Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT Mixed Grill - From London , England - GRIZZMAKES world

[Grizz1963]

My back has been playing up more and more since December when my legs gave way under me.

Started under a physiotherapist two weeks ago, last week she did some Acupuncture which really seemed to work. But by Friday morning my back was killing me again, so I called for an appointment with her, got told, nothing available, so decided to just ride it out to October when my next appointment is booked.
On Tuesday at 12.30 I got a call from them that there was a cancellation at 4.30 was I interested, of course.
I needed her to try manage this back so that I could handle the 24 hours we will be awake and on the go (I do not sleep or fit very well in planes, so keep moving the whole flight) so more acupuncture and some gentle manipulation of my spine was needed.

She did this exceptionally well.

I fell asleep on the bed......



After physio I went to see Joy and take Wyzz for a walk.
Followed by dinner, thankfully they both were happy to see me as it will be a few weeks of not seeing each other.



Amazing dinner deal, two main courses, and two pint drinks £13.60



As I was still hurting, I left early and was in bed by 10.00pm with a drink, preparing for the road trip.

Discovered Mountain Dew last year..... pure poison, just as I love it.

Think Rednecks and Hillbilly’s.



Had a conversation with Caleb the cat sitter this morning.........



Lastly, went to town for various things today, including banking and mobile phone shop, plus late lunch with Joy.

Found a £3.00 “Bolt on” for the mobile phone that allows me a lot of telephone time, using my data allowance in the USA dropping the call cost right down from the historical rip off costs.


@CraigRK and I are also going to test out some other cost saving technology while we are travelling

More about that later.




I will start to pack my bag soon.

 

[Ford52PU]

have fun safe travels.

 

[njhoudini]

Mountain Dew is nice. Dr. Pepper is also another one that's high in the caffeine content. My wife hurt her back once and thought she was going to die until she received 2 acupuncture treatments which straightened her out. Hope your back survives. You may need to seriously consider adding some zumba (like Andy) or yoga into your weekly routine to strengthen your core. Happy travels!

 

[rixtrix1]

I've had "dry needling" done 3 times and each time was great. Don't know the diff between that and acupuncture, but that's what my PT's called it. I like Dr. Pepper
for the flavor, but, unfortunately, it's off my eating protocol now MtnDew is good, too, but my stomach doesn't agree. Our boys loved it in their teens, duh.

Have a fun and safe trip, Rian!!!!

 

[Grizz1963]

have fun safe travels.

Thank you mate, that’s the plan.

Mountain Dew is nice. Dr. Pepper is also another one that's high in the caffeine content. My wife hurt her back once and thought she was going to die until she received 2 acupuncture treatments which straightened her out. Hope your back survives. You may need to seriously consider adding some zumba (like Andy) or yoga into your weekly routine to strengthen your core. Happy travels!

I am onto a programme from the physio.

Lover of Dr Pepper too, only tried that less than 5 years ago.

I've had "dry needling" done 3 times and each time was great. Don't know the diff between that and acupuncture, but that's what my PT's called it. I like Dr. Pepper
for the flavor, but, unfortunately, it's off my eating protocol now MtnDew is good, too, but my stomach doesn't agree. Our boys loved it in their teens, duh.

Have a fun and safe trip, Rian!!!!

Thank you Ric, certainly will be fun, especially with Dennis in the car.

 

[Grizz1963]

Craig’s last task was getting his driving permit.....

After all, why miss out on all the fun, despite our British driving licenses being valid in the USA, this makes life a lot easier.



Last view of his desk for two weeks.



Last time down this hole too.




Technology is amazing.

Hanna and Adam, Dennis’ son and his partner over here in Europe this week.

Greetings from Venice....




On their way home.



Beat us to it.

707 bhp will do that.



So packing was a chore, had to remove my security assessor repeatedly from the case, she was not happy.



Got to sleep around 10.30 in the end.

Alarm changed to 03.45 to get going.




Picked up Craig at Stupid-0-Clock to go to the airport. He was way too smiley for someone who was still picking up kids at 11.30pm and got to bed after midnight.

Let’s see how good he looks by bedtime tonight.



The Road Trip has now started in earnest. And soon as we have collected Dennis, you will need to strap into your seats.

Checked though security, having breakfast in executive lounge.

Life is Good.

 

[1/2 Cup]

All the best Rian

 

[Coolabah]

Bon Voyage ! Look forward to your posts from the USA

 

[Grizz1963]

Bon Voyage ! Look forward to your posts from the USA

Thanks guys.

Or from take off.


HALLO TO ROADKILL

Headed out.




Sh!t just got real.

 

[Grumblebum]

What are they asking??

She wants to know........

ha you've already gone back and found it

Best thing for my back was to get on the pushbike.

GB

 

[njhoudini]

There's a heat wave ending here so hopefully you're not going to suffer too much. Looking forward to the reports. Safe travels!

Sent from my LG-H918 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[treefiddy1]

This is awesome! Always enjoy reading your adventures. Have a super trip and travel safe.

 

[oldironfarmer]

I'll be following along!

Hope to hear from you when you get back from your trip.

Dry needling. That was my ex-wife's specialty...

 

[Grizz1963]

ha you've already gone back and found it

Best thing for my back was to get on the pushbike.

GB

Yup.

There's a heat wave ending here so hopefully you're not going to suffer too much. Looking forward to the reports. Safe travels!

Sent from my LG-H918 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Still humid, but tolerable.

This is awesome! Always enjoy reading your adventures. Have a super trip and travel safe.

Thank you very much for posting

It is always the intent to be safe and enjoy it all after the trip, looking back.

I'll be following along!

Hope to hear from you when you get back from your trip.

Dry needling. That was my ex-wife's specialty...

Well, we are off in the morning when we all wake up.

New Orleans promised a load of rain and bad weather.

 

[Grizz1963]

Been a bit busy, as always.

Our flight from Heathrow to Chicago on British Airways was uneventful, but I have to say that staff on the flight were exceptional in the way they managed all the passengers.

Eventually made it to Chicago.



We got to St Louis by 16.15 and then collected our baggage and went outside, Dennis was there within minutes to pick us up, a case of cold beers along for us.



Traffic on the motorway was a bit rubbish, so we went to Rogers first for a beer and chat.

His wife Debbie was on hand to feed us his home made smoked sausage and beer.

Fun girl.



Off to fetch more snacks.



Then we went off with Roger in his favourite truck..... along with Spotless, his gun dog.





One of the many tractors Roger owns that Dennis painted for him.



Then a nice ride around the property on the back of the truck.



Back at Dennis’ place, relaxing on the deck of his replica gas station.

Things were headed along as they always do, friends who are closer than family.



We carried on till about 10.30 USA time before we went to bed, 24hours straight awake.

I slept till 03.00 and Craig got up an hour later.

He may have slept a few more hours later in the morning, lucky guy.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Looks like a typical trip all right. Rian has went to the dogs.

A great day already!! Enjoy the Mighty Mississippi! And if you get to Chalmette, turn around, you've gone too far.

 

[Grizz1963]

Looks like a typical trip all right. Rian has went to the dogs.

A great day already!! Enjoy the Mighty Mississippi! And if you get to Chalmette, turn around, you've gone too far.

Certainly is.

Let’s hope Dennis reads this.



A few beers later, Dennis went to fetch the Cevelle to take Craig for a run down the dirt roads, a-la Dukes of Hazzard.

The silly grin on both their faces was testament to the fact they had a lot of fun.





Video of Rogers Hit and Miss John Deere tractor.

For some reason, Cinch is often by my feet.



Anywat, to bed at 10.30 and typically I woke by 03.00 so a bit tired.

So I crushed beer cans to take with to Oklahoma. Details later.



After that I went to see what Adam was up to..... plumbing for his new house



After that I came in as Debbie had made us her bacon and eggs.





After this, Craig and I headed to Walmart......l



Gas prices are good for a road trip.





Bed time now, it is 04.00 in the U.K.

It gets better soon.

 

[Grizz1963]

Craig getting his Redneck Cherry popped.......


This was a real case of HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS.

Dennis decided as the sun went down to get the Chevelle started.


Click link.

The smiles on Craigs face was worth the flight here and back over and over.

Things that make life good.

 

[Grizz1963]

A slightly out of sync entry.

Copied from Craig’s post on Retro Rides.


Grizz is busily working through getting you all a proper update, in the meantime though, an interlude from me.

Who needs Uber when you have 700-odd bhp at your disposal.


Thanks to Adam Jones for letting me use his Hellcat! What a beast!!


Adam put this out for us to use for the day.......

My first view walking out the house.







Good Morning Mr Hellcat.





And headed out to the motorway.



Over at Walmart we parked away from the other shopper’ cars to prevent door dents etc.




This.....



Is the life.


I am formally in love or is that lust?






Next........

 

[oldironfarmer]

Looks just like my Chevelle

Is that a 72?

Enjoy the drive!!

 

[AndrewHR]

The videos are a great addition, keep them coming

Sent from my SM-T719 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[djones1a]

It's a 71. I bought it from a guy last year that took it apart 20 years ago to paint it. By taking it apart you can see what he did to it. Lol Another project...

 

[Grizz1963]

Looks just like my Chevelle

Is that a 72?

Enjoy the drive!!

71

The videos are a great addition, keep them coming

Sent from my SM-T719 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Hi Andrew
Thank you.
Will do.

It's a 71. I bought it from a guy last year that took it apart 20 years ago to paint it. By taking it apart you can see what he did to it. Lol Another project...

But of course you never have enough projects ehhh Dennis.

 

[Grizz1963]

Just pulled this post from Retro Rides to keep you all updated.

Thanks to our Majestifi.com sponsor.


[quote author="@craigrk" source="/post/2443500/thread" timestamp="1535823577"]

[quote author="@hotrodder" source="/post/2443457/thread" timestamp="1535808783"]...live updates "from the road less traveled" by Grizz and Craig. What about him,totally blown away i guess since being so quiet?[/quote][br]

I’m still here. A bit of an observer, so less likely to give big updates! Enjoying watching from the back seat on I55...


[br][/quote][br]


Oh dear, looks like I distracted the driver......

We had just stopped at the “Welcome to Arkansas” roadside rest area 10 minutes ago.

Back on the road Dennis was calling his buddy from New Orleans who is out in the mountains near Nevada.
Completely distracted we were all having a 4 way conversation and the speed crept up.

Next thing Dennis just said “OHHH CR@P I JUST GOT A TICKET” When a Police car in the oncoming lanes of the I-55 turned and followed us. Sensibly he pulled over instantly and waited.
When the State Trooper got to the passenger window and leaned in (thick muscular arms in evidence and hat squarely on his head) he asked Dennis if he knew what speed he was going. Dennis in typical honest style said “Too Fast?” To which the trooper replied “Yes Sir, 87mph”

Then the whole license etc dance followed and Dennis told the Trooper he was taking his English buddies on a road trip to see some of the country. Grizz and I joined in in the conversation, Grizz typically pulled out his phone to show the trooper some photos to support the story.

The Trooper then asked Dennis to sit still while he went to check his details in the patrol car to see if he was wanted.
****** Grizz already was planning his next move and when the trooper came back asked if he would hold Dennis up against the car for an arrest photo. The balls of the man.
Trooper declined the photo opportunity and told Dennis to slow down and travel safe.
At this point Grizz piped up again to ask if he could at least take a pic of the patrol car behind our rental.
Trooper agreed and Grizz got out, thanking him for letting us off and then shaking Grizz’S hand. What a LEGEND GRIZZ !!

After the photo opportunity we got back on the road, Speedocruise control set at a sensible pace.

We now have 5 more states to go.

Let’s see if we can get Dennis Tazered before we get home.




Grizz’S ****** cheeky photo of us pulled over on I-55



So.........

What will happen next on the live updates sponsored by Majesti-fi

 

[oldironfarmer]

i think you could have outrun the cop. What's the worst that could happen?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Un real Rian.

 

[Grizz1963]

i think you could have outrun the cop. What's the worst that could happen?

Un real Rian.

Could not have written it like this.



Between snack, crisps, biltong/beef jerky and gas station stops we have made it Jackson, Mississippi so far.

Despite the rain, Dennis continues to drive as long as I hand him food and drinks occasionally

Good day so far.

Beer-0-Clock some time soon.

 

[sawduststeve]

i think you could have outrun the cop. What's the worst that could happen?

I concur,
Maybe you could have pushed him over first to get a head start.

Safe travels, Rian.

Steve

 

[oldironfarmer]

If you like Mountain Dew, have you tried Code Red Mountain Dew? It will be in all the convenience stores. The caffeine of 16 energy drinks with sugar to boot.

 

[Grizz1963]

I concur,
Maybe you could have pushed him over first to get a head start.

Safe travels, Rian.

Steve

Thanks Steve.

If you like Mountain Dew, have you tried Code Red Mountain Dew? It will be in all the convenience stores. The caffeine of 16 energy drinks with sugar to boot.

I will possibly avoid that.

 

[Grizz1963]

Now sitting in a hotel room in Louisiana near New Orleans, tired, but sleep is still an hour or so away.

I have to wrap up yesterday.

A few loose, random items to add to this random trip report now.

After getting back from the shops, Adam, Craig and I went to meet Dennis at Enterprise car rental, where Adam has a corporate account that meant we got to hire a car at a price that made it worth our while.
After all the document and identity checks, we were given a lovely Chevrolet Impala in V6 flavour with crisp auto box.
So I drove that home in rush hour traffic.
Not quite the Hellcat, but perfect for the trip.



When we got home......

Meet Dorothy, 84 and acting 54 at times, sharp as a blade.
Check the toe nails.... as Craig said, the. Question is “Does she click her heels?”

She had just got home with her new car she had just brought back from the dealers, exactly the same model Impala as we got to use, in white.



After parking up the car, grabbing a cold drink etc, we went around to Adam and Hanna’s building site to play in the dirt.

First me, then Craig, then I carried on for another hour plus, moving dirt and tidying the pile and site with the Caterpillar Skid Steer.

JUST HOW MUCH FUN CAN ONE HAVE ON ONE HOLIDAY??

Craig getting to grips with it.



Video of my first time.

Not as easy as many people make it looks.

CLICK LINK:

After parking the Skid Steer, I went to the shop, loads of guys all there, working on getting the new race car trailer hauler sorted.

2009 Silverado Diesel with crazy low miles on, replacing the previous black one that had astronomical miles on it.

It came with a service bed, but the regular bed had to be refitted and wiring worked out as they had cut the wiring when building it before.
Craig also used his problem solving brain to help identify some short cuts on creating a new bumper from the old and new replacement unit. Great result for an IT bod.



Bed back on, lights being sorted out.



Eventually everyone had left and we all got to bed late, then up this morning and we only left at 07.45 for refuelling, and to get some beers (not for drinking)



Dennis also had found a damaged aluminium wheel for Andy to melt down.

We are headed there after Labour day weekend, via Clems place in Fayetteville.

Andys garage thread. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=334140



Then onto the motorway......



Down to Pete’s place in Wentzville for a real breakfast.





Of course I ordered extra bacon.



Then out on I 70 toward the South.

Flags at half mast still in respect to the passing of Senator McCain.



700 miles ahead of us to New Orleans where heavy weather was forecast too, would be making for a long, boring day.....


Or maybe not.


Hope you are all still having fun

 

[oldironfarmer]

Dennis also had found a damaged aluminium wheel for Andy to melt down.

 

[Grizz1963]

Well,after breakfast we headed out.

Dennis warned us that right after Cape Girradeau it would become as flat as parts of Arkansas and even Illinois

So he set Auto Pilot and we continued talking, non stop sh!t, ate crisps, Biltong/Jerky, random chocolate, drinking water, Coke, Mountain Dew etc till we stopped eating and just talked.

I will do a separate entry or even story about some of the sh!t Dennis has got into over the years.

For a guy who had over 20 tickets by the time he was 18 for speeding, burnouts, expired license plates, wrong tags etc, and other random stuff, but never a DUI he has some stories.

As Dennis says “I had a good lawyer”

SO THE QUIET ONE CONTINUED DRIVING AND GETTING US TO NEW ORLEANS.



States came and went with boring regularity.



What a beautiful state.......



Weather forecasts were for rain all he time we were down here, but hey......

Find a bar with a roof and we would be good.



Then of course the rains hit us, visibility to 10% and hammering it down.

Just check the Video I did.

Every state has a welcome center, and there is a lot of evidence of thanks for those who served.

This really touches me. Another good reason to want to live here.





Back on the road.



While on the road, I also chatted with Caleb back home about what we saw, and he proceeded to send this pic of Dukey, helping him with his Thesis write up.



Along the way, there was a high visible policing presence as well, perfect for a long weekend over Labour day weekend.

Certainly beats a Skoda or Ford Focus patrol car.





Remember Dennis getting pulled over by the State Trooper......??




Part of the relationship building we had done with the Trooper was to show him this pic I had taken of a Geo-Cache painted stone, Mr Duck in this case.

So we were saved by the Bill from the Smokey kicking Dennis’ proverbial ****.

Craig and his family do Geo Caching and had explained it to me.... interesting stuff for sure, especially the way there are different levels.




Along the way Dennis pointed out many salvage yards, race tracks etc.

Craig spotted this one.

MIND BLOWING.



Eventually we made it into the state.....



Then booked into a Super 8 Hotel, simple, cheap, functional.

Random awesome door handle Craig spotted and snapped.



After that we had a first celebratory beer and went out looking for some good Cajun food.

Obstacles along the way.



Perfect.





Decor.



Ordered our meals, loads of beer, fast.

My selection.... and the Gumbo added.



Nommmmmmmmm...!!!




And introducing Ashley....... yes, I behaved, hard as it was.

Kelly will have to up her game, these Southern girls are lovely.




Headed out to New Orleans French Quarter after breakfast later this morning.

We saw on the news in the hotel room that today is also their Gay Pride March.

Dennis started the day by filling out cooler with fresh ice.




The man has skills.


Later guys.

 

[Stas26]

Looks uncannily like me.

HE HE HE, it's you 100%

 

[Stas26]

Back to Saturday, my first day of vacation.
Decided to go out on the motorbike as I needed to drop a bag of work clothes at MIND the charity I support with anything moveable from my house and parking a motorbike is easier than a car and free in Rochester.



Headed into Charles Dickens territory.......



Had some chips. Got to have some chips from the Gordon Hotel Chippy.



Art......



Look closely.



Mouse house?



Deaf cat.



Alms house





See how low door is.



Charity shop bounty.





I had asked Dennis if anyone wanted or needed anything from here when we headed over, only Debbie asked for some Werthers Butter Mints, so I thought going to Morrisons would solve that one easily.
Ooopps, nope, none in stock. Next shop again failed, thenmoff to no 3 shop and success, bought all their stock of 11 packets, customs will think I am mad for sure.



Morrison’s had a reasonable offer on beers, but I only had the bike



Priorities, Right??



Beers, a hot roast chicken, three large packs of crisps and some cat treats in the top box.
Butter Mint Werther's that we’re at no other shops, 11 packs, tied on top.



Then headed home.

How many days does your vacation last? Is the holiday paid by the employer?

 

[Grizz1963]

Craig has an incredibly sharp eye.

Saw this while the three of us were doing the tourist thing around the French Quarter despite the rain that had been forecast.




Tropical storm has been predicted for later today so we havepulled the plug and are headed to Vicksburg, a great Civil War town to learn more there. Less rain expected but raining all the way so far.

The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 – July 4, 1863) was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate Army of Mississippi, led by Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton, into the defensive lines surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Great update!!

Tough times during the siege of Vicksburg.

 

[HOTFR8]

Once again it looks like you are having a great time.

 

[Grizz1963]

It’s been an interesting day. We had a quick walk around New Orleans French Quarter this morning. As usual @Grizz took some time out of his busy schedule to liaise with locals about their wares...



It started raining though and a tropical storm was forecast, so we hot footed it out of there and started the journey north to Arkansas via Vicksburg as promised by @Grizz. However the rain followed us most of the way so we didn’t stop in. Vicksburg but carried on to Arkansas after cutting the corner of Louisiana again.

Eventually in Arkansas the sun started smiling from behind the clouds.

 

[CraigRK]

Hiya, Craig here. You may not know me, but I'm the clown along for the ride with Grizz & Dennis.


Thanks for your continued interest, all comments and posts welcomed.

I'll be along to provide links and images when my post count has increased.

Enjoy,
Craig