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This adventure was conceived at a Potomac Chapter Meeting in March 2000, while at the York swapmeet. Members, Dave and Nadine Farris, Marty Long and Pat and Larry Merhaut, during idle conversation, hit upon driving the Mother Road, all the way to Santa Monica, CA, in our Studebakers.
Marty later cancelled (a sane man), but five others signed on. Our wagonmasters were Dave and Nadine Farris. Incredibly, on April 21, 2003, we found ourselves gathered in the parking lot of the Johnny Appleseed Restaurant in New Market, VA, destined for an adventure far beyond anything we could have imagined. The caravan, with a sixth couple joining us, consisted of Dave & Nadine Farris (1959 Lark HT), Donna and Bob Johnstone ( 1955 President Sedan), Paul & Karen Johnson (1964 Avanti R2), Frank & Faye Fuller (1960 Lark HT), Norris & Gael Edmonds (1957 Transtar pickup), Paul & Dorothy Thrush (1954 2R Pickup), and finally Pat & Larry Merhaut ( 1962 Lark Convertible) (Excerpt-"From Here to Eternity-The Route 66 Odyssey-2003", Larry Merhaut)
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Seven couples from the Potomac Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club
embarked on and completed a Cross-Country Tour via Route 66, which commenced at New Market, Virginia, on April 21 2003, and terminated successfully on May 18, 2003, covering over 6000 miles.
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The Trip Report is in the itinerary table below, a day by day scenario and each page has a lot of pictures Follow the itinerary by clicking on the map, to see the route, the geography for the elevation data or the 'Day # for picture links |
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B I G S P A C E
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B I G S P A C E
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B I G S P A C E
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B I G S P A C E
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Documentary is under the "Pics" column
 
Here we go!!
(Taken by Gail & Frank Philippi as the group departed)
| DATE |
Day
MAP
|
Destination /
Geography /
Elevation Data
|
PICS
|
Miles
|
Total
|
Motel
|
| 4/20 |
0 |
NewMarket, VA |
Day 0 |
000 | 000 | Quality Inn |
| 4/21 |
1 | Huntington, WV |
Day 1 |
342 |
342 |
Econo Lodge |
| 4/22 |
2 |
Haubstad, IN |
Day 2 |
289 | 631 | Quality Inn |
| 4/23 |
3 |
Lebanon, MO |
Day 3 |
320 | 951 | Munger-Moss Motel |
| 4/24 |
4 |
Tulsa, OK |
Day 4 |
256 | 1207 | Comfort Inn |
| 4/25 |
5 |
Elk City, OK |
Day 5 | 207 | 1414 | Holiday Inn |
| 4/26 |
6 |
Tucumcari, NM |
Day 6 |
246 | 1660 | Blue Swallow Motel |
4/27
4/28 |
7
8 |
Albuquerque, NM |
Day 7
Day 8 |
174 | 1834 | Comfort Inn |
4/29
4/30
5/01
|
9
10
11 |
Williams, AZ
Grand Canyon
Williams, AZ
|
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11 |
347 | 2181 |
Fray Marcos Hotel
GC-Maswik Lodge
Fray Marcos Hotel
|
| 5/02 |
12 |
Needles, CA |
Day 12 |
157 | 2338 | Day's Inn |
| 5/03 | 13 |
Victorville, CA |
Day 13 |
149 | 2487 | Best Western |
5/04
5/05
5/06
|
14
15
16 |
Santa Monica, CA
Catalina IS, CA
Jay Leno Show
|
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16 |
114 | 2601 |
Holiday Inn
Shuttle to Catalina
Guests of CA Stude Club
|
| 5/07 |
17 |
Barstow, CA |
Day 17 |
157 | 2758 | Quality Inn |
| 5/08 |
18 |
Kingman, AZ |
Day 18 |
194 | 2952 |
Comfort Inn |
| 5/09 |
19 |
Winslow, AZ |
Day 19 |
190 | 3142 |
La Posada Hotel |
| 5/10 |
20 |
Gallup, NM |
Day 20 |
111 | 3253 | El Rancho Hotel |
| 5/11 |
21 |
Tucumcari, NM |
Day 21 |
313 | 3566 | Pow Wow Motel (BW) |
| 5/12 |
22 |
Elk City, OK |
Day 22 |
216 | 3782 | Day's Inn |
| 5/13 |
23 |
Claremore, OK |
Day 23 |
274 | 4056 | Day's Inn |
| 5/14 |
24 |
Springfield, MO |
Day 24 |
174 | 4230 | Super 8 |
| 5/15 |
25 |
Mt. Vernon, IL |
Day 25 |
270 | 4500 | Comfort Inn |
| 5/16 |
26 |
Lexington, KY |
Day 26 |
304 | 4804 | Holiday Express |
| 5/17 |
27 |
Beckley, WV |
Day 27 |
240 | 5044 | Comfort Inn |
| 5/18 |
28 |
New Market, VA |
Day 28 |
189 | 5233 | HOME !!!! |
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