Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

After more than a year of planning, Lyndi and I are heading back to Alaska. We will get underway tomorrow morning (Saturday, June 8th).

In 2012 we drove to Alaska, following the Alaska Highway which runs from eastern British Columbia, Canada to Fairbanks, Aklaska. On this trip we are going to take the Alaska Marine Highway and ride a ferry for three days to visit the southern coastal towns of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Wrangell.

The first leg of the trip will be to cross the US in seven days. I chose a moderate pace of about 400 miles a day to have time for some sight seeing and make it to Bellingham, Washington in time to catch the Ferry that only runs the route we need twice a month.

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Stay tuned for more......

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

:happy1: Looking forward to it... Wishing you the best of luck!
H
:cheers:

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

I am having trouble resizing my map pictures so I will post more of the route later. We will be in Alaska for 15 days and then drive east on the Alaska Highway and head south through the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

We are going to visit Calgary for the Calgary Stampede, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park for a family reunion.

The trip will be 39 days and more than 9,000 miles.

Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Amazing.

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Wow, that’s nice Jim!! Safe travels and best wishes!!


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Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Safe Travels - looking forward to seeing some great photos.

sent from Florence, Italy sans ZR-1

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Have a great time and safe travels. Looking forward to the updates and photos.

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Jim,you and Lyndi are the best I've ever known at planning,executing and documenting these epic road trips.May safety and great weather follow you.Looking forward to your posts along the way.

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

I'd like to join you but I have only a half tank of gas left until my next allowance. Your headed into some awe inspiring country. Stay safe and check your periscope frequently.

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

I know this will be a great trip!
Will be following the updates and comments!
Have Fun!

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Living the dream


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Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Saturday, Day 1: Maryland to Sandusky, OH

The weather was beautiful for a drive. We got a nice picture of our house and a picture of the Purple Z in front of the McDaniel College Administration Building across the street:

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We drove west on I-70 and the PA Turnpike, then the Ohio Turnpike to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In a tunnel in Pensylvania the Pioneer GPS showed us a suitable graphic:

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Cuyahoga Valley NP has lots of things to do. And there is a train. We will be planning a trip to this area in the future to ride, hike, and bike.

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In Sandusky, we drove out to Marblehead to see the Lighthouse:

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Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Remind me to install an antenna switch when you return. Dang Pioneer Nav has to be on at all times and that means antenna up at all times. A nuasance...:cheers:

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

What time on Monday do you plan to come through the Rochester MN area. I live 5 minutes from I90... Might cruise with for a little bit.

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Hey Jim
During this trip are you planning on coming across the UP 4014 Big Boy steam locomotive which was recently restored to full operation for the 150 year anniversary of the driving of golden spike at Promontory Point, Utah to commemorate the joining the rails of the first transcontinental railroad? I remember seeing one of UP Big Boys when I was around five years old and my father telling me it was the largest steam locomotive ever built.


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Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Yun,
On my Pioneer I have it set to raise the antenna only when the AM or FM radio functions are selected. Otherwise it’s down all the time.


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Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

What a great trip- good luck and thanks for the updates. I'll enjoy following your progress.

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

How was it wired?

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Wired the Pioneer antenna control circuit up to the coil side of the integral antenna motor up/down control relay via dark green wire 145 removed from Bose relay. See below FSM page
Attachment 9730


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Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Jim & Lyndi
Have a safe and fun trip, looking forward to the updates.
Dan


WAZOO Member
1991 Quasar Blue

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Hi Yun, I already have an antenna switch. I forgot to lower it. Thanks for checking on me.

Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Hi Mark, That would be cool! We will be leaving South Beloit, IL at about 7AM and will stop a few times along the way, so I figure we will be to Rochester about 11:00 or 11:30. We can meet where ever you want. How about meeting for lunch some where near Rochester. If you recommend a local place that would be great.

Here is my contact info:

Cell: 443-244-1347 (Text is great)
email: jim@gizmosart.com

Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Hi Phil, I am always interested in the Big Boys. I am not sure where 4014 is right now but I have been following the restoration process. We missed seeing it in Denver area by 1 day last summer. Riding behind that locomotive is high on my Bucket List.

Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Sunday, Day 2 Sandusky, OH to South Beloit, IL

Today was a serious art day. We drove west on I-90 to northwest Illinois with a nice stop in Chicago to spend time at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Early on Sunday, the traffic on I-90 was light, but it got congested later in the day:

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When we got to Chicago, we parked at the Millennium Park and crossed the street to the Art Institute of Chicago. Here is the only photo we took of the Purple Z today:

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We spent about 4 hours visiting the Art Institute of Chicago which is Trip Advisor's number attraction in Chicago. Lyndi and I agree that it has the best collection or art that we have seen. Here are some of the items that caught my attention:

There is a fabulous collection of advertising posters from early twentieth century London to get people to ride the electric buses and subways:

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Edward Hopper's Nighthawks (1942) is a thrill to see in person:

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I was fascinated by this Ancient Egyptian Statue of Horus, carved about 2300 years ago:

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I liked the bright color and detailed life-like faces of Two Sisters by Renoir:

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We had about an hour of rain today and paid a lot of tolls but the drive was not too bad.

Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

And you were only 2 blocks from the beginning of RT 66 as well

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

You can keep an eye on Big Boy 4014’s whereabouts this summer at UP’s steam web site
https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Dede and I are members of the Art Institute and agree that it was a great place for you to stop. They have some spectacular exhibitions on a regular basis. Enjoy your trip. And Phil, thanks for the UP Steam link. I will watch to see if they ever plan to bring 4014 up through Chicago. A Big Boy would be an amazing engine to see running. We are taking the kids and grandkids up to the Illinois Railway Museum on July 7, a steam or diesel weekend. --Bob

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Monday, South Beloit, IL to Luverne, MN

From Beloit, we drove north on I-90 to Wisconsin. We were on a mission to find a souvenir thimble from Wisconsin for one of our friends back home. We stopped a a lot of truck stops and gift stores and cheese stores:

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Unfortunately we were not successful. There were no WI thimbles to be found. If any one can track down a WI thimble, Lyndi will gladly pay cost and shipping.

We followed I-90 and turned West toward Minnesota. We stopped in La Crosse, WI and had a good time sight seeing, shopping and getting Coney Island chili-dogs. La Crosse has a local Town Brewery that offers the largest six-pack in the world:

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We crossed the Mississippi River into Minnesota and continued west on I-90. We live in farm country in Maryland but we were amazed at how many beautiful dairy farms there are in Minnesota.

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Near Rochester, MN we had the great pleasure to meet up with Mark (MarkSS). It was a thrill to see his excellent Red 1990 Lingenfelter 368 cubic inch ZR-1. It was fun to learn about the active ZR-1 community in Central MN. His Father, Brother and a friend each have ZR-1's. Mark escorted us for a while as we drove west. It was a thrill when he blew by us on his exit ramp:

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As we continued on to Luverne, we were racing the clouds and caught on a few drops of rain:

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Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Mark Flying By

https://youtu.be/BbuoWGNYYWE

I am learning how to use a GoPro camera and edit my videos and post them. Please bear with me as I experiment.

Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

It was great to meet Jim and Lyndi and run a few miles with them on their Alaska adventure! Thanks for posting the video and pics as well!

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

I used a Go Pro with my 95 ZR-1 mounted on the harness bar. I found it difficult to use, but then I did not opt to pay for the remote control or display on it. Still, it worked well to record a number of track sessions at BG.--Bob

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

I always look forward too seeing the road trips you two take.....always great pictures, interesting and beautiful locations. I'll echo the the Art Institute of Chicago is a must see for anyone, one of the best in the country. Be safe and happy motoring.

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Great pics and experiences already! Thanks for letting us come along...

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

When I reviewed this video of Mark passing me to say farewell, I realized that I am doing about 75 MPH and you can guess what Mark is doing when he flashes by me. His 1990 is a Lingenfelter 368; a real beast!

I have a GoPro Hero 7 camera that is mounted to the windshield forward of the rear view mirror. I ran a charging wire up the A-pillar and across the top trim to have power full time at the camera.

The "scene" shows a lot of hood or a lot of sky so I may have to crop the images.

The Hero 7 has better battery life than my earlier model and is easy to control from an phone app, but I have just been using the camera buttons when recording from the car.

The post production work is about the same as before and I will have to get organized to reduce the time it takes me to "produce" YouTube ready clips.

Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Day 4 Luverne, MN to Rapid City, South Dakota

Our accommodations in Luverne were at the Hill Crest Motel, a small Mom & Pop motel a few blocks from the interstate. On each trip we try to sometimes break away from the standard hotels and get back to our roots. The room was small, clean and quiet, and it cost $52 for the night:

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On the way back to the interstate we noticed this out door sculpture of two birds:

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The hotel to I-90 was two turns and then the GPS showed our next turn was 364 miles on to the road our hotel was on, a door-to-door trip:

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I-90 continued on, west across the Great Plains and we enjoyed seeing many more farms:

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to be continued......

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

We stopped in Mitchell, SD to visit The World's Only Corn Palace. The Corn Palace is a community Civic Center that was created years ago by a forward-looking Chamber of Commerce that wanted to improve the viability of the towns primary industry: Growing Corn.

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Each year the exterior of the building is completely stripped bare and then decorated using only corn. Last year's theme for the decoration was "Salute to the Military" One of the large picture panels showed the USS South Dakota SSN-790, which was special to me as a submariner. The USS South Dakota is a brand new Virginia Class fast attack nuclear submarine that was christened in February 2019 and will enter the submarine force soon.

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to be continued.......

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Further west, we took time out from our transit to visit Badlands National Park. The park is about 50 miles east of Rapid City, SD and is one of Lyndi's favorite parks:

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The Badlands of South Dakota were created by the erosion of relatively soft rock created 60 million years ago when the area was a lake bed and later a swampy area. The stunning terrain can be observed from your car while driving, or at well constructed view points. There are many hiking trails in the park.

While we were in the Park the weather was changing rapidly. Dark thunder clouds move across the area and gave dramatic views of the rocky peaks:

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The yellow mounds were formed by the remains of swamp plants that formed rock deposits:

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We took a picture of our traveling companion for 9 years, Army Man. He has ridden with us and keeps us safe since we found him in Alaska:

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After dodging the rain clouds for an hour, they caught up with us and we drove out of the park in the rain:

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We visited a must-see travel destination, Wall Drug Store in Wall, SD. In operation since the early 1900's, it appears to be a collection of many stores but is really all one large gift store behind the facades. The Purple Z is showing the effects of driving thru road construction in the rain:

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Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

Jim,

I’ve installed the AppRadio 4 and don’t recall having an antenna circuit. Which Pioneer are u using?

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

If I remember correctly, it is a pioneer AVIC 8000 NEX. It does not have a circuit to control the antenna. I installed my own switch to do that.

Jim

Re: Jim and Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip 2019 - Back to Alaska
 

I guess they don’t build radios w antenna circuits any longer since vehicles have
“In glass” antennas for years.