Big Rig, Small Roads

77newell · 10-01-2013, 07:12 PM

Lately I've developed a hankering to travel the small paved roads between small towns just to see how people live. I don't see driving these routes as much of a problem as long as we plan sensibly. The part I haven't sorted out is where to park when we spontaneously decide to stop and explore some small place. I would appreciate any insights you-all have gained over the years on how best to deal with this.

folivier · 10-01-2013, 10:48 PM

Not a problem just watch your clearance and if not towing you can back out pretty much anywhere.
We like the state highways and smaller roads much better than interstates. Every little town is famous for something. Just have to stop and find out what it is.

rellick · 10-01-2013, 11:51 PM

I prefer the smaller highways and small towns as well, less traffic, there is always somewhere to pull in, and people are friendly. And like Forest said every small town is famous for something.

rellick · 10-02-2013, 02:09 AM

Here is one interesting town that is famous for the worlds largest still and was known as the "Moonshine Capital" the last time I was through here the highway was not good, but they are working on it!!

Town of Vonda, Saskatchewan

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Moonshine Still

Designer: Laurent and Ronald Bussiere
[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #fffaf0"]When Built: 1997
Dimensions:
Unknown
Construction Materials:
Steel
Location:
South end of Main Street on Buffer Avenue (South side).
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Reason for Building:

Built for the 1997 Vonda Homecoming.
Additional Information:

The plaque at the still reads as follows:
World's Largest Still
From the 1910's and on thru the years of prohibition, Vonda and Vicinity was known as the "Moonshine Capital". This is a large replica of a still used to make homebrew for personal use for special functions or selling as most of us know "Bootlegging."
The small unit is a genuine still that individuals have used. The basic concept and principle has not changed over the years.
"The mash" a mixture of sugar fruit, potatoes, grains etc. is allowed to forment.
When ready it is strained and the liquid is pumped into the broiler area. A heat supply is started. When the mash liquid is boiling the vapor rises and is forced through condensing cell turning it into a liquid or "Moonshine." This is collected into jugs or bottled and allowed to age. Sometimes products were able to clarify and speed this process up. It is said local home brewers could tell where and who made it by the taste and the color.
This replica was built by Laurent Bussiere and his son Ronald for the 1997 Vonda Homecoming. They donated it to the Town of Vonda and it was permanently installed on this site in 1998 with the assistance and approval of the Chamber of Commerce.
A Rockpicker is situated besides the still. Vonda is the home of Highline Manufacturing, makers of farm equipment including rockpickers. This particular piece was the first won built. It was built by Rosaire and Laurent Bussiere in 1959/60.
Information Source: Plaque at the Monument
Pictures Source: DMY

BACK TO BIG THINGS IN SASKATCHEWAN
Created By DMY on April 2, 2000
Last Updated: September 18, 2002

TheCarabiners · 10-02-2013, 07:40 AM

Small off-interstate towns can be awesome. We have been full time on the road 20+ years. Small towns have cool history, (my wife has written two books on this), and fuel stops are way easier. Most times the clerk will just turn on the pump. Nice when getting $400.00 plus! Do it and enjoy. Watch out for ground clearance on roads also.

rellick · 10-02-2013, 03:55 PM

It appears the pictures of the "Moonshine Still" didnt show up in the last post so here it is...

MrE · 10-02-2013, 09:52 PM

Keith, any chance you can borrow it for the rally next year?

rellick · 10-03-2013, 12:08 AM

Jon, I was thinking we would probably have enough shine with yours? Unless you were thinking for fuel? what kind of engine are you going to be running in that hotrod of yours anyway??

bluesky · 10-12-2013, 01:47 AM

My wife and I have been cruising the secondary roads through WA, ID, MO, WY, CO, NM, AR, Nevada, UT (not sure of your abbreviations, we're from Canada) for 6 weeks and we have an '83 Classic. It has been a workhorse, climbing and coming down many, many high (10,000"+) mountain passes. The High Road to Taos is exactly as you describe, windy narrow roads and small town culture. You just need to be very careful with speed and staying on the road. The coach will do the rest. Pull over whenever you want, again, just think it through and all will be fine. It's the only way to go.