MCACN ramblings

[Lynn]

A few rambling observations about MCACN from another “sissy” (see the post about Charlie). As some of you know, my son, Rocky (real name is “Rock”, but I still call him Rocky) accompanied me on this trip. We drove 11.5 hours each way; well, 12 coming back because some dumbass (who shall remain me) took TWO wrong turns. Rocky is the father of all three of my grandchildren, and we got some much needed father/son time. Sherri had planned to come with me (just to keep me from spending $$ if nothing else), but she was needed on the home front, helping provide support and care for our 30 year old who just received his second kidney transplant. BTW, he is doing even better than expected. Rock was blown away by the cars, but even more by the people. I am NOT mentioning any names, because I will leave someone out, but I finally got to meet a few of you guys face to face, and couldn’t be happier about that. Wish I had been able to visit longer with many of you. You guys rock, and make this the absolute best site on the net; bar none.

1. Even though I normally do a good five miles on the tread mill five days a week, all that walking made be pretty stiff. Don’t remember it being that hard on me in years past. I AM fighting three injuries from over work (two in the left leg, one in the back) but still, it took more out of me than I expected.

2. The cars were awesome. The people were even better. I love stories, and love telling stories.

3. Apparently, there is an unwritten rule in Missouri that a driver is not allowed to get out of the fast lane as long as he or she is within 5 mph of the speed limit. Never mind that there is no one in the right lane. They simply will not move over. Drivers in Illinois get out of the left lane when not passing for the most part. People in OK do as well. In fact, you can get a ticket in OK for driving in the left lane IF you are NOT passing someone OR moving over to allow someone coming onto the highway.

4. Even in a plug in hybrid Hyundai, I can’t drive the speed limit.

5. Illinois has triple the State Troopers looking for speeders than MO & OK combined.

6. Thankfully, Illinois Trooper apparently don’t mind you doing 13 over the speed limit.

7. Oklahoma STILL doesn’t know how to build a decent road; except for the new stretch of I-44 from Tulsa going West about 50 miles. But then, it is only a couple years old. We will see if it manages to crumble like a Famous Amos cooking in a few more years like the rest of the roads in Oklahoma. It wouldn’t bother me so much, but I-44 is a toll road all the way through OK. So I have to pay to drive on the POS road from Tulsa to MO, then get to drive on the nice smooth MO portion for free. Yeah, that makes sense. Not sure who’s brother-in-law is getting rich building these chitty roads.

8. At least the new part of I-44 in OK has an 80 mph speed limit. If you get a ticket here for less than 10 mph over, it does NOT go on your record. Do the math.

9. I dig muscle bikes; but that is another post. Maybe tonight. Gotta go work on the Yukon, El Camino and 2500HD right now. No rest for the wicked, right?

10. Stefano and Beth STILL rock, keeping the Nickey (sorry, don’t know how to put a backwards “K” in there) name alive. Kudos to you guys. It was time for new Nickey shirts for me and Sherri, and I even sprung for a hat this year.

11. Charlie is still good for a day and half walking around, even on a bum knee.

12. I hope to continue to develop friendships with guys on this site for many years.