Clássicos sobre rodas: fevereiro 2014

Em 1967, dois jovens Norte-Americanos decidiram atravessar o seu país de costa a costa num MGB de 1965. Começaram a viagem em New York no dia 15 de Agosto e cinco dias e 3.645 milhas depois estavam em Los Angeles.

Neste percurso de 5.866 quilómetros, os dois amigos passaram por cidades como Arkansas City, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque e Las Vegas.

Chegados a L.A., aproveitaram para gozar os privilégios do Oceano Pacífico na bela praia de Malibu, confraternizar com as celebridades em Hollywood e apreciar o estilo de vida de Beverly Hills…

Ainda na Califórnia, visitaram San Francisco e passaram a famosa ponte Golden Gate com o MGB. No regresso, passaram por Salt Lake City, Denver, Colorado Springs, Kansas City, St. Louis até regressarem a New York.

Ao todo, foram 7.704 milhas (12.398 quilómetros) percorridas em 11 dias num MGB que se portou sempre à altura do que dele era esperado.

O relato desta viagem pode ser lido através dos links no final deste post. Neste espaço, deixo as fotos que retratam esta odisseia com os respectivos comentários no idioma dos dois aventureiros...

Passing from West Virginia, into Ohio over the Ohio River, about 6 1/2 hours, and 430 miles from home.

Tom checking the map on Interstate 40 – an hour or two east of Columbus, Ohio. Good road, fast and smooth, but a little boring.

Leaving the Kentucky Turnpike, tolls in Kentucky totaled $1.40 with some booths under overpasses.

Waking well after the sunrise, 100 miles east of Memphis Tennessee, on Interstate 40.

The shoreline of the Mississippi River, across from Mud Island, Memphis.

Poverty was apparent in some rural areas of Arkansas; and it seemed some dogs were even given second class status.

400 miles into this warm, sunny day we stopped to bond with the Oklahoma State sign, on I. 40.

And closer to Oklahoma City, the sight of oil wells became common, still on I.40.

Rt. 66 sunrise east of Amarillo, Texas – soon to be in New Mexico.

Dualized Rt. 66 in Eastern New Mexico, ~10 AM MDT.

Just west of Albuquerque, Rt. 66.

In less than great weather we explored, some of this geological and historically fascinating park, devoid of most living trees and shrubs, or today, even people.

Although it would have been better under clear skies, we enjoyed the break.

50,000 year old Meteor Crater is three quarters mile across and 570 feet deep.

Sun rising, Aug. 16, 1967, above the plateaus of the Navajo Reservation, 6 miles away, east of Imperial Point, Grand Canyon.

Sunrise from Imperial Point Lookout, Grand Canyon.

Writing home.

Angel’s Window (note people on top,) with Humphries Peak near Flagstaff, about 56 miles south.

On US 89 Alt., northern Arizona, the 10 minute downpour would not give much relief from the heat, especially after we put the top up.

The western entrance to Zion – Mt. Carmel Tunnel, a masterpiece of 1920′s engineering.

The switchbacks into Pine Creek Canyon, as seen from one of several cliff-side windows.

Along Rt. 9 in Utah, SW of Zion National Park.

Fremont Street, Las Vegas – about 11:00 PM.

The “Strip” and Sands marquee with Dean Martin headlining.

Sahara with The Smothers Brothers, Vicki Carr, Pat Paulsen.

Grauman’s Chinese Theater on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stop the car, run around with the tourists, and GO!

Bill Cosby headlining the Whiskee a’ go go.

Palm-tree lined streets in Beverly Hills.

Land is at a premium in the canyons.

Eager to get in the Pacific Ocean.

California Girls – Malibu.

Kowabunga! Marty Surfin Malibu!

Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Monica.

Well patronized fur guy in gas station lot across from the Los Angeles Playboy Club.

Clear pools like this would fill and empty in seconds with every wave. The sights and sounds of the rushing sea water with its cool spray was exhilarating.

We had most of the pathways and climbs to ourselves, but some, like this proved to be an explorer’s paradise.

Clear skies were giving way to fog rolling in over parts of the city of San Francisco.

The two towers of the Golden Gate Bridge are ~750’ (227m) above sea level, but you could hardly see them today!

Tom stopped the car in a pedestrian walkway so I could get this picture, somewhat to the dismay of waiting tourists.

The panorama of restaurants and attractions at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Turntables enable the conductor, and many times the patrons, to manually turn the car around.

The Streets of San Francisco.

On the banks of the Tuolumne River, west of Yosemite National Park.

Redwood grove in Yosemite National Park.

Ellery Lake, off Tioga Road, Yosemite.

Possibly near Tuolumne Meadow Rest Stop.

Near the highest point in the park, Tioga Pass, ~9,500 feet (895 m) just prior to changing in shorts and T-shirts.

Tioga Pass Rd. is right there, that sloping horizontal line. Oh yeah! There are several cars just barely visible in the original slide.

The view of the road, the arid terrain, the 13,000+ ft, mountains (4000 m) of the high White Mountains bordering Nevada, was palatable….except maybe to Tom, who was …tired! The town of Benson Station is to the right; Mt Montgomery to the left center, Mt. Dubois right center.