American Icon Part 1

So it's been awhile since I've posted. My co-pilot and I recently took a trip to the great state of Kentucky to visit an American Icon.  Bowling Green was our destination.  

Some of you might call this a Bucket list trip, but I would prefer to look at it like just another adventure down Life's highway.  The whole bucket list idea has such a finality to it, and I'm not ready to kick any buckets anytime soon.  With retirement mode fully engaged, the only thing that stands in our way is ourselves.

Is it being middle-aged crazy to think that I should take this trip in my corvette, or maybe rent a new one?  In today's world, what is considered middle-aged?  I already know what crazy is, I see it every day when I turn on the TV or open my phone, and I know that's not me!

My car will turn 60 years old in February of next year.  The car's age factor doesn't bother me for making this trip, but there are things to consider, like Number 1- My co-pilot's hairstyle. Number 2- No AC in the car, and number 3- Securely parking a vintage muscle car at a hotel overnight.  

With these items to consider, I moved on to plan B.  Let's rent a new Corvette to make this little excursion, after all, it does check all the boxes. Hairstyle 🗹, AC🗹, Security 🗹; I'm beginning to get a little excited.  So I turn to an internet search on renting a corvette in St. Louis, MO, and the search would really only present itself with two options.  Option 1: was a private rental through Turo.com or Option 2: rent through Enterprise.

My 66

There were no cars in this area available through Turo which was ok by me because I wasn't fond of the idea of renting through a private individual and not really knowing how well the car is maintained.  

Enterprise at first glance, I got all the info on the rental timing, cost, requirement etc.  Now I'm really getting excited!  Excitement of course comes in many forms, and lasts for?  In this case, only a couple of days.  I went back to the website a couple of days later to make the reservation, only to learn that Enterprise is no longer making the Corvette available in this area.  This is where I would insert the sad trombone sound clip if I could do that.  Wait, I think I can!

 I'm now considering another option.  Plan C it does check off a couple of boxes Hairstyle☑ Security☑.  My car does have a removable hardtop, it's been stored for a long time.  I never saw it on the car when my friend owned the car, and I pretty much just hung it up in the ceiling in the garage when I got the car.  After pulling it down and closer inspection, I find the weatherstripping has advanced dry rot and the rear plexiglass window has become hazed over.  All of which can be fixed, but not in time for making this trip.

After exhausting my options, it looks like we're just taking the truck and I now have a new project to restore the hardtop.  Kind of boring, I know, but the truck checks all the boxes.

My co-pilot and I tend to lean towards Country music on road trips.  On this trip, we found a couple of radio stations that were playing classic country.  IMO, this is a good break from listening to the same 10 songs repeating on the pop country music stations these days.  My co-pilot must approve because I catch her singing to several of the songs along the way. I realized there is now a shift in the country music category.  What I would have called classics in the past would have been George Jones, Tom T Hall, Johnny Paycheck, etc.  Today the classics are Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Vince Gill.  So I guess George, Tom, and Johnny have transition into Country oldies category now.  I'm still trying to figure out what category I fall under.  Oldie or Classic?

We are heading up Interstate 65 and as we get into the Bowling Green area, there is something that catches one's eye. Numerous very large American flags along the corridor! On both sides of the highway, It was beautiful.  I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. 

The American Icon that we are about to visit on this trip has been around for 8 generations.  I think it symbolizes American Styling, Engineering, Technology and Muscle. More on that in Part 2 of this blog.

We arrive at our hotel mid-afternoon, the fun starts tomorrow. Normally when we travel we tend to lean towards Marriott for accommodations, on this trip we found something a little different.  I thought I would share with you all.  If you're stopping in Bowling Green, you might want to check this place out.

A small Boutique hotel 

    

Front Entrance

5 garage spaces available for small extra fee

kitchenette in room

Inside Room

Bathroom

This hotel was reasonably priced, clean and had the unique offering of a private garage.  If you are traveling with a classic car, it's a great option for added security. My pickup didn't warrant a garage stay this visit, but had I driven the corvette it would have been perfect.  There were at least 7 corvettes there on Monday when we arrived. 

Well, obviously we have just arrived, and the fun hasn't even begun yet.  I know most of you have the same attention span as my 6-year-old grandson, so I'm going to break this blog into at least 2 parts.  Can you guess what the American Icon is??