crazy idea/holiday in the states.

richardinnz · May 26, 2011

Please bear in mind this was discussed tonight STONE COLD SOBER!
When I was a kid the Waltons TV show used to be on every week and we would not miss it, I love the 1930s / 40s even though I was not born untill 1963. I was talking tonight with a mate of mine that I would like to visit the U.S.A. to take in some vintage tractor shows and collections. The idea developed, (still with no beer involved) in to putting my "44 Farmall H, and his "39 McCormick W14 into a shipping container, along with his dads 1930s Ford V8 ute (pick up truck) take the tractors to some shows, and back to their place of birth, then driving the ute along route 66 because we"ve heard about it in a song, and take in any tractor/truck shows we can on the way. Route 66 probbably goes nowhere near the Waltons and Ike"s store, but what the heck?. Besides the cost, and telling our wives, can any one think of a reason why we cannot do it regarding laws/regulations and safty issues? (the ute is right hand drive) Because your a long time dead and I dont want to be worm fodder thinking I should have / could have done it, and it is only HALF way around the world from here.

Lloyd In South Carolina · May 26, 2011

No reason it cannot be done, been to the "Waltons" home town and saw the store off route 29 in Virgina. Very pretty area.

To my knowledge, got to go east of the Missippi to catch route 66, some of the old road is still there.

I have a trailer, I'll pick you and your tractors up at the dock here on the East Coast. I'll bring beer!

L.

B W in MO · May 26, 2011

Richard , The best thing that I can say is to go for it becouse if you don't you will always regret that you didn't do it.

Dblair · May 26, 2011

if you go in September you can stop for a few days at Somerset Steam and gas show and Field days of the Past in Rockville the week after. Just happens that we will have a tractor pull on the 24th of September along the James River near Jamestown . Just take the middle 2 weeks in September . you'll be able to do shows, the Waltons, and tractor pulling , while visiting the birthplace of America.

Detmurds · May 26, 2011

Hey, like you I was also born in 63 and I loved the Walton's so much, I own every DVD of the show ever made. Just to let you know, there is a "Walton's Museum" which you can find easily via Google.

As for Route 66, from what I have heard there really isn't much of it left and it not even called 66 anymore??

As for the plan,...go for it!

DoubleR · May 26, 2011

Sounds like a plan except for the route 66. I tried to follow it a few years back on a motorcycle. Parts are replaced by a new highway, part runs along the new road with grass growing on it and barracades up. Some of it is just plan not there. Good Luck

Anonymous-0 · May 26, 2011

There are many parts of route 66 left stretching from Chicago to LA. In many areas the historic routes are marked. In some areas west of Oklahoma City Interstate 40 lays over the old road and you would not be able to drive a tractor between the remaining segments. The last segments of Route 66 were decomissioned as a U.S. highway around 1977. There are many books and websites regarding Route 66. I have driven most of what is left from Chicago to Springfield Ill and from Oklahoma City to San Bernadeno Cal.

John (C-IL) · May 26, 2011

It takes a fair amount of planning and connections to do what you are proposing, but could be well worth it. The Aussies came up 2 years ago with their Chamberlains and traveled across America taking in several shows and seeing the sights. If you google it you might see some of their adventure. Come in late August and you can come to the Half Century of Progress in Rantoul, IL. If you contact the proprietors they will make you a star!
Half Century of Progress

John (C-IL) · May 26, 2011

Here's a link to the story
Aussies in America

John (C-IL) · May 26, 2011

Here's a link to the story
Aussies in America

skycarp · May 26, 2011

Contact Ron Bywaters, (AUS) he and others did it.

Here is a website with information on how to contact him.

http://www.transworldtractortreks.com/Contact_us.html

Dean

DeltaRed · May 26, 2011

Try US 50,it goes coast to coast(I only live about 3 miles from it in western Colorado).US 287 goes caddycorner from WashingtonState to somewhere in the "deepsouth"That trip would be an awsome experience!

big fred · May 26, 2011

Sounds like quite a trip! You'll need a good guidebook for the Route 66 trip, since, as the others have said, a lot of that highway is no longer there. A good guidebook will get you to and from the parts that still exist. I once ended up on a bit of it when I took a wrong turn near Victorville, CA.

greenbeanman in Kansas · May 26, 2011

Sounds like a great tentative plan. I don't know the Ute capability but much of Route 66 is now Interstate 40 and will have at least a 45 mph minimum speed on it.

US 50 has been suggested as an alternate. It goes through where I live (Hutchinson, KS) and if you come through here I'll buy lunch or supper or breakfast. I seem to recall that a portion of it in KS will have construction work done on it this year, perhaps changed to 4 lanes.

The only safety issue for a right hand drive would be to remember which side of the road you need to drive on. I used to drive right hand drive postal vehicles and there is hardly any learning curve when driving in traffic with one.

I do hope your plans solidify and you can indeed make the trip a reality. Welcome to the United States.

skycarp · May 26, 2011

(quoted from post at 08:00:25 05/26/11) Try US 50, it goes coast to coast (I only live about 3 miles from it in western Colorado).

There is a reason why US 50 is called "The loneliest Road In America". If you take it west of Colorado through UT and NV as I have, you will understand the term. The name originates from large desolate areas traversed by the route, with few or no signs of civilization. The highway crosses several large desert valleys separated by numerous mountain ranges towering over the valley floors, in what is known as the Basin and Range province of the Great Basin. The only moving things are tumbleweeds. One stretch went for 150 miles without a single building, very few cars in the day, and none at night.

Just saying,

John730D · May 26, 2011

We're located about 5 miles from Rt. 66. The portion that is still open. Near Pontiac Il. If you make the trip, you need to go to Pontiac. Museums, ect there. Might be able to put you up for the night if need be. Hotels in the area also.

Sid · May 26, 2011

Many, people travel Historic 66. I have had the oppotunity to visit with some of them. Groups ship their Motorcycles and charter a flight to Chicago and follow the Historic route all the way. Let us know when, I'll try to meet you as you go by. Might have enough saved up by then to feed you supper and find a dry spot to sleep, just a coupla miles off the road. GO FOR IT!

AG in IN · May 26, 2011

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Some of US 66 is still there, some is long gone, some dead ends, and some is inaccessable. The "Main Street of America" was replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Most is signed "Historic US 66" or something similar. Some of what's left is in good shape, some isn't. If you don't mind jumping on and off the interstate highway to access what's left, what's there can certainly be driven. There may be a historical society that has maps available of exactly what's left.

Other than Old US 66, which isn't a bad idea, there are other good "classic" roads, like the Lincoln Highway (parts of US 30 and other highways, there are actually several versions of this road), (Old) US 16, The National Old Trails Hwy. (parts of US 40, and others), the Dixie Hwy., and many, many others.

To get off the beaten trail, but not too far, find some 30+ year old highway maps. Compare it to new ones, and/or use the internet to find the new names of the old highways that have been returned to state or local control. Just like 66, some still exist, some don't. These old roads are usually in not too bad of shape, don't have the traffic, usually have towns with restaurants with real food, and you won't feel as pressured driving them. Grid maps can get you farther off the beaten path.

Many restricted access and interstate highways have minimum speed limits, usually between 40 and 50 mph..

In the end, you decide what you want to do, where you want to go, and what you want to see. There are thousands of shows and fairs all summer long. Most would be thrilled to have an exhibitor with your story. Be safe and have fun.

AG

Anonymous-0 · May 26, 2011

That's an ipressive walkabout you are considering. The lower 48 states in the USA are roughly the size of Australia, but there is Canada and Mexico to think of also. I have been to OZ and want to go back.

You should definitely come see the USA, it changes all the time. Some say it is going downhill but who knows? Time and money, and your imagination, are the only limits you should ever respect in life.

You'll find a way to tell your wives. If you need help creating the right story I am a professional BS'er, and there are a few others on this site.

I am right in the middle, only 65 miles (105 lilometers) north of Route 66 as its crosses Missouri. We still use the old English system. We speak English, sort of, and we love Aussies.

The Waltons TV show was set in the eastern USA while Route 66 started in Chicago and ran generally Southwest to its end at the Santa Monica pier. Don't let the details worry you.

There's no law against a right-hand-drive vehicle that I know of, although guys in other states will surely chime in if there is.

Phil Scarborough · May 26, 2011

Sitting here in England, all my wife and I can say is "Go for it, you're a long time dead". We have done something similar, although not with a tractor, you will meet some wonderful people, see some astounding scenery and remember it forever!!

Billy Shafer · May 26, 2011

Trip sounds fine so why not do it. But sober and no BEER. You guys must be nuts.

Anonymous-0 · May 26, 2011

You have just got to do it. It will be a first for a Nottinghamshire regesterd tractor(GNN ---) to travel in the USA. I am the chairman of the Notts group of the N.V.T.E.C. and Phil Scarbroughs wife Pat is the secatairy. MJ

Jonak · May 26, 2011

What a crazy Idea. What a wonderful vacation that would be. Probably could get a tv show to tag along and make a money making show out of it.
Been to Ike Godsey's store on Walton's mountain. Great trip Google it and find all about it.Enjoy and be sure to keep the site updated on the trip.

DeltaRed · May 26, 2011

OK,take 50 to west CO. then south at montrose on 550(over RedMountain Pass to Silverton and Durango),or north at Grand Junction(several alternative rts there)I've been on 50 from Emporia Ks. to Green River Ut-several times.

DeltaRed · May 26, 2011

No laws agianst.Our rural mail carriers all drive rhd cars and jeeps-for personal use as well.A local farmer had anIH 1800 series truck(twinscrewtandem) for years with rhd.He siad it was Canadian--Cheap.It would haul just as much corn as any lhd!

Chuck (CA) · May 26, 2011

Sounds great!! I imagine if you two came up with an itenarary and posted it here with enough time, I'm sure there would be enough guys here to provide you with a place to stay most every night.
The only problem I could see with the RHD Ute would be trying to see to pull out to pass a slow(er)moving vehicle, but for some reason, I don't think that occasion would arise very often.
Just a terrific idea.

Janicholson · May 26, 2011

Great answer.
66 is very broken up, but the challenge is fine. There is a chunk in Flagstaff that might remind a person of NZ??
Check out the movie "Cars" you can see the sense of 66 from it. It is very fine traveling. I have made it all the way. The west is way cool. Jim

Tony in Mass. · May 26, 2011

Another kiwi brainstorm eh? cranky. I've got a better idea. Show up. Preferably by aircraft. Track down and visit the Walton stuff, BUY another yank tank one of you has always wanted, drive that down the remains of route 66, BUY another couple tractors, hunt down a couple other shopping kiwis, hire the container- one way, southbound, and arrive back in the long black cloud with another bloody marvelous yank tank ford or chevy, a rare in endzed Allis or Oliver or totaly non southern hemisphere Fergie, and not wear anything out on endless dusty patched up roads, and actually not impress anyone you meet, 'cause few if none will have ever heard of New Zealand.... I've got an ol mate north of Auckland, been there done that, and still collecting 'merican junk, if you want to contact him, email me thru clicking my name...

AG in IN · May 26, 2011

(quoted from post at 22:24:51 05/26/11) Great answer.
66 is very broken up, but the challenge is fine. There is a chunk in Flagstaff that might remind a person of NZ??
Check out the movie "Cars" you can see the sense of 66 from it. It is very fine traveling. I have made it all the way. The west is way cool. Jim

Rte. 66 ends up in Los Angeles (actually Santa Monica), and probably gets alot closer to where the Waltons TV show really came to us from (probably a lot in Hollywood, Burbank, or Studio City).

Someday, I want to go to NZ and see the "Oldfield Ranch" from "Black Sheep". Baaaaaa! Just kidding! I think it was filmed in NZ or Aus., though.

I would like to see Australia and New Zealand someday, though.

AG

richardinnz · May 27, 2011

No, not nuts, the blinkin pub fell down in the Sept 4th quake last year!!

richardinnz · May 27, 2011

Will it be the first Farmall H to have gone completly around the world? U.S. to England in 1944, England to New Zealand in 2005, then New Zealand back to the U.S. when we can afford to make this trip.

richardinnz · May 27, 2011

Thanks, my son is actually now in your nieghbouring Derbyshire (Hartington) he got there last Sunday. It is a big eye opener when you see your local town reduced to rubble in about a minute and a half. We were lucky and got very little damage, but a guy not far down the road from here never got back home for dinner on 22nd Feb, and you realize that you are not immortal, you could be dead in two minutes from now, and there is more to life than having a better home, car etc than the bloke next door. So sod it all we are going to do this trip! Show the tractors and see the sights with a 1930s Ford V8 ute.

richardinnz · May 27, 2011

I told my wife, she said go for it, mumbled something about mid life crisis and went to bed.

crazy idea/holiday in the states.

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads