? A great solid car.
FrankS
Registered User
oftheherd
Veteran
Sounds like a fun trip, if a little hurried. My daughter and son-in-law recently went to Kansas City (MO and KS), then spent some time on old 66. They seemed to really enjoy 66.
Paulbe
Well-known
FrankS--holy cow!
Nice trip! You doing that solo?
Paul
Nice trip! You doing that solo?
Paul
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Its too bad most of Rt 66 is now interstate though. My old hometown is along one of the longest surviving legs of that highway.
The real great pre-interstate US highways that are still around are 30, 20, 50, 54, 61, and a few others. One of these days I'm going to do a coast to coast trip on Rt 30 from Atlantic City, NJ to Astoria, OR.
Tom A. said the 220D is like the M2 of automobiles. He also mentioned that a calendar may be more useful than a stopwatch when testing accelleration!
Phil Forrest
The real great pre-interstate US highways that are still around are 30, 20, 50, 54, 61, and a few others. One of these days I'm going to do a coast to coast trip on Rt 30 from Atlantic City, NJ to Astoria, OR.
Tom A. said the 220D is like the M2 of automobiles. He also mentioned that a calendar may be more useful than a stopwatch when testing accelleration!
Phil Forrest
zauhar
Veteran
Phil, let me know if you are up for beer and/of food before you leave Philly .
Randy
Randy
robert blu
quiet photographer
Wow, this is a great trip! I'm happy for you and your friend!
robert
robert
FrankS
Registered User
Now for the most important question: What gear are you taking? I'm envious of your car's luggage capacity.