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TCollins · 10-10-2018, 12:05 PM

Every once in awhile my foggy memory will come across some bit of my history that is long gone.

Recently I was reminiscing how we would travel every summer from Midland, MI to Houghton, MI to visit my dad's parents. Curvy, hilly two lane roads to Mackinaw City. More than once we would get stuck behind some old (or new) truck that would almost stop going up the hills. The worst were the old stinking diesels belching out oily black, smoke that we had to follow for miles because we couldn't get past them.

Once you got to Mackinaw you waited for the ferry to take you across to St. Ignace. This would be a wait of hours to half a day or more. I forget how long the ride was to cross the Straits. I remember one of the last trips on the ferry we passed under the skeleton of the Mackinac Bridge as it was being built. From there it was onward to our destination of Houghton. There was a gravel wide spot along St Rt 117 that had one picnic table where we would stop for lunch. Then there was the stretch between Seney and Shingleton that is 25 miles of straight flat nothingness. All in, it was a good 12 hour day to go 440 miles.

Of course now we have much bigger problems like those of us who only go 62-65 mph and the occasional person who stays in the left lane for a little longer than we think they should.

As I said, just reminiscing.

NITEHAWK · 10-10-2018, 12:29 PM

I remember when the only cars with outside rear view mirrors were cop cars.

And gas was $0.169 and that was full service!

Old-Biscuit · 10-10-2018, 01:14 PM

Yep.........I remember those vacation trips.
Dad was an independent welder in the oilfield in WY/UT
So if on vacation no money was being made.
Trips were driving straight thru with Mom/Dad swapping off the driving tasks
WY/UT to MS and/or TN
Stops were for gas..best run to restroom otherwise it was the 'bottle' (sorry Sis)

FOOD....Mom usually made up a box of sandwiches, chips, etc but use kids would snick in and eat all the goodies within the first 6 hrs.
Dad would stop at a Stuckeys or an A&W (YEAH!

) but most of the time it would be some small no name quick stop food joint....and it was to GO.

3 kids in backseat and I was the youngest.....but I did get to sit on drivers side next to window that I dare NOT roll down (No A/C).
Dare not roll down window cause Dad chewed tobacco ......

Yep........30 hrs to get there. Then go place to place to visit all the family members then 30 hrs to get back.
Oh those were the days alright

MSHappyCampers · 10-10-2018, 05:26 PM

I remember when I could remember when.....

IC2 · 10-11-2018, 09:40 AM

I remember when traffic anywhere was at least bearable and hauling the then current TT or 5er wasn't an ordeal here in the Northeast. Hauling our current 5er from our Adirondack summer CG on Monday with hordes of 'leaf peepers' going home was NOT fun. Glad my disc brake mod worked well once again

Trekkar · 10-12-2018, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Yep.........
Dad would stop at a Stuckeys or an A&W (YEAH!

) but most of the time it would be some small no name quick stop food joint....and it was to GO.

Remember that A&W root beer?

steve11669 · 10-12-2018, 06:40 AM

My dad's 1963 Ford station wagon pulling a 21 ft trailer. EZ lift hitch but slow on hills and overheating. No ac. I thought we were rich because other families in our big city neighborhood didn't have a trailer.

99-Am.Star · 10-12-2018, 07:08 AM

Geeze I thought I was the only one that remembered Gas @ .169 and full service. I would be happy to see under $2.00 now. LOL.

NITEHAWK · 10-20-2018, 09:55 PM

Trekkar, When I was in high school I worked at an A&W as a carhop. The owner insisted on guys as carhops because we could carry a tray full of those $0.20 big heavy root beer glasses.

MingusPirate · 10-21-2018, 03:48 AM

The most vivid memories of vacations were two weeks of hard driving and checking into the little houses called motels. The other memory was three kids jumping from the back seat of a 63 ford station wagon into the rear luggage area to get away from our father who was trying to beat us while driving 75 mph.

Trekkar · 10-21-2018, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NITEHAWK

Trekkar, When I was in high school I worked at an A&W as a carhop. The owner insisted on guys as carhops because we could carry a tray full of those $0.20 big heavy root beer glasses.

As a teenager, I drank many a mug while downing Trojanburgers!

weredoingit · 10-21-2018, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NITEHAWK

Trekkar, When I was in high school I worked at an A&W as a carhop. The owner insisted on guys as carhops because we could carry a tray full of those $0.20 big heavy root beer glasses.

Please tell me your boss didn't make you wear short shorts and roller skates.

NITEHAWK · 10-21-2018, 08:29 AM

Black pants, A&W plaid shirts, change "apron" with big cards with a number so one could get deliveries straight, and an A&W cap.
The owner's daughters were always trying to get their hand under my apron. Would have been a great fringe benefit except they were so darn ugly they couldn't get a date.