Automotive

  • Automotive,  Travel

    Keystone, CO

    Keystone Peak Three years ago I decided I’d go skiing. I’d skied in Niseko early in 2016 and was itching to get back on the board. Keystone has one of the earliest opening days in North America.  I planned my trip and made my bookings for thanks giving. Turns out the 2016 season was probably one of the worst seasons they have had. I planned to do a few days at Keystone and a few days at A-Basin and bought the five day pass that no longer exists. The only run open was Schoolmarm and Last Chance. I’d recommend not going early. I did all five days at Keystone after hearing…

  • Automotive

    Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, PA

    1965 Ferrari 365 P2/3 The Automobile Club of France in 2019 announced that Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum as having the best car collection in the world. No small feat out of the 200+ car collections reviewed worldwide. I feel this is more related to classic car collections. The newest car here is from 2002. Only 5 cars are newer than 1975. But this is more a reflection of the prices of modern cars being much higher than at the same time for classic cars. Especially racecars, which used to be worthless once they had retired from racing duties. The oldest car in the collection is a 1907 Renault 35/45 Vanderbilt…

  • Automotive,  Travel

    Vancouver Island, BC

    Ucluetet Lighthouse Loop What do local Vancouvians do on the weekend? They go to Vancouver…Island. So I jumped in a car and headed to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, only 500 m (1500 ft) north of the border with the USA, and made my way to Swartz Bay. The ferry ride is rather scenic and you’ll see plenty of sea planes, and a view of Vancouver City with a backdrop of the North Shore Mountains. Once disembarking from Swartz Bay Temrinal it’s a quick and easy 30 minute drive along Route 17 into Victoria, the capitol of British Columbia. Victoria Victoria is a bustling town, larger than I had expected. I only…

  • Automotive,  Travel

    Sea To Sky, BC

    Howe Sound As an avid skier, the Sea to Sky Gondola seemed kinda corny and redundant. After all I’d been up many lifts and taken in many sights while skiing a mountain. But after visiting it turns out I was wrong. We got lucky with the blue bird day and warm weather, but have a jacket handy as 850m (2,800ft) it can get cooler. There was still snow in the shadows in May. If I had researched beforehand I would have found out that there are hiking trails at the top to explore. It’s even possible to hike up and skip the gondola fee if you are fit enough and…

  • Automotive,  Travel

    Belleayre, NY

    Below Lift 7 at Overlook Lodge History The year is 1839 and Stephen Van Rensselaer III has died. Stephen was the landowner of Rensselaeswyck and collected rents in a very lenient fashion allowing rents to be in arrears when tenets were unable to pay in full. When the Van Rensselaer heirs went to collect the outstanding rents, causing a revolt that lasted until 1845. Belleayre in the Catskills was once such location where the Rent Wars occurred. Fast-forward to 2018 and I’m here to go snowboarding with some buddies. Belleayre is a smaller resort owned by New York State. Since it doesn’t have a big name it’s not very crowded…

  • Automotive,  Travel

    Montreal Grand Prix

    Montreal Grand Prix 2017 Start The Canadian Grand Prix, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has seen many great races over the years. Originally called Ile Notre Dame Circuit and constructed in 1978, and renamed in 1982 in honor of Canadian Formula one driver Gilles Villeneuve, it has held a race since then, except in 1987 and 2009. Why did I come to this race? Because it’s a race that always excites, tight corners and long straights present a compromise in car setup between the slow and fast sections of the track. The weather can also add in a little something to create drama, like Jenson Button’s win in 2011 in a…