GETTING THE DODGE OUT OF HELL

We got up early to get back to L.A. When we got to N. Hollywood, I remembered we were close to George Barris' Shop. I figured the "Boys" would get a charge of stopping to see him. We arrived to find George At his desk working away. He welcomed us and let us loose to wonder the studio.
There's George back there yakin' away on the phone. This would be "Kitt" from the show ,Nightrider. The original "Batmobile" And the Munster coach.
There is so much car history in this place. This is the car James Dean died in. A repro for the movies.

George has been doing vehicles for the movies,and T.V., as well as personal vehicles for the Hollywood crowd,and don't forget the show cars. and he has records of everyone of them. I could have stayed there all day, but we have places to go.. And this would be Georges daily driver. Cool! oh yea.. this was just down the street...

We made it to Tom's to get the DODGE. Now to get out of Hell! lol Next stop ..Las Vegas... Well, there was one in Barstow Driving across the desert, we stopped at a rest area, NO BRAKES! We limped it to the next exit,to get some brake fluid. stumbled onto the worlds only water fall urinal?? yes that's right! what an experience. We managed to get there O.K.

Stayed at the Rio. It was a great place. This was the first trip to Vegas for the Boys, and we hit the town ready to Gamble. Went down town to the Horseshoe and I showed them how to play the crap table. Hung out on Freemont street then went sight seein'. Later we went to the Venician. they had some cool Christmas decorations. Ended up at Emeril's steak house for dinner..WOW THAT WAS GOOD!! This is a water fall pool with cranberrys floating in it. neet!

Ready for a night on the town?? The next day we hit the World buffetWe packed up the vans and got ready to hit the road. We put the Dodge on the tow bar.

now for the next 2000 miles!

Mooneyes christmas party and beyond

Early Saturday morning we got up and headed to Irwindale raceway in the rain. The weather was not going to cooperate. We found Ilene and the rest of the crew. They were in the usual place beside Jimmy and Dena. Just like old times.We helped them both set up the covers and get out all the stuff. It rained off and on all day, but we were able to get out and look around.

This thing was a monster. Engine is a diesel, and that crank??

I came up with the Idea for a Rat Fink Christmas design and painted it on a can for the party.Ilene ended up making a shirt out of it and had them there.
With the weather like it was, we tore down early and headed to our other destination, the 13th annual Brush Off. This is an invite only gathering, of mainly pinstripers and custom painters. As usual there was a great dinner. All the artists brought a panel or piece of art for the exchange. Check these out.

This is the coolest wagon ever. Too bad it wasn't in the exchange. OUTRAGEOUS! We had a great time , as usual. I always enjoy hangin with other stripers. The next day the boys and I headed north. Wanted to go up in the Sequoia National park and see the trees! We got lost,trying to get into the southern entrance to the park. It isn't open in the winter so we wandered around trying to find our way out. out in BFE,calif. Hey! Shut the door, he dosn't look happy. Where's the ATM???

We found this great place to eat, and they had to spoil it with that banner!! O-H......

Spent the night in Visalia, Ca. Just outside the southern entrance to the park We couldnt get into the park without tire chains,so we made a trip to the store to find some. We got up early Monday and drove to a spot just outside the park to watch the sunrise. The sunlit peaks in this picture was our destination. We spent the next several hours driving up into these mountians. stopping every 200 yards to look. It was beautiful!!
This is Moro rock. there is a trail that takes you out on the top where you can see nearly the entire park. We couldn't get there , closed for the winter. Here we go!

At one time you could drive through here , but you can see where people hit the top with their rv's. Now the road goes around. We still Have a long way to go. Another shot of Moro rock. We're about halfway up the mountain.

It's getting colder! This was worth the trip! This is where we took that last picture. We are getting up there!

Then we find snow and wildlife! Then we enter the Giant forest

We really didn't want to leave...but tomorrow we need to be south of L.A. to get the Dodge out of hell!!