Rich and I are leaving at 7:45 AM, so we need to be getting out to the airport about 6:30 AM.  Meaning, I need to get up at 5:00 AM in order to pick up Rich & get to the airport on time. As a surprise, I've hired Mike & Executive Limo for the first leg of our journey.  Turns out Mike is a Johnny Burrito customer & came to get us personally.

6:30 AM the Friday after Thanksgiving, at USAir Gate 8 to Los Angeles.  Ready to go & pondering an upgrade to First Class.

Here's Kirby & Thunder the
"Service Dog".

Thunder is a unique dog that can sense when a seizure is building & can alert his owner.  This allows Kirby to get out & about with no worries.

Enjoying Bloody Marys in FIRST CLASS, baby !!!  A well spent $150 upgrade at the gate.

Here's Jared, a Charlotte fella, home for Thanksgiving.  Enjoying First Class with us on his way back to Hollywood as an actor on "Gilmore Girls".  Maybe I can do a bit of background work.

Sky view of the Grand Canyon...
We'll be down there in a few days !!!

The LAX Theme Building.  Inspiration for Jetson-style architecture.

First lunch at, of all places, a Denny's.  Ed was delayed returning from the mountains, so we walked to the nearest place.  I got Tilapia & I have to say, it was a good meal.

Rich enjoying the ol' cheeseburger.

A funny Homeland Security spoof sticker defacing the Denny's flip-over table topper.

Ed Swart arrives in his red Bitter SC.  This is the actual car that was used for the road tests in "Car & Driver" &
"Road & Track".

MOVIE...
Ed driving us back to his shop.

Ed with my new Bitter SC.  Back in the day, Ed was Bitter's West Coast distributor.

Counting out the cash.

Getting the keys.

Ed signing the Bitter SC title over to Johnny Bitter.

A treasure trove of the last reaming
original Bitter SC parts.

Ed has all sorts of neato Bitter automobilia.

My first seat time in the Bitter SC.  This is a 1985 model.  Body is # 574.  Not sure of the starting number, but only 498 were ever made.

MOVIE...
We are ready to begin "Der Bitter America Tour", later renamed "Der Bitter Tour, Across America".  My SC is equipped with a Getrag 5-speed gearbox, only 10% of SC's had the manual transmission.

Didn't take long for the first GSG (Gas Station Gawker).  Here's Matt, the Repo Man, asking, "are we driving a Maserati?"

MOVIE...
We've made it to
Hermosa Beach, California !!!

Super-wide beach !!!

Ahh,
the Pacific Ocean sunset...

Hector C. at The Malibu Motel, right across the street from the Pacific Ocean. 

First night dinner at the Chart House on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).

A top ten dinner at The Chart House.  Maybe the best Crab Cake ever.  Here, I'm enjoying the Snapper Hemingway, delicious.

Enjoying our FREE dessert compliments of Hector from
The Malibu Motel.

MOVIE...
GREAT outdoor fire pit.

Just Married...Veraty & Dellan.  They are from & are going to South Africa for the Honeymoon.  The whole wedding party was having a big time at
The Chart House.

Here's Jeff, our most excellent server at The Chart House.  Just a wonderful meal.  A place we'll come back to with our families.

"When the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard".  An odd sight on the Left Coast.

Johnny working on the web updates.  Room had an Ethernet connection.  We listened to 62 iPod songs today.

Hillside behind The Malibu Motel.  Nice upper patio with Pacific Ocean view.

Malibu surfers hopping the fence after their Saturday wave fun.

Ahh, the road to Vegas.  Now we see the nearly unbroken line of traffic coming from Vegas going to the coast for weekend.

Rich enjoying a ride through Death Valley in Der Bitter.

Our first neon...we immediately knew when we crossed into Nevada

Fun you can have by turning off the flash on the digital camera & seeing what happens.

Female Pharaoh fondling fun.

Our most excellent & spacious "Augustus" room at Caesars Palace.

Our Caesars room came with a great view of the Las Vegas Strip.

Rich trying to win a brand new Porsche Cayman S.  Sadly, he did not win.  Fortunately, we had not gambled the Bitter title away.

The front lobby at Caesars.  Looks great, but all smoke & mirrors kinda stuff.

Here's Carl, our super-nice Caesars bellman .

Big Horn Rams abound.

Old tram system used to move materials during construction of the massive dam.

Power lines coming up & out of the generating plant at the base of Hoover Dam.

Rich stands in front of the water intake towers used to turn the hydro-turbines & generate power for millions in the West.

Hoover Dam is also the border between Nevada & Arizona.

We finally arrive at Grand Canyon National Park & just make our dinner reservation at El Tovar Lodge.  We promptly ordered a round of Caucasians.

Rich chowing on the ol' lamb shank.

I think everyone can understand these universal graphics.  And no credit to the artist.

Sunrise at Mather Point.

Here's Phillip who took the previous snap.  He's got some family in the Charlotte area & will let them know about Johnny Burrito.  THANKS !!!

MOVIE...
Bitterly cold - TWO !!! degrees last night.  At toasty seven about this time of the morning.

We stayed at the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim.  Accommodation options abound with historic inns & modern motels.  My preference would be El Travor or the bungalows at Bright Angel Lodge.

We awoke before sunrise & made our way to Mather Point to see the colors of the canyon unfold as the morning progressed.

MOVIE...
The views are incredible. Have to bring the family back at some point.  You could easily spend a week here with all the history, vistas, trails, mule rides to Phantom Ranch & on & on.

Side view of the point that El Travor rests upon.  The hotel is named in honor of the first "explorer" to discover the GC in the 1800's.  Of course, Native Americans have known & lived here for centuries.

Mary Colter designed fireplace at Bright Angel Lodge.  The rocks are comprised & laid in the same strata as the canyon itself.  Neato.

Here's Chuck, yet another car enthusiast stumped by the BITTER name.  Nice fella that works as a limo driver for GC tours out of Phoenix.

Chuck wanted to check out all aspects of Der Bitter.  Here's a snap of the 3.9 liter, straight six that develops 210 horsepower with 236 ft. lbs. of torque.  Enough to power the 3344 lb. Bitter SC2 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds & take you all the way 143 mph if you wish.  Very respectable numbers for 1985.

Mary Colter lookout cabin.  She designed a half-dozen or so of the buildings around Grand Canyon National Park before that designation.  She was a forty-year employee of Fred Harvey who started tourism at the GC in the late 1890's.

Rich enjoying a close-up of some GC details.

Fun camera shot through one of the fifty-cent 170mm telescopes.

Here's, self-described, "BEAR" chested Shirley.  A real hoot of a lady working the GC souvenir concession.

Inside, the walls are decorated with traditional Hopi Indian designs.

A bird with its fish supper.

Clouds & sun.

A staircase to the top provides great views of the eastern edge of the
Grand Canyon.

Just beyond the canyon edge lies the flat desert & this perfect Mesa.

MOVIE...
Fearless deer roam all over the Grand Canyon National Park.

MOVIE...
Rich takes over ass we leave the Grand Canyon.  Sometime around 8 PM, we pass "Four Corners" - the state-boundry junction of Utah, Arizona, Colorado & New Mexico.

Here's Eich...a super Duderino (if you're not into the whole brevity thing) in Durango.  He's Pete's brother, a faithfull Johnny Burrito customer.  Eich extended a friendly hand to two weary travelers.  Thanks for entertaining us !!!

Here's our Monday racap.  We are just loving this little Garmin GPS.  From a map-fumbling point-of-view, it makes a cross-country trek a breeze.  Well worth the $700 price tag.  iPod count 69.

Historic Strater Hotel in Durango,
built 1896.

Johnny entering the Strater,
laptop in hand.  Got to keep these on-the-road internet updates coming.  You cannot believe the time involved in keeping this up on a daily basis.

Rich with unusual Strater room key.

Beautiful, fourth floor, corner room at the Strater.  Rich points out that every surface was wallpapered, including the ceiling. Superb job.

Yet another curious soul along the way...this time it's Renate, the Reservations Mgr. for the Strater.

We needed to put Herr Bitter on the rack after the deer incident.  Pat Murphy Motors is the local GM dealer.  As Opel was owned by GM in the 70's & 80's, many bolt-on parts are GM.

Here's Greg, Asst. Gen. Mgr. of the dealership.  He said the shop was at lunch, but would ask the Service Mgr. if he could help...

And here's Darrell, Service Mrgr. at Pat Murphy Mototrs.  He agreed to take a look.  All checked out OK & we were on our way.

Darrell was really great to take time out RIGHT NOW to look at Der Bitter.  And Pat Murphy Motors DID NOT CHARGE US !!!  When do you hear of that happening anymore ???  So, Johnny Burrito & Bitter t-shirts were gladly accepted as payment.

Oh no, back to Pat Murphy Motors...just a few minutes later, the ignition would not work.  Rich pushed started Der Bitter & we made our way back to Darrell.  Turns out some linkage in the '79 Camero steering column got hung up.  Darrell had us on the road in no time.  And again we were not charged !!!  There still are nice folks out there.

What's this ???  A POWER WAGON in the side view mirror !!!  Late start after all stops to check out Der Bitter denies us a proper "stop & chat", but I've got to have a better look...

Turns out to be Geno, a Colorado fella in his restored '61 WM300.  We rapid chatted at the light & turns out he knows Johnny Burrito from the Burrito Wagon section of this website.  Nice to have friends all over.

Sign spotting...Rich pay attention !!!

Horse crossing.

Love this sideways curvy sign.

Avalanche area, we are getting into the stuff now.

We have a couple 10,000+ foot passes to get over.

Wow, the Rockies are stunning !!!

MOVIE...
Der Bitter is hopefully enjoying a taste of the old country.

Great heat in the German Bitter.

The view, mile after mile...

Silverton, Colorado

Delicious Posole soup from Buen Tiempo restaurant in Ouray, CO,

We didn't make it to Boulder, stopped in Ouray.  With late start, early sunset, lack of guardrails, a bit of snow falling & Rich feeling poorly, we threw in the towel about 6:00p.  Only 36 iPod songs today.

The mighty Colorado river as we travel I-70 East, through stunning Glenwood Canyon on the way to Boulder.

Hmmm, conditions are deteriorating.  As we approached the pass, commercial vehicles were required to put on chains.  We would see long lines of 18-wheelers "chaining up".

Always like to see a tunnel in bad weather.

Here's Jeff, our Valet for the evening.  Great guy with big plans coming up.  But due to confidentiality, I can't reveal any details, yet.

And here's Shelly, our server for the evening.  Shelly did a fantastic job making two tired North Carolina boys comfortable.  Got us moved over to a window-side table with the fine view of Boulder & Denver off in the distance.

And finally, Chef Mark of Flagstaff House.  Super job in the kitchen !!!  I hope I don't have to wait another seventeen years to enjoy the cuisine again.

We have taken to calling our Garmin GPS, "Garmina".  Everyday, the device tells us how to get from here to there in a female voice, so Rich called her "Garmina" & it stuck.  Listened to 107 iPod tunes today.

Enjoying a quick sub at the only place for 300 miles...Colby, Kansas.

Ahh, another penny stamping machine.

Rich gets pulled by one of Kansas' finest...State Trooper R. L. Taylor gives Rich a warning for speeding 77 mph in a 70 zone & "not staying in lane" as Rich was trying to fiddle with the cruise control.  Super nice trooper that wanted to make sure Rich was not fatigued.  I took over the driving after our stop.

Here's our Garmina record of the day.  Unfortunately, I did not reset her until a few hours into the day, so totals are off.  We also listened to 100+ songs on the iPod - another great invention indispensable on a cross-country trek.

We make it to Kansas City, MO very late Thursday night & stay at Best or rather, Worst Western.  Der Bitter Tour Across America is now about getting home.  Rich is feeling puny & just wants to get back to his bed & newlywed bride Jennifer.

Here's Felix & Andron we met having breakfast at the Worst Western in Kansas City.  SouthWest Bell salesman on a mission to wire you up.

Our skanky room at the Worst Western, 501 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, KS.  Rich wrote up a punch list for the Manager - have to put shoulder into door to open, toilet runs until you take off tank top & push flapper down, shower head sprays water all over the bathroom, lights burned out & an outlet ready to cause a fire.  Just a bad experience.

A little taste of home..."Charlotte, Street" in Kansas City.  We ran downtown & spent a ridiculous amount of time looking for trip trinkets. 

MOVIE...
Ready to start the day of driving.  Our first bearing point - back onto Interstate 70, heading east towards HOME.

First view of the famous St. Louis Arch.  Whew, long day of driving & not much else.  We are stopping to take a few pictures  & but a trinket or two, then off the Louisville, KY.

Rich showing off the stainless steel Arch.  Designed by big-time architect,
Eero Saarinen.

I have now been by this darned arch four times & still have not been up inside.  Good reason to come back someday...

Here's a sign for the "Log Inn"...the sign indicates it's Indiana's oldest restaurant.  What about that !!! Unfortunately, we are rolling past here at 1:27 AM & sadly, they are closed.  Maybe next time.

Here I am at yet another Interstate truck stop.  This particular roadside Riviera featured the most extensive hat pin collection I have yet seen.

Ahhh, we are on the right track.  Now onto Interstate 64 East towards Louisville, KY.

Here's our Garmina report for the day...524 miles over a total thirteen hour day.  But petrol, eat & trinket stops added four & a half hours to the already long day.  Last hotel night.

MOVIE...
Our last night on the road of Der Bitter Tour Across America.  Hampton Inn turned out to be a much better stay than any Best Western.  Same price, but greatly upgraded feel, cleaner / newer room, fine breakfast.  I will seek them out again.

Our fine Hampton Inn room, great for what it was.  We are just inside the eastern border of Indiana & ready to get moving !!!

Rainy, messy day for the final 500 miles.  Here we cross the Ohio River, getting ever closer.  Rich is holding on, but has nixed any sightseeing or major trinket stops.  I am to DRIVE...

Making real progress now.  My old Kentucky home (for the night) is just down the road.  We were to make it to Bardstown, KY & have a Woodford Reserve Bourbon Tour yesterday, but no such action this trip.

The I-64 East route takes you right through these interesting rock lined roads.  Don't want to have a wreck here (or anywhere for that matter).

Plenty of horse farms & Kentucky bluegrass to enjoy on a dreary day.

Breaking away from I-64 & now continuing on to Interstate 75 South.

We had to stop for lunch & just so happens the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame was located at the same exit.  An exit that seemed designed for the sole purpose of putting up the brand new hall.

MOVIE...
Here I am reading the "Travelers Credo".  Click picture for the movie.

Some of the predictable displays at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

BitterSweet Cabins, maybe a destination on the next adventure.  On second thought, NO.

The whole reason for our stop at this exit, besides the fabulous hall, was to see if this Hardee's had a Rich favorite - Hot Dogs.  No such luck.  Apparently, only a few North Carolina stores carry the All-American food.
DOES THAT SEEM RIGHT TO YOU ?!

Tennessee welcomes us.

Leaving I-75 S & on the Interstate 40 East & really getting close to home.

NORTH CAROLINA
A welcome sign indeed !!!

Came down the mountain on I-26 & now taking that first exit at the bottom of the grade...Highway 74 East into Shelby & on to Charlotte, NC !!!

Shelby / Charlotte sign.  Man are we close now !!!

Obligatory stop at Tedder Motor Company in Shelby, NC.  However, it's about 8:00 PM & she's closed up tight as a drum.

Now, we're talking.  Getting off Interstate 85 South onto the I-485 loop around Charlotte.  Next stop, Pineville, NC & Rich's home.

Here's Jennifer, hugging her man after our long journey & their first separation after getting married earlier in 2005.

Our tight cabin for the last eight days.  Made even smaller when your buddy is under the weather.

The child-sized back seat.  Not much for transporting humans over the age of ten, but perfect for all sorts of travel goodies, snacks, computer & the like.

Spacious truck in the Der Biiter Sports Coupe.  More than adequate for our needs.  We both had travel & individual souvenir bags with room left over for a box with cleaning supplies & tools.

MOVIE...
A short movie to wrap up Der Bitter Tour, Across America - what an adventure !!!

Final Garmina screen shot.  We logged another 500 miles today.  And we got more efficient with our stops - only a little over an hour of non-travel time today !!!  With a moving average of 61 MPH.

Bitter pocket t-shirt I made up using original art from period sales brochures.

Here's the back on a red shirt...

CD 1974-1979
Production = 395

CD2 - 2005