Mary Louise Eklund

Tag: cars

On The Road to No Where

Mike wearing UT orange, driving his 1966 Mustang with the top down.

It’s become the weekend tradition to go somewhere local on the weekend and do something. This suits Mike fine, he’s a go-and-see type of guy. It suits me well as I have to collect ideas, images, and such for posts here M-F. It’s become known as collecting Blog Food. Lately the weather has been grand and these outings are taken in the Mustang with her top down. Doesn’t do much for my hair but makes these jaunts all the more special and enjoyable.

This past weekend one of the places we went was in Waukegan, Illinois. Not far from here just south a bit between Kenosha and the Navy Base. On the way there we always take the Amstutz Expressway. This always struck me as an odd road. It’s about three miles long. It is a divided four lane highway with limited access that passes a downtown that isn’t congested. I pondered the purpose of it and questioned locals about why it existed.

Seems like it was a pork barrel project over all. It was intended to connect to more but the southern neighboring town of North Chicago didn’t build their part. Then industry that was there closed down and moved so the road lost it’s connection and purpose. It isn’t much traveled now, just a handful of cars any time I’ve been on it. It is more known now as a place to shoot car commercials and movies.

Some of the movies shot there were Groundhog Day (when they were stuck on the interstate), Batman Begins (great place for car chases), Ice Harvest (set in Kenosha filmed in Illinois), Blues Brothers (chase scene and awesome movie in general), Planes Trains & Automobiles (“I’ve got my hand between two pillows”) and Transformers (not sure if it was 1, 2, 3, or a combo of them). So chances are you’ve seen the road to no where on the big screen.

As you can see not a lot of traffic here. BUT it is complete with ramps to over passes, look on the right and you’ll see one.

If you’ve not seen those movies then you’ve definitely seen it in car ads where a car drives on the empty interstate while the voice over tells you how great it is. Usually that shot is accompanied by a warning about a closed course with professional driver. Those warnings always have Mike asking me why they put that there when we’ve driven that road just like that? I dunno Mike, I dunno. Maybe the road isn’t crowded because only those who can drive as well as professionals dare to take it?

The nickname of “road to no where” is what the locals call it. I find it kind of a romantic and spooky name. I’ve cruised the road to no where in both directions and lived to tell the tale. If you ever find yourself in north eastern Illinois you too can do the same.

Until next time.

There are several styles of overpasses on the short distance to give movie and commercial producers choices of back drops.

Still going no where but there’s a bridge style overpass.

If you are going to cruise to no where it’s best to do it in a classic car with the top down. Best way to go no where fast and enjoy the ride.

September 17, 2012
We Are Down To Only Two Cars

With Aaron off to college and taking his car we are down to two cars, one of which is only driven on special occasions. Both the vehicles we have are Mike’s, his every day truck and his special occasion 1966 Mustang. So with Aaron taking his car, I’m down to no vehicle. I’ve been driving Mike’s truck which means he’s been putting miles on the Mustang.

We’d been out once doing some scoping of what’s out there. I had a Saturn Vue for years that I loved. It was perfect but it died. Since then we’ve gotten along with Aaron’s car and the truck. It was fine since his Freshman year Aaron didn’t take his car to Madison. This year is different.

This long weekend was the time to find me a vehicle. We went to several places. Can you believe the first two not a salesperson approached us. Nope we wandered the lots looked over styles and at one dealer even walked through the show room!

After several test drives we settled on a Ford Escape. I love it! This winter I’ll be all snuggy in heated seats. I’ve joined the 21st century with voice activate phone and Sirus radio in my vehicle. I’ll enjoy the sun roof my answer to Mike’s convertible. So now I’m set to travel in style! Once I figure out how to use all the things this vehicle can do.

September 6, 2012
1 If By Land, 2 If By Sea, 3 If By Air?

A few weekends ago, just before or after the garden tour, Mike and I went to the Land & Air Show at the Kenosha Airport. It’s a car and plane show. Yes, Kenosha has a small airport. We even took along Mike’s Mistress and she had her top down. He enjoyed looking at engines and mechanical things. I loved getting pictures of shapes, colors and textures. So we both were very happy. Which I guess is why we’re a good couple for over 25 years, we can find something in the other’s interest that intrigues us.

Oh if you look at how brown the grass is you get an idea of what the drought is doing to us here in Wisconsin. We’ve gotten some rain since then but not nearly enough.

Any way, here’s a picture post of the day – Enjoy.

(more…)

July 31, 2012
Adventures in Grocery Shopping

I have a long history here of running into craziness at the HUMGO-SUPER-DUPER market out by the interstate. I’ve had an old lady tell me what fruits were evil and what ones weren’t. She looked like Bette Davis in Baby Jane.

Another time I saw a manager hit in the face with a clipboard by the woman in front of me who was trying to use a stolen debt card and fake ID. I had to make a police statement in that as I witnessed the whole transaction.

Another time in the parking lot I had to help a grandma with an infant. She was hysterical since her husband collapsed and couldn’t breathe. As I got there the ambulance from her 911 call was roaring into the scene. She was having trouble with the baby seat. I took that over got the baby in the seat in her car. Sat there with the baby amusing it until grandpa was loaded into the ambulance and grandma came back to herself enough to drive the quarter mile to the ER.

I witnessed a car hit a pedestrian there and again another police statement. Another statement to the insurance companies of both parties in that case.

Also I caught a run away dog there. He jumped out of the SUV as the owner opened the door and I caught him by the collar as he came up to check me out. I had fresh meat in the cart.

Needless to say that grocery store can be an adventure for me. Then again I turn grocery shopping into an adventure. In TN I freed a kitten stuck in a Pepsi machine. Today was not so adventurous but did witness stupidity.

Picture an old beat up compact car whose driver front fender is held on by a bungee cord and his headlight affixed on that side with duct tape. Got the image? Good!

Now he’s backing out of a parking spot. He turns to block the whole intersection of two lanes in the large lot. One being the double lane in front of the store that has a stop for pedestrian sign mounted in a concrete buoy looking thing in the middle. This tiny car held together by bungee cords, tape and a prayer almost hits it.

I’m thinking “So that’s how he came to need those super-duper repairs.”

The dude driving looks like the inspiration for the character Joe Dirt. HONESTLY! He starts back up again and almost hits the car that had the right of way but stopped because some lunatic backed out into the lane. The bungee car hops as the breaks are slammed. Then it goes forward until the car in front of me honks at Joe who is still looking back at the last car he almost hit. Joe hops the car again.

Poor Mr. Dirt is distressed. He’s flipping his head as if he’s watching a grand championship match at Wimbledon. He turns the wheel to get into his lane, gives it gas and BAM! right into the pedestrian sign. The front bumper falls off and the driver quarter panel drops down to the ground.

Well no worries there, out hops Joe with his trusty duct tape. Yes, right there in front us all he starts duct taping the bumper back. There were now seven cars and four pedestrians watching this show. Once that was done he taped up the back of the askew quarter panel, straighten the wonky taped on headlight then jumped back into his car. He’s now in the lane so he heads off leaving the rest of us laughing, shaking our heads in wonder, and thankful we weren’t hit by him.

April 30, 2012
Let Me Introduce You to My Husband’s Mistress

She’s a few years younger than me and has had a bit of work done. He goes out with her on weekends. I have to honestly say I don’t mind I enjoy going along sometimes. No, she’s a 1966 Mustang Convertible, a classic car.

Mike’s Mistress

She’s a new addition to the family. Mike’s been wanting a classic car for years. After taking care of what we had to take of and putting a little extra money aside regularly he had enough to go out shopping for what he wanted. When buying a mistress don’t go into debt for her, the wife won’t like it. So when this particular one came onto the market and we drove down to Chicago to see her – well the deal was set!

Mike’s a happy man

I have to admit following him home while he drove the Mustang and I drove his truck (aka the golden barge long bed w/4 door cab) I loved watching men react. They turn their heads to see her just as if she had boobs! LOL! One guy walking down the sidewalk stopped and turned around to watch her go by.

Watching for reactions

Another thing I like is it gives me great gift ideas for Mike. You know anything to please the Mustang pleases him. She’s always wanting little baubles like floor mats, paint job (trying to convince him to change her color to fire engine red), fender cover for when he caresses her engine, car cover to keep her warm in the garage over long winters (YES he wants a cover for IN the garage). Lots of little things like that.

What’s under the hood?

Yesterday he changed her oil and we went for a drive to fill her up with high octane. No she doesn’t eat for cheap. After all how many mistresses do you know that go to McDonalds when there’s a table at a five star restaurant that needs filling?

Oh lookie non-electric windows, work even when the engine is off!

Though there are little things about her that bring back my childhood memories. Crank windows are one of those things. The little front triangle opera windows are another. I was never allowed to open them as a kid but I can remember Mom opening them to get a breeze without blowing her hair. No air conditioning, yes most cars when I was little didn’t have it and really who needs it when you’ve got a convertible.

Still can’t operate it because Mike says it’s sealed now and opening it would make it whistle when closed.

The other thing that pleases me are all the reminders you’re riding in a Mustang. The leather seats have running herds of Mustangs embossed in them. The mats have a Mustang on them. The of course the usual logo locations have the tri-bar and Mustang. Just in case you forgot you’re riding in a classic.

How many Mustang horsepower is that seat?

The mistress and I get along fine. I know if there’s an emergency and the other two vehicles are gone (say one with Mike and one with Aaron) she’ll get me where I need to go. I enjoy riding along and watching the reactions. I can’t wait until warm weather and we actually get to put the top down! Here’s a few more glamour shots of her.

Fuzzy Dice a gift from my Mom & Dad.

When we brought her home

Baby got back while the Buick looks on jealously through the fence.

In case you forget you’re driving a Mustang

As always I love to hear from you! For the gearheads that want more pictures you can go to my Flickr account by clicking on any of the photos then surf around. If you enjoy my posts don’t forget to follow or subscribe by email (upper right there you can sign up) You won’t get any junk mail just notices when I post something. Finally I always welcome stars and likes!

Until next time!

April 3, 2012