Holidays With Grandpa Page 4

Holidays with Grandpa  

During the mid summer of 1995, me, my brother Ed, and Grandpa took a road to Chattanooga Tennessee. 

Ruby Falls Brochure, Quasi Interesting

 

The Chattanooga Tennessee Road Trip

It was the summer of 1995,  my grandfather was not sleeping very well and got tired very quick.  I had to make several stops during this road trip including an overnight stop in Wapakoneta, Ohio.  

When I got to Chattanooga Tennessee, I did not stay at the same hotel for the entire duration of the trip.  Each day I had to pack up and change motels.  Each day we did some driving around Lookout Mountain and I remember stopping at a cave opening on Route US hwy 72 for a few minutes to for a quick pit stop.  Me and my brother went inside the opening and there was not much to see inside.  Most of sight seeing was primarly driving from place to place.  due to my grandfather's lack of sleep, we did not get visit the key attaractions, Ruby Falls and Rock City.

Kings Lodge Post Card. A former motel on East Ridge

After checking into the Kings Lodge and doing a load of laundry,  I wanted to go for an afternoon drive through the Bachman Tunnel.  After going through the tunnel, I stopped at a K-Mart store and discovered a crazy playground.  This playground features a castle like play structure with swings and slides.  

Pioneer Frontier Park, a fancy playground in Chattanooga Tennessee

 

 

After playing for 20 minutes, my grandfather honks the horn to call me back to the truck as it's time to go.  As we were leaving the park, my grandfather said "That's the best playground yet!"  We returned to the motel via the Bachman Tunnel and called it a day.

The Drive Home

The decision was made that we decided to go home because my grandfather has not been sleeping well.  Once on the highway, I realized I forgotten my sleeping bag at the motel.  My grandfather was willing to take me back to the motel and retrieve my sleeping bag from the room.  I had to make several pit stops along the way because my grandfather gotten tired.  One of the stops included an overnight stop in Wapakoneta, Ohio at some random motel off Interstate 75.  

 

The Infinity Tunnel, Neil Armstrong Museum, Dayton Daily News

The next morning, my grandfather took me to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum.  I remember the infinity tunnel between the Metorite Exhibit and the Astro Theatre.  I was intrigued because of all the lights and the infinite reflection.  

 

Michigan Hwy 10 has two tunnels. Alps Roads

 

 This Highway takes you to the Tunnel to Canada.  Missed  out on cheap gas! Alps Roads

 

After visiting the museum, it was time to hit the highway and head back to Canada.  I wanted to take the Tunnel back to Canada.  The highway I took my grandfather on in Detroit MI had a couple of short tunnels.  Taking that highway made us miss the gas station and liquor store   My grandfather wanted to get gas since it was cheaper in the USA.  After a few more stops,  We made it back home.

Conclusion

This was my last major road trip into the USA with my grandfather before getting a truck camper.  I have made a few more shot trips into Niagara Falls, NY

Page Index

Holidays With Grandpa Page 1, 1986 - 1991

Holidays With Grandpa Page 2, 1991 - 1992

Holidays With Grandpa Page 3, 1992 - 1995

Return to Phil's Adventures and Holidays

Photo References

 

Highway Tunnel on M-10, Alps Roads, https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/mi/m-10/

Pioneer Frontier Park, East Ridge News Online, https://www.eastridgenewsonline.com/town-center-proposed-mcbrien-site/

The Infinity Tunnel, Neil Armstrong Museum, Dayton Daily News, https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/wapakoneta-museum-celebrates-neil-armstrong-most-famous-trip/qSOdRR3pfmvlLJZOgrHMMP/ 

Ruby Falls Brochure, Quasi Interesting, http://quasi-interestingparaphernaliainc.blogspot.com/2008/02/ruby-falls-brochure.html

 

Hut! The Myrtle Beach, SC Story

Hut!  The Myrtle Beach Story

In 1989,  I wanted to go to Myrtle Beach for March Break.  In the weeks leading up to March Break, Mrs Booth gave me a travel brochure for Ocean Park Resort  In 1989, my relatives took me to Niagara falls for two nights.

When I returned from school after March Break, Mrs Booth brought her photo album from her trip to Myrtle Beach,  there were tones of pictures including the tunnels.  When I saw the tunnel picture for the first time, I thought it was an alternate route to Niagara Falls.

In the late fall or early winter of 1989, My grandfather asked me where would I like to go for March Break, I said, Myrtle Beach.  He said OK.  I was so happy to take the trip.  I saw many bridges including the Burlington Skyway, the Peace Bridge, and other great bridges I never crossed.  I Passed through the East River Mountain and Big Walker Mountain Tunnels.

In Myrtle Beach, my grandfather took me to a railway track that is not too far from Intercoastel Waterway Drawbridge

Intercoastal Waterway Drawbridge, Bridgehunter.com,
https://bridgehunter.com/sc/horry/bh42594/

My grandfather took a picture of me beside the Railway crossing gate.  I climbed onto an ACL locomotive while my grandfather shot the picture.

Hut!

Hotels I have Stayed in Page II

Holidays with Grandpa Page II

In the Previous page of Hotels I stayed in, I stayed at Michaels Inn, Parkway INN, and many more.  In 1991 - 1995, I have stayed at hotels like the Red Roof Inn, Days Inn, Microtel, etc.

Drew's Esquire Motel

In 1991, my Grandfather took me to this motel twice.  This motel is located on Niagara Falls Blvd, in North Tonawanda, NY. I was very lucky because we got room #7 both times.  Inside the room, there were a pair of tickets that read" Free, To Heaven" on the top line.  This motel had an outdoor pool and the Wheatfield Animal Hospital is a short drive west of the motel.  On the second stay at this motel, my Grandfather picked up Mega Man 3 at K Mart.

Red Roof Inn, Dearborn MI

Red Roof Inn Sign

This is the second Red Roof Inn I stayed at with my Grandfather.  During this trip, My grandfather took me to Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum.  In the Henry Ford Museum, there was an interesting chair that looked like a Dental Chair.  During this trip, I went for an elevator ride in a nearby department store.

Days Inn, Dayton OH

In July 1991, My grandfather took me on a roadtrip to Ohio and we landed at this Days Inn in the north end of Dayton Ohio.  The hotel is located off I 75.  During the stay at this hotel, I went to the US National Air Force Museum for the day.  In the evening, my grandfather took me north on I 75 to Tip City and Troy to do some shopping.  In Troy, OH, My grandfather took me to a Wal-Mart and I looked at some movies in the electronics section.  I found the movie Total Recall, a movie I dread to watch.  I looked at the left side of the video cover and my stomach cringed because of this picture below.

A freaky picture on the left side of the Total Recall VHS

After staying at the Days INN in Ohio, My grandfather took me to the Ohio Caverns.  The Ohio Caverns was my first cave trip I took with my grandfather.

Knights INN

Following the trip to Ohio Caverns, we stayed one more night in the USA at a Knight Inn in the north end of Detroit MI.  The hotel room featured fancy stained wood ceiling beams.  In this hotel room, I watched a Super Mario Bros 3 cartoon and Captian N for the first time.

Microtel INN, WIlliamsville, NY

In January 1992, my Grandfather took me to the Microtel in Cheektowaga, NY.  This hotel was quite unique with a bunk bed on the window sill.  The television in the hotel room was suspended from the ceiling by the window.  When I stayed in this hotel for the first time, I left behind a copy of Nintendo Power Magazine, Vol 32 in the room before returning to Canada. 

Family INN, Knoxville, TN

In March, 1992, My Grandfather stopped for the night at the Family Inn in Knoxville, TN  This was a standard  room with two beds and a bath.  There was not much to say about it.

Condo Rental, Orlando FL

In March, 1992, My Grandfather took me to Florida for March Break.  I was looking forward to this trip because I wanted to see Nickelodeon Studios at Universal Studios Florida.  I stayed for a week in a Condo that features a full kitchen, and two bedrooms.  The advantage of this place was that I did not have to worry about sleeping with the TV on.  The Condo rental was located off of Route 441 south of Interstate 4.  I visited places like the Florida Mall, Gatorland, and the Kennedy Space Centre.  Overall, this was the best place I ever stayed with my Grandfather.

Conclusion,

In 1992 - 1995, I stayed in the Summit Motor Inn, Lockport Inn, and the usual hotels during a typical trip to Niagara Falls, NY.  In March, 1993, I took one more trip to Myrtle Beach, SC and in July 1995, I took a trip to Chattanooga TN to see Ruby Falls and did lots of driving around.  These stories will be coming soon.

Keep your Ears to the Tracks

Page Index

Holidays With Grandpa Page 1, 1986 - 1991

Holidays With Grandpa Page 3, 1992- 1995

Holidays With Grandpa Page 4, The Chattanooga Road Trip 

Return to Phil's Adventures and Holidays

The Toys I played With Part II

There are so many toys that I had since Kindergarten and I had them right through to teen hood.  I had many fond memories of these toys.  I got many as a birthday or Christmas present.

Fisher Price Play Family Farm

Fisher Price Play Family Farm

This is the famous barn that says Moo! when you open and close the left hand door of the barn.  This was one my favorite toys because of the Moo door.  I bugged my brother with it and he dunked the barn into the bathtub and it stopped mooing for a week.

Rock-a-by-Baby Teddy Bear

This is a white stuffed teddy bear with a music box inside that played Rock-a-by-Baby.  I had this teddy bear for at least 10 years

 LEGO

Lego is one of my favorite building blocks.  I built many things like bridges, castles, and much more.  I was very creative with Lego.

Blue-Box Truck/Car Wash

December 25, 1988, I got a car wash for Christmas.  This car wash featured water jets, converbelt, and a blue roof.  This car wash operated with levers. The red lever ran the belt and the blue lever ran the water jets.

I asked for a car wash for Christmas 1988 and there were two car washes I wanted. The first car wash I saw featured a mitter curtian on the box and in the Sears Catalogue

Gas Can Mountain Service

Gas Can Mountain Service was a Micro Machines gas station that featured two tunnels and an elevator.  When the toy is closed.  The gas can is placed on its side and the sides open up forming the base and the top opens and revealing a scenic backdrop of a large river.  I got this on November 23, 1989 as a birthday present from my Grandfather.  I wanted this toy after finding it in a store flyer.

Micro Machines City with Car Wash


On December 25, 1989, My Grandfather got me another car wash.  This car wash was included with one of the parts of the Micro Machines City sets.  This car wash that featured a hand crank convyerbelt, and a mitter curtian.  The crank on this car wash was very stiff to turn. 


Might Max  Escapes from Skull Dungeon

On Christmas, 1993, My Grandfather got me Skull Dungeon. I wanted this play set because I was into dungeons.  This playset is similar to Polly Pocket.  The facade featured a skull face with an opening mouth.  The interior featured Dr Frankenstein's Lab and a trap door.  On the skull face, there is a staircase and a working door and holding cell. Three figures were featured including Might Max, Dr Frankenstein (Dr Gore), and The Monster (Smasher).

The Toys I played With

The Toys of my Childhood

 

In Preschool - Grade V, There were many interesting toys that I had played with at home and at school. I went to Blue Hills Academy for Pre School and saw a wide variety of toys to play with during free play.  Play time was a very important time in school for development.  I played with wooden trains, doll houses, and other toys that catch my fancy.

Pre School / Kindergarten

Wooden Trains, 

 

 

Wooden Train Set

 

The wooden train set was one of my favourite toys in Pre School and Kindergarten.  I loved to lay the track across the floor and play with the trains.  I have been fascinated with trains all my life.

 

In 1988, I got an award for creating the longest wooden railway with Brio track.  The train pieces were magnetic and the track pieces were jig saw cut.  There was another wooden train in my kindergarten class that I played with too.  That wooden train connectors were different to the one in the Pre school classroom

Fisher Price Play Family House

The Play Family house was one of the first toys I saw in the Pre School Classroom.  The facade of the house features stone, wood and stucco. 

Fisher Price Play Family Action Garage,

Fisher Price Action Garage, This Old Toy

I remember the day that I got the Action Garage at a garage sale in 1987.  The elevator had a bell that chimes when you turn the crank on the side of the elevator shaft.  The elevator will carry one car at a time.  When the elevator is at the top, the elevator floor will slant and send the car down the ramp.  I thought the ramp was a slide when I saw a car roll down.


Fisher Price Play Family Castle

 

The Little People Castle, This Old Toy

The Play Family Castle was one my favorite toys of Pre School.  The castle features a movable drawbridge and a curved staircase.  The figures featured includes a pink dragon, king, queen, and knights.

Fisher Price Play Family Village,

The Play Family Village features a Fire House, Police Station with a jail cell, Barber Shop and a phone booth.  I played with this toy in either in Pre School or Kindergarten.  

Fisher Price Children Hospital

I played with this toy at the Mt Albert Child Care Centre.  This toy features an elevator between the ground and the second floor.  I was fascinated with this toy because of the elevator and the sliding doors.

Fisher Price Play Family Westerm Town

Fisher Price Western Town, This Old Toy

 
This toy fascinated me because it had a moving walkway and a trap door.  This is the second toy with a trap door. 

I will be adding more toys on a new page.  Keep your ears to the Tracks.

Resource Section:

This Old Toy, Play Family House picture, http://www.thisoldtoy.com/new-images/images-ok/900-999/FP952EB583755842-C.JPG

This Old Toy, Play Family Castle, http://www.thisoldtoy.com/L_FP_Set/toy-pages/900-999/993-castle.html

This Old Toy, Play Family Village, http://www.thisoldtoy.com/L_FP_Set/toy-pages/900-999/997-playfamilyvillage.html


This Old Toy, Childern's Hospital, http://www.thisoldtoy.com/L_FP_Set/toy-pages/900-999/931-playfmchildrenhospital.html

This Old Toy, Play Family Western Town, http://www.thisoldtoy.com/L_FP_Set/toy-pages/900-999/934-westerntown.html

This Old Toy, Play Family Action Garage, http://www.thisoldtoy.com/L_FP_Set/toy-pages/900-999/930-playfamilyactiongarage.html