2017 Union Trip & Reason To Visit Oregon

[JerryVan]

Over the years I have had many great experiences at the Union show. But, this year I had the most unique and hilarious experience of all. I had a machine sitting next to Jerry's trailer in the parking lot because we did not have room in the booth for it. It had a price and a phone number to call. Someone left me a little note that might be the most unique offer for a phonograph I have ever had!

Dan

Yes, but how did things go with Betty?

[melvind]

Yes, but how did things go with Betty?

We had some trouble connecting. She said she was heading west and that I should look her up. This afternoon I finally found her in South Dakota at Wall Drug!

Dan

[melvind]

Today's trip across Minnesota and South Dakota was our Kitsch tour (with storms mixed in). We stopped by the Spam Museum but it wasn't open yet. We got pictures anyway. We then visited the Jolly Green Giant! On our way to Wall Drug we lucked out and slid through a light part of a rather big storm that would not have been fun to drive through.

Dan

[clarphon]

We are now in Wall, South Dakota heading to Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington and finally to Oregon. Here are a few pictures I took today. No phonographs purchased today by the 3, but I did find a Rastus with original base as well as a Radio Bank. Stan

[melvind]

Wednesday we left South Dakota for Wyoming. We had to pick up a 3 foot tall Paper Mache Nipper dog in the wilds of north central Wyoming in a very small place named Clark. It really isn't a town as much as an area with houses here an there for several miles. To get there we had to drive through some wonderfully beautiful country cutting across from northeastern Wyoming to the central portion of the state. We passed through the Bighorn National Wilderness on a pass that went as high as 9900 feet or so. Spectacular. Jerry saw his first Moose on this drive.

Dan

[melvind]

We arrived at one of the high passes with a viewpoint which was spectacular. Once we got to where we had to start down the pass we had to stop to read a safety sign that was a bit daunting. Jerry can expand on the driving experience, but it was a bit unreal as a passenger. Stunning views.

[melvind]

Late Wednesday we made it into Montana and spent the night in Bozeman. On the way going west on I-90 we saw a great cloud formation. I think it looks like the Starship Voyager from Star Trek coming through the clouds to land on the freeway before us!

Thursday morning we left Bozeman and drove across the rest of Montana, into Washington and finally back to Oregon. We stopped in Butte to have breakfast with a friend and then stopped by some antique shops. Tonight we are back in Eastern Oregon in a town called Umatilla About 2.5 hours from Portland. We will all get home tomorrow. A fantastic trip!

[Jerry B.]

The trip over the high mountain pass in Wyoming was incredible. The photo of the warning sign was a deliberate attempt to let you know the dangers of long 10% grades. A 6% grade is about a steep as you'll find on any major interstate freeway. On this pass drivers were legally required to pull into a special area to read the sign. At the top we pulled over into the observation area. There was no danger of falling so I tried to climb up on the guard rail for a better photo. I didn't have the strength to make the effort and when I stepped down I slipped and landed on the guard rail. Both Dan and Stan seemed really concerned and asked if I was OK. I thought they were really concerned about me. But when we got back in the car both said their biggest fear was the prospect of one of them driving down that dreaded grade if I was injured. Now for a commercial break...

If you are considering the purchase of a new phono mobile please consider the purchase of a diesel pickup. I drive a GMC ¾ ton pickup. It has a Durimax diesel engine coupled with a Allison transmission plus it has an exhaust brake. The exhaust brake works like a jake brake on a semi only it's nice and quiet. Coming down those long 10% grades was a piece of cake. When I built up too much speed I simply applied a little brake and the transmission shifted down and the exhaust brake kicked in. I came down those steep grades with a minimum of braking. I recommend the GM, Ford, or Dodge trucks. They are all great, safe, and economical. Now back to your regular phono blog...

About six months ago I started a wanted thread in the Trader section hoping to find some Nipper projects. About two months after I started that thread I received an email from Forum member, Jan, telling me about a big 3' Nipper on eBay that was located in a remote corner of Wyoming. I was listed at a buy in now price of $250. I quickly read the description and press the buy button. It promptly asked for payment of something like $650 with the difference being the shipping. I contacted the seller and asked if I could pick it up on my way home from Union. That's the reason for the side trip to Clark, Wyoming.

Thank you Jan from Texas. This is a good example of the Forum working at its best!

Jerry Blais

[clarphon]

June 15 and we are in Umatilla, Oregon tonight and I'll be home tomorrow before the others. After all the abuse I have taken with Jail, tied to Yarn and countless other situations too numerous to mention, it will be good to get to my home in Portland. They have promised to dump me off at my home; and will slow down enough just for me not to get run over by the truck! Any items I purchased along the way will stay in the trailer until I make a special trip to Albany, Oregon, the home of driver Blais. Speaking of roles on the trip, I thought you might like to see our special roles as I see them. All pictures taken by me from the back seat. Stan

[melvind]

Our actual last day on the road, Friday June 16th, we all arrived home. We left the hotel in Umatilla early and got Stan home by 9:30am. Jerry and I then drove to Albany arriving about 11am. We unloaded the truck into Jerry's garage and loaded my things into my car that was waiting for me at Jerry's house. I got home at the Oregon coast at 2:45pm.

Here are some parting shots of the Columbia River Gorge between Eastern Oregon along I-84 to Portland. One of the most spectacular drives you can imagine. Unfortunately we ran into some rain so not such great pictures.

Thanks for letting us involve you in a little way in our trip. We had tons of fun and really enjoyed the Union show. Right now I am so tired the thought of doing it again next year makes me feel a bit weak in the knees. But, by Christmas I will be starting to formulate how I want to go again.

Dan