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Museum Road Trip June 2007 |
The party was my sister and brother-in-laws 50th Wedding Anniversary and it was in Milwaukee. My son and I had not been on a long haul since he last raced in the Ninties. The rest of the family flew, but we drove because we had a lot to see! Besides, a friend of mine had just bought a Champion Yamaha in Minneapolis and it needed a ride to California. Nuf said. |
Great Western Truck Show Convention Center Las Vegas, Neveda |
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Only
took pictures of the custom working trucks. The
level of work to the custom trucks increases every year.
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We were looking for breakfast and
there was another museum to visit. We though maybe they had some
Dino bikes, like 1951 and earlier hand shifters, but they didn't.
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About six months ago Mr. Cussler sent me an email asking why his museum was not listed on my museum links page. I had to reply that I was not aware of it but I added it to the list. I am not a novel reader so I asked my wife if she had ever read his stuff, which she had. We rented the turkey 'Shara' and followed the court case in the LA Times. He won sort of, the jury decided another issue other then what the contract said, that he had complete control. Ah, compromise. Anyway, the museum is great with many of the beautiful chrome sleds of the 50's and the classic cars of the 30's. Don't miss this excellent museum. |
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Ed Beckley really got it right! Stan Engdahl is a marvelous man and should be in the AMA Hall of Fame. Stan and LaVona, a few patron saints, and the City of Marquette are doing a great job in preserving Heartland America's motorcycle heritage. And the Cafe next door serves big hearty style breakfasts. |
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Kansas Auto Racing Museum Chapman, Kansas Museum Web Site . My Web Gallery |
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While tooling east on Interstate 80, we saw a sign for a racing museum. Since this was a museum tour, there wasn't any question about not following the signs. They lead to Covenant Racing Team's shops and museum. As we were coming out of the building we meet the owner, Doug Thompson. We talked car racing and he asked if we saw the trophies? I had seen them, but had not read the inscriptions. Well, they are pretty special. The very first NASCAR Trophy awarded to Jim Rober of Halstead, Kansas on June 17, 1949 at Charlotte Speedway. The museum is also home to the first NHRA trophy which held its first national event in Great Bend, Kansas in 1955. The first NHRA event was won by Paul Flynn of Abilene, Kansas. |
I just happened to get off the Interstate to take a look at a small Midwest town with a grain elevator and a water tank. The water tank said that Russell was the home town of Bob Dole. Also has a museum showing the life of the early wildcatter. |
. Oil Patch Museum Russell, Kansas Museum Web Site . . Web Gallery |
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National Motorcycle Museum Anamosa, Iowa . Museum Web Site . Web Gallery |
This
is the big one folks, I have not been to Barbers yet, but this place is
impressive! The early American bikes, the Vincents, Brough Superiors
and HRDs, rows of Triumphs and BSAs. Yes, Harleys and Indians, but
Henderson, Yale, Thor, Crocker, Excelsior, Curtiss, Pope and Iver
Johnson.
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A very knowledgeable grandson gave us the grand tour of a remarkable collection of American trucking history. If you like big mechanical things, don't miss seeing one of the best in our country. |
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Iowa 80 Truck Museum Walcott, Iowa Museum Web Site Click on Trucking Hall of Fame Please call 563-284-6965 for more information Web Gallery |
My wife gave me a copy of "Watch it made in the USA" before we left on our trip. One of the covered manufactures is John Deere and all their plants in Iowa and Illinois. The Pavilion and Collectors Center offer great incite of one of Americas premier farm equipment firms. |
John Deere Pavilian Moline, Illinois Museum Web Site . Web Gallery |
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After the party in Milwaukee, we picked up the Champion Yamaha in Minneapolis to deliver to its new owner in California. |
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I have been a member of ATHS for over ten years and I just had to stop and see our headquarters and library. Some day a national truck museum may be at this site. |
Americian Truck Historical Society Library Kansas City, Missouri Web Site . Web Gallery |
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Unser Racing Museum Albuquerque, New Mexico Web Site . Web Gallery |
Having been a motorsports racing fan since the fifties, I have seen the Unser clan race at various tracks over the years. Big Als museum didn't disappoint. The Museum has a wide selection of race cars from Champ Dirt to Indy winners, and Pikes Peak cars. Also display of Champ Car engines from Offy to Elmor. And a NOVI! |
Another great auto museum through the dedication of one family. They have participated in The Great American Race for 20 years and those cars and trucks are in the museum. A lot more interesting cars then I expected. |
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J&R Vintage Auto Museum Rio Rancho, New Mexico Web Site Gallery Site |
The most successful open wheel car owner in the country has on display his many winners. The museum is in his auto mall and is a gorgeous setting for the race cars. |
Penske Racing Museum Scottsdale, Arizona Web Site Gallery Site |
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Museums we missed along the way!
 The Imperial Palace Collection Las Vegas Been there two or three times |
 Gateway Auto Museum I knew the 3 Million Dollar Oldsmobile was in Colorado, but I did not search for it till I got home. We were only 52 miles from it when we were in Grand Junction. It pays to do your homework before you go on the road. |
 Forney Museum - Denver Its been fifthteen years since my last visit, but they were not open on Sunday this time, so me missed it. |
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 Dougherty Museum Longmont, Colorado 25 miles north of Denver Appears to be mainly Brass and Antique cars which I'm not big on. |
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I
had planned on visiting the two St. Louis motorcycle museums. But I
didn't realize how far west Minneapolis was and it would have added
another day travel to what was already a two week trip. Besides the
Cardinals were out of town and Kilroys was not open.
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VFT's Museum Link Page
