US West Road Trip in a 69 from Switzerland
04-18-2016, 10:25 AM
#41
Melting Slicks
Congratulations!!!
Martin,
Congratulations on going on such a fantastic road trip!!!
I have followed your other posts for Corvette trips with great interest too and looking forward to this one!
Suggest you publish a book with lots of photos!
You might be surprised at the amount of interest.
(By the way transitioning from driving on the right side of the road to driving on the "wrong" side of the road would be a "killer" literally for me, in UK, go left, go left, go LEFT, GO LEFT!!!
)
Congratulations on going on such a fantastic road trip!!!
I have followed your other posts for Corvette trips with great interest too and looking forward to this one!
Suggest you publish a book with lots of photos!
You might be surprised at the amount of interest.(By the way transitioning from driving on the right side of the road to driving on the "wrong" side of the road would be a "killer" literally for me, in UK, go left, go left, go LEFT, GO LEFT!!!
)
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Yankeededandy (12-15-2016)
04-18-2016, 11:44 AM
#42
Pro
Thread Starter
Thank you all for the encouragement and concerns. I'll try to return the favor by posting pictures and impressions as we go along.
Eric, I specifcally appreciate your input and I'll try to give you a little background on how we prepared. Having driven tenthousands of miles in the 69, we had our fair share of breakdowns and bad experiences. It got a brand new engine 2 years ago, a new aluminum DeWitt cooler but no A/C. That is a concern and we'll be sure to bring lot's of water, sunscreen, wide rimmed hats and an umbrella.
The car is being prepped in L.A. at this moment. It got new trailing arms, brakes were properly bled and adjusted and a general check up. Tires are new Pirelli P600s. I hope we've had the car reasonably prepared but we still got AAA membership, just in case.
Honestly, it would be a nightmare to get stranded somewhere in the desert at high noon, so we tried our best to prepare. It may sound funny, but we plan not to recover from our jetlag for the trip, meaning we'll get up VERY early and be on the road long before sunrise when we'll drive through the desert, trying to reach our daily targets by noon if possible and lay low at the pool for the rest of the day.
We're mostly staying away from hotels and motels, e.g.in Las Vegas we booked an apartment with a closed garage through Airbnb. I can't stand the thought of having the lil' red one parked in a public garage or (heaven forbid) turned over to some over eager valet.
. Sometimes it can't be avoided, but I think we got this pretty much covered for most parts.
More to come soon. Our flight will leave on May 28.
Take care guys, Corvette-waves from Switzerland,
Martin and Kate
Eric, I specifcally appreciate your input and I'll try to give you a little background on how we prepared. Having driven tenthousands of miles in the 69, we had our fair share of breakdowns and bad experiences. It got a brand new engine 2 years ago, a new aluminum DeWitt cooler but no A/C. That is a concern and we'll be sure to bring lot's of water, sunscreen, wide rimmed hats and an umbrella.
The car is being prepped in L.A. at this moment. It got new trailing arms, brakes were properly bled and adjusted and a general check up. Tires are new Pirelli P600s. I hope we've had the car reasonably prepared but we still got AAA membership, just in case.
Honestly, it would be a nightmare to get stranded somewhere in the desert at high noon, so we tried our best to prepare. It may sound funny, but we plan not to recover from our jetlag for the trip, meaning we'll get up VERY early and be on the road long before sunrise when we'll drive through the desert, trying to reach our daily targets by noon if possible and lay low at the pool for the rest of the day.
We're mostly staying away from hotels and motels, e.g.in Las Vegas we booked an apartment with a closed garage through Airbnb. I can't stand the thought of having the lil' red one parked in a public garage or (heaven forbid) turned over to some over eager valet.
. Sometimes it can't be avoided, but I think we got this pretty much covered for most parts.More to come soon. Our flight will leave on May 28.
Take care guys, Corvette-waves from Switzerland,
Martin and Kate
04-18-2016, 12:28 PM
#43
Very cool road trip!
I got to see the world via the Marine Corps.
No corvette ride there for sure Ha Ha.
Welcome to the USA in advance.
The mid west is amazing, I back packed through a small portion of it
in the 1970's.
It is the youngest part of America. It didn't get going till 1840's.
If you ever come to Philadelphia, PA, I can show you where it all began.
Have a safe tripp and please post as you go.
I will be checking in often
A life time experience for sure.
I was in Switzerland briefly in 1978 for a school trip.
It was beautiful in April.
I saw one silver 1978 corvette in Germany and almost died.
Marshal
I got to see the world via the Marine Corps.
No corvette ride there for sure Ha Ha.
Welcome to the USA in advance.
The mid west is amazing, I back packed through a small portion of it
in the 1970's.
It is the youngest part of America. It didn't get going till 1840's.
If you ever come to Philadelphia, PA, I can show you where it all began.
Have a safe tripp and please post as you go.
I will be checking in often
A life time experience for sure.
I was in Switzerland briefly in 1978 for a school trip.
It was beautiful in April.
I saw one silver 1978 corvette in Germany and almost died.
Marshal
Good beds..we know the 101 coast road by heart..all the fun spots..best food places..good luck with your travels..drive safe..have fun..jim
04-22-2016, 12:36 PM
#44
Meetup with Kate and Martin in NorCal
New Thread!
California Stingrays will be meeting up with Kate and Martin on June 19th in Mill Valley (North Bay Area) for a Cruise/Get Togeather, with lunch/dinner at Graton Casino.
California Stingrays will be meeting up with Kate and Martin on June 19th in Mill Valley (North Bay Area) for a Cruise/Get Togeather, with lunch/dinner at Graton Casino.
California Stingrays Cruise/GTG
with Our Swiss Members Kate and Martin Bernoulli
06/19/2016
with Our Swiss Members Kate and Martin Bernoulli
06/19/2016
Last edited by Yellow1980; 04-22-2016 at 12:38 PM.
05-27-2016, 08:23 PM
#47
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
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05-28-2016, 11:58 PM
#48
Pro
Thread Starter
The plane from Zürich to L.A. comes in over Canada and flies exactly along our projected route. It’s pretty humbling looking out the window from 38‘000 feet, trying to imagine that Kate and I will drive through this vast landscape in an old cramped sports car in the next few weeks.
But the Corvette will have to wait until Sunday, while we get organized and we can throw Garry out of bed.
Martin and Kate
But the Corvette will have to wait until Sunday, while we get organized and we can throw Garry out of bed.
Martin and Kate
05-29-2016, 12:17 AM
#49
Nam Labrat
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Pics already! Thank you for a sample of what God sees from above!
05-29-2016, 04:24 AM
#50
Drifting
Welcome to California. I live in California, but in the Central Valley, not along your route. I wish you a wonderful trip and don't hesitate to ask for any help if it comes to that. I look forward to following your trip (subscribed).
Michael
Michael
05-29-2016, 11:18 PM
#52
Pro
Thread Starter
Day 2. We finally picked the car up. Everything ready to go - Garry did a great job on the Corvette.
We only drove about 120 miles today from the San Bernardino Mountains to Burbank. Short stop at Bob's Bib Boy Burgers because of great food and its awesome Googie architecture. The car wash on Ventura Boulevard had something going for it, too. Our apartment for tonight is overlooking a large part of L.A. and while I'm writing this, the lights are going on all over L.A. Awesome. Oh, and I had to break into our Corvette because (you guessed it), I managed to lock the keys in. Arggh.
Now for a glass of wine with my honey.
Martin
The break-In Right under the eyes of watchful neighbors.
We only drove about 120 miles today from the San Bernardino Mountains to Burbank. Short stop at Bob's Bib Boy Burgers because of great food and its awesome Googie architecture. The car wash on Ventura Boulevard had something going for it, too. Our apartment for tonight is overlooking a large part of L.A. and while I'm writing this, the lights are going on all over L.A. Awesome. Oh, and I had to break into our Corvette because (you guessed it), I managed to lock the keys in. Arggh.
Now for a glass of wine with my honey.
Martin
The break-In
Right under the eyes of watchful neighbors.
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Metalhead140 (05-30-2016)
05-29-2016, 11:51 PM
#53
Drifting
Welcome to the U.S.! I'm sure your trip will be memorable. Keep in mind, Monday is our national Memorial Day, day of remembrance for our fallen soldiers. Most gas stations will be open for business, but you may find other establishments closed or closing early.
Be safe and have a great trip!
Be safe and have a great trip!
05-30-2016, 12:31 AM
#54
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
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Great pics........keep having fun!
05-30-2016, 09:04 AM
#55
Team Owner
IF you are interested in the true stories of the Ca. Gold rush/mining that went on in the 1880's you maybe want to hit Sacremento and head north to Grass Valley where my son lives, and see the Empire mine and the one with the washed out mountains and the water canons of Nevada city....then a SAFE thrill ride out rt 20 to pick up I 80 into Reno NV, then south toward Las Vegas and see Hoover Dam, and catch Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest, and Painted Desert as well as load up on Native/Indian American art work/pottery, etc...as you head east on I20 I10? you go through El Paso, maybe you can step into Mexico and pick up some interesting art work there also....heading east you can see the famous oil fields of Central Tejas.....Midland/Odessa ans learn about it all......visit Billy Bobs north side of Ft. Worth world's largest Bar....get on the photo bull that looks as if you bull riding in the pix, it's fun.....in Dallas you can see the famous spot of the Kennedy assassination .....
and coming east you can head through Tennessee many things to see there, you can do a side trip up north to Minnesota, and see the Messabbi (sp?) iron range, worth the trip....largest man made ditch in the world.....witness the iron train.....stay away from Chicago, nothing to see there.....head up to NIagra Falls New York, head south through NYC and take I 81 through the mountains, and hit I70 into Wash DC and see the usual sites, but make sure to see ARLINGTON!!......if you want to see Key West Florida, it's a fun spot, have a beer Hemingway's original bar....and visit his house, see Disneyland/Epcot center, and stop by Ichituckney Springs and go for a ten mile long tubing trip on a 100f day, they drive you back to your car, so no sweat....IF you stay till October you can do a fall foliage tour up to Southern States Parkway, and Skyline Drive...the scenery is GRAND......I have neve been to Yellowstone, so no comment, but certainly on my hit list.....
above ALL, stay safe and have fun....and yes on the turns, and stuff....
and coming east you can head through Tennessee many things to see there, you can do a side trip up north to Minnesota, and see the Messabbi (sp?) iron range, worth the trip....largest man made ditch in the world.....witness the iron train.....stay away from Chicago, nothing to see there.....head up to NIagra Falls New York, head south through NYC and take I 81 through the mountains, and hit I70 into Wash DC and see the usual sites, but make sure to see ARLINGTON!!......if you want to see Key West Florida, it's a fun spot, have a beer Hemingway's original bar....and visit his house, see Disneyland/Epcot center, and stop by Ichituckney Springs and go for a ten mile long tubing trip on a 100f day, they drive you back to your car, so no sweat....IF you stay till October you can do a fall foliage tour up to Southern States Parkway, and Skyline Drive...the scenery is GRAND......I have neve been to Yellowstone, so no comment, but certainly on my hit list.....above ALL, stay safe and have fun....and yes on the turns, and stuff....
05-30-2016, 12:19 PM
#56
Burning Brakes
Hi, you might try surfing around to reach out to the local Corvette clubs. Would make for some interesting dinner companions. Cool posts. Keep them coming.
05-30-2016, 03:39 PM
#58
Greines from home!
Katja & Martin,
Just wanted to be ensured you guys behave well overseas.
The next thing you will be adding to the little red one is a safe spot for your emergency keys.
Keep the sunny pictures coming whilst Switzerland and South Germany got flooded last night.
Safe travels and greetings from Switzerland. Peter
Just wanted to be ensured you guys behave well overseas.
The next thing you will be adding to the little red one is a safe spot for your emergency keys.
Keep the sunny pictures coming whilst Switzerland and South Germany got flooded last night.
Safe travels and greetings from Switzerland. Peter
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Yankeededandy (12-15-2016)
05-30-2016, 05:09 PM
#59
Drifting
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I once had to entertain a contingent of tech folks from various European countries. One night it was the Swiss driving - your comment is most appropriate, LOL. Then there was the German!!!
If you need help in Montana, my daughter lives up there, and I think she knows everybody in Montana.
Pacific Coast Highway, no idea where as I travelled it from Oregon to LA.
In the redwoods.
Colorado, I think.
It was very hot across southern Cal, in October. The shift lever was too hot to touch. I stopped at gas stations to spray water on the radiator to cool things off a bit.
Have fun!
If you need help in Montana, my daughter lives up there, and I think she knows everybody in Montana.
Pacific Coast Highway, no idea where as I travelled it from Oregon to LA.
In the redwoods.
Colorado, I think.
It was very hot across southern Cal, in October. The shift lever was too hot to touch. I stopped at gas stations to spray water on the radiator to cool things off a bit.
Have fun!
05-31-2016, 10:57 AM
#60
Pro
Thread Starter
Cool pictures Ed!
Thank you guys for your feedback. Today (Monday) was our "Mulholland Highway" day. A little trouble with a fried ignition cable kept us only for a little while before we were able to enjoy one of our favorite roads.
Laurel Canyon
Break down
You're guilty! Got to get a replacement today.
The Rock Store
The Snake
No comments necessary
A must stop for us: The Encounter Restaurant at LAX to relieve the iconic picture of the Split Window GM took as a promo shot.
Tomorrow we'll drive into the desert
Cheers, Martin and Kate
Thank you guys for your feedback. Today (Monday) was our "Mulholland Highway" day. A little trouble with a fried ignition cable kept us only for a little while before we were able to enjoy one of our favorite roads.
Laurel Canyon
Break down
You're guilty! Got to get a replacement today.
The Rock Store
The Snake
No comments necessary
A must stop for us: The Encounter Restaurant at LAX to relieve the iconic picture of the Split Window GM took as a promo shot.
Tomorrow we'll drive into the desert
Cheers, Martin and Kate
Last edited by Yankeededandy; 05-31-2016 at 10:58 AM.
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Metalhead140 (05-31-2016)