Sunday, July 31, 2022

Temperature 84 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine, Patchy Clouds

REOlds Transportation Museum

This is just a quick follow up to yesterday’s post. I just want to share with you some of the more unique automobiles that were at the museum. They’re only a few so for those of you who like Ms. Barbara believe that a car is a car is a car and once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all this should be painless.

This was a time when what won on Sunday sold on Monday. Hence, all the manufactures were heavily involved in all forms of automobile racing.

This car was a huge step forward for Oldsmobile. It was the first U.S. produced front-wheel drive automobile since the Cord ceased production. Of course now-a-days almost every automobile produced is front wheel drive and this is how it got started. It won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year and in Europe it was the third-place finisher in the European Car of the Year competition.

No room in the back seat for not even one passenger! This promotional tool for Oldsmobile automobiles and Hurst shifters had not one, but two 425cu-in Oldsmobile engines, one up front where you would expect an engine, and the second where the back seat used to be. It was used strictly as an exhibition car and brought a lot of attention for Hurst and Oldsmobile. The word on the street was that the car was a beast to drive and control. Hence, it appeared for only one year and then was retired.

This was an entirely new and radical engine design that had never been tried before. However, it proved so successful that today all American automobile engines are based on its design. It took a bit of work, though, to have it accepted by the general public. Toward that end Oldsmobile developed the Aerotech vehicle program to demonstrate the engine’s capabilities by setting several closed course speed records, many of which still stand today.

Finally, I’ll close with this. This really speaks to the wonderful relationship that existed between the community of Lansing and R.E.

This is what I discovered about the Club House.

Built in 1917, the REO Clubhouse was the cultural hub of Lansing, hosting free movies, wedding receptions, basketball games, dress balls and patriotic gatherings during the First and Second World Wars. Known as the “Temple of Leisure,” the building comprised a two thousand-person capacity dining room, an auditorium, a library, four bowling alleys, a fireproof movie booth, and smoking lounging and billiard rooms. Use of the clubhouse by employees was one of the policies implemented by REO to cultivate the loyalty of its workers. Years after the Diamond REO plant closed in 1975, former employees recalled the sense of family fostered by the company. The clubhouse was razed in 1979.

This was a small museum which took a bit of doing to find and get to. It was, though, well worth visiting. It’s amazing how much more there is to the history of the automobile in America than most of us really know. That’s why I for one was extremely glad to have had the opportunity to visit here and learn about R.E. Olds and his significant contributions to the automobile in America.

Much more yet to come on a couple of other places that we visited. But for now it is time play Rummikub!

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Friday, July 29, 2022

Temperature 79 Degrees, Sunshine and Clouds

REOlds Transportation Museum

Thursday we decided it was time to begin our sightseeing. We were down a day in terms of sightseeing already in this region and knew we had to get moving.

We had two must see automobile museums to get to but which one to go to first. In the end we decided to go to the smaller of the two first. This way, we figured, we would have an easier day and be home somewhat sooner in the afternoon. So, decision made it was time to go.

Now, when most people think of the automobile in America the first name that usually comes to mind is Henry Ford. But, hold on there, there were others before him who made some significant contributions in the development of the automobile in America.

This gentleman is one of them.

Three individuals, all born during the Civil War Period, Ransom Olds, Henry Ford, and William Durant were destined to play major roles in the fledgling auto industry at that time. All of them shared similar visions of the future of transportation. Of these individuals, Ransom Olds, is rightly considered the father of the industry we know today.

Let me share with you just a bit about this gentleman and some of the many accomplishments of this gifted individual.

Yes, it began with stationary engines but R.E. was already thinking ahead.

When the Smith’s entered the picture because of their location in Detroit, the Olds Motor Works moved into a new factory in Detroit. However, in 1901 a fire destroyed the factory and the company moved again, back to Lansing.

From 1899 to 1900 R.E. struggled with what to make. His goal was to produce a car for the masses, one that would be easy to operate, inexpensive and durable. At this time there were few cars to copy. Most car makers were inventing whatever they were going to make. R.E. after a lot of trial and error finally came up with the car he wanted.

Because of the volume of cars being produced new ways had to be discovered to manufacture them quickly and easily.

In the beginning the cars were mounted to stationary frames, and men came and went depending on the stage of production the car was in. However, this still did not provide for the quick and easy assembly of each car. A new way had to be found.

Casters were added to the previously stationary platforms to allow the vehicles to be pulled to the next operation. This was the advent of the first progressive automotive assembly line and eventually enabled the production of over 5000 vehicles per year. After visiting the Olds plant and the meat packing industry Henry Ford would later mechanize the process with the mechanical moving assembly line.

Olds was the first auto maker to successfully bring together a manufacturing facility, a saleable product, and a marketing approach. Olds marketing plan recognized that the horse, not other car makers, was his real competition. He also recognized that woman needed to be part of the advertising program at at time when automobiling was considered a masculine sport.

Despite the overwhelming success of the Curved Dash Olds by 1904 there was trouble brewing in the company. R.E. wanted to continue to produce inexpensive, easy to operate cars for the masses. The Smiths however wanted to produce large expensive cars for their friends. Since the Smiths controlled the company, this was an impasse. R.E left Olds in 1904 and would go on to form REO and would outproduce Olds for the next 20 years. Olds in turn would begin loosing large sums of money and finally in order to stay alive was sold in 1908 to a new company called GM.

In summary,

We turn now to R.E.’s new company.

Yes, the name Henry Ford is probably better known and he eventually sold more cars than R.E. ever did but the real father of the auto industry in America is hand’s down R.E. Olds.

We’re going to call it for today. Tomorrow, well maybe we’ll cover some of the more special automobiles on display in this museum. Maybe we’ll jump over to the Gilmore Museum which is the largest auto museum in North America. Then too we just may cover our afternoon out at the Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre. Stay tuned, lots more to come.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Temperature 81 Degrees, Rain Showers in the morning, Abundant Sunshine Later

When Life Gives You Lemons it is time to Make Lemonade

Thank goodness I like lemonade because yesterday we needed to make gallons of it.

It all began in the morning. At 7:06 am we got the call from the service desk at Cummins that they were ready for our rig. Wow, maybe we’ll actually get out of here by noon time.

Then about an hour later they found the source of our air leak. For those unfamiliar with a diesel motorhome, they use air for the brakes and for the suspension. The sudden loss of air would cause the brakes to lock up and the suspension to fail. Nether is a good thing. That’s whey we were having the leak taken care of now and not when we got home. I hate surprises when on the road.

Great, they found the problem. Then came the first lemon in that they did not have the part. And they could not get it to the following day.

But wait, they had a delivery driver going over to the town where the part was. He should be back with it by noon time. Yipee!

Then came the second lemon we were told that he really wasn’t going over that way. Meaning, the part would not be picked up today we would have to wait until tomorrow.

But leave it to Ms. Barbara to come up with a solution. Why don’t we go get the part? Oh yeah I love it when she takes decisive action.

Now, the third lemon. The factory usually doesn’t allow customers to pick up their own parts. Only dealers can.

Wow, you’re talking to the wrong woman! She was not about to spend another night in the asphalt jungle parking lot at Cummins. Long story short, they quickly found a way that would allow us to pick it up. You go girl!

On the road we went. It was an 1 1/2 hours each way. A total of three hours driving. But we got the part and had it back to Cummins before 1 pm. They immediately got to it and by 2 pm we were on the road to our new home for the next week. Ah, all that lemonade was refreshing!

We were on the road and making good time. The GPS said we would be there by 4pm at the latest. Then came the fourth and final lemon, we were 6 miles from our exit for the campground and traffic came to a complete halt. I have to tell you by this time I was exhausted and this was not what I needed. Thankfully, the delay was relatively minor, we were moving again within 45 minutes and we made our exit with no further major delays.

OK, the GPS told us to go one way. But wait, there was a sign saying don’t follow your GPS follow our signs. Mistake avoided, we saw the sign in time. Things were looking up.

Then there it was, the sign for the park. But wait, we had to take a dirt road? Have I ever told you how much I hate dirt roads when driving Elvira? I took a deep breath, and with gritted teeth I slowly proceeded to follow the yellow dirt road.

Soon enough we were at the office and Ms. Barbara had us checked in and ready to go to our new home.

It was straight ahead, yep down another dirt road. OK, they are in good condition so I shouldn’t be complaining. I’ll get over it soon enough.

Home sweet home for the next 6 nights. We are in a pull-thru with a dirt base. It is anything but level but thankfully the jacks quickly corrected that. I’m sure glad I had them fixed before we left on this trip. They’ve been needed a lot more than I would have ever thought. Albert is on his table and already locked in on all three satellites so we have full DISH service. All utilities are hooked up. Time for a shower and I’m going to bed. I’m completely spent. Still, all in all, life is good and I’m glad we were able to get here yesterday instead of today. And all that lemonade really tasted good!

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Tuesday July 26, 2022

Temperature 81 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine, Some Clouds

Till We Meet Again

As the sun set over Pentwater Beach last night our time in there drew to a close. I mean, what a way to close the week out. The sunset was absolutely stunning.

We had come to this area for one reason, to meet The Betty. And of course her husband Dan as well! I knew Betty from her delightful blog chambersontheroad.com which I began reading several years ago. Her wit, her humor, her wonderful way with words and her beautiful pictures which are part of her blog made me definitely want – if possible – to meet her some day. We talked about it last year and she agreed that she would like as well to get together. But despite our best efforts the stars would not align.

But this year – yes! Every year in the middle of July she and Dan, and their family gather together in Pentwater, MI. There was no way that I was going to miss this opportunity a second time. Our route was going to take us to the Pentwater region in mid-July if nowhere else.

Finally, it all came together.

I’m honored to introduce you to two of God’s beautiful people – Dan and Betty. Dan is so easy going and has such a delightful sense of humor. Betty has that beautiful smile and makes you feel so at ease when you are with her. And her laugh, it is contagious. When you are in their presence you can simply be yourself. It was such a joy and a privilege to meet them and be able to spend the week with them. I’m honored to now call them two of my dearest friends.

And what a wonderful week we had together.

They knew the best places in the area to eat. This being one of them.

How can you not fall in love with those two charming faces. I’m smiling even as I sit here and type this. I have a mind to enlarge this picture, frame it, and hang it on the wall in our house.

We went to the restaurant by car. But Dan and Betty, oh no

Their chosen method of transportation when possible is by an electric bike. Sure wish I still had that much energy.

And away they go.

But we did more than eat. We also

decided to take a cruise together around Pentwater Harbor.

Captain Lee at the helm and Ron was our narrator for the tour.

What a beautiful day we had on the water. Abundant sunshine and the temperature was just right. A picture perfect day. I’m so thrilled that Betty suggested this.

Um, you notice who just happened to end up together in the back of the boat! I believe their excuse was the boat doesn’t rock as much back there?

But wait there is more. Barb and I also learned a couple of new games

This was one of them. Let me tell you we absolutely took to this like a duck to water. Now, that doesn’t mean we won much. Not when you’re going up against Dan. This man is the master. One night we were at our rig and completely lost time while playing it. Before we knew it, it was well past 10 pm. As to the second game, it was called Farkel. We didn’t take a shine to this game as much as the first.

Betty said that she and Dan like to come here to sit and play games in the evening. When she suggested that we all gather here to do the same, we immediately said yes.

We spent two amazing evenings here enjoying one another’s company and trying to beat Dan at Rummikub. I did, though, actually win one game. Still to this day I’m not sure how I did it but I did. I guess its true what they about beginners luck. But we’ve already purchased our own Rummikuib so that the next time we meet we’ll be able to go toe to toe with the man.

Barb and I also had the opportunity to gather with them and their family for a bonfire one evening. It was a real privilege to meet each and everyone of them. They made us feel so welcome and right at home.

Well, if you are in Pentwater, Betty said you have to make sure to be present for sunset on the beach. But first,

Remember these two? Back of the boat together? The best of friends.

Now, about those sunsets.

Betty was right. Spectacular.

Finally, they also left us with a bag of goodies.

The small trailer ornament at the top – put safety away and will go on our Christmas tree this year. The towel – hanging up in our one bathroom and I was told don’t you dare think of drying your dirty hands on it. The cookies – all gone and were they ever good.

This past week, was truly the highlight of this year’s trip. Really, if one has the love of their family and is blessed with great friends then they are the richest of all people. Barb and I count ourselves blessed indeed for we have both – and now we have two more great friends. Life doesn’t get any better than this. Thank you Dan and Betty.

Well, as of today we were back on the road again. But we weren’t headed to another RV Park. Not just yet, we first needed to stop at Cummins in Grand Rapids for some minor repairs. So as I type this we’re in their parking lot. Thankfully, they have electric and water. Hopefully, all will be done tomorrow and then we’ll head out again for our new home for the next week. Wish us luck.

One final note, Betty please tell Dan that even though there was a detour today, I didn’t get lost. So I guess he is off the hook in terms of driving for me!

Dan and Betty. No goodbye’s. Rather, Till We Meet Again.