Hobby Thread - September 26, 2026 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. For this week, the Wheel of Hobbies (TM) is feeling adventurous and decided on a fall scenic drives theme for this Hobby Thread.

A scenic drive in a scenic season? Yes! Tell me more!

[Top photo: Million Dollar Highway, Colorado]

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Scenic drives are fun. Great roads can produce great experiences. There is a lot of world out there, so why not explore it? Seasonal changes add an extra twist that can make the same drive a very different experience depending on the time of year. Autumn colors are like a great frame that complements and highlights a great road.

Let's talk about great fall scenic drives (or great areas to explore). Let's use AI for something useful and productive and ask for top 10 scenic fall drives in the US. Discuss, debate and add your favorites and hidden gems below.

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What are you hobbying?

The theme may not be your favorite but give it a chance before you judge and bail out. Any adjacent hobbying is in scope, so jump in with your interests, stories and questions.

In any event, the thread is not limited to to the theme. Anything (legal) you are hobbying is welcome. Even if the theme does not speak to you, you might learn something or be entertained. If not, offer something else relating to hobbying. If all of that fails, just check in and say hello.

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Leave politics and religion to threads elsewhere (unless your hobby is building or restoring churches). Pants? Nope. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice and do not be rude. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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Top ten scenic fall drives in the US (per Grok):

1. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia & North Carolina)
469 miles connecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains national parks. Ridgeline views, 200+ overlooks, and staggered color from high peaks down into the valleys. Often called America's favorite drive.

2. Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire)
34.5 miles through White Mountain National Forest from Lincoln to Conway. Classic New England maples, birches, and waterfalls in a short, concentrated burst of color.

3. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
105 miles along the Blue Ridge crest with 70+ overlooks. Easy access from the DC area and one of the most reliable East Coast leaf-peeping routes.

4. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park (Montana)
About 50 miles of alpine drama, waterfalls, and golden aspens against glacier-carved peaks. High-elevation color comes early; the road itself can close with snow.

5. Million Dollar Highway / San Juan Skyway (Colorado)
The dramatic US-550 stretch between Ouray and Silverton (part of the 233-mile San Juan Skyway loop). Golden aspens, sheer canyon walls, and high-mountain towns. Peak is typically late September to early October.

6. Historic Columbia River Highway (Oregon)
75 miles through the Columbia River Gorge with waterfalls (including Multnomah Falls) framed by changing maples and oaks. Combines river, cliffs, and forest.

7. Beartooth Highway (Montana & Wyoming)
68 miles from Red Lodge, MT, toward Yellowstone. An All-American Road with high-alpine tundra, lakes, and early-season color against rugged peaks.

8. Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park (Maine)
27-mile loop (plus the Cadillac Mountain summit spur) mixing ocean, granite, and mixed hardwoods. Compact and spectacular, especially around Jordan Pond.

9. Vermont Route 100
The state's north-south spine through the Green Mountains- farms, villages, rivers, and dense maple forests. Often paired with shorter side roads like Route 7A.

10. Newfound Gap Road & Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee & North Carolina)
Newfound Gap Road (US-441) crosses the park at high elevation; the 11-mile Cades Cove loop adds valley views, historic buildings, and wildlife. Elevation range stretches the color season.

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Same question for Co-Pilot produces similar, but slightly different results:

1. Vermont Route 100 (Vermont)
Often called one of the best fall foliage drives in North America, this route runs through the Green Mountains with classic New England scenery, farms, and small towns.

2. Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire)
A legendary New England leaf-peeping route through the White Mountains, with overlooks, waterfalls, and dense forests.

3. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia & North Carolina)
America's most famous scenic byway, connecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. Expect sweeping mountain vistas and long stretches of blazing color.

4. Newfound Gap Road (Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC)
A 31-mile drive climbing through multiple elevation zones - meaning long-lasting, varied foliage. Wildlife sightings (including black bears) are common.

5. Park Loop Road (Acadia National Park, Maine)
A short but spectacular coastal-mountain loop with views from Cadillac Mountain and stops like Jordan Pond.

6. Route 7A (Vermont)
A postcard-perfect drive between Bennington and Manchester, flanked by the Taconic and Green Mountains.

7. Cherohala Skyway (Tennessee to North Carolina)
A high-elevation drive with sweeping overlooks, connecting Tellico Plains to Robbinsville. Brilliant reds and golds line the ridges.

8. Million Dollar Highway (Colorado)
A dramatic Rocky Mountain route between Silverton and Ouray, known for golden aspens and steep cliffside views.

9. North Shore Scenic Drive (Minnesota)
A 150-mile route along Lake Superior with waterfalls, lighthouses, and dual foliage seasons thanks to the lake's microclimate.

10. Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway (New Mexico)
A loop around Wheeler Peak with high-desert aspens, alpine lakes, and mountain towns like Taos.

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Same question for Claude produces similar but different results:

1. Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire) - 34 miles through the White Mountains, widely considered the gold standard for New England fall color. Peaks mid-to-late October.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia/North Carolina) - 469 miles along the Appalachians, with overlooks at nearly every turn. Color moves from north to south through October.

3. Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park, Virginia) - 105 miles with 75 overlooks over the Shenandoah Valley.

4. Route 100 (Vermont) - Runs the length of the state through classic Vermont towns, covered bridges, and maple-heavy hillsides.

5. Adirondack Trail / Route 30 (New York) - Loops through the Adirondacks, especially vivid around Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.

6. Columbia River Highway (Oregon) - Waterfalls plus fall color in the gorge, with Vista House as a highlight stop.

7. Highway 12 (Utah's Scenic Byway) - Less about foliage volume, more about the contrast of aspen gold against red rock in the Escalante area.

8. Mohawk Trail (Massachusetts) - One of the oldest scenic drives in the country, winding through the Berkshires.

9. Talimena Scenic Byway (Oklahoma/Arkansas) - 54 miles along a ridge in the Ouachita Mountains, an underrated option in the South.

10. San Juan Skyway (Colorado) - Aspens turning gold against high peaks; late September to early October is peak.

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Interesting to see where they agree and where they produce unique recommendations.

What are your favorites for fall scenic drives? (Let's focus on scenic drives in the fall season for fall colors and not just scenic drives in general.) Are there good routes that Grok, Co-pilot and Claude missed?

Pleased that we've done many of the drives, but not all were fall drives. Gives us a good excuse to go back again...

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Curious - anyone familiar with a waterfall spray booth? I've certainly seen small hobby sized spray booths with fans, but only recently stumbled onto a video showing a waterfall spray booth in use.

Most videos on YouTube show airbrushing and small scale painting. Does anyone use a similar set up for other use cases?

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Horde sourcing knowledge - hypothetically, if someone was choosing between a sliding screen or a retractable roll-up screen for a sliding glass door to a back patio, which would you pick? The sliding screen door is more simple and cheaper but always visible. The retractable roll-up screen disappears, but adds cost and mechanical parts.

Anyone have experience with a roll-up retractable screen for a sliding door?

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Horde Hobbying:

PabloD is building a Bayou Jumper radio - this is 98% finished! Perhaps he can jump in and tell us more about his project:

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We featured Project Farm on the recent Wednesday ONT as the niche YouTube channel of the week. Given how much the channel does tool reviews, it warranted an additional mention here.

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There are only so many places that one can post this and people will appreciate it.

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a tool theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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Reminder: if you put links in the comments, use a URL shortener and describe what you're linking to. Failing to do either or both makes you barrel-eligible. Don't make people click to find out what you're linking.

Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Or just email to say hello. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 05:30 PM (Ia/+0)

2 I fell when I tried to drive once.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 05:31 PM (1Ff7Z)

3 I have a $100 Chinese chainsaw I keep at the farm. It came with an extra bar and chain too. It's works pretty damn good and I don't have to worry about wrecking it or it getting stolen.

I also have a $400 chainsaw that needs a carb. I don't think I'll even bother.

Posted by: fd at September 26, 2026 05:35 PM (MWfyi)

4 I dearly love road trips. I'm trying to finagle an overnight trip, up and along Hwy 20 in WA.

Lovely drive, especially in the sparsely-populated North and NE parts of the state.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at September 26, 2026 05:36 PM (s1VwS)

5 Glacier Park is beautiful. Not as nice when there is a miles long traffic jam.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 05:37 PM (zZu0s)

6 Toggle bolts are best of course. Those white self drilling screw in anchors are my favorite for most things.

Posted by: fd at September 26, 2026 05:38 PM (MWfyi)

7 Only drive for certain was on Skyline drive

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 05:39 PM (Ia/+0)

8 As for drywall anchors, depends on what they need to hold up

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 05:39 PM (Ia/+0)

9 State Route 4, Ebbets Pass. Yeah, there's some color, but it's a fun road all season. If it's open, that is. Big Meadow has Aspen groves.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 05:40 PM (1Ff7Z)

10 "Anyone have experience with a roll-up retractable screen for a sliding door?"

Well, on our back storm door after a few years the roll-up retractable screen jammed and broke.

Posted by: fd at September 26, 2026 05:41 PM (MWfyi)

11 Good afternoon short armed dino!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 26, 2026 05:41 PM (NnhvP)

12 I fixed my mini jeep and cleaned it up to sell it and now I don't want to sell it.

Posted by: fd at September 26, 2026 05:42 PM (MWfyi)

13 I use screw anchors for lots of things, like bathroom accessories.

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 05:42 PM (Ia/+0)

14 State Route 4, Ebbets Pass. Yeah, there's some color, but it's a fun road all season. If it's open, that is. Big Meadow has Aspen groves.
Posted by: OrangeEnt

Make sure to add Sonora pass as well as Tioga and Monitor passes.
Quite the one day road trip!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 26, 2026 05:44 PM (NnhvP)

15 Maybe the Alaska Highway? If any 49ers show up, they can say if it's a nice autumnal drive.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 05:44 PM (1Ff7Z)

16 Even growing up in New England and seeing those fall colors, which were lovely, none of it compared to our honeymoon. We had a week and not much money so we made a leisurely trip down Skyline Drive in Virginia. It was late October and we hit the jackpot for beautiful autumn weather. The color of the trees was varied and intense with deep golds and all the shades of red and green. Yeah, it might have been the emotion from the honeymoon but our photos show the real beauty we saw. Our 43rd anniversary is coming up and every year we follow the autumn color and make the drive. Nothing has come close to that trip.

Posted by: JTB at September 26, 2026 05:45 PM (yTvNw)

17 Thanks for featuring the radio, TRex! I need to replace the power connector, then finish testing and calibrating the receiver; after that - fingers crossed - it'll be ready to get on the air!

In other radio nerd news: I finally got around to flashing new firmware onto my Quansheng UV-K5 and now it will do CW on 2 meters. That will mean something to 3 or 4 of you.

Posted by: PabloD at September 26, 2026 05:45 PM (OXSZa)

18 fd don't think ever put one up, screen doors and storm doors not a roll up

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 05:45 PM (Ia/+0)

19 Baking is not really my hobby anymore, but I just baked some buttermilk biscuits and they are delicious. Crunchy on the outside- like pastry -and fluffy on the inside. I probably used too much butter (if such a thing is even possible) but it was a happy mistake.

Posted by: LASue at September 26, 2026 05:46 PM (lCppi)

20 LOL, love the pre-lost socket!

Still toiling away painting on the latest portrait. This one is different in that the subject is seated on a tortoise. Not a live one, though. I was also obliquely approached by a friend of a friend with a request (sorta) to paint a double portrait from wedding photos. Since I have painted a double portrait and vowed never to do so again, was able to turn that down politely. I also like to paint good-looking people -- so sue me! -- and neither of them were that. Plus the photos lacked sufficient definition for a good likeness, anyway. A good reason why I don't do commissions, it'd be a colossal headache.

Posted by: tankascribe at September 26, 2026 05:46 PM (NtoJk)

21 There are 4 machines where I work that solder that style of board. You build the board with the leads out the other side. Take a picture of it. Send the picture to the machine and locate the solder points in the picture. The machines does a path, you change it if you want to. Send the board through and it comes out soldered on the other side. Called a Selective Solder. One has a wave solder in it too. We do surface mount so we can't use wave.

Posted by: Reforger at September 26, 2026 05:46 PM (F9nWj)

22 fd is it like a window screen?

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 05:47 PM (Ia/+0)

23 11 Good afternoon short armed dino!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 26, 2026 05:41 PM
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Howdy!

Posted by: TRex - on the road again dino at September 26, 2026 05:48 PM (XfIK1)

24 Make sure to add Sonora pass as well as Tioga and Monitor passes.
Quite the one day road trip!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 26, 2026 05:44 PM (NnhvP)

49, 88, 89, the loop around the Lake. I drove 'em all.

Wish I had my MGB....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 05:48 PM (1Ff7Z)

25 Chainsaws are like pickup trucks. Unless you are rural, you probably really need one a couple of times a year but when you do, there's no good substitute.

I was looking at chain saws in the True Value a few weeks ago and notice that they are carefully arrayed to encourage you to upsell yourself. Here's one with an 16" bar and a 36cc engine. I'm sure that would be adequate for 99.99% of the things I would ever need a chainsaw for. Oh, but for an extra 20 dollars, I can get an 18" bar and a 42 cc engine. OK, that seems worth it. But then for only another 35 dollars, I can have and 20" chain and a 46 cc engine. And it doesn't stop until you've upsold yourself to the tune of 50% of what you were willing to spend 5 minutes ago.

Posted by: Oddbob at September 26, 2026 05:50 PM (vTZFs)

26 I have been on 6 of the scenic highways! Fall colors are amazing.

Posted by: Piper at September 26, 2026 05:50 PM (ZdaMQ)

27 Speaking of scenic drives, and chainsaws, if you're ever driving on Hwy 26 from Portland to the Oregon Coast, you should stop at Camp 18 for breakfast. They also have a collection of old logging equipment, including some massive chainsaws.

Posted by: PabloD at September 26, 2026 05:52 PM (OXSZa)

28 I probably used too much butter (if such a thing is even possible) but it was a happy mistake.
Posted by: LASue at September 26, 2026 05:46 PM (lCppi)

Your post started in English, then this line showed up. It's undecipherable.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 05:53 PM (1Ff7Z)

29 I grew up around Route 30 in upstate New York, right along the Mohawk River. We lived 20 minutes from Sleepy Hollow. Fall was the best time of year by far. Winters were brutal in the seventies, and seemed to last unusually long.
I secretly wished death upon the groundhog in February.

Posted by: Unkaren at September 26, 2026 05:53 PM (IXaAJ)

30 49, 88, 89, the loop around the Lake. I drove 'em all.

Wish I had my MGB....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 05:48 PM (1Ff7Z)

I love that area. My favorite is a bit North, 70 through Quincy then out Bucks Lake road. There is a truck route off bucks that has to be one of the most challenging roads anywhere. Really, really fun to drive. I'd live around there if it wasn't in fucking california.

Posted by: Reforger at September 26, 2026 05:57 PM (F9nWj)

31 17 ... "I finally got around to flashing new firmware onto my Quansheng UV-K5 and now it will do CW on 2 meters. That will mean something to 3 or 4 of you."

PabloD,
Haven't listened in a long time but never heard much, if any, CW on 2 meters. Have things changed? Being able to do CW on UHF would be a great way to practice with other local hams. Easily controlled group numbers and no band conditions to consider.

Posted by: JTB at September 26, 2026 05:57 PM (yTvNw)

32 This is not really a hobby most people can do, but there is an Irish bloomery Iron festival that, of course, is to showcase how the Irish used to smelt bog-iron

And this is a video of it

youtu.be/8Wks7kIIIo0

Posted by: Kindltot at September 26, 2026 05:58 PM (rbvCR)

33 Scenic drives? I walked to the end of our driveway and some birch leaves fell on me. Does that count?

Posted by: tcn in AK at September 26, 2026 05:59 PM (VqCOT)

34 "fd is it like a window screen?
Posted by: Skip"

It's not a wire screen. The one in the storm door rolls up into the top part of the door. Just the top half of the door is screened.

Posted by: fd at September 26, 2026 06:03 PM (MWfyi)

35 JTB - there are a few local hams who use it during SOTA activations. The Quansheng has become the go-to because it's cheap, and now there are firmware and connectors that will allow you to do CW without physically modifying the radio's guts. I'll have to play with it and figure out the menu and all the options before getting on air, but I did confirm it's sending and receiving a proper (but probably harmonically noisy) signal.

Posted by: PabloD at September 26, 2026 06:04 PM (OXSZa)

36 Was hoping this weekend to get chainsaw out and cut up branches that have come down for awhile. Probably going to have more if winds pick up.

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 06:05 PM (Ia/+0)

37
In Texas, we have spring scenic drives, principally to enjoy the wildflowers blooming.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 26, 2026 06:05 PM (eRlcH)

38 Yep, Kancamagus Highway in Northern NH! One first and two seconds according to AI, the great arbiter of truth!

Posted by: RI Red at September 26, 2026 06:06 PM (cqvKE)

39 Afternoon, hobbyists,

I used to take scenic drives all the time in Colorado. I never got much west of the peak of the Rockies, though a young woman I was dating did take us up and over to Grand Junction once in summer. Nothing specific to the fall that I remember.

I've taken that Enchanted Circle drive in New Mexico, and I do believe that was in October, 1996 if I recall aright.

"Scenic" drives in Da Swamp and environs? Oxymoron. You get tired of swamp, green stuff, more green stuff, and did I mention swamp?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 26, 2026 06:07 PM (wzUl9)

40 I grew up around Route 30 in upstate New York, right along the Mohawk River. We lived 20 minutes from Sleepy Hollow. Fall was the best time of year by far. Winters were brutal in the seventies, and seemed to last unusually long.
I secretly wished death upon the groundhog in February.
Posted by: Unkaren
******
It's been awhile, but used to know Rt 30 in upstate as I went to nursing school in Amsterdam NY.

Posted by: The Grateful - R at September 26, 2026 06:07 PM (XfIK1)

41 My storm door windows can slide up.

Is it spring tension that makes it up or down?

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 06:07 PM (Ia/+0)

42 Is it spring tension that makes it up or down?
Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 06:07 PM (Ia/+0)

Up.

Posted by: Reforger at September 26, 2026 06:09 PM (F9nWj)

43 I've ridden 7/10 of the Grok scenic drives, and have added the other 3 to the list of future drives!

Posted by: The Grateful - R at September 26, 2026 06:11 PM (XfIK1)

44 As far as pipe smoking for JTB and other devotees: My local pipe & cigar store is clearly drifting toward the cigar side. Friday, the pipe tobacco shelves (except for their house blends) were half empty. While the clerk said they were waiting for a new shipment, he couldn't give me any idea when it was expected.

This morning I bought a new Zippo pipe lighter, brushed brass and labeled "armor" -- apparently thicker metal. My front face of my old Zippo from 2021 is badly worn, though not the back. I'll keep it for adventures outside, and use the brass one at home.

Speaking of outside, I drove to my favorite local coffee shop this morning, had some chow indoors, and sat at one of their outdoor iron tables in the shade to smoke my pipe with my coffee. The weather here is a little less than vicious this weekend, humidity down, so it was very nice to relax that way.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 26, 2026 06:12 PM (wzUl9)

45 If you're in the Chicago area and want to see foliage but not drive ride the South Shore out to South Bend. Still too early this year.

Posted by: DaveA at September 26, 2026 06:14 PM (FhXTo)

46 Scenic drives? I walked to the end of our driveway and some birch leaves fell on me. Does that count?
Posted by: tcn in AK at September 26, 2026 05:59 PM (VqCOT)

If you could describe the leaves as 'golden', then yes.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 06:15 PM (zZu0s)

47 Screw you tankascribe

Posted by: couple posing for painting at September 26, 2026 06:16 PM (KC5Lt)

48 more if winds pick up.

The region got so derechoed you hear saws every nice day out. I was just out with the Jonsered.

Posted by: DaveA at September 26, 2026 06:17 PM (FhXTo)

49 I used to live right near the Blue Ridge Parkway and I'd take drives up there all the time.

One very cool thing you could do on a rainy day was drive until you were above the clouds.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 26, 2026 06:17 PM (CHHv1)

50 I'm building legs for my streaming and work desk.

I need to get outside and cut things, and then measure things, and cut some more.

I want to show the cutting, for educational purposes, but doing that inside would get sawdust on my electronics, and doing it outside... would still get sawdust on my electronics because I don't have a go-pro. Something something first world problems.

The measuring and marking and assembly can be done on camera.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at September 26, 2026 06:18 PM (C0Nlv)

51 New tool called 'breaker bar ratchet' turns your breaker bar into a ratchet. But, recently seen on the Toob, this ratchet is connected to a battery powered drill and used to start small hp gasoline engines; lawn mowers and boat motors.

Haven't seen it used on those hard to start chain saws but why not? Bought one. It's sitting right here on the desk.
Haven't tried it yet. It's too hot outside.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 26, 2026 06:19 PM (VPNgR)

52 I love that area. My favorite is a bit North, 70 through Quincy then out Bucks Lake road. There is a truck route off bucks that has to be one of the most challenging roads anywhere. Really, really fun to drive. I'd live around there if it wasn't in fucking california.
Posted by: Reforger at September 26, 2026 05:57 PM (F9nWj)

(slides Reforger a cold RC)

Don't think I've ever been out there. Too far away now, and no little convertible either.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 06:19 PM (1Ff7Z)

53 Cades Cove was one of those unforgettable family road trips we took to the Smoky Mountains in the late 60s. How my parents put up with me and my two older brothers is a testament to their patience. As well as the countdown to the next Stuckeys.

Posted by: TxAnn at September 26, 2026 06:21 PM (SjAWL)

54 When I lived in the Four Corners area, I drove the San Juan Skyway many times. It's lovely, but equally beautiful is the drive from Dolores, CO to Telluride. The spruce trees look almost black and the aspens are intensely yellow. By far, my favorite southern Colorado drive, but you can't really take a bad day trip there.

Posted by: huerfano at September 26, 2026 06:21 PM (2Xqig)

55 [Leeve politicks to uther thredz. Do hobbying heer. Thanks. - TRex]

Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, Vt at September 26, 2026 06:22 PM (47Dv1)

56 I've lived in every state in New England and the top three states for foliage drives, many roads actually, are Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire. In that order.

Maine gets close because ocean but Vermont has a wider diversity of trees and at peak it's spectacular.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 06:23 PM (viF8m)

57 I'm building legs for my streaming and work desk.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at September 26, 2026 06:18 PM (C0Nlv)

(glares)

Just legs?!

Posted by: Michelle Fields at September 26, 2026 06:24 PM (1Ff7Z)

58 Was hoping this weekend to get chainsaw out and cut up branches that have come down for awhile. Probably going to have more if winds pick up.
Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 06:05 PM (Ia/+0)

My wife and I went out this morning to see if any trees came down in the windstorm the night before last. it knocked down some cottonwoods on the road by the river, but that is the County's concern. We just lost a single snag and it was only as big as my wrist.
We got a good walk out of it

Posted by: Kindltot at September 26, 2026 06:24 PM (rbvCR)

59 Thanks for the Hobby Thread, T Rex! It's always entertaining and enlightening, no matter the topic(s).

It was nice to see some fall foliage routes in the western part of the country. Million Dollar Highway is always lovely, as are the highways in Utah and Montana. One of my favorites is the highway over the top of Grand Mesa, near Grand Junction, Colorado.

Posted by: Legally Sufficient at September 26, 2026 06:25 PM (D/6p1)

60 I lived in the Hudson Valley for 7 years . October was always my favorite time of the year. I miss going to the Dutchess County fair.

Posted by: polynikes at September 26, 2026 06:26 PM (KC5Lt)

61 One fall scenic drive I recall in Colorado was the day after Thanksgiving, 1998. At the time I had the Mercedes 123 coupe, the 280CE, with the 185-hp Euro engine. Not a lot of power for climbing the Rockies, you'd have thought, but it performed quite well despite the altitude. I drove up I-70 westbound, then diverted onto the old US 6 highway that used to be the way to cross over the mountains before the Interstate. Pulled into an overlook near Grays Peak at around 11,000 feet and, as it was a clear day, could see for miles.

A much better way to spend a holiday than grubbing for objects at a mall.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 26, 2026 06:27 PM (wzUl9)

62 44 ... "My local pipe & cigar store is clearly drifting toward the cigar side. Friday, the pipe tobacco shelves (except for their house blends) were half empty."

Same problem here. The pipe portion is decent but not great. Obviously, the greater money side is with cigars. (And they do have an excellent selection of cigars and a top notch humidor room for storage.) The house blends are pretty much Lane products with store names. But they do get a few tins of limited run blends and several times a year have pipe shows and sales. It's nice to be able to handle and examine a pipe before buying. Most of my tobacco I get in bulk from online sellers.

Posted by: JTB at September 26, 2026 06:27 PM (yTvNw)

63 We have one of those retractable screen doors. A regular screen door would not fit in that particular location. It's been nice, and just as easy to open as a sliding screen door. I understand they now have a new (!) and improved (!) model that it much easier to use. At $650, we will have to wait on that replacement, until the current door goes Tango Uniform.

Posted by: Legally Sufficient at September 26, 2026 06:27 PM (D/6p1)

64
Wish I had my MGB....
Posted by: OrangeEnt

Yeah, that would be sweet. We did them on Honda st1100s.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 26, 2026 06:27 PM (NnhvP)

65 A great fall drive:

Rt 62 from Franklin Pa, thru Oil City to Tionesta, and up to Warren Pa ... and then onto Buffalo.

You trace the Allegheny River up through Warren Pa. Twists and Turns galore. From Warren Pa to Buffalo NY on Rt 62 is gorgeously hilly.

This drive is every bit the equal of any drive in the East. The Adirondacks, Green, or White Mountains have nothing on it ... and more than likely a third of the traffic during leaf peeping season.

Posted by: browndog says woof at September 26, 2026 06:28 PM (oCio0)

66 Signed up.for Fall In Historical War game convention in Lancaster Nov 5-8

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 06:31 PM (Ia/+0)

67 Most of my tobacco I get in bulk from online sellers.
Posted by: JTB at September 26, 2026

***
I guess I'll do that too. Maybe next month, if I get the chance, I'll stop by the shop to see if they still have any new items.

In contrast, the pipe shop I visited in Wichita, KS, in April was terrific. A glass-enclosed cigar space, yes, but the front of the shop featured loads of tinned pipe tobaccos and some tobaccos from the big companies in bulk. I picked up a 2-oz. bag of Cornell & Diehl Belmont Station, and a basket pipe, a straight sandblast Rigoletto apple. And there were others that tempted me too.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 26, 2026 06:31 PM (wzUl9)

68 We just returned from Glacier National Park. The fall leaves were accelerated a bit due to the dry summer. With the patchy fog that seems to be always present, it was impossible to see the peaks on most days. And most of the trees we saw along the roadways were pines. That said, the back road to Polebridge was worth taking, even if it was for the one view of glacial mountains and valleys. As a bonus, there were few people on that road so it was a huge change from the Going to the Sun road, which was packed and backed up.

Posted by: Legally Sufficient at September 26, 2026 06:33 PM (D/6p1)

69 I wonder if it would be practical for a "fine tobaccos" lounge to offer rental pipes?

Posted by: FeatherBlade at September 26, 2026 06:33 PM (C0Nlv)

70 Yeah, that would be sweet. We did them on Honda st1100s.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 26, 2026 06:27 PM (NnhvP)

There's always that MGB knockoff, the Miata.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 06:34 PM (1Ff7Z)

71 37
In Texas, we have spring scenic drives, principally to enjoy the wildflowers blooming.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 26, 2026 06:05 PM (eRlcH)

Somewhere buried within a photo album of every Texan is a picture of them and/or their family and/or their dog sitting in the bluebonnets near Brenham. (The family cat not so much)

Posted by: TxAnn at September 26, 2026 06:34 PM (SjAWL)

72 Would welcoming the Sooners to Athens be considered a hobby? Asking for a friend.

Posted by: Piper at September 26, 2026 06:34 PM (ZdaMQ)

73 Wish I had my MGB....
Posted by: OrangeEnt

Yeah, that would be sweet. We did them on Honda st1100s.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 26, 2026 06:27 PM (NnhvP)

The Miata was great for that.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 06:36 PM (zZu0s)

74 >>This drive is every bit the equal of any drive in the East. The Adirondacks, Green, or White Mountains have nothing on it ... and more than likely a third of the traffic during leaf peeping season.

Always wanted to do a cruise up the Hudson in the Fall.

The Adirondacks are an overlooked area for foliage. The best viewing always has various elevations. And water.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 06:38 PM (viF8m)

75 Want to cut off some chosen limbs before they drop leaves then
set them on the curb for pick up. -That's a two-fer - Not going to do it while it's 90F outside and no wind. 80F and a breeze is tolerable.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 26, 2026 06:39 PM (VPNgR)

76 We had a Stilh chainsaw. Had is the operative word. I could not pull it to start it.

I vote for someone to make an auto start for chainsaws. I do love my 6in , battery operated one.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 26, 2026 06:39 PM (QwZKw)

77 Posted by: Legally Sufficient at September 26, 2026 06:25 PM
***
Utah 12 and Utah 9 are two of my favorites (but haven't done either of them in the fall)!

Posted by: TRex - escalante dino at September 26, 2026 06:39 PM (XfIK1)

78 Washington being the Evergreen State, and all, we don’t get much for fall foliage.

But, the crisp air and the smell of impending snow makes the passes particularly alluring.

And a fall hike can be glorious and deadly. Be prepared.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 26, 2026 06:40 PM (yEz+x)

79 69 ... "I wonder if it would be practical for a "fine tobaccos" lounge to offer rental pipes?"

You're a couple hundred years out of date. Taverns used to offer long stem clay pipes to patrons. The story goes that the next user cut off the end of the stem to have a clean smoke. Don't think 'rental' pipes would work these disease conscious days. Besides, pipe preferences are very personal and that matters to enjoying the smoke. I can imagine a good pipe tobacco lounge having inexpensive corncob pipes available for those new to the hobby or just forgot their pipe.

Posted by: JTB at September 26, 2026 06:41 PM (yTvNw)

80
Sort of related since it's scenery --

DAMMit. I thought the Miramar Airshow was next weekend, and I would go on Friday so I wouldn't have to park a mile away or pay a bunch to park.

Well it's this weekend, and I missed it yesterday! Grumble grumble, maybe I'll go tomorrow.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at September 26, 2026 06:43 PM (mmrXZ)

81 Grateful, what nursing school in Amsterdam?
Yes, if you haven’t done the Kanc, add it to your drive list.

Posted by: RI Red at September 26, 2026 06:43 PM (ttrGW)

82 High on the Blue Ridge Parkway, above the clouds:

https://tinyurl.com/y63787r3

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 26, 2026 06:43 PM (CHHv1)

83 >>We had a Stilh chainsaw. Had is the operative word. I could not pull it to start it.

I can show you a trick.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 06:43 PM (viF8m)

84
Always wanted to do a cruise up the Hudson in the Fall.

The Adirondacks are an overlooked area for foliage. The best viewing always has various elevations. And water.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 06:38 PM (viF8m)

Everybody and their brother does that drive. Yes it is scenic, but it's jampacked with tourists.

The Allegheny region gets overlooked, and yet it has great history (the beginning of the time of OIL in America). Put yourself behind the wheel of a nice two seater and enjoy without all the masses on the roads.

Posted by: browndog says woof at September 26, 2026 06:44 PM (oCio0)

85 RI Red, yes I am constantly updating your permanent record.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 26, 2026 06:45 PM (QwZKw)

86 Utah 12 and Utah 9 are two of my favorites (but haven't done either of them in the fall)!
Posted by: TRex - escalante dino at September 26, 2026 06:39 PM (XfIK1)
* * * *
Utah 9 is lovely, with Zion as a bonus. We are planning a quick trip to explore Escalante and Capitol Reef, which will bring in Utah 12. There is a lot of country to explore!

Posted by: Legally Sufficient at September 26, 2026 06:45 PM (D/6p1)

87 RI Red, yes I am constantly updating your permanent record.
Posted by: Ben Had at September 26, 2026 06:45 PM (QwZKw)

Well, at least somebody cares!

Posted by: RI Red at September 26, 2026 06:45 PM (ttrGW)

88
Somewhere buried within a photo album of every Texan is a picture of them and/or their family and/or their dog sitting in the bluebonnets near Brenham.

___________

Yes, we have photos of Dutch and Leo in the bluebonnets coming back from shows in Navasota.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 26, 2026 06:45 PM (eRlcH)

89 76 We had a Stilh chainsaw. Had is the operative word. I could not pull it to start it.

I vote for someone to make an auto start for chainsaws. I do love my 6in , battery operated one.
--------------------

51 New tool called 'breaker bar ratchet' turns your breaker bar into a ratchet. Recently seen on the Toob, this ratchet is connected to a battery powered drill 1/2" drive and used to start small hp gasoline engines; lawn mowers and boat motors.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 26, 2026 06:46 PM (VPNgR)

90 Grateful, what nursing school in Amsterdam?
Yes, if you haven’t done the Kanc, add it to your drive list.
Posted by: RI Red
*******
St Mary's Hospital School of Nursing. Sadly, it is no more.

Posted by: The Grateful - R at September 26, 2026 06:46 PM (XfIK1)

91 JackStraw, I got rid of it. I would have to tie it to the truck and pop the clutch to start it.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 26, 2026 06:47 PM (QwZKw)

92 I just looked up the new miata. They changed the front end a bit with the NDs so it does not look quite so mouth agape/small mouth bass. The rear is better than the NC too.

-you cannot get red exterior with brown interior. They have brown interior options, but it has to be white or light silver exterior color. So you hate Magnum, PI, eh Japan? You're losing points here.

-the retractable hard top is nifty, but the 'top down looks a lot like a T-top. Why not just make a T top with stowable inserts?

-also, top down, the car loses the big visibility advantage of a convertible with the top down as the way they have it set up is like the roll bar assembly lifts and the 'top' goes under it but it stays.

BTW, with all options, over $40k.

They did increase horsepower to 181 though (vs 126 in my NB.) Weight is the same as my old one at 2350ish to 2500 (depending on trim.) I bet you feel those 55 extra hp if weight stays the same...

Fuck.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 06:48 PM (zZu0s)

93 >>Everybody and their brother does that drive. Yes it is scenic, but it's jampacked with tourists.

Thus the reason I said cruise.

The Hudson is a river. And it isn't just in NYC.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 06:48 PM (viF8m)

94 For the pipe smokers. If you like a navy flake, the best value I've found is Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake. You can find it on sale now and then for about fifty dollars a pound and it is an excellent blend. Compared to tin prices for navy flakes, that is a good deal. I usually get it a pound at a time.

Posted by: JTB at September 26, 2026 06:50 PM (yTvNw)

95 Fall drives?

Oh yes, fall foliage on the ground with clear cool skies and having to yield to little Fiats in the Foresta Umbra in the Gargano region of Italy. And I am driving a HUMVEE.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 26, 2026 06:50 PM (2GVsD)

96 Thus the reason I said cruise.

The Hudson is a river. And it isn't just in NYC.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 06:48 PM (viF8m)

Missed that completely being a landlubber that I am ...

Carry on !

Posted by: browndog says woof at September 26, 2026 06:50 PM (oCio0)

97 Haven't 3D printed anything since I finished the 2.5ft Galactus.

Mostly been working on the Proxmox vm stack for this new project.

Been getting deep into Netbox.

Broadcast and AV are transitioning completely to 2110 and essentially network based video at scale.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at September 26, 2026 06:50 PM (XV/Pl)

98 Ben Had

Son #1 has a couple of Stihl certifications he got while working at the hardware store. I wish we had known you were having trouble.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 26, 2026 06:51 PM (yEz+x)

99 Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 06:48 PM (zZu0s)

The Mazda 3 Turbo Hatchback is almost as much fun ...

I can't fit in a Miata, but the 3 fits me just fine.

Red with a Black interior ... would have like to have had a tan option, but the black will suffice, and it beats the hell out of a White interior.

Posted by: browndog says woof at September 26, 2026 06:53 PM (oCio0)

100 The Miata was great for that.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 06:36 PM (zZu0s)

Sat in one at the Mazda dealer when servicing the CX5. Can't afford one.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 06:53 PM (1Ff7Z)

101 Utah 12 and Utah 9 are two of my favorites (but haven't done either of them in the fall)!
Posted by: TRex - escalante dino at September 26, 2026 06:39 PM (XfIK1)

How far from St. George are they?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 06:55 PM (1Ff7Z)

102 nurse, it was a 16 inch saw and no problem for my 6'5 business partner. I just ran out of arm before the pull cord engaged.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 26, 2026 06:55 PM (QwZKw)

103 Gotta make supper. If I'm not back in time, thanks for the thread. Great scenic memories. Skyline Drive, small town in Maine in autumn, even the Mass. Pike when it still had trees to see. (Yeah, I'm old.)

Posted by: JTB at September 26, 2026 06:55 PM (yTvNw)

104 I did the Skyline once. It felt like hours and hours of blind curves.

Posted by: Are you sure about this sir? at September 26, 2026 06:55 PM (U/7CP)

105 MICHIGAN LOSES!

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 26, 2026 07:02 PM (yEz+x)

106 Sat in one at the Mazda dealer when servicing the CX5. Can't afford one.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 06:53 PM (1Ff7Z)

Its also hard on a 29 year old on long drives (like 4+ hours.) The Mustang, by contrast, has 300 more hp than my miata (and 1000 extra lbs weight) but is smooth on long drives. Also handles like crap by comparison.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 07:03 PM (zZu0s)

107 >>nurse, it was a 16 inch saw and no problem for my 6'5 business partner. I just ran out of arm before the pull cord engaged.

Pull with right arm. Push saw with left.

The trick is now how strong your right arm. It's how fast you can get the flywheel to turn.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 07:03 PM (viF8m)

108 Pull with right arm. Push saw with left.

The trick is now how strong your right arm. It's how fast you can get the flywheel to turn.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 07:03 PM (viF8m)

Imagine youre trying to push the saw into Hadan Piker with the left, and backhand Mamdani with the right. Push and Pull THROUGH...

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 07:05 PM (zZu0s)

109 Pretty sweet, PabloD!

I really like the solid-state Paraset vibe!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at September 26, 2026 07:07 PM (VyBeY)

110
At the Big House, Iowa throws a TD pass as time expires to defeat Michigan, 20-19.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 26, 2026 07:07 PM (eRlcH)

111 The cord was longer than my reach to engage the flywheel. I should have just cut half the cord off.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 26, 2026 07:08 PM (QwZKw)

112 Florida is just laying waste to Ole Miss.

I really hate the portal stuff but it has ended the era of annual college football powers.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 07:11 PM (viF8m)

113 Holy crap.

Michigan should be 2-2.

I hate those cheating bastards.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 26, 2026 07:11 PM (xOhpI)

114 Also handles like crap by comparison.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 07:03 PM (zZu0s)

I'd rather have a classic mustang. Can't afford one of those either.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 07:13 PM (1Ff7Z)

115 OT

Iowa ripped Michigan's heart out in the Big House!

LOL!!! SUCK IT MICHIGAN!!

(back to your regularly scheduled programming)

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 26, 2026 07:13 PM (PGK1w)

116 JS
I also despise what college football has become.

But. I will always have a burning hatred for Oregon. And Michigan.

Notre Dame can just fuck off.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 26, 2026 07:13 PM (xOhpI)

117 My cousin owned a Miata for about a year in the mid-90s.
He took me for a ride in it a few times.

They looked cool back then, and are fun sports cars, but I finally understood what it was like to ride a rough road in a horse-drawn buggy afterwards.

That's the worst thing about most little cars.
You can feel every bump in the road.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 26, 2026 07:14 PM (6ydKt)

118 Sock - yep, it's definitely an homage to the Paraset. I've never messed with a regen receiver before, so getting it (literally) dialed in will be a new achievement to unlock.

Posted by: PabloD at September 26, 2026 07:15 PM (OXSZa)

119 As a kid, we occasionally went on scenic drives.

Being a kid, I foolishly usually had my nose in a book I snuck into the car.

Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click!) at September 26, 2026 07:16 PM (aJQbY)

120 My brother had a Sprite. I got to ride in the trunk.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 26, 2026 07:16 PM (QwZKw)

121 That's the worst thing about most little cars.
You can feel every bump in the road.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 26, 2026 07:14 PM (6ydKt)

They're remarkably good in snow. Less mass.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 07:17 PM (zZu0s)

122 No mention of US 395?

Eastern bias.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at September 26, 2026 07:18 PM (36x1j)

123 The Allegheny region gets overlooked, and yet it has great history (the beginning of the time of OIL in America). Put yourself behind the wheel of a nice two seater and enjoy without all the masses on the roads.
Posted by: browndog says woof

US Rt 40 through Pennsylvania. Lots of history and the Laurel Highlands are beautiful in anytime of year but especially in the Fall.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 26, 2026 07:18 PM (PGK1w)

124 47 Screw you tankascribe
Posted by: couple posing for painting at September 26, 2026 06:16 PM (KC5Lt)

LOL! The worst thing was, the woman didn't come right out and ask me herself (she has my contact info), but managed to get my friend to ask on her behalf. Which put my friend in the hot seat, something which I did not appreciate. So even if I had wanted to paint her portrait with her husband, I would have turned her down because of the way she treated my friend. Pretty nervy! Plus as I generally give my portraits away to the subjects, she probably also expected to get it for free, to boot!

Posted by: tankascribe at September 26, 2026 07:19 PM (NtoJk)

125 Had a 1972 Mustang, car did move, 3 trucks after that hardly remember it, was comfortable.

Posted by: Skip at September 26, 2026 07:20 PM (Ia/+0)

126 Speaking of T-Rexes...

Using tiny remains of T. rex tooth enamel found in modern-day Montana, scientists measured isotopes within the sample to estimate the dinosaur’s temperature . They found that T. rex likely ran at around 36 degrees Celsius—similar to the internal body temperature of modern-day humans.

https://tinyurl.com/353rthws
(scientificamerican.com)

Related:
https://youtu.be/nOQgm5MpY9U

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 26, 2026 07:20 PM (6ydKt)

127 No mention of US 395?

Eastern bias.
Posted by: no one of any consequence at September 26, 2026 07:18 PM (36x1j)

Bishop area? Drove it. Saw a dead bull on the side of the road. You could smell it for miles coming and going. Whew!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 07:21 PM (1Ff7Z)

128 Time to say thank you before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. As always, thanks for being here and playing along. Shout out to the lurkers!

Let's do it again next week, but with a different theme.

You're welcome to hang here for a while (especially if movies aren't your thing) but make sure to stop by Club ONT later.

Posted by: TRex - roadside attraction dino at September 26, 2026 07:21 PM (XfIK1)

129 It first gen Miatas were great. Light, sprightly. Then they added A/C, power windows, etc. to the cost of weight.

Find a 1990 Miata.

My son has a 95 Porche 911. Bumpy as all get out. Don't like the bumpy ride old man, get yourself a Buick.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at September 26, 2026 07:22 PM (36x1j)

130 Picked up a very used mountain bike someone was throwing out. Rusty chain and derailleur gears, front (disc) brake cable rotted and broken, BUT the tires appear to hold air. Sprayed and wiped the chain, springs, and gears with WD 40. After I replace the brake cable, I should have a serviceable bike for library/grocery/work runs.

Been a while since I wrenched on a bike. Might turn into another hobby. Yay...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at September 26, 2026 07:22 PM (08OqX)

131 They're remarkably good in snow. Less mass.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 07:17 PM (zZu0s)

I wish we had snow more than once a decade in that case.
Especially when I was 15 and had a '74 SuperBeetle.

Sounds like it would've been fun (or deadly).

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 26, 2026 07:23 PM (6ydKt)

132 65 A great fall drive:

Rt 62 from Franklin Pa, thru Oil City to Tionesta, and up to Warren Pa ... and then onto Buffalo.

You trace the Allegheny River up through Warren Pa. Twists and Turns galore. From Warren Pa to Buffalo NY on Rt 62 is gorgeously hilly.

This drive is every bit the equal of any drive in the East. The Adirondacks, Green, or White Mountains have nothing on it ... and more than likely a third of the traffic during leaf peeping season.
Posted by: browndog says woof

Haven't been up there in years. Spent a bit of time in Warren in the 80s. Just north and east is Bradford, PA's ice bucket. It always has the coldest temps in the state.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 26, 2026 07:23 PM (PGK1w)

133 See You at the TXMoMe!

Posted by: Ben Had at September 26, 2026 07:23 PM (QwZKw)

134 Michigan 119 from Cross Village to Harbor Springs. Referred to as Tunnel of Trees because they've let the trees grow right up to the edge. It's very popular so, this time of year it's quite crowded. It's a nice drive along Lake Michigan though.

Posted by: MLCross at September 26, 2026 07:23 PM (kV8re)

135
And Justin Verlander pitched his final game today. His young daughter ran out to the mound to hug him. Can't imagine too many dry eyes at Comerica today.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 26, 2026 07:24 PM (eRlcH)

136 >>That's the worst thing about most little cars.
You can feel every bump in the road.

Also what made them so fun to drive. You can feel every little bump in the road.

My 914 had a small engine compared to modern cars. It was more fun to drive than just about any car I've ever driven. It was like driving a ridiculous fast go kart.

Not a great highway car but around town and the city boy howdy was it fun.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 07:24 PM (viF8m)

137 My son has a 95 Porche 911. Bumpy as all get out. Don't like the bumpy ride old man, get yourself a Buick.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at September 26, 2026 07:22 PM (36x1j)

Fine for short trips.
Long rides get uncomfortable after the 1000th time your get banged around.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 26, 2026 07:26 PM (6ydKt)

138 Axios is reporting that 60 million barrels of oil has passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 72 hours

Same as it ever was

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 26, 2026 07:27 PM (/+uur)

139 Regens are ... different ... but not terribly difficult; setting regeneration is fairly straightforward and then you can tune in a normal sort of way. Occasional tweaks if you need to squeeze out the last bit of RF gain, or to correct for interaction of the controls.
Lots of information out there on operating technique, both print and video.
I have built a few over the years, all vacuum tube types.

Looking forward to hearing more about it!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at September 26, 2026 07:27 PM (VyBeY)

140 I wish we had snow more than once a decade in that case.
Especially when I was 15 and had a '74 SuperBeetle.
Sounds like it would've been fun (or deadly).
Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 26, 2026 07:23 PM (6ydKt)
~~~~~

I had an old beetle years ago and loved driving it in the snow. Some weekends it was the only car that could make it up the mountain road on the way to Hunter.

Posted by: IrishEi?! at September 26, 2026 07:27 PM (3ImbR)

141 Wife had a turbo Miata they built about 800 via Mazdaspeed
It was great
Then a 2012

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 26, 2026 07:29 PM (/+uur)

142 I had a red Hyundai Tiburon for about five years.
I loved it, drove like a champ.

Worst riding car I've ever had but I still loved it.
Until it became harder and harder to get in and out of.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 26, 2026 07:30 PM (6ydKt)

143 I would love a Meyers Manx

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 26, 2026 07:30 PM (/+uur)

144 Yeah, roadfeel is a completely different beast in a proper car. Hard to even describe to you barge keepers.

The first miata I bought was wrecked (came through getting hit by a semi without a scratch on me.) The rental was a Chrysler 300. It is weird, I did not realize how much that car had changed my brain until I got behind the floaty wheel of that piece of shit.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 07:30 PM (zZu0s)

145 My 914 had a small engine compared to modern cars. It was more fun to drive than just about any car I've ever driven. It was like driving a ridiculous fast go kart.

Not a great highway car but around town and the city boy howdy was it fun.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 07:24 PM (viF8m)

I always wanted an orange one, like Rockford's attorney.

I want a '71 - '73 Mercury Capri too, but I'll never get one of those either.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 26, 2026 07:30 PM (1Ff7Z)

146 nood!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at September 26, 2026 07:31 PM (VyBeY)

147 In Utah, there is the Moki Dugway, which is a dirt road with lots of switchbacks and a few pullouts. The views are spectacular.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okkIkl3lTII

Posted by: huerfano at September 26, 2026 07:31 PM (2Xqig)

148 Wife had 2 Cobra Mustangs
94 great car
96 terrible car
It made about 100 HP at 3000 rpm and 400 at 4000

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 26, 2026 07:31 PM (/+uur)

149 TRex, Thank you for a fun thread.
See you soon.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 26, 2026 07:32 PM (QwZKw)

150 It was great
Then a 2012
Posted by: r hennigantx at September 26, 2026 07:29 PM (/+uur)

I did not like the NC bodystyle. The NB was meant to echo the RX-7 (i really want to drive one of those.) The NCs are supposed to be even better driving and feeling cars, I just did not like the bathtub look.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 26, 2026 07:32 PM (zZu0s)

151 I had a yellow 71 914. Bought it for $1000 and sold it for $1000. It was terribly rusty.

Posted by: fd at September 26, 2026 07:33 PM (MWfyi)

152 Haven't been up there in years. Spent a bit of time in Warren in the 80s. Just north and east is Bradford, PA's ice bucket. It always has the coldest temps in the state.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 26, 2026 07:23 PM (PGK1w)

Rt 219 is another great drive in the Allegheny region.

I can see it being a cold spot too.

Summertime was always two extremes: Cold, damp mornings ... followed by hot, humid afternoons.

Posted by: browndog says woof at September 26, 2026 07:34 PM (oCio0)

153 "Fine for short trips.
Long rides get uncomfortable after the 1000th time your get banged around."

Why I love, love, love my Sienna.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at September 26, 2026 07:35 PM (36x1j)

154 Dated a grill in high school whose dad had a Triumph Stag. And he let me drive it. Man had more money than sense.

Now that was great car.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 07:37 PM (viF8m)

155 153 *fistbump!*

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at September 26, 2026 07:37 PM (VyBeY)

156 I had an old beetle years ago and loved driving it in the snow. Some weekends it was the only car that could make it up the mountain road on the way to Hunter.

Posted by: IrishEi?! at September 26, 2026 07:27 PM (3ImbR)

I drove mine into the ground.
It wasn't in the greatest shape to being with, had floorpan rust issues. But she was my baby.

Only had it for a little over a year before it conked out, but I did at least learn to drive a stick from the beginning.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 26, 2026 07:37 PM (6ydKt)

157 Movies. Pfft.

The vault of Jerry Garcia live music is still being released. This one just dropped a couple days ago.

Lay Down Sally.

Shoreline Theatre, Mountain View, CA. 1993

If this doesn't make your feet move check your pulse.

https://tinyurl.com/muark36c

Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 07:44 PM (viF8m)

158
Been a while since I wrenched on a bike. Might turn into another hobby. Yay...
Posted by: Joe Kidd

Wd40 is not a lubricant, get some lithium grease instead.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 26, 2026 08:03 PM (NnhvP)

159 Lay Down Sally.
Shoreline Theatre, Mountain View, CA. 1993
If this doesn't make your feet move check your pulse.
https://tinyurl.com/muark36c
Posted by: JackStraw at September 26, 2026 07:44 PM (viF8m)
~~~~~

Whoever put those lyrics in the video was high. Or maybe Jerry was high and that's what he actually sang.

Posted by: IrishEi?! at September 26, 2026 08:04 PM (3ImbR)

160 I will hang out here until the ONT arrives. No interest in movies anymore.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 26, 2026 08:45 PM (peOdB)

161 Chuckanut Drive, going south from Bellingham, WA, along the shoreline of Puget Sounds is a nice scenic byway.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 26, 2026 08:50 PM (peOdB)

162 US 41 from Houghton to Copper Harbor Michigan, return via Brockway Mtn Drive.

Posted by: Hal Dall MD at September 26, 2026 08:51 PM (5eFk1)

163 Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 26, 2026 08:50 PM
***
There must be great scenic drives in the Canadian rockies, no?

Posted by: TRex - mountains of dino at September 26, 2026 08:53 PM (XfIK1)

164 Thanks everyone...I have a ton more roads to explore all over the country. So many roads, so little time...

Posted by: The Grateful - R at September 26, 2026 08:54 PM (XfIK1)

165 This is not really a hobby most people can do, but there is an Irish bloomery Iron festival that, of course, is to showcase how the Irish used to smelt bog-iron

And this is a video of it

youtu.be/8Wks7kIIIo0
Posted by: Kindltot at September 26, 2026 05:58 PM (rbvCR)

Somewhere, I have a few pounds of oolitic bog iron ore I collected out in the woods west of Manning, Alberta. And there is a well-documented occurrence near Spirit River, too. We have metallurgical coal, too.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 26, 2026 08:58 PM (peOdB)

166 51 New tool called 'breaker bar ratchet' turns your breaker bar into a ratchet. Recently seen on the Toob, this ratchet is connected to a battery powered drill 1/2" drive and used to start small hp gasoline engines; lawn mowers and boat motors.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 26, 2026 06:46 PM (VPNgR)

In order to spin the crankshaft, you have to be able to get to it. Most small power equipment has the crankshaft shrouded, for obvious reasons.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 26, 2026 09:06 PM (peOdB)

167 I would love a Meyers Manx
Posted by: r hennigantx at September 26, 2026 07:30 PM (/+uur)

I am in-process on the build of a Meyers Manx clone, on a '61 Beetle platform, shortened, of course.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 26, 2026 09:12 PM (peOdB)

168 There must be great scenic drives in the Canadian rockies, no?
Posted by: TRex - mountains of dino at September 26, 2026 08:53 PM (XfIK1)

Well, any road in the high mountains is automatically scenic. But there are not many roads.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 26, 2026 09:15 PM (peOdB)

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