While driving north on I-94 in Wisconsin, just north of the Illinois border, we drove past a road sign that said: “Bong Recreation Area.” I didn’t get a picture, but there are pictures of the sign on Images.Google.com.
This photo was contributed by Robert Brown — taken somewhere in Montana…
Contributed by Bob Brown
April 24th and 25th, I took a ride along the National Road from Indianapolis to Springfield, Missouri.
We started in Speedway (not actually on the National, but home of Carl Fisher’s Indy 500). Ate at Charlie Brown’s on Main Street of Speedway. For some reason, they had their walls covered with racing stuff (perhaps since it is about a quarter mile from the track). I highly recommend their Charlie Brown omelet.
Spent $3 for a very worthwhile bus trip around the track and another $3 for the museum. Money well-spent. There is a lot of history here, especially as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the track this year and 100th Indy 500 race in 2011. I especially liked the Pagoda, Gasoline Alley, pole, and original brick start and finish line. It is called the Brickyard because at one time the whole track was made of it. This start-finish line is all that’s left.
The museum has lots of early race cars, including Fisher’s bored-out race car to meet weight limits (he didn’t make it). There are also many winning cars on display.
Plenty of goodies for the racing fan in the two shops. I hadn’t intended to buy much because I am not a big race fan, but ended up getting lots of items with this year’s Indy 500 date on it, since it is also my birthday.
We spent a day and a half on Illinois’ alignment of the Mother Road last month.
A few observations:
Pontiac: Great new signage showing all alignments, including the original one through the square. Also, a new Lincoln sculpture in the square. The great old Downtowner Motel still closed, unfortunately.
Funks Grove Sirip– Had just finished maple sirup production for the year with a better than average production. Alas, out of maple candy. That is a correct spelling of sirup when it has no sugar added.
Cozy Dog in Springfield: Still serving those great corn dogs. I don’t know which is better, the Cozy Dogs or French fries. New Golden Corral right down the street, though. Decisions, decisions.
Could be fun exploring Death valley, or could it get across Tioga pass in the winter ?
Mitsubushi futuristic concept racer
Not quite what you expected, eh?