Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 1187

We began our 6-week road trip today on 07-07-07 .

I bought a Sony GPS-CS1 so I could geographically tag my photos and keep track of our progress on Google Maps.

Here is Day 1: http://istargazer.blogspot.com/2007...oza-begins.html

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Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

Last edited by Stargazer on 07-11-2007 at 07:14 AM

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Day 2: Spokane to Billings

Apparently they got a litte rain last night in Billings, MT....



The ducks seemed to like it !

EDIT: Let me explain that picture.

They had heavy rains the night before in Billings that caused flash floods in many areas. It hadn't rained like that before (according to the hotel staff) and the hotel was completely surrounded by water--just like a moat! I circled around several times trying to get across but all the roadways were flooded. According to the front desk person, the water in that picture above was knee deep.

We canceled our reservations and found a Holiday Inn 9 miles down the road instead.

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

Last edited by Stargazer on 07-17-2007 at 05:27 AM

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Today's drive (day 4) was the most straight and boring... except for watching the severe thunderstorms rolling across the prairies (reports of baseball-sized hail last night and super windy today) and stopping at the "World's Largest" attractions .

Here's a couple more pics from today (click for full-size):

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

Last edited by Stargazer on 07-18-2007 at 05:59 AM

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Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 304

Wow, now that's a road trip! 6 weeks!
Looks like you are planning to come down through Wisconsin?
If so, give a wave as you go through Madison, I'll keep an eye out for a black Ody with an evil-looking hitch cover!

(You'll hit toll roads when you get into Illinois border, FYI, be prepared for that)

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quote:

---

Originally posted by WI06EX
Wow, now that's a road trip! 6 weeks!
Looks like you are planning to come down through Wisconsin?
If so, give a wave as you go through Madison, I'll keep an eye out for a black Ody with an evil-looking hitch cover!

(You'll hit toll roads when you get into Illinois border, FYI, be prepared for that)

---

One thing of the things I discovered so far on this trip is http://www.jacklinks.com/ They sell them at every gas station and rest stop we've been too--I don't recall ever seeing them in Canada. I love 'em! My wife and kids like them, too, and I noticed that they're located in Wisconsin .

The thought crossed my mind that maybe on our way through I could punch their address into the NAV system and detour for a quick snap shot .

We were through this area a couple of years ago and discovered all the tolls then! Wow, there's lots. My wife has been collecting change to get ready . I do have to say that I like the Oasis's they have on the highways.

We're in Thunder Bay, ON for a couple of weeks so it will give me time to update my photos and GPS data logs. We'll be turning south to DC towards the end of the month. One of my goals is to visit the Kwik-E-Mart in Chicago for some pictures .

The only Kwik-E-Mart in Canada was put not too far from where I live and I was there for the ribbon cutting :

http://istargazer.blogspot.com/2007...-in-canada.html

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

Last edited by Stargazer on 07-12-2007 at 05:46 PM

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Registered: Feb 2002
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I finally was able to catch up on some photos and put Day 3: Billings to Dickinson together.

We visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park and got close to some bison as they crossed the road:

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

Last edited by Stargazer on 07-14-2007 at 04:57 AM

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 1187

Day 5: Detroit Lakes to Thunder Bay

Here's the fuel consumption data for the first part of our road trip:

http://istargazer.ca/odyssey/road-trip-07.htm

Total distance: 3472.2 km (2157.5 miles)

Average speed: 99 km/h (61.5 mph)

Total fuel: 372.3 Liters (98.4 gallons)

Total cost: $331.26

Average MPG: 21.9
Best MPG: 24.1

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

Last edited by Stargazer on 07-17-2007 at 05:25 AM

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 1187

I got the van washed and detailed today at a shop in Thunder Bay that I found in the phone book. I really needed to get the bugs cleaned off because I didn't get a chance to put a fresh coat of wax before we left on our trip. This is somewhere in North Dakota:



It felt good to get all the bugs off. They use Autoglym products and did a great job on making the black paint look awesome again. They even touched up a rock chip I had. Now the paint surface feels as smooth as silk!

Unfortunately, bugs are unavoidable here, so I had to whip out my bottle of Meguiars Quik-Detailer and clean up after the drive home. I did have time to take some pictures in front of an old closed-down restaurant. This place has been closed for a long time--it was just like this two years ago when we last visited. It looks like it's from a time long past....

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

Last edited by Stargazer on 07-21-2007 at 12:44 AM

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Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 254

Very nice! Looking forward for more pictures/stories!

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05' Oddy EX : Ocean Mist Metallic
- Cross bars, SportRack bicycle rack
- Form Fit hood deflector
- Front Window Tint

04' Acura TSX: Nighthawk Black Pearl
-Rear spoiler
-35% tint

01' Accord LX-G : SOLD

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Registered: Feb 2002
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Posts: 1187

Thank you!



I've taken lots of photos while we've been here in Thunder Bay. The one above is from Kakabeka Falls--"Niagara of the North." You can find most of the pictures here on my Flickr Map. However, not all of them are geotagged, so check here for my complete Thunder Bay set. I've got lots more to add (the most recent ones) and I'll do that as soon as possible.

We spent a wonderful afternoon yesterday enjoying the hospitality of some family friends who own a beautiful lake-shore camp. The girls had a blast cooling off in the water and it was the perfect way to end our time here in Thunder Bay.

Tomorrow we will be leaving TB and heading back on the road south to continue our trip to Washington, D.C. Our next stop: Wisconsin!

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

Last edited by Stargazer on 10-05-2007 at 10:14 AM

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Registered: Feb 2002
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We ended our lay-over in Thunder Bay today and continued our road trip to Washington, D.C. Two years ago we did this leg of the trip in one night and got to Indiana before we stopped for the night.

This time we took it easy: we left late and stopped early in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, about an hour south of Eau Claire. Last time, Eau Claire made such an impression on me because the highway suddenly disappeared and a large town suddenly popped up. I had never heard of "Eau Claire" before and having to drive through it I thought it was very quaint and wholesome. We even stopped for some ice cream cones at the time. I remember it well, because it was my great idea to take the cones outside so the kids could enjoy the sunshine--and consequently watch their ice cream drip like leaking faucets in the 30° C heat.

This time, however, we drove on a newly completed expressway and it cut a swath right through Eau Claire. We must have saved 15-20 minutes of driving time.

Kind of sad, really.

quote:

---

Day's Summary: Thunder Bay to Black River Falls, WI
Total distance traveled: 635.5 km
Estimated travel time (GPS): 7 hours, 11 min.
Total elapsed driving time: 6 hours, 40 min.
Average fuel consumption: 10.5 L/100 km
Average speed: n/a
Highest observed outside temp: 32° C
Number of confirmed V1 bogies: 2

---

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

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Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 304

Nice updates, I like the motorcycle picture! Black River Falls is a nice area, I've been up to Eau Claire and back many times.

If you are going through the Chicago area, you'll be close to Honda of Lisle, where myself and many other Odyclub members bought their Odysseys (see Preferred Vendors section of the forums).

You should have planned some time in Wisconsin Dells, there are some of the best waterparks in the country, a true kids paradise (it's the waterpark capital of the world! )
http://www.wisdells.com

Keep posting your progress, very interesting!

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Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 254

Very nice! We will be heading down to Washington D.C. this upcoming long weekend! But ours is only a 9 hour drive But not as fun as yours.

__________________
05' Oddy EX : Ocean Mist Metallic
- Cross bars, SportRack bicycle rack
- Form Fit hood deflector
- Front Window Tint

04' Acura TSX: Nighthawk Black Pearl
-Rear spoiler
-35% tint

01' Accord LX-G : SOLD

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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quote:

---

Originally posted by WI06EX
If you are going through the Chicago area, you'll be close to Honda of Lisle, where myself and many other Odyclub members bought their Odysseys (see Preferred Vendors section of the forums).

---

I wish I saw your post earlier! When we reached DC I was at 10% and am due for Service B. I just a quick search on the forum and made an appointment at Sport Honda.

quote:

---

You should have planned some time in Wisconsin Dells, there are some of the best waterparks in the country, a true kids paradise (it's the waterpark capital of the world! )
http://www.wisdells.com

---

We'll definitely have to do that for next time. It's the second time we've been through the area and we always wondered what was in "Wis Dells" . It sounds like our kids would love it!

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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quote:

---

Originally posted by 2hondas
Very nice! We will be heading down to Washington D.C. this upcoming long weekend! But ours is only a 9 hour drive But not as fun as yours.

---

Will you be down here very long? We spent the weekend mostly running around and doing some shopping .

__________________
Stargazer's Garage ~ The 7-52 Daily STI ~ Fuel consumption data
2006 Touring (RES + NAV + Tow package) Black on Black - Canadian Spec: no PAX
~ Navigation Splash Screen Hack ~ Thule Crossbars w/Evolution cargo box ~ Hankook Ice Bear winter tires ~ Sirius Car Kit ~ Hard-wired Radar Detector ~ Pinnacle Ceramic Tint on 8 windows ~
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ~ COBB Stage 1 w/Launch Control
2005 Suzuki Burgman Type S

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