Sunday, September 22, 2013

Trucks, Tractors, and More

This was the weekend of the annual truck and tractor show at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa. What a great place to see antique trucks, tractors, engines and cars all featured in one place. When you are done looking at the different vehicles, it's fun to investigate all the parts and items that lots of vendors have for sale. Then go on to watch the tractor pulls to see who can pull the most weight for the furthest distance.
 
 
 
 Then it's back to scout out any more vehicles that have shown up in the field while you were away. Here are just a few examples of what we saw:

 
 
 

 
This impressive fleet was at the show last year also. The tractor runs on propane!


 
You could buy this barn fresh crashed pickup for $3000..
.
Or this completed project for $10,500.
 
This is my favorite. The owner of this 1940 pickup displayed the Plymouth insignia nicely.

 
I think this is supposed to be a possum on the roof of this tow truck, because the license plate said something like, "Possum, the other white meat..."



Last, but certainly not least, was my cousin Chuck's UltraVan.
 This novel motorhome was a rare find and the queen of the show!








Friday, September 20, 2013

Small, Fast, and Loud!

This year's Wet Meet at Schroon Lake was a bit chilly and breezy. Unfortunately the south wind made it so that only a few hydroplanes ventured out onto the lake. When they did, sometimes it was hard to get these tiny boats up on a plane.


Once up to speed, there was a lot of bounce and some were "catching air" in the choppy water.
 
Others seemed to need lots of work and test driving was LOUD but a crowd pleaser.

 
However, there were more boats on land and it was fun looking at them and their classic engines....and imagining what it is like to be driving them so fast while on your knees!

 




 

There were many displays, engines, and parts for sale, adding to the ambiance of the day. Antiques and classics were everywhere.



This event is another great 'right of passage' of our fall season.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

When Push Comes To Shove

We recently went to the annual Tugboat Roundup in Waterford. It was a perfect day, with lots of tugboats, although unfortuantely Dave wasn't able to go on any of them (he is still using his walker when he has to walk a lot). We were just glad that we were able to attend the event and see all the vessels, both commercial and private.
 



 
 
There were a few boats above the first lock of the Erie Canal, including the historic Chancellor, which is need of some restoration work.
 
It looked so strange to see this boat in the canal with hardly any water past the dam, just to its stern.
 
Anyone care for some stuffed sturgeon?
 
One of the fun highlights was this 'tug-o-war', which was really a pushing contest.
 
It sure looked like the "little tug that could" did win, and celebrated by streaming water...
 
What a great event and we'll look forward to being able to explore on board these tugboats next year!