Dave spent a long time planning...
Dave spent a long time planning this 49-state path.
The intense itinerary and nocturnal traveling didn't allow for much siteseeing, but there were some highlights. "The sunrises were incredible," Dave said. "My whole demeanor changed at dawn, as the sun came up and I could look around at the scenery. I loved the Southwest-and that whole area from Montana through the Dakotas and into Nebraska is just wild country."
On Day 8, Dave crossed the Washington border into Canada. He'd covered 48 states, but 900 miles separated him from the 49th. The following afternoon-eight days, 16 hours, and 48 minutes after leaving Needles-Dave cruised into Hyder, Alaska. He'd driven 9,856 miles. He'd been everywhere.
Here's the first gas stop...
Here's the first gas stop of the trip at Terrible Herbst in Laughlin, NV. Dave kept gas stops down to eight minutes, and installed a 35-gallon tank to keep them to a minimum.
Since September, Dave has kept traveling, continuing to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford by selling T-shirts and posters, and encouraging people to go to www.49in9.com to make a contribution. Stops included the SEMA Show in November and the Grand National Roadster Show in January.
Now, Dave is thinking about more trips-but these won't be solo endurance runs. The Driving For The Kids program is still in the planning phase, but the general idea calls for nationwide cruises starting from different points and converging at one spot, with every participant getting sponsorship.
"This is a chance to let the public know that hot rodders care about doing something, to step up and support an important cause, and to add some goodwill besides burning up tires and gasoline."
Cops and Rodder
Dave had two run-ins with the law-and appreciates both of them. In New Mexico, a friend who works with the Albuquerque Police Department had arranged an escort through town. Dave met the cops at this truck stop west of the city; even the commander was there. From there, several police cars surrounded the well-marked roadster and rode for 22 miles to the town of Moriarty.
The next day, a friend in Prescott, Arizona, notified Dave that her brother, a policeman in New York City, had set up an escort by the New York State Police. When Dave arrived in New Jersey in the middle of the night on Day 4, he got a call from one of the troopers. When he got to the George Washington Bridge to Manhattan, he was to get in the left lane and blink his headlights as a signal. From there, he was escorted through the city all the way to the Connecticut border.
Dave took this photo outside...
Dave took this photo outside of the 49, on the 900-mile run through British Columbia to Alaska.
Hyder, AK, was the end of...
Hyder, AK, was the end of the road. Dave arrived several hours ahead of his nine-day goal. That's the border checkpoint ahead.
"The scale of Alaska is immense...
"The scale of Alaska is immense and Hyder is a unique town," he told us. "Photos don't do it justice." That glacier looks close but is about 1/8 mile across the emerald green water.
The Sealaska Inn in Hyder...
The Sealaska Inn in Hyder welcomed Dave with a free room and a cold beer-and a hand-lettered sign made from an only slightly-used pizza box. It includes a greeting from the Franklin Syndicate ...
...Car Club, Dave's friends...
...Car Club, Dave's friends in Stockton, CA. A club member had called Hyder and asked to be included on the sign. Dave borrowed a screwdriver to remove it and take it home.
Ronald himself greeted Dave...
Ronald himself greeted Dave at the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, where Dave received an "Angel" award for his help in raising more than $110,000 to date.