Page 2 of JPistorius Travel Blog Posts


North America » United States » Kentucky » Louisville July 4th 2010

The big day has arrived, and the 75th Anniversary Jubilee Car Event has begun. This is one of the finest collections of cars we have seen, including the Concourse D'Elegance Shows we have visited. And it is in a great venue, the Kentucky State Fairground Expo Center, known as "Freedom Hall". As an indoor arena, no rain, dust, sun, or any other natural element interferes with your show. In fact, the air conditioning is so cold we have to wear sweaters in summertime. As a side note, this is not my first time in this arena. In 1976, I rode my American Saddlebred Horse to a National Championship win in Freedom Hall! I believe this was the proudest day in my, and especially my mother's life. Mom (Sue Lynagh Grim) was a horseback rider from childhood, ... read more
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our 1930 Packard sits amongst other great cars of the era
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North America » United States » Kentucky » Louisville July 4th 2010

We have another lovely day of touring. The weather is cool, low humidity, just the kind of day anyone takes their old pride and joy out for a spin! We have our good friends from the Hillsborough Region AACA Club, Jim and Judy Briley with us, as we take off for the General George Patton Museum in Fort Knox, KY. The drive is country cute as usual. And the museum is fascinating, with plenty of memorials to the "war to end all wars". I was touched by the irony of General Patton's death. After serving in so many military conflicts, General George S. Patton, Jr. used a 1938 Cadillac in Europe in which he was involved in an accident, ultimately resulting in his death in 1945. The banquet dinner for the AACA 75th Jubilee was very ... read more
Brando served in the South African Army in the war against Angola, but not exactly in the same outfit!
Joanne gets "tanked" ;-)
1938 Cadillac that wrecked injuring Patton fatally

North America » United States » Kentucky » Louisville July 4th 2010

A beautiful day for a drive to tour the countryside of Kentucky and Indiana. We head off for the resort town of French Lick. First we hop aboard the tourist railroad and see the scenery. Then off to the grand hotels. The area called French Lick, Indiana, site of the French Lick Springs Resort and one of the earliest outposts in the middle - Western wilderness, was first settled more than 200 years ago by French traders. After the discovery of rich mineral springs, which attracted animals that flocked to lick the waters and wet rocks, this valley became known among the settlers as “The Lick”. A rich colorful history included such famous names as John Barrymore, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, President Roosevelt, the Truman’s, the Reagan’s and Joe and Rose Kennedy. It was there in ... read more
The French Lick Railroad
stopping halfway on our railroad tour
The French Lick Railroad

North America » United States » Kentucky » Louisville July 3rd 2010

We stop to give the car a well deserved washing! Now, we are ready for the start of the 75th Anniversary AACA Jubilee in Louisville, Kentucky. This is a very well organized group, and we have been to a lot of car shows, tours, and car related events. They welcome us, despite the fact that we had not registered on time. Their organized packets are generous with goodies, and the itineraries are filled with very detailed maps and fun spots to visit. The first afternoon we visit a private collector’s museum of great cars, then that night is an ice cream social on the side of the Ohio River. We have met up with some new friends from our Hillsborough AACA Club, Jim and Judy Briley. They are so much fun, and we have a delicious ... read more
clean inside and out
private collectors car museum in Kentucky is fantastic
what a beauty

North America » United States » New York » Buffalo July 3rd 2010

After Niagara, we make a stop in Buffalo and as per strict instructions from my brother, Andy (whom I can still call Bubba, because I am the baby sister!). He and his lovely gal McIver know every perfect restaurant in every town...anywhere! We have to stop at the Anchor Bar for the founders of the original Buffalo Wings. Now as we leave Canada, and while the dutiful border patrol question Brando seriously about the contents of our car, on my side of the car approaches more border patrol cops. Only mine are much easier to talk with, because they are clearly looking at what a cool car the Packard is. They also gave me the directions to the Anchor Bar! The wings are outstanding, and the Beef on Weck (that is a type of roll with ... read more
A statute of Teressa Belissimo, inventor of the Buffalo Wing
when all else fails, you can always depend on Outback Steakhouse!
Roadside assistance by a very nice fellow

North America » Canada » Ontario » Niagara Falls July 3rd 2010

We finally make it to the most amazing wonder of the world, Niagara Falls. This is a must see to believe sight. As they all say, the Canada side has a better view. I have to tell you, that the pictures say it all. We drive along the Niagara River, see in the distance the enormous Brock Monument commemorating the War of 1812, and a huge "Flower Clock" that Niagara Park is famous for. Stats on Niagara Falls: length of brink: 2600 feet height: 167 feet volume of water: 600,000 U.S. gallons per second Interesting fact: According to the U.S.G.S. (United States Geological Survey) of Niagara Falls, it appears that almost 1/3 of the Canadian Falls lies within US Territory. Straddling the Canadian-United States International Border and both in the Province of Ontario and the State ... read more
monument in the distance
you can see the Brock's Monument from many miles away
Brock's Monument- War of 1812

North America » Canada » Ontario » Niagara Falls July 3rd 2010

After the lovely night at the best B&B of the whole trip, we carry on to Niagara Falls. But a few words about the Country Willows Bed & Breakfast in Niagara-on-the-Lakes. The biggest, best room, big screen TV, fresh baked cookies and a filled cold water pitcher on the bedside. The breakfast was huge, delicious, and lasted us all day. Lovely hosts, we truly enjoyed our stay and highly recommend it. Our hosts Bill Devolin & Beverley Epp-Devolin were excellent. We did awaken to what we thought was rifle shots, but later found out that they have propane "booms" every few minutes to scare away the birds from the vineyards. Rise and shine!... read more
Stay at the Country Willows Bed & Breakfast!

North America » Canada » Ontario » Niagara-On-The-Lake July 3rd 2010

Next stop is Niagara-on-the-Lakes, by way of Toronto. I mentioned the G8 and G20 Summits being conducted in Toronto at this time. Well, apparently as we were driving the bypass, there were some major riots going on in downtown Toronto. Once again we are very fortunate to take the road less travelled and stay on the peaceful side of the streets. All roads are not without some challenges. As we drove towards Niagara, we had cars passing us, honking, and yelling that our wheel looked loose. We pulled over, and saw that the rim was bent; the tire tube developed a bubble, and the illusion of a wobble. We pull over to a funeral home, and they generously offer the use of their garage to change the tire. In less than an hour we are off ... read more
Walas Funeral Home
Warning signs for the Toronto G8 and G20 Summits
Country Willows B&B

North America » Canada » Ontario July 3rd 2010

After the river cruise, we stop on the side of the road for a badly needed french fry break! Brando is great about asking the locals for their recommendations, and as usual we have no idea where we are going to stop next to sleep. So this fellow tells us about a gentleman who was a Former Chef to Her Majesty the Queen of England for 18 years, who has a Bed & Breakfast in Brockville, just up the road. That suits us just perfectly, so off we go to find the Pine Street Inn, and Michael Dunn. It is a charming B&B, and the host was so gracious. A graceful 1870's Victorian brick home with a great balcony view of the St Lawrence River, located in the heart of The 1000 Islands. We had a ... read more
Pine Street Inn Brockville
Brockville history
first railroad tunnel in Canada- Brockville

North America » Canada » Ontario » Brockville July 3rd 2010

The RI Convention is over and we now plan our next move, a slight detour from the original plan. We planned to come home via Washington DC, and take the Autotrain back to Orlando. From there we would drive home to Tampa arriving June 30. Well, while visiting the Rotary Club in Virginia Beach we ran into Terry Bond, President of AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) and he asked if we were going to attend the 75th Anniversary Jubilee and Car Show in Louisville Kentucky the following week. So we decided to change our plans, and a 2 week trip has now been extended to 3 weeks, and we have more time to explore Canada. We also have to break the news to Brando's mother that she will be "babysitting the kids" Jax, our silky ... read more
1000 Islands boat cruise
1000 Islands - homes on small islands
1000 Islands - we love these homesites!




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