Guest shadetree77 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I'm extremely happy to report that our trip to Eastern Kentucky to visit my Grandparents was a great success! I seriously debated on whether or not to take my car on this trip but in the end I decided to go for it. I am so glad that I did. We had a great time with absolutely zero problems. The car ran amazingly good. Nice and smooth like a Buick should. She kept right up with all of that Interstate traffic at an even 70 mph. Perfect oil pressure and stayed cool the entire time. All 600 miles with no issues.We left out Saturday morning at 5:30 AM heading North on I-75. We stopped in Chattanooga for breakfast. Next door to the restaurant was a car wash called "Happy Trails". Perfect picture opportunity for the Trail family. That's me and my Dad in the picture.These were taken somewhere in Tennessee.This is a video of us going through the Cumberland Gap tunnel. Harrogate, TN lies on one side and when you come out you are in Middlesborough, KY. FYI, the people in front of me must have been claustrophobic as they kept slowing down until they were going about 20 miles under the speed limit, hence the continuous braking action on my part.<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fPRSIKIVr5c" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>These were taken on some of the back roads in the Kentucky mountains.This one was taken in front of my Grandparents house. They have an extremely large front yard.The forecast for Sunday called for thunderstorms so my Grandpa's truck lost it's place in his garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 My Grandpa absolutely LOVED my car. He kept trying to buy it from me. By the time I left his offer included his Jeep Cherokee, his Nissan truck, my Uncle's Dodge truck(I was informed this had to be taken under cover of night), a pig, and about 8 goats. I told him if he would throw in the house I might think about it. I took him for a ride and we went a few miles down the road from his place where the J.D. Maggard's Cash Store is located on US-119. This store was used in the filming of the 1980 movie "Coal Miner's Daughter". It has been in operation since 1914 and is now listed as a Kentucky historic location. I am related to the owners as my Grandpa is a Maggard. You can barely see him but that's my Grandpa in the passenger seat. I've also included a few shots from the movie. My Grandpa said that some time ago a large truck ran into the overhang of the store and knocked it down. When they rebuilt it, they made it much shorter but the red rock columns are still there. I stood in the the hair pin blind curve literally huddled up next to the mountain trying to take pictures while praying that a coal truck didn't come whipping around the curve to take me out.These were taken on the way back.We stopped in Harrogate, TN at Lincoln Memorial University. Lots of old buildings around the campus. Great photo ops. if you can get a break in the constant student traffic. Not easy to do.Glad to be back in Georgia! I'm going to miss it when we move to Michigan.Lucy is back at home with a few bugs in her teeth. I'm proud of those bugs!! It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get those bug splatters on there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheib Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 All I can say is "what a ride". Both the car, and the experience.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Congratulations, Robert. We all knew you could do it. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retirednow Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Great pictures Robert! Thanks for posting! *LIKE* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 another fun read, thanks for sharing! not too far from me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan at larescorp Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Thanks for sharing Robert! I knew the car would do just fine. The picture of the car in the shade threw me off a bit. It looked for a moment like someone had started to spray on some black primer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Robert (& family),Now that's what I'm talking about when it comes to my cars, being with the things you love. Family (foremost), friends and your favorite Buick all at the same time and on a road trip! So glad your trip was trouble free. Your hard work (with family support) indeed paid off.I love the story of your grandfather willing to almost 'sell the farm' to buy the Buick! He sounds like quite a guy and knows what he likes in car's. Think of Michigan as yet another adventure and one hopefully you can share with all your family when they come up to visit.Great job with your post. Thanks for sharing, Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 FANTABULOUS!!!! Lovin the theme and the participation. YOU are one lucky guy!!! And so is your entire family!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Excellent post. Enjoyed the bit of history as well. No "look at my car in the garage" experience will ever come close to actual driving expereinces such as yours. Life is too short not to enjoy the experience and having the pioneering spirit of driving a classic car on a trip!Georgia to MI huh. Eeeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigDogDaddy Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Great post. Loved the pics. I got a kick out of Grandpa wanting to buy the Buick. I love the pic at the car wash. You are both indeed, Happy Trails ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Robert,Nice! Glad you decided to make the trip with Lucy! She performed just as she should have and you should be proud of the hard work and dedication that you have put into your car. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 As she followed along in the camera car, I'm sure Mrs, Shadetree was comforted in having a big, strong Buick leading the way. For Lucy's next long journey, I hope you can share the front seat with your sweetie and leave the Vee Dub at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Thanks guys. Glad you all enjoyed. I know we did. It was an unforgettable experience being on the open road in that big Buick. It was a good feeling taking a road trip with my family too. Especially with the impending move to Michigan. Kind of like one last family vacation before we're separated. If my Montanian Brother had been here with us it would have been like old times. Rob, we did take the VW as a back up vehicle. I didn't know how Lucy would do on her first long journey so I didn't want to take any chances. Mrs. Shadetree did get to ride with me though. My Mom took over driving the VW for a while so her and my Dad could switch for a bit. If you'll look closely in the photos, you can see the difference in the tallness and head shape of the passenger. Next trip, I'll be flying solo. No Vee Dub back up required for old Lucy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Mikey likes it.Sorry Robert, that reference is older than you are Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wildcat465 Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 wildcat465 likes this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Cool. Great photos and post. I love the family trip and I'm glad all went well. I like the reference to throwing in your uncle's Dodge on the deal :cool:I can't remember when I last paid $3 for a car wash though.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUKE Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 very very nice.It is nice to see you enjoy the ride.I just love to drive my BUICK also. Have a great BUICK day Frank (Buke) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therios Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Great story and photos! Happy Trails, indeed!I'm glad the trip was trouble free and so much fun. Congratulations! Ike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I had no doubt she would make it. Plus many more miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 A great post Robert! You just can't beat driving your Buick with family and friends.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Maine Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Love seeing pictures of her on the road. Just beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booreatta Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Nice glad to see you enjoy the ride. Cant wait to see the video on the way to Portland next summerChuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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