ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Hello from Bristol, Tennessee. Lyndi and I are on the road again.

We left Westminster Tuesday morning. We are headed to Corpus Christi, Texas for the Vettes on Lex Corvette Show.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0013.jpg


Vettes on Lex is a special Corvette Show that I have wanted to attend since I got my first ZR-1. The USS Lexington is a World War Two era aircraft carrier that is now a museum ship in Corpus Christi, TX. 400 corvettes will be parked on the flight deck of the Lexington. Here is a view of last year's event:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...efcb8afa9a.jpg

The proceeds from the show will be used to support the Wounded Warrior Project. Due to the cost required to certify the safety of the aircraft elevator, this will be the last year that Corvettes will be parked on the Lexington's deck. This makes it very special to us to have been selected to participate this year.

Our route to Texas is south on I-81, I-75, I-59, I-10, US-59 and US-77.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...ound%20Map.jpg

I designed or route to drive about 420 miles a day to allow some time each day for sightseeing.


Our early departure gave Lyndi the opportunity to take some interesting photos with shadow accents:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0074.jpg


to be continued.......

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Our first stop was near Glasgow, VA to see Natural Bridge and Natural Bridge Caverns.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0393.jpg

The Natural Bridge area has been a tourist destination since the the 1700's and was first owned by Thomas Jefferson, and surveyed by George Washington. The limestone arch was created by the erosion of the underlying rock leaving a massive rock bridge:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0436.jpg

US Highway 11 crosses the gorge on top of the rock bridge.


Nearby is the deepest cavern on the US East Coast. The caverns have been open to visitors since the late 1880's. The 45 minute guided tour of the caverns was well run and the caverns are definitely worth visiting.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0354.jpg

Later in the fall the caverns are home to three species of Bats. We did see one small Tri-Color Bat on the ceiling of the cave:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0382.jpg

Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Thanks for taking us along once again Jim!

I totally forgot about this since I saw it earlier this year, and am very sad that it's the last time they will do it. My work schedule would not have permitted the trip for us this year, but I'm thrilled to live vicariously through your and Lyndi's photos!

Thanks again and excited to have another one of your threads so soon!

Travel safe!

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Great Cajun food and entertainment at Prejean's in Lafayette LA. You're headed that way.

http://prejeans.com/

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Jim were you able to get Joe's contact information?


Sent from my iPhone using the ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Jim what day is show. I have an office in CC and need to make a trip down there. Or maybe if its on the weekend we could get some of the Texas group to do a quick get together with you guys for dinner or something. Or maybe in Houston on your way back.

Mike

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Once again great pics for us to view. Enjoy your trip and be safe. Sounds very exciting to be part of the upcoming event.
Have fun......


Sent from my SM-G935P using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Jim/looking forward to seeing you on the Lex/we decided to leave the twin turbo car /fidanza/ home and bring our dark red 91 zr1/great pictures///maybe we could plan a hot rod type power tour next summer where zr1s can join in as we go across this beautiful country,and start and stop wherever they want//so someone with only a long weekend might go from Oklahoma city to Dallas then head back home//route 66 would be a great route//lets talk this weekend//safe driving,and more pictures

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

The show is Saturday and Sunday, Sep 10-11. If some ZR-1 guys can come to the show, I would be thrilled. We will arrive on Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning, we start loading the flight deck at 5 AM. Vettes stay on the Lexington until Sunday evening. Unload starts at 5 PM. Lyndi and I HAVE to be back in MD on Wednesday, so we will be driving north on Sunday evening.

Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Thanks for the tip Glen, we do plan on getting some seafood in Lafayette.

Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Hi Dennis, yes we were. We are going to connect in Corpus Christi.

Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Day 2: On Wednesday, we drove from Bristol, TN to Tuscaloosa, AL. The day started with fog in the mountains, as is expected in the Smokey Mountains:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0683.jpg


Since we got an early start heading west, the morning sun gave us a nice C4 shadow:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0698.jpg


South of Chattanooga, TN, we stopped at Lookout Mountain. We drove to the top of the mountain and visited Point Park and the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0744.jpg

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0770.jpg

The views for the top of Lookout Mountain were breathtaking. I would have really liked to stay for hours and just enjoy the views:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0795.jpg

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0777.jpg

to be continued......

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Lyndi decided to try her hand at artillery director:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0806.jpg


We drove on to Tuscaloosa and visited the Tuscaloosa Museum of Art. The museum foundation administers the collection of Jack Warner. Warner was the CEO of Gulf States Paper, and later the Westervelt Company. He founded the museum in 2003 after exhibiting portions of the collection in the headquarters building of the Westervelt Company. We were given a private tour of the collection at the Company headquarters in Tuscaloosa. It is one of the finest collections that we have ever seen. The collection focuses on art that celebrates the growth of America and the many facets of America's history. One of our favorite pieces was by Edward Hopper titled Dawn before Gettysburg:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0916.jpg

Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Jim do you to sleep in the ship?
Nelson


W

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

No, but would be very cool. We leave the Corvettes on the ship and stay in a hotel.

The Canadian submarine that we visited in Romuuski, QC last month had a "spend the night" program. That would have been fun.

Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

The USS Silversides in Muskegon, MI and the USS Cobia in Manitowac, WI offer the overnight

My on and I stayed on the Cobia for a scout outing

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Jim as a retired Artillery Officer Tell Lyndi she is close to accurate. All she needs is a gunners square. :-D

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Day 3 - On Thursday we drove from Tuscaloosa, AL to Lafayette, LA. West of Tuscaloosa we saw a sign for the Heflin Lock so we decided to take a detour and check it out. We drove about 8 miles off the interstate and found the site:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0046.jpg


The Heflin dam and lock is one of four dams and locks on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. At the end of the access road we found the lock surrounded by a secure chain link fence. The lock appears to be a modern construction and in good condition. We took the best picture we could and continued our journey:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0055.jpg


When we got back on I-10 we came up on a white C7 Corvette with New Jersey plates. We suspect that he is headed to Corpus Christi also:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0096.jpg


We crossed Lake Ponchartrain on the I-10 Causeway and saw the skyline of New Orleans in the distance:

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When we got to New Iberia, we took a side trip to Avery Island to visit the Tabasco Factory:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0338.jpg

to be continued.....

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Tabasco hot sauce is made in a factory on Avery Island by a family owned company that has been in business since 1868. The production facility is open to the public for touring as well as a very nice nature preserve called the Jungle Gardens.

The factory is not large and is housed in two brick buildings:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0405.jpg

The Tabasco peppers and ground up and made into a mash that is stored in wooden barrels for three years:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0366.jpg


After aging, the spicy liquid is separated from the mash solids. in the Mixing Room, the sauce is mixed with vinegar for three days:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0419.jpg

Then the modern bottling machines fill the bottles, apply a cap, label and seal the bottles and package them for shipment:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0456.jpg

Today they produced over a half million bottles of hot sauce:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0466.jpg


The company now produces a wide variety of products:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0478.jpg


to be continued.....

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

On the same location as the factory, the company maintains a nature preserve called the Jungle gardens. The grounds are open to the public and visitors drive around the preserve. We enjoyed the quiet and beautiful scenery and wild life:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0670.jpg

This young Blue Heron was exploring near the bayou:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0553.jpg


This very large oak tree is called the Cleveland Oak because it was one of the favorites of President Grover Cleveland:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0715.jpg


Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

You always said Lyndi was "hot n spicy"! LOL!

Fantastic photos and travel log...Two in one year! Can't wait to see the next batch!

Maybe you should put the pix from your adventures into a bound BOOK. I know Ami and I would have to have one for sure, and I suspect others would as well - Corvette fans or not!

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Bound books, great idea!

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

I can't make it this year, but would like to next year.

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Day 4 - Friday we drove from Lafayette to Corpus Christi. It was a good trip, traffic in Houston was heavy, but we kept moving. We met a group of Corvettes from NW Houston and joined their caravan:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0527.jpg


The stern of the USS Lexington, waiting for the Corvette loadout:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0568.jpg


The Driver's Meeting. The event organizers stressed the event was about helping the Wounded Warriors. The crowd was very supportive:

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The hotel parking lot and the beautiful Harbor Bridge in the background. I guess I need a tripod to get this shot. Maybe tomorrow.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0627.jpg


We have a 0400 wake up call to get ready to load. More tomorrow.

Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

We went on board at 0530.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...f488673654.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

A view of the forward end of the flight deck:

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...4672dfaaf3.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Now that's a big fairy!

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Some music for your trip home:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykwp...dNTfUlrBSVSCKS

G

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Day 5 - On Saturday we drove on board the USS Lexington. The staging started at 5 AM and we were parked by 6:30. It was a very efficient process.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0110.jpg


A load of Corvettes coming up on the elevator. The White C1 is sitting with the rear bumper over the elevator edge which is the red and yellow stripe. There is another row of Vettes in front of the ones that are visible:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0120.jpg


Getting them off the elevator quickly. Each elevator load took about 4 minutes for load, up trip, unload, & down trip:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0144.jpg

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0391.jpg


By using some pre-planning, we were able to park next to Joe and Gayle, the only other C4 ZR-1's in the group:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0392.jpg


Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

The USS Lexington Museum is world-class display of a proud fighting ship with a very long and successful career. The Lexington Museum is run by a non-profit organization and does not receive and government funding.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Lexington. All of the staff were pleasant, enthusiastic and helpful. There and many kiosk type displays and many of the ship's spaces are open to visitors. There is a fully stocked gift shop and a nice café.

All of the displays and exhibits pay tribute to the men and women who have served in our nation's military. The accomplishments and sacrifices made in the defense of our freedom are honored.

Some more pictures:

Looking up the access causeway:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0182.jpg

Looking down from the Hanger Deck where the entry point is:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0153.jpg


Another C4. This nice Corvette belong to an young man (19 years old) who inherited it from his Grandfather. His father's C6 is near by. They made the Vettes on Lex a family visit.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...DSC_0478_1.jpg


In the Galley. One of the informative and enjoyable displays that are through the ship:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0500.jpg


Taking my watch at the Starboard Throttles:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0508.jpg

Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Just wow!!! I want to thank you Jim, and all forum members for your service and sacrifice to this great country. Your roadtrip pictures never cease to amaze, and this time I'm pretty much speechless....What a way to showcase the legendary ZR-1 and Americas true sports car, The Corvette. I can't think of any better way, especially on the Anniversary of 9/11. You two have a safe trip the rest of your way and God bless America!!

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

My first Navy ship was the USS Dennis J. Buckley DD808 a WW2 era destroyer which I served on in the early 70s. I spent the first couple months A-Gang where I had my first encounter with the mighty Horbart Mk38 Mod 4 spud peeler. My duty was to grease it once a week, whether it needed it or not. Believe me this machine rocked when it came to peeling anything the cooks needed peeled. My Chief warned me to make sure it was 100% ready for action at all times or else the ship's crew would have my a$$.
Jim,
Thanks for posting this photo.
It brings back a lot of memories of my time as a steam snipe standing watch down in main control. BTW your DFT level appears a little low. Better give it some make-up feed water.

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Thanks again for sharing this special trip with us, Jim and Lyndi. This one looks extra special. Great to see the young man appreciates what he has in the C4. Do you know if this event will be repeated in 2017?

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Great pics of a great time for a great cause. The clouds are an amazing backdrop. Thanks for all.

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

have a safe trip home Jim and Lyndi/really glad we got to spend some time together/enjoyed the company/joe and Gayle

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Not according to Post #1

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Jim
I hope that's the ahead throttle?
Standby for a crash back...

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

Day 6 - On Sunday we spent more time touring the USS Lexington and talking to all the great Corvette owners we met. Lyndi took her turn at the Starboard AA Gun Mount:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0547.jpg

During the ceremonies, the Tulsa Vette Set Corvette Club took the stage (all 65 of them) to to be acknowledged as the Host Club for the Vettes and Jets on Lex Event. Without all their hard work the event could not have happened:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0571.jpg

At 5 PM, after all the many visitors to the Lexington had departed the unloading of the Corvettes started. Here is a shot of the Elevator lowering 12 cars to the causeway level:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0605.jpg

Here is Joe in a Dark Red ZR-1 driving of the elevator:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0619.jpg


After I came off the Lex, Lyndi got this nice picture of the PurpleZ with the stern of the Lexington in the background:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0070.jpg

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

On Sunday evening, after we were off-loaded, we left Corpus Christi and drove about 5 hours so we could get north of Houston and avoid the Monday morning rush hour traffic.

On Day 7, Monday, we drove east from Wilis, TX to Laurel, Mississippi.

Has anybody ever visited Cut and Shoot, Texas?

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0102.jpg


As we passed through northeast Texas, we encountered some Texas-sized bugs that swarmed us everytime we got out of the car and made a big mess on the front of the Z and on the windshield:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0194.jpg


We chose a route to Mississippi the avoided the interstate highways. It was a nice drive with moderate traffic and nice scenery:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0229.jpg


Lyndi named this area the Sunken Forest:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0231.jpg



We found a nice sculpture in front of an auto repair shop. I think I see a B&B exhaust in there:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0246.jpg


Welcome to Mississippi:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/DSC_0288.jpg

Jim

Re: ZR-1 Road Trip - Vettes on Lex Corvette Show - Corpus Christi
 

BOY WHAT A GREAT SHOT OF MY ZR1 COMMING DOWN THE ELEVATOR/was great spending time with the two of you/need to plan more road trips/Being on the Lex with all the vettes and vets on Sept 11 was one of highlights of my life/over 20,000 dollars was raised for the wounded warriors program between raffles and donations//WOW