It Happened in Crawford County: A look back at a cross country trip
In September of 2010, the Eliminators Car Club took a trip to San Bernadino, California, via Old Route 66 to attend the 21st Annual Rendezvous. Glenn Steiner and Carl Cooperider spent several weeks planning the trip itinerary. They checked the age of the motel, when it was remodeled, how far off the interstate, aerial view of surroundings and available restaurants.
On Sept. 8, 2010, a group of 13 from the Eliminators Car Club left in seven classic cars from Bucyrus: Guy and Ann Dunn; Bill and Joyce Bloomfield; Bud and Carole Schiefer; Jim and Louann Miller; Paul Stinehelfer; Jim Brown and Harold Siefert.
Because of the age of the cars, they had a check list of things that could easily go wrong. Everyone had different spare parts in their trunks, hopefully to cover all problems. They traveled in a caravan and used their cell phones to communicate. When it was time for dinner, where one went, they all went.
Day One — heading to Vandalia, Illinois, a 397-mile trip, things went smoothly. Day Two — planned stops included Chain of Rocks Bridge that used to go across the Mississippi. It was the worse for wear as over the years; semis had hit the bridge when they drove through it. They traveled on to the St. Louis Arch and they went up into it and on to the Merrimac Caverns and Jesse James Hideout. The caravan had a delay when some of the group went the wrong way, but at day's end they had traveled 205 miles.
Day Three — plans for 394 miles of travel. They passed Joplin and headed to the scenic route of Kansas. One of cars had trouble with the brakes. The entire caravan stopped in the middle of the road, jacked up the car, and it was fixed. Ironically not a single car drove by. Leaving Kansas, they headed for the Trains and Mining Museum and the last of Rainbow Bridges with a big arch. Then they continued on to the “Blue Whale” which a guy built in the mid '30s out of fiber and concrete. In the '40s and '50s you could slide down into the water. One car had trouble with wiring and it was fixed at this point. Before they left Oklahoma they saw The Round Barn and ended another day just in time for their community dinner.
Day Four — while still in Oklahoma they planned to drive 269 miles. They saw the Federal Building that Timothy McVeigh bombed and caused so many deaths. Next was the Leaning Tower, a yesteryear water tower, built as a "tourist trap."
Day Five — with 288 miles to go — one sight was Cadillac Ranch where half of the car is buried and people go thru and spray paint on those cars. Crossing into New Mexico they saw the block long mural and Blue Swallow Motel.
Day Six — with 286 miles ahead — they toured the Laguna Indian Pueblo, watched for old lava beds, and toured the Mining Museum. Entering Arizona they saw the Red Rock Cliffs, the Querino Canyon, trading post ruins, the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. In Oatman, Arizona, on a stop, the burros wouldn’t leave Carole Schiefer alone; they walked beside her and she didn’t like it.
Day Seven — 130 miles ahead — they saw the Meteor Crater, but then had car trouble when the starter went out until a wrecker came and towed it. They had to stay overnight.
Day Eight — with 160 miles to the Grand Canyon.
Day Nine — entering California, they arrived in San Bernardino, a day before the car show. Spaces were marked off for 1,900 cars to park, including their group.
They’ve arrived for the two-day show, but one of the cars was having transmission problems — a very big deal. One of the members of the Good Guy’s Car Club came and fixed it. The other Eliminator members took a side trip to the ocean. All the classic cars were judged, and Bud Schiefer was the only one of the group to get a trophy. He made sure on the return trip that everyone knew about it too. They visited Las Vegas and continued on north where they saw a Copper Mine, Bonneville Salt Flats and Yellowstone, and Mt. Rushmore, North Dakota.
The big Wall Drugs offered a glass of water at no charge; signs were everywhere. Glenn needed more than water when he got sick and bought some meds and finished the day with his head hanging out the window. Carl Cooperider had taken over the wheel at this point! They visited the Corn Palace and House on the Rock in Wisconsin.
The last big city ahead was Chicago and everyone was given the ultimatum to have fuel, drinks and leave by 7 a.m. Carole wasn’t too happy about it, but she took it very well. When they arrived back home to Bucyrus, they were better friends then when they left.
Go online for more of Mary Fox’s stories and photos on bucyrustelegraphforum.com. If you are interested in sharing a story, write Mary Fox, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 or email littlefoxfactory@columbus.rr.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: It Happened in Crawford County: Eliminators Car Club California trip
