In this thread I would like to keep you up to date what happens during our trip down the East Coast. Of course I (also) look out for cars I don't see often at home: Buick Lacrosse (not bad!), the new Dodge Charger (where are the muscles?), elder Mustangs (fantastic!), Mercedes SL Pagode (I've seen severals!), and this guy you see below. His car went to pieces and still runs!
Good lord!
Today: Washington (does someone plans to go down south via I 95 south?Forget it! You will suffocate in traffic). Tomorrow: from Virginia to Myrtle Beach. 385 mls, the rental car has A/C, so don't worry.

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T. Link
Germany
1971 240z (HLS30-16506)

That is one overloaded pickup truck!

I'm glad your family got to see Washington DC, but I watched the Weather Channel today and your weather there was nicht zu gut. Washington always has the worst weather in the country. Everyplace you go now will be better.

The East Coast now will give you wonderful beaches to rest at, where you will meet some very happy Americans on vacation. Both Carolinas have wonderful swimming beaches along their entire coastline, with many tourist attractions to see.

If you drive through Wilmington, NC, you can stop and see the Battleship (Kampfschiff) U.S.S. North Carolina. It is a good way to spend a few hours.

It is a good idea to let us know where you are each day ~ most of us are stuck here and can't take vacation yet!

Thor,

Nice to meet you and your family on Wednesday. I look forward to your daily eastcoast trip updates here.

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Keith Hultmark
2009 370Z Touring - Sold (5 years owned)
1993 300ZX - Sold (5 years owned)
1976 Porsche 912E. #163 of 2200 - SOLD (3 years owned)
2018 BMW 330i GT xdrive daily driver
2004 BMW Z4 3.0i ….it is a Z

Please keep us posted on your progress and experiences! It's refreshing to hear from someone else's perspective as they tour the US and besides we all could use a virtual vacation!

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Phil
1981 280zxt - Now in the care my son!
2014 370Z Sports Touring Roadster

Next stage: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Wonderful countryside, lot of space, thunderstorms, 95 'F, accidental meetings...

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T. Link
Germany
1971 240z (HLS30-16506)

Another good reason for Thor to keep showing us what they see, is to remind us all what is important about our own country.

This is America, seen thru the eyes of others. We take it for granted that we can hop in the car and drive 3,000 miles any time we want to. We should also stop to think how wonderful that must feel to someone who lives in another country, where passports must be shown at every boarder and (in some countries), permission must be obtained after you have shown JUSTIFICATION for wanting to go someplace.

The rigors of long-distance travel are very small concerns, really. The important thought is that we MAY travel if we wish, whenever we wish, as far as we wish.

It makes me thankful to live here.

Have fun, Thor! It really is a beautiful country.

(Do we really want to ask about the 'accidental meetings?'
Nobody hurt, I hope )

That's usally a Toyota truck issue, but looks like a Ford from the pic. Well do enjoy the Sea food bars while in Myrtle beach, and my cousin is on the law enforcment there in MB, so try and and stay out of trouble. His brother runs one of the McDonalds down there if your in a mood for a burger & shake. Enjoy.

Thor called me today while we were at the CART-CT AutoCross in Bristol What a perfect time to call ~ many of us were there today and Thor was spoken about several times.

He said he was laying on a beautiful beach in SC, the weather was perfect, and everyone was fine. He sounded happy and relaxed.

The closest person standing near me was Rick Morgan, so I passed the phone to him and they chatted for a minute.

It was great to hear from him and to know he and his family are having a good time. They have called Carl Beck in Florida and told Carl when to expect them there.

It is so wonderful that Thor chose to spend his vacation here in America, surrounded by Z cars! I hope he tells all his friends in Germany about us.

Have a safe and happy day, Family Link!

North Carolina, South Carolina - one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Much green, lot of space, beautiful houses, and a lot of classics in the garages. Myrtle beach, calm, not overcrowded, beautiful, huge waves. Savannah (place of the next Z convention): unusual, unique, wonderful historic downtown, lots of green squares, lot of woods, cobblestones and the bench where Tom Hanks told his story about Forrest Gump.

On the way to Georgia I stopped at a giant junkyard: rotten US car history (what a finish for a Corvette), wonderful subjects and a beautiful 300 ZX with a pondering silence.

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T. Link
Germany
1971 240z (HLS30-16506)

HAHA! You are spending this vacation EXACTLY as I would! I love old junkyards! Wonderful dreams in each one

I see Savannah's RIVER WALK! I haven't been there in years! I have such happy memories of weekend liberty there, during my days in the Marine Corps.

There was an interesting Civil War museum in the block of buildings just out of the picture on your right. It is not down by the water, but up the hill on the street.

Further to the right, at the end of the street (where it turns), there was an old cafe where Edward Teach (BLACKBEARD, the pirate) stayed each time he harbored in Savannah. He had a girlfriend who worked there (maybe the owner's daughter? I forget) and he made some small history in that tavern.

Savannah is filled with many small parks, called squares. Each one has a fountain or monument in it. Some have iron fences around them. It's nearly impossible to drive a straight line on any street; there is a square at every corner which you must drive around to proceed.

During the American Revolution, French general LaFayette came to America to help General Washington fight the British. Washington and LaFayette met for the first time in a private home in Savannah, overlooking an unusually large square. The people of Savannah gathered in that square and Washington and LaFayette stepped out onto the balcony and spoke to them. The house (and a plaque) should still be there.

Coming from Germany, whose history dates back a thousand years, such an event only 234 years old might not sound like much. But to us Americans, this was big stuff!

The Live Oak trees in Georgia should be hanging in Spanish Moss this time of the year. Big trees grow on each side of the roads, forming a cathedral canopy overhead. A wonderful memory of the South.

I envy you, Thor. You are seeing a beautiful part of America. I would even endure the heat and rain to see it again.

Frank

Thor, I am thoroughly enjoying your comments as you travel America. What interesting sites you are taking note of! Thank you for bringing to our attention what we have been blind to for years.

It was great meeting you and Max in Nashville, albeit briefly. I hope you continue to enjoy your visit and I hope our paths cross again soon.

Enjoy!

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Thor,
Please keep the updates and pictures coming. Many of us fortunate to live in this country do not have the opportunity to travel that often. Your periodic updates and pictures are extrmeely interesting. Can't believe your wife allows stops at junkyards - even mine draws the line at that. Keep the postings coming!!!

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Ross Williams
1978 280Z Black Pearl Edition 38k Original Miles

You never really start to appreciate the Country 'til someone who's not from it starts doing it for you.

The only way Thor would have enjoyed this trip better is if we had all caravanned along with him!

He called us today to say he has safely arrived in Jacksonville FL. He will spend two days there (while they celebrate Louisa's birthday), then head toward the St Pete area.

They will stop in Ocala, where Thor's 240Z was first sold in 1970, and take some pictures of his car's 'birth place'. I spoke with Ocala Nissan today and they are expecting him. They are happy to welcome him and see the pictures of his totally restored Dec/70 240Z.

I also contacted the first owner of Thor's Z, who still lives in that area, but he is not available to meet Thor.

I just remembered that Disney World is someplace down there, and that Thor has a van full of kids. I don't remember where it is (Orlando?) but anyone who has been there might say a few words about it. He should be running out of money any day now , so maybe we shouldn't suggest it?

Frank

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1970 240Z

Wow...Ocala Fl..blowed up an engine real good there in lil red on a road trip back in 1990. Still have pics of the holes in the pistons somewhere. The local Nissan dealer found & installed a boneyard engine for $1400 while I holed up at the Shangri-La motel for a few daze...not a lot to do there...