Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026

My 55 Chevy 2-door wagon’s trip to the Tri-Five Nationals in Bowling Green appears to be a “GO” since the weather forecast has improved.

Right now, looks like a 30 percent chance of storms on Thursday, which apparently should pass through earlier in the day before we arrive … or at the very least, we’ll arrive as they move off to the southeast.

Friday and Saturday’s forecast looks damn near like a repeat of last year — Sunny and mid-90s. Of course, its August in Kentucky, so what else is new? LOL.

I’m working on a packing list of things to make sure we have the bases covered.

Now the one thing different about this year is that my son will be driving my Dodge Journey (and riding in air-conditioned comfort). Its just a little insurance, if something major happens to the Chevy, i won’t be completely stranded. I would prefer to have him riding with me, but having the extra vehicle isn’t a bad idea. Besides, we can load up the Dodge with most of our gear, and leave the tent, chairs, etc., in the Chevy.

My son isn’t really that thrilled about going in the heat. He’ll tolerate it, though we’re staying in a hotel and he wants to visit the pool and the continental breakfast.

ICE MAKER? My original plan was to run my shop icemaker on an inverter using a deep-cycle storage battery. Problem is that the battery I was looking at would run north of $175. Of course, With the heat we’re expecting, some ice might make life a little more bearable. We’ll have a golf cart, so we won’t be stranded in the heat or anything.

I’m just not sure I want to buy a damn expensive battery when we still have to pay for the hotel room. I may check with Autozone and Advanced Auto and see what kind of deal I can get. Might have to charge the battery in the room overnight.

MAKING WAVES AT TRI-FIVE? I may be making a mistake, but I’m hoping to find a tent with the event folks there, and I would like to ask them if they provide the location for vendors, if I can work to create a clickable map for the next year’s event.

Of course, I’m assuming that the organization hasn’t done anything with any of my suggestions. I don’t know that for certain, but frankly, I seriously doubt the would have acted on any of it. After all, why would they? They have had a successful and well-attended event for 10 years running, even with them doing just the bare minimum.

The most useful suggestion I had was for them to use text messaging to send updates to participants regarding events and timing. Last year, announcements were broadcast by the PA announcer at the drag strip — if you could hear him. The organization has everyone’s phone number. Give them the chance to opt-out if they don’t want updates.

GOLF CART BOOGIE. I have a couple of camera mounts for the golf cart which I hope will work. I’ll have two iPhones for shooting videos and stills. I’m not sure we will set up the 10×10 tent on Thursday. We’ll get there about noon-ish local time. I would like to pick up the golf cart, park the Chevy, then take off to see the sights and the cars.

Friday will be our biggest day there. I plan to get there early and stay late. On Saturday, we have to checkout by 11 a.m., but we’ll get going sooner than that. We’ll eat breakfast then head to Beech Bend after checking out of the hotel. I plan to leave the Dodge at the hotel.

PLANNED PURCHASES? For starters, I’ll probably get another Tri-Five Nationals t-shirt. I may get another metal sign or a poster.

Elijah and I will have to find supper for at least Thursday and Friday. My supper ideas include Smoky Pig BBQ. Azzip Pizza is another idea. The hotel is next to a Hardees, and damn I love their burgers. I expect Elijah will want to visit a Rally’s, and that’s fine with me.

Saturday I wouldn’t mind heading for home by mid-afternoon. I have a feeling that after a full day Friday, Elijah won’t mind hitting the road early either.

SWAP MEET. I also hope to stop in at the swap meet. I need a passenger side windshield garnish molding.

A/C IDEAS. One of the main things I’m going to be looking out for ideas to mount a belt-driven A/C compressor — hopefully using regular V-belt and NOT a serpentine system. There’s an A/C system out there thats marginally more expensive that a 12v AC system but belt driven. I really think that’s what I need for the Chevy, I just want to make sure I can get brackets that won’t look out of place.

Well, time to go to bed. G’nite!