Topic: traveling this spring/summer
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Health reasons have caused me to retire so I have decided to do a little traveling in the vette this spring and summer while I am still able to tolerate the ride. Starting with the C3V registry annual get together in May and following that up a couple of weeks later with a trip to Yellowstone.
I was looking for any advice and tips about traveling in the vette. Packing light is obviously very important. On previous trips that include air travel I pack only what I can take in the carry-on. Packing light is not going to be a problem.
Anyone take their vette to Yellowstone? Should I be concerned about the altitude? I'm running a crate 350 carbed engine with auto. I won't be passing many gas stations along the way but what the heck, it's only money
. I would love to do a little fishing on the way and when I get to Yellowstone and would love some info on those prospects. Hoping that trek to take 3-4 weeks.
. I would love to do a little fishing on the way and when I get to Yellowstone and would love some info on those prospects. Hoping that trek to take 3-4 weeks.
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
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There's an absolutely FANTASTIC drive heading southwest out of Billings, MT through Red Lodge and over The Beartooth Pass. Stay overnight in Cooke City, MT and then enter Yellowstone NP at the Northeast Entrance (the least used entrance to the park). After traveling through the park find an outfitter in West Yellowstone, MT for fishing on either the Yellowstone River, the Gallatin River, or the Madison River. We've seen lots of McKenzie River Boats floating down those rivers. Drop dead beautiful country in every direction out there.
From Yellowstone NP head south through Grand Teton NP into Jackson Valley where you pick up the Snake River. There's probably an outfitter or two in Jackson, WY that can help you wet a line.
Haven't driven a carb'ed car out there but I'm sure with a couple of minor adjustments you'd do alright in the mountains. Just don't forget to reset things when you get back on the flatland.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Lifetime MemberTemple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 365
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
Never driven the vette there, but for what it is worth, in 1988 we (family of four) did tour Yellowstone in a 1987 Toyota Corolla Wagon. No car problems at all. Yes, you're going to love the trip.
Drove my 78 SA Vette all over the Sierras. Never had to adjust anything, ran just fine.
With this E10 gas, it might actually run better at altitude.
With this E10 gas, it might actually run better at altitude.
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
Sorry about the health issues. I kind of did the same but it was because I was getting to old and realized that I could not do a lot of what I could do just 5 years earlier. Wife got some health issues also. That is why I purchase the Motor Home so We could get out and I would not have to lug suite cases which are a problem for me anymore.
|UPDATED|12/22/2013 12:21:33 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Enough about me. What do you enjoy and can still do? Photography, Hiking, Fishing, etc. Give us a hint.
I would drop down a little further before I came west and take 90 into Yellow Stone just so I could visit the following:
- Mount Rushmore
- Pioneer Auto Show www.pioneerautoshow.com (This is a gem)
- Bear Country (some people do not like this place I could see if it was crowded and hot it would be bad)
- Buffalo Bill's Historical Center (you can do it in a day but two days is better especially if you are into old guns)
I agree that the North East is a great place to enter the park by the way.
If you are into photography Canon has a great camera that has a lens range of 24mm to 1200mm hand held auto stabilized. Let me know if that is your ticket I provide more info. I use a similar camera but it is 2 generations older and only does 24mm to 400mm.
Give us an idea of what you like to do and what you are capable of doing.
I only have one lung so anything above 3,000 feet and I'm really limited and of course hiking really out of the question for me so I have to see easy stuff. What within your capabilities?
|UPDATED|12/22/2013 12:21:33 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
I've got back issues and it's getting much worse. I can't do most things associated with what you shouldn't do with a bad back. Anything that has the potential for jerking me around is out. Horseback riding for example. Walking can take a ridiculous amount of time. My exhaust install is a good example. A 2-3 hour job took me 4 weeks. I won't be doing any hiking. Yeah, I know I'm missing one of the great things to do at Yellowstone but it's too risky. The potential for hiking out on a trail and then not being able to move because the back goes out is too great.
This trip may end up not happening if it turns out my back can't handle the drive. I did well with the short drive to Carlisle last year, that was about 4 hrs. Took lots of breaks and everything was pretty good. Walking around was painful but I enjoyed it so much I didn't care. The annual gathering should be another good test. That's about 800 miles one way. I'll be taking plenty of breaks again. I may have to leave in April
but I'll give it a shot. Hey, I've got the time.
but I'll give it a shot. Hey, I've got the time.So that being said...fishing is a must. I'll bring some gear. I've got a cheap fly fishing rod that I am ok with but too much casting isn't good for the back. I still fish and cast I just take breaks and enjoy sitting, relaxing and letting the back calm down. I used to take quite a few photos with the Maxxum 7000 that I have and I'll have that serviced and bring that, along with a digital camera. I'm due for a new phone so maybe I'll upgrade to that phone that has the 41 meg camera. I'm also a professional sitter/coffee/beverage drinker. Love taking in the great outdoors!
I plan on taking a couple of trips like this a year and then make it international once my daughter and chief mechanic heads off to college.
Thanks for the replies guys
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
Dave,
We took the kids out West 25 years ago in a 1978 Chevy van. Took I90 all the way to Yellowstone with no vehicle problems. We were in Yellowstone the first week of July and saw lots of snow on the side of the main roads. Not sure how it will be in June.
From there we went to Utah, Nevada and CA, all with no problems, other than it was HOT with no AC on the van.
Because you will have the time, make each day a short drive of 200-300 miles, stopping often to stretch. Sitting in the Vette for long periods won't be good for your back.
If you are staying in motels, you can pack light. You will always be near a laundry,where you can sit and drink a few beers while you enjoy the scenery.
After the Gathering I am planning to go to Fargo and check out ND before heading back to NY.
Save the Wave!
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If you're going to continue west after the gathering you will need to take a side trip or just take your time heading west as the Beartooth Pass usually isn't open until Memorial Day weekend. We went through there on our way to the 2007 Gathering in Carson City, NV (which was in the middle of June that year) and drove through a snow squall at the top of the pass. There was still lots of snow piled up along the roadside near the summit as the road had only been open for a week or so.
From Appleton you could wander along the south shore of Lake Superior - lots of little fishing rivers to check out that are known for great fishing (like the Brule River). Then angle southwest through Minnesota and head west through South Dakota. The Badlands are worth seeing and as Gilbert suggested Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument and the rest of the Black Hills. Continuing west check out Devil's Tower in eastern Wyoming and then on up to Custer's Last Stand in southeastern Montana. Lots of things to do and see just of few miles on either side of I-90 before you get to Billings.
If the Beartooth Pass isn't open yet back track a little from Custer's Last Stand and head through the Bighorn Mountains just north of Sheridan and pass through Cody, WY into the east entrance of Yellowstone.
Lots of options...!!!
Jim Olson "The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Crazy Horse! We saw that when we went cross country back in June/July of '77. It was just a hole in the mountain under his pointing arm and a flat area above.
We took that trip in a '73 Cadillac sedan, don't remember model. All 6 of us. I was the only one that was old enough to remember most of the trip. That is one reason why I'm heading back to Yellowstone.
Dave, I always travel light. When we took our kids to WDW, for a week or even two, we let them know that if it couldn't fit in a carry on it didn't need to go. We did laundry there. That was always a great excuse for the parents to get a break...laundry night so the kids had to watch movies in the room. Now that I think about it the kids never made it past 1/4 of the movie before exhaustion took hold.
Not sure when that trip will begin but I would like to be home for Independence Day. If not I might arrange to be at Mt. Rushmore for the display.
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
Does a good Back brace help? If you get a good one they often help. There are a lot of things you can see without having to get out of your car and hike along. I know as hiking above 2000 feet for me becomes an issue so I have to take it slow. I have an oxygen machine but I just do not like dragging that around behind me. Keep us up to date on your plans as they firm up.
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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