Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!

[flashed]

Already having fun following along , Carry on .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Already having fun following along , Carry on .

Just run by Canton turn off.


Between snack, crisps, biltong/beef jerky and gas station stops we have made it Jackson, Mississippi so far.

Despite the rain, Dennis continues to drive as long as I hand him food and drinks occasionally

https://youtu.be/1y8lRoQTJ5w

Good day so far.

Beer-0-Clock some time soon.

[Palf70Step]

Yeah. I ran thru the heavy rain thisorning. You will see it alot it looks like today and tomorrow. Be safe my friend. Have fun, but be safe in naw'lins

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Yeah. I ran thru the heavy rain thisorning. You will see it alot it looks like today and tomorrow. Be safe my friend. Have fun, but be safe in naw'lins

Safe is the operative word Bill.

Just lost our lodgings for the night so will go find a motel once we get where we are headed in Madissonville 70447

Will find a place, Cajun restaurant and relax.

Then go to town tomorrow.

[Grizz1963]

Now sitting in a hotel room in Louisiana near New Orleans, tired, but sleep is still an hour or so away.

I have to wrap up yesterday.

A few loose, random items to add to this random trip report now.

After getting back from the shops, Adam, Craig and I went to meet Dennis at Enterprise car rental, where Adam has a corporate account that meant we got to hire a car at a price that made it worth our while.
After all the document and identity checks, we were given a lovely Chevrolet Impala in V6 flavour with crisp auto box.
So I drove that home in rush hour traffic.
Not quite the Hellcat, but perfect for the trip.



When we got home......

Meet Dorothy, 84 and acting 54 at times, sharp as a blade.
Check the toe nails.... as Craig said, the. Question is “Does she click her heels?”

She had just got home with her new car she had just brought back from the dealers, exactly the same model Impala as we got to use, in white.



After parking up the car, grabbing a cold drink etc, we went around to Adam and Hanna’s building site to play in the dirt.

First me, then Craig, then I carried on for another hour plus, moving dirt and tidying the pile and site with the Caterpillar Skid Steer.

JUST HOW MUCH FUN CAN ONE HAVE ON ONE HOLIDAY??

Craig getting to grips with it.



Video of my first time.

Not as easy as many people make it looks.

CLICK LINK:

https://youtu.be/jrBCaEAhN5Q

After parking the Skid Steer, I went to the shop, loads of guys all there, working on getting the new race car trailer hauler sorted.

2009 Silverado Diesel with crazy low miles on, replacing the previous black one that had astronomical miles on it.

It came with a service bed, but the regular bed had to be refitted and wiring worked out as they had cut the wiring when building it before.
Craig also used his problem solving brain to help identify some short cuts on creating a new bumper from the old and new replacement unit. Great result for an IT bod.



Bed back on, lights being sorted out.



Eventually everyone had left and we all got to bed late, then up this morning and we only left at 07.45 for refuelling, and to get some beers (not for drinking)



Dennis also had found a damaged aluminium wheel for Andy to melt down.

We are headed there after Labour day weekend, via Clems place in Fayetteville.

Andys garage thread. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...d.php?t=334140



Then onto the motorway......



Down to Pete’s place in Wentzville for a real breakfast.





Of course I ordered extra bacon.



Then out on I 70 toward the South.

Flags at half mast still in respect to the passing of Senator McCain.



700 miles ahead of us to New Orleans where heavy weather was forecast too, would be making for a long, boring day.....


Or maybe not.


Hope you are all still having fun


Well,after breakfast we headed out.

Dennis warned us that right after Cape Girradeau it would become as flat as parts of Arkansas and even Illinois

So he set Auto Pilot and we continued talking, non stop sh!t, ate crisps, Biltong/Jerky, random chocolate, drinking water, Coke, Mountain Dew etc till we stopped eating and just talked.

I will do a separate entry or even story about some of the sh!t Dennis has got into over the years.

For a guy who had over 20 tickets by the time he was 18 for speeding, burnouts, expired license plates, wrong tags etc, and other random stuff, but never a DUI he has some stories.

As Dennis says “I had a good lawyer”

SO THE QUIET ONE CONTINUED DRIVING AND GETTING US TO NEW ORLEANS.



States came and went with boring regularity.



What a beautiful state.......



Weather forecasts were for rain all he time we were down here, but hey......

Find a bar with a roof and we would be good.



Then of course the rains hit us, visibility to 10% and hammering it down.

Just check the Video I did.

https://youtu.be/1y8lRoQTJ5w

Every state has a welcome center, and there is a lot of evidence of thanks for those who served.

This really touches me. Another good reason to want to live here.





Back on the road.



While on the road, I also chatted with Caleb back home about what we saw, and he proceeded to send this pic of Dukey, helping him with his Thesis write up.



Along the way, there was a high visible policing presence as well, perfect for a long weekend over Labour day weekend.

Certainly beats a Skoda or Ford Focus patrol car.





Remember Dennis getting pulled over by the State Trooper......??




Part of the relationship building we had done with the Trooper was to show him this pic I had taken of a Geo-Cache painted stone, Mr Duck in this case.

So we were saved by the Bill from the Smokey kicking Dennis’ proverbial butt.

Craig and his family do Geo Caching and had explained it to me.... interesting stuff for sure, especially the way there are different levels.




Along the way Dennis pointed out many salvage yards, race tracks etc.

Craig spotted this one.

MIND BLOWING.



Eventually we made it into the state.....



Then booked into a Super 8 Hotel, simple, cheap, functional.

Random awesome door handle Craig spotted and snapped.



After that we had a first celebratory beer and went out looking for some good Cajun food.

Obstacles along the way.



Perfect.





Decor.



Ordered our meals, loads of beer, fast.

My selection.... and the Gumbo added.



Nommmmmmmmm...!!!




And introducing Ashley....... yes, I behaved, hard as it was.

Kelly will have to up her game, these Southern girls are lovely.




Headed out to New Orleans French Quarter after breakfast later this morning.

We saw on the news in the hotel room that today is also their Gay Pride March.

Dennis started the day by filling out cooler with fresh ice.




The man has skills.


Later guys.


Craig has an incredibly sharp eye.

Saw this while the three of us were doing the tourist thing around the French Quarter despite the rain that had been forecast.




Tropical storm has been predicted for later today so we havepulled the plug and are headed to Vicksburg, a great Civil War town to learn more there. Less rain expected but raining all the way so far.

The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 – July 4, 1863) was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate Army of Mississippi, led by Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton, into the defensive lines surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

[Palf70Step]

Glad you are enjoying the area Rian. I've been working since I got back from Baton Rouge yesterday.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Glad you are enjoying the area Rian. I've been working since I got back from Baton Rouge yesterday.

Hi Bill

Passed the Baton Rouge sgns earlier.

A lot of rain all the way.


Craigs comments below.


It’s been an interesting day. We had a quick walk around New Orleans French Quarter this morning. As usual @Grizz took some time out of his busy schedule to liaise with locals about their wares...



It started raining though and a tropical storm was forecast, so we hot footed it out of there and started the journey north to Arkansas via Vicksburg as promised by @Grizz. However the rain followed us most of the way so we didn’t stop in. Vicksburg but carried on to Arkansas after cutting the corner of Louisiana again.

Eventually in Arkansas the sun started smiling from behind the clouds.

[CraigRK]

Morning all, thanks for your continued interest, all comments and posts welcomed.

Just a reminder that you can see a map of the trip on Furkot, I've just updated it to take consideration of the changes to the route yesterday and the causeway crossing. At 23 miles, the longest bridge I've ever crossed.







Craig

[Grizz1963]

Quick update from the road. As @Grizz said, we’re heading west from Fayetteville to Oklahoma.

We stopped off quickly in Siloam to say hi to Mike Losh of Slosh Tubz fame http://www.sloshtubz.net/

Obviously Siloam is the perfect place for some clowning around as the circus was in town, but we only managed to stop by for about 20 minutes or so.





Luckily the guys decided to keep me around for the rest of the trip...

[flashed]

But you would have been right at home there , still watching you guys ,Have fun and keep the pics coming .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

But you would have been right at home there , still watching you guys ,Have fun and keep the pics coming .

Morning John.

Thanks for the reply and looking in.


Getting ready to go out to the foundry at Andy’s but also realise that these early up and late to bed with very full days is not letting me get around to updating the thread.

Andy is currently 06.00 making us breakfast, he and Dennis were up by 05.00 discussing stuff, and Craig and I followed at 05.30 though he was awake from 04.00 as well.

Driving into town.





So after moving the car again in New Orleans, parking time limited to two hours free, we carried on walking in the post apocalyptic streets.





It was evident that Gay Pride was a big thing.

Dennis and Craig deciding which way they were going to go.



And finding their way.

Pink bike was not Craig’s

HONEST.









Architecture around here is lovely, despite it all smelling like vomit and stale beer







One of my favourite flags.

SUPPORT THE POLICE.



After quite some distance walking we found a clean looking and smelling space.

Called EAT.



Selected breakfast.....



And got onto it.



Dennis and I selected these beauties.



Craig’s fish.



Bloody Mary with a difference included Bacon, Jalapeño and Ochra



As expected, Asia the lady serving us agreed to smile at you all.



Quirky as hell, just lovely and very Southern.

And had this most awesome tattoo amongst all her others.



After really nice cuddle and hug we left the restaurant and found our way back to the car and moved it into central town and found some paid parking near Jackson square to get to some more of the touristy stuff.......


The rain had already set in and it was WET, like in Louisiana WET.


I hope this small update has helped the addicted masses out there.


Headed out to the shop now.

It’s 06.50 in Arkansas.

Later.

[Grizz1963]

House made sauces.

Nearly forgot to mention, these are spectacular in Eat where we had breakfast.



Once parked up we went walkabout to Jackson Square via the typical tourist shops.

I love these city busses that have space for bicycles up front.



Saw loads of cool merchandise, some funnier than others.











Stickers I liked.



Jackson Square was pretty much deserted.

Major General Andrew Jackson



Yes, it was still raining.



Some art





I also saw one of the gardens noisiest inhabitants.

Cicada



And an awesome John Deere Bicycle.



Wake Up !!!



Special parking can be bought from the city.



On leaving we realised there was a clown in the car.







We hit the motorway in order to try beat the tropical storm that was rolling in.

CLICK LINK

https://youtu.be/1y8lRoQTJ5w

Passing the left overs from Hurricane Katrina.



It let up from time to time for a minute or two, then wind and rain again.





We did navigate back to that yard with all the cars.



Just about everything covered in brown primer.

And no, we have no idea either.













Made it out of Louisiana into Mississippi and then into Louisiana again, crossed the state line and had a great rest break, including free coffee and chat.

Craig has more about this stop.




Onward we went, into Arkanasas eventually

Looking for a place for the night, in this bad weather.







Heading for Pine Bluff, we had to run through Dumas, no idea why.







Some great shop advertising.



Craig also identified the Road Trip logo on a T-Shirt.




After leaving the city where the rain really messed it all up, we headed for Fayetteville to try break the 600 mile plus trips back.

Eventually we made it to Pine Bluff, booked into a Motel 6 for the night, Dennis managed to get a massive Family suite, large enough for a circus

Then dinner.........

Only one place open....

The Red Lobster.

Dinner was excellent as was the company but the beer sucked big time.

I suspect they sell a keg a month.

Eventually back to the hotel and to bed in great spirits, drinking our own beers from the cooler in the trunk.

So ended Sunday

[flashed]

Im enjoying the trip so far , carry on .

[Palf70Step]

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Im enjoying the trip so far , carry on .

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Thanks guys, we are as well.

I have seen a few things I like a lot, and some I like even more.

These are beyond my ability but loved them, despite everyone going for two doors, I would be quite happy in a decent four door.




Will try find some time to post up pics again, back in St Louis, raining, somsome activities will be curbed.

We will do other stuff.

[CraigRK]

Hey there,

It's busy as heck out here in the good old US of A. The people out here are so hospitable that it is difficult to pinch off some time to document this for you guys. Hope you're enjoying the snippets we manage to get out.

Trust you recall this comment by @Grizz...

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Made it out of Louisiana into Mississippi and then into Louisiana again, crossed the state line and had a great rest break, including free coffee and chat.

Craig has more about this stop.

We walked into the welcome area to receive the following friendly greeting from the 3 employees: "If you're wanting fresh coffee, its over there and the rest rooms are through the back."

We proceeded through to the rest rooms and came back in for fresh coffee.

Picking up on our accents this really friendly lady asked where we were from and what we did.

I pointed to @Grizz and replied: "He's a Professional Bullsh!t Artist!"

"Oh, really!" was the response, so @Grizz started searching for one of his business cards and handed it over.



A bit more chat ensued, including @Grizz thanking Joe for the great cup of coffee we'd had.

We're about to leave, so @Grizz says: "Can I have my card back please, you're married!"

The instant response back was: [font color="#ff0317"]"But I'm not dead!"[/font] Needless to say, she kept card.

[Grizz1963]

So driving through the cotton fields into Arkansas the rain eventually let up, first clear skies in days.

But the trip was good.




Dinner at the Red Lobster, Cajun, Blackened and just sublime.



Up early the next morning we headed for Fayetteville to Clem and Kim’s place, well over 400 miles to go.

We decided to do a couple of hours before breakfast.

Crossing the mighty Mississippi early.



Choose the route less traveled



Next up we found a service area, filled thencar and then Dennis introduced us to another institution.

Welcome to Cracker Barrel.



The place was just perfectly paced when we got there and got seated.



Rockin’ Robin the General was our magical server.



In the mean time I gave it horns.



My choice.



Including Grits and Sausage Gravy and Biscuits.



After breakfast we headed out again, but not before a quick pit stop, I noticed the low level urinals, could it be that the Arkansans don’t like the cold porcelain coming into contact with their extremities?



Then on leaving town it all became clear.......

Biiiiiig Cock.



Leaving the city limits it became rural America again.



We decided to use Wayz to take us off the main routes so we could find some junk stores on the roadside, but it was Labour day, so mostly all were shut.

One guy has this display up in the rafters.



We continued to eat up the miles, passing through small settlements, many with long closed businesses.

Then.........


Surprise surprise.......


Guess what happened next.


Cop car....



Lights flashing from up front.


We slowed, pulled over and waited for Deputy Dawg to pull up behind us.


Got out of his car and sauntered over to where we were parked up.


Big hands on the doors window opening, he leaned in and in the most Southern of drawling accents addressed us.....


I cannot do the accent but Craig will be along shortly to re-enact it for your entertainment.


In the mean time, Y’aaawlll need to guess what happened next.






After leaving cautiously we stopped a few more times looking for random stuff.


Including beers.




Made another rest stop near London.





At last, not near but getting there.



Into the Ozarks.

Love these mountains.





Eventually rolled into Fayettevile by 12.30 and stopped for beers.

Saw this next to the shop, for sale too.



Went to meet up with Clem at the shop, the. Up to their house and picked up Kim his wife after dropping off our stuff and catching up.

Then down town to get some wings and beers.





Great advertising.



Like so many of the girls I have met on this trip, Red as is her name, was a professional server/waiter and she is as sharp as a blade....... Workong guys like me for a maximum tip, just making us feel good with an intelligent conversation and some teasing.

I love the banter and while I went to the toilet, the “team” of Clem, Dennis and Craig tried to set me up for a fall......

Telling Red the waitress to tell me I was not on my A game today and could she have a photo with me........

You know what happens next, right....??


When I came out the restrooms, I called her over and asked her for a photo to share with you guys.

You should have seen the teams faces and heard them laugh after hey realised I had pre-emptied their genius plan.



So......

I give you all: Red form Fayetteville





After the late lunch we went back to the gas station for more drinks, a lot mor.


Headed out to the race car shop now.


Later all.



PS: Remember the replies to us getting over for a second time, this time by a good old Southern boy with no sense of humour

[Ratman74]

Glad to see you are having a good time in the States. The Air Force stationed me in Little Rock for 4 years and it was a great jumping off point for many adventures.

[Palf70Step]

[Grizz1963]

Quick real time interlude.

You all know the now World Famous Ethyls Smoke House and Saloon.





Stand by.

More later.

[flashed]

By the looks of that last pic yall must have drank a lot of beer , Im seeing blurry from it and Im sober .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

By the looks of that last pic yall must have drank a lot of beer , Im seeing blurry from it and Im sober .

No beer.

But there was a new lady.



After leaving Red behind in the restaurant, we went back to the workshop and got some beers, rum and Coke.

I am sure you know where this would be headed.

Back at the garage, I saw this sculpture, driven by a chicken.








Having three Advanced Design Chevys and his 47 Aerosedan Craig was massively interested and impressed with the work Clem is turning out at www.tubatrucks.com





Remember that th whole of the gas station is now also for rent on www.airbnb.com as well as some more accommodation in town, all at very competitive rates.

TV table.





How many people can boast with a Chevy 235ci straight six engine with rare Offenhauser Side cover in their lounge.





Sleeping space.






Live in security courtesy of Gus and Hugo.





Some of Clems completed trucks.










At the house I got my usual warm welcome from the cats.

Minnie ended up going to sleep with me too.

[Grizz1963]

Just another quicky update from the road trip that keeps on giving.

Kinda funny after you get pulled over by a cop car.

Click link.

https://youtu.be/an7YZeH5Kkw


Off to a Flea Market this morning.

Hope for some random bargains.

[Grizz1963]

So next morning by 05.00 we heard Dennis and Clem get out the house to go yo the shop, to feed the dogs, paint some parts and hang the newly painted doors on the green Chevy truck. (AD trucks as they were known as)

Craig and I then went to the shop by 08.00 to meet up and head out for breakfast



Before we left a few tasks got completed.

Cab roll over.



Garage cat house.



Then off for brekkie



My choice, sensible of course, with bacon on the side.



Before we headed out to Prairie Grove, we stopped and looked at this recovery truck.



Followed by a bit of fast motorway driving.

Where we saw this.



Interesting.

[Palf70Step]

That is a N-I-C-E 50's Ford ramp truck!