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It’s never too early to start planning your Spring Vacation and Mothers’ Day Weekend getaways!  Today on the blog, we’re sharing three fantastic destinations to check out for spring road trips in the Midwest. Each of these areas offers a truly unique perspective and energy, and celebrates the changing of the season from winter to spring in their own way. From fields of tulips to fun on the lake to lush green forests, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect destination for you and your loved ones to enjoy.  So, what are you waiting for? Hop on in your new car from Classic and let’s hit the road for some fun in the spring sun. more Holland, Michigan is by far one of the most beautiful cities to visit during the Spring.  Forget about expensive plane tickets and passport fees, you’ll be transported to the Netherlands right in the middle of the US!  The Holland Tulip Festival is one of the most memorable events in the Midwest, filled with vibrant blooms as far as the eye can see, and a charming Dutch style windmill and European architecture seal the deal. Veldeheer Tulip Gardens is prime viewing in May with 6 million tulips and 850 varieties! This year the Tulip Festival takes place from May 2nd through May 11th!  You’ll be transported to Amsterdam with a visit to Nelis’s Dutch Village and the charming little amusement park, cheese maker, and European style shops nearby! Locals love the Bowerman Blueberries Farm Market, which specializes in blueberry products such as ice cream, donuts, and specialty baked goods (they also offer limited gluten free items while they last!)  You’ll also find several historic homes to visit and beautiful parks to stroll and soak up that spring sunshine. Madison, Indiana is a great choice for an outdoorsy Spring Break vacation. Clifty Falls State Park is a must-see destination with ever changing scenery each season, making it worth visiting again and again. The park has 1,416 acres with 12 miles of trails, 70-foot gorges, and four magnificent waterfalls ranging from mega plunge falls to bridal-veil mists; it’s a true nature lover’s paradise. Cyclists will find incredible biking along the rolling hills and paths along the Ohio River Scenic Byway, and every skill level will find a ride to enjoy.  Anglers will enjoy some boating and fishing along the Ohio River or one of the local fishing holes. Book a river tour on the unique Rockin’ Thunder jet boat, the only one of its kind in the Midwest.  Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge nearby is home to numerous migratory birds, making it a great spot to do some birdwatching and nature photography, as well as enjoying some environmental education, fishing, hiking, and exploring. Put-In-Bay, Ohio is giving New England style island charm right here in the Midwest. This quaint town is surrounded by Lake Erie and features not one but two state parks (Kelleys Island State Park, Oak Point State Park), a half dozen nature preserves and parks, a lighthouse, and lakeside boardwalk.  We recommend leaving your car behind and opting for the golf-cart rental for your visit for an authentic experience.  The most popular times to visit are June through August, making Spring Break an optimal time for a more quiet, serene getaway.  Seeking a taste of tropical island weather during your vacation? We recommend checking out the Islander Inn Resort for your stay where you’ll find palm trees, swimming pools, and an island themed bar.  If you’re looking for something more low key, you’ll love the Hieneman Winery, with more than 21 different varieties of wine to choose from. Wichita, Kansas is a fantastic spring getaway destination for midwest families.  The Great Plains Nature Center is an educational science and nature facility with hiking trails, bird watching, and an indoor wildlife observatory. Your family will have the opportunity to experience the plains environment, learn about natural habitats and the animals and plants who inhabit the region, and more – and it’s all free! Relatedly for the nature lovers in your midst, the Tanganyika Wildlife Park is an incredible place to learn more about exotic animals through hands-on experiences; enjoy things like feeding the giraffes, swimming with penguins, playing with otters, and feeding a plethora of wild animals!  Memorial through Labor Day, the park also has a Splash Park to cool you down. For a kitschy and unique experience, we recommend the official Pizza Hut Museum, which is free and open to the public located at Wichita State University; the museum explains the history and inspiration behind the 2 brothers who founded the popular American pizza chain! Of course, there’s so much more to see and do while you’re there, we can’t fit it into one post, so you’ll just have to visit and see for yourselves.

It’s National Cleaning Week!  We’ve gone over plenty of ways to clean and organize your garage, and prep your work area for projects, but what about focusing on that car you worked so hard on?  Keeping your ride pristine, crisp, and looking fresh as the day you got it is the name of the game, today!  We’re going to share a checklist of basic spring cleaning tasks, as well as some great reasons why detailing and cleaning your car regularly is a great idea! more Check your vehicle’s lights. Cold winter weather can take its toll on your lightbulbs and tail lights.  Do a quick once over on your car, and make sure that all of your car’s headlights and exterior lamps as well as interior lights are working properly at full brightness.  Properly working light bulbs and LEDs can increase your visibility during foggy, hazy weather and rain. Apply a good headlight cleaning solution to the casing to remove dings, scratches, and dullness Change your cabin air filter. Springtime is notoriously bad for allergy sufferers, and the cabin air filter is a great way to clean the air and reduce pollen, mold, and other allergens in your car’s interior.  Consider adding a portable HEPA filter to your vehicle in the back seat or center console/cup holder to aid in filtering out allergens! Do an oil change and remember to change the filter! Warm weather means lots of joy rides, so you may need an oil change sooner than you’d expect!  If you’re not able to change your own oil at home, it’s a great time to book your regular oil change appointment. Check with your service center to see if your vehicle needs a different higher temperature oil for the incoming warmer weather. Replace wiper blades and apply hydrophobic coating to your windshield. April Showers bring May Flowers, but it’s important to have clear visibility as you drive if you’d like to see the sights of springtime blooming around you! Clean and wash your pet’s seat protectors, crate, and other transport items. Bringing your pets on the road with you is always a fun time, but it’s important to remember they track in a lot of dirt, gravel, grime, and build-up too!  Giving their car seats, seat covers, and other car accessories a thorough vacuuming, washing, and sanitizing can help remove allergens from your vehicle, as well as preparing you for more fun hiking and treks with your pup! Give your car a thorough exterior car wash to remove salt and grime, and be sure to detail your vehicle’s interior. Make sure you have your car professionally cleaned to remove the winter muck and salt residue!  Next, be sure to get a good upholstery shampoo and vacuum on all of your car’s fabric, or bring it in to a local vehicle detailer.  If your car has a leather or leather-blend interior, it’s important to condition the fabric so it doesn’t crack or peel during hot weather months; consider applying a leather conditioner and protector to the surfaces.  See below for more information on detailing your vehicle. What is automotive detailing and why should you do it regularly? Detailing is an intense cleaning process that thoroughly cleans the interior and exterior of the vehicle, and light restoration and maintenance that restore your vehicle looking almost new!  Detailers hide minor scratches and imperfections through the process of polishing, waxing and sealing.  Some detailers do put your vehicle through an automatic car wash first to get the initial grime off, but the rest of the process is done up, close, and personal by hand using special cloths. The detailing is more costly than your average car wash, but these professional cleaners use highly specialized chemicals and sometimes even light cosmetic paint restorations and high-tech protective coating. The best time to do a full detail on your car is during Summer and Fall, but Winter and Spring detailing is important if you live in an area with lots of winter weather, salt/gravel, and ice.  Detailing will help prevent those things from building up on your vehicle and causing rust or other damage. As for the additional benefits of detailing, those include: Detailers can preserve the vehicle’s paint and correct minor paint imperfections. Protect your upholstery with deep cleaning, stain prevention and removal, and odor elimination. The interior will be fully vacuumed, washed, steamed, deodorized. Detailing not only extends the life of your car, but it will preserve the value by keeping it pristine through not just the cleaning but detailed inspections and cleanings of the engine. Reduces the spread of germs and allergens through regular maintenance and deep cleaning. Only 2 to 3 deep cleanings are required on average per year, making it an easy maintenance step and budget friendly.

It’s National Cleaning Week!  We’ve gone over plenty of ways to clean and organize your garage, and prep your work area for projects, but what about focusing on that car you worked so hard on?  Keeping your ride pristine, crisp, and looking fresh as the day you got it is the name of the game, today! We’re going to help you out even further with some top tier recommendations for products to get the job done right and looking professional. more A can of compressed air is your new best friend! This trusty and affordable tool will help you blast the dust and dirt from small crevices and hard to reach places such as your air vents. Use this dollar store find to help save time when cleaning your windshield! That’s right you can use a dollar store plastic table cloth over your windshield to protect it from snow, ice, and leaves.  Place the plastic tablecloth over the windshield the night before, and any time where you’ll have it parked at length.  You’ll be able to easily slide the plastic cloth off and save the time scraping and brushing by simply shaking it off.  Fold it up, place it in your trunk, and you’ll be on your merry way in no time. Save money by using a dollar store “cereal keeper” as a makeshift trash can. This budget friendly hack can help you keep your car clean, and prevent spills or messes with a lockable lid.  Line the cereal container with a small plastic garbage bag or reuse a plastic shopping bag. Place it in the backseat of the car and use it to store your trash while you’re on the go.  Makes cleaning easier with nothing sticky left on your floor mats or carpets or tipping over on turns. Head to your kitchen for this next surprisingly affordable tool: cooking spray oil! That’s right, this common household ingredient can help you easily lift away bug splatter and dead insects from your car’s paint with no damage.  Just spray, wait a few seconds, and then gently wipe with a microfiber cloth and those bug corpses will be no more. An everyday home dryer sheet can help remove dead bugs and insect splatter with ease. No need to gather complicated cleansers or soaps or scrubbies to get those stuck-on nasties off your windshield.  Any brand of dryer sheet will do the trick nicely!  Rinse your car with clean water, then grab the damp dryer sheet and simply wipe them away.  Rinse with water again and you’re good to go! Forget about expensive rust remedies, you can remove it for pennies with a can of coke and a ball of foil. Thanks to Coca-Cola’s  notoriously acidic properties they’ll do wonders  to remove build-up and rust from your vehicle.  If you’ve got rust spots on your bumper or other metallic accents on the body, they’ll be gone lickety split with this hack.  Pour the soda on the rust spot, and gently scrub it with some aluminum foil folded over 3 to 4 times into layers.  You’ll notice the rust will begin to flake off!  Once it does, you can switch off to a gentle dish sponge or microfiber cloth.  When the rust is removed, grab some gentle car safe soap and clean water and rinse off the sticky pop and remaining debris. You don’t need to purchase expensive cupholder liners or inserts, protect your cup holders for pennis with silicone cupcake liners. Your local dollar store, grocery store, or hobby craft store will likely have very affordable packages of silicone cupcake liners for sale.  Place a silicone cupcake liner into the bottom of each cup holder to protect from messes. Should things spill or leak, you can swap them out and pop them out for clean ones, and bring the dirty ones inside later for cleaning. Easy peasy! It’s also great for easily accessing change for shopping carts, vending machines. Those handy travel bottles of hand sanitizer and sanitizer spray can de-ice your locks and doors in a jiff! Squirt the hand sanitizer into your lock, push the key in and out and turn it gently.  Within a few moments, the ice should be melted and you should be able to turn and open the lock!  Just use caution, this shouldn’t be a repetitive hack as the sticky cleansers can jam your locks over time and require them to be cleaned, but in an emergency or occasional pinch, it will work wonders.  You can also create your own deicer in a pinch with a spray bottle, ⅓ water, and 2/3 70% isopropyl alcohol - shake to mix well and spray into the lock or door and in a few moments it should be free of ice!  These are great replacements for a commercial brand de-icer.

It’s National Read a Road Map Day! In the age of smartphones and infotainment navigation we’re hedging our bets that reading a map is a skill that most of us could use a refresher on.  We love the convenience and reliability of modern technology for navigation, but it never hurts to know how to “read an offline map” so to speak. Understanding the symbols, layout, and terms surrounding road maps can help get you back on the road in the event you are driving in an area with low reception, are enjoying an off-roading adventure, or perhaps even have a technological malfunction while on an adventure. more Today we’re going to give you some pointers on making heads or tails of a map and how to read it with ease! Helpful Tips to Learn How to Read a Road Map Make sure that you can find north on your map. This is usually denoted by the “N” symbol on your compass rose, but in the event your map does not have one, generally it is safe to assume the top edge of the map is considered “North” direction. Your map will be divided up in a grid format with vertical lines being indicated by numbered columns, and horizontal lines indicated by numbered rows. You will use these numbered and lettered designations to zero in on locations of important places noted on your Map’s index. Find the Map Key or Map Legend or Index. This will generally be on the back of your map or sometimes located in the corners. It will break down driving distance, specific topographic features, and decode the icons. Map icons will be defined in the map legend or key. This will help you identify locations of landmarks, buildings, rivers, mountains, forests, and other structures.  As an example, some areas may be colored in green to signify forest coverage, rivers may be solid blue lines, etc. On other maps, you may see various shading to indicate the type of terrain: mountains, sand and shoreline, forest, grassy plains, etc.  The key will be different on each map, though many maps use similar coding and features. Check your map’s scale, which will be printed in the map legend or map key. This is generally presented as a ratio of inches on the map relating to miles or feet on the ground, and will help you measure the distance between points on your map. For example, if the key states 1 inch equals 1 mile, and your destination is 5 inches away on the map, it will be about 5 miles away to travel there. Look on the front of your map to determine the regional coverage of your map. There will be maps available by country, state, county or province, and even city-only maps. When plotting a lengthy road trip, it’s important to keep maps on hand that show both smaller and larger areas. If you end up lost outside the city limits for instance, a county map may help you find your way back to the destination city.  If you’re traveling across the country, it’s recommended to acquire at least a state map for the places you’ll be driving through, as well as a larger country wide map for a broader picture. Important terms to Know: Coordinates - a set of numbers that specify a location and help you find a position on the surface of the map, used to find the distance from a specific place of origin to a specific point of destination. Contour Lines: If your map includes topography, you’ll see different lines that indicate elevation such as mountains, hills, valleys, etc.  There will be solid, dotted, straight, and wavy lines.  This can also help you determine which vehicle to take on your road trip depending what type of terrain you’re driving on. Compass Rose: A compass rose is a symbol used to display the orientation of “cardinal directions” (north, south, east, west)  This helps navigators discern which direction is the Earth’s magnetic north when using a physical compass. Every paper map includes a compass rose to illustrate true North at the top of the map.  You can use a compass to help you get a better sense of where you are. Latitude and Longitude - Latitude indicates how far south or north of the equator a specific place is; the Equator line has a Latitude of 0 degrees. Longitude lines run north to south from pole to pole, but measure the distances east and west; the Prime Meridian line has a longitude of 0 degrees. Map Index: Maps often include an alphabetical list of locations in an index.  City maps will include street names or major landmarks of the region.  County maps will include major highways and major cities and towns.  A State map will have significant cities and towns.  Oftentimes these are coded with letter-number combos which match a point on the map. Map Legend: All maps contain a legend or a key which explains what each symbol represents and what every line, mark, or colour means.  This will help you decode the difference between major interstate highways and smaller back roads.  It may also help identify hills and mountains or bodies of water. Orientation: Make sure you have your map so that the compass rose shows “N” at the top of your page, this will help you align your current position on the map and navigate which direction you need to travel on the next leg of your route. Scale Ruler: When plotting a course using a paper road map, you’ll need to use the map’s integrated “scale”: a line marked in inches which represents distances.  Use that scale line to determine the “miles by inches” between your destinations to get a scale of the distance.  For example, 1 inch of distance on the map may equal 10 miles of actual distance driving.  Grab a ruler and measure the distance between your road trip points and multiply.  Without knowing the scale of your map, you may miscalculate distance between destinations or time it takes to travel to and from. Topography/Terrain symbols: Some maps include lines, shading, and color to explain the terrain around you.  Using a topographic map means you’ll be able to identify mountains, hills and valleys, desert versus field, etc.  Many maps include basic topographical elements to explain basic geographic features of the region.

Planning your summer vacation destinations? We’ve got a great list for you!  These amazing automotive museums are sure to be a hit with your whole family. From classic cars to showroom stars, you’ll find a big mix  of historic vehicles on display. Taking your family to an automotive exhibit is an incredible way  to appreciate the artistry and engineering behind some of the world’s most iconic vehicles. Not only will you learn about the design and function of these vehicles, but the museums will also elaborate on the cultural and social impact of the rise of modern cars. It’s really fascinating to see how far we’ve come from the early days of horseless carriages all the way to modern vehicle designs like hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles.  You’ll learn how these vehicles shaped society from industry and business to daily home life!  A perfect blend for the history buff, science geek, and engineering enthusiast.  Take a look at how these groundbreaking technologies shaped our past and continue to grow our futures at these wonderful automotive museums across the country. more Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford, WI - This museum displays the largest collection of antique cars and trucks in the whole of Wisconsin!  The Kenosha built Nash Automobile is a highlight feature of the museum’s display, as well as a rare KISSEL Automobile built in Hartford from 1906-1931!  There are more than 70 vehicles on site to peruse while you learn about local and national automotive history. There’s also a bonus exhibit featuring industrial and farm engines and outboards, too. Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners , MI – Just a short trip from our dealership is this gem of a car museum, chronicling the history of the American Automobile. The facility hopes that by sharing the history and heritage of the automotive industry, visitors of all ages will be able to connect with the past and improve the future of transportation! What started in the early 1960s as the personal collection of Donald Gilmore was eventually grown into an incredible museum thanks to the ingenuity of his wife Genevieve. The non-profit foundation and museum have collected more than 400 vehicles and established a 90-acre historic campus including a vintage restored diner, working Shell Gas station, and additional smaller museums! Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, AL – This incredible time capsule of transportation history showcases more than 1,500 motorcycles and cars including more than 50 Lotus Racecars! It's also home to the Annual Barber Vintage Festival, one of the most renowned motorcycle events in the world! And if that's not enough, the facilities also include an on-site racing track. If you prefer the more educational side of things, a trip to the on-site Museum Research Library and archives is in order; you can take a gander at some iconic trophies, awards, toys, models, artwork, and so much more. Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, MA – Located on a portion of the grounds in Larz Anderson Park, the facilities are home to America's Oldest Motorcar Collection! Visitors can get an up close look at historic vehicles and the evolution of the automobile since its inception, and can attend a series of workshops, lectures, and also observe memorabilia and literature on the subject. With the advent of warmer weather, the museum has also rekindled its series of outdoor driving events and car shows, so be sure to check out the calendar of events for updates! Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, FL – This incredible automotive museum is truly one-of-a-kind and covers the history of the exhilarating sport of Drag Racing. Since 1976, the facility has been home to 300 cars on display in multiple galleries in 2 buildings. In addition, the facilities also house a collection of memorabilia and history presentations in racing sports history. It also houses the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, where you'll learn about top competitors across the globe! National Automobile Museum in Reno, NV – With an impressive permanent collection of more than 200 of America's most iconic cars from celebrity vehicles to champion race cars and limited edition collectibles, this is a Gearhead's Dream venue. There's truly a car on site to impress just about everyone of any stage! Enjoy the life-like scenery and authentic recreations like a hardware store, vintage movie theatre, and more, each of which houses their own collection of memorabilia and artifacts. LeMay: America's Car Museum in Tacoma, WA – With a 9-acre campus, 4-story tall building, and 165,000 feet of exhibition space, there's no shortage of things to see at the LeMay car museum. You'll enjoy a rotating and permanent collection of exhibitions and at least 350 cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Blackhawk Museum in Danville, CA – Consisting of five different galleries exploring different eras and topics in history, the Blackhawk Museum includes an extensive collection of automobiles. Covering everything from luxury performance cars to rare classics and contemporary collectibles, you'll explore some of the world's finest, most luxurious vehicles in a magnificent setting. The collection features a rotating selection of more than 40 iconic classic cars from movies to sports to racing.

We’re celebrating International Forest Day and on today’s blog, we’re covering four beautiful forests in the US that you simply must see on your next road trip! The International Day of Forest s is also an opportunity to raise awareness for the devastating effects of industrial agriculture, logging, and mining efforts, and inform the general public about the importance of restoring forests, protecting the environment, and increasing our conservation efforts. In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly instituted the International Day of Forests as a way to honor and raise awareness globally for the importance of all varieties and types of forests.  The forests of our planet help to filter the air and water we breathe, provide vital food, shelter, and resources to both humans and wildlife, and also protect us from UV rays.  Visiting forests has also shown proven benefits to improve your physical and mental health, as well as a sustainable source of energy and resources. more Superior National Forest in Minnesota is jampacked with pristine wilderness for you to explore, with more than 445,000 acres of surface water including 2,000 lakes, 1,300+ miles of streams, and 2,000 miles of trails!  Whether you’re interested in trail running, hiking, hunting, horseback riding, or mountain biking, you’ll find a trail to suit your interests. Take a drive down the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway to get an overview of the park along the 54 mile road from Silver Bay to Aurora, and stop off at one of the campgrounds or take a trail hike along the route.  The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a must-see stop off within the northern third of the parkland.  With more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes and 2,000 campsites, you’ll have no shortage of great outdoors time.  It’s a perfect destination for water-loving aficionados, perfect for canoeing, rowing, fishing, and kayaking. The forest is home to 165 varieties of nesting birds who call the wilderness area home, as well as an additional 60+ varieties that pass through, making it a Globally Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.   Nature photographers keep your eyes peeled and your lens ready, because you’ll find moose, black bears, wolves, and lynx, too! Dixie National Forest in Utah covers 2 million acres, across the southern portion of the state, and features some of the most stunning red-rock cliff canyons in the US. The forest straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River, and visitors will be treated to a variety of landscape environments including desert gorges, mountain forests, plateaus, and alpine lake areas. It’s one-stop shopping for all your nature loving desires!  Temperatures range wildly from -30ºF to over 100ºF.  Highway 12 is a 124 mile road around the canyon area taking you along Panguitch, Red Canyon, Paunsaugunt Plateau, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and more.  Highway 14 State Scenic Byway winds through the canyons and offers views of Markagunt Plateau, Navajo Lake, Duck Creek, Zion National Park,and even the rim of the Grand Canyon from certain vista points.  The forest is also home to pictographs, petroglyphs, preserved dwellings, and other artifacts of the local Ancestral Puebloean tribal people.  The forest also offers hundreds of trails for cycling, hiking, horseback riding, and more as well as grounds for camping, fishing, and mountain biking. Shawnee National Forest in Illinois spans 289,999 acres between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in the southern portion of the state.  You’ll find gorgeous oak-hickory forests, thriving wetlands, grassy plains and openlands, rocky canyons and cliffs, sheer bluffs made of stunning rock and clay and minerals, and fantastic geological formations.  Shawnee is a haven for more than 200 varieties of birds, and focuses on restoration and improvement in local bird populations, specifically of the warbler variety and other threatened species; local birders will rejoice at the diversity of birds in the area thanks to the differing habitat types.  You can also submit your own bird findings through the eBird citizen science project app and help contribute to local data collection and conservation efforts!  To do a little bird watching and research of your own, check out Pomona Natural Bridge, LaRue Pines Hills Ecological Area, Lake of Egypt, Jackson Falls, and Rim Rock Trail just to name a few.  If you love water sports, you’ll be very happy to hear there are opportunities for windsurfing, waterskiing, tubing, swimming, and boating of all kinds!  The 160 mile River-to-River trail offers an immense amount of potential for hiking, cycling, backpacking, horseback riding, and trail biking. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin covers more than 1 million acres of land in northern Wisconsin.  Early logging efforts in the 20th century saw fit to remove the “old growth” forest. In the 1930s, however, many new trees were planted by The Civilian Conservation Corps, resulting in an absolutely lush forest with breathtaking scenery.  This National Forest was originally two separate forests, but are now managed as one property by the USDA Forest Service.  Travelers can enjoy a multitude of activities such as camping (some of which are pet friendly sites), hiking, berry picking (in season), hunting, fishing, cross country skiing, and even snowmobiling.  Nature lovers will rejoice to observe roaming wildlife such as deer, bears, foxes, coyotes, wolves, loons, and songbirds.  If you’re an angler, you’ll be excited to find trout, bass, panfish, and northern pike!  The forest has a number of lakes and streams; Twentymile Creek and the headwaters of the Marengo River also provide clean water flow to Lake Superior! Be sure to abide by these tips and rules for responsible and eco-conscious behaviors: Be prepared for anything. National public lands are wilderness environments, and some are quite far from “civilization.” Be sure to pack enough food, water, and emergency supplies for your whole party. Live by the Leave No Trace principles. Whatever you bring into the public lands and parks needs to make its way out with you.  Whether the garbage is man-made or natural (fruit peels, veggie waste, pits and seeds from fruit, etc) it all needs to leave when you do.  This helps prevent growth of invasive species, or cluttering our trails with garbage. Check out our previous blogs for convenient car accessories for camping and trash collection. Never feed wildlife or animals. Wild animals depend on instinct and natural foraging skills to survive; visitors who feed wildlife can inhibit the animals' self-sufficiency.  Animals who depend on handouts from humans can be destructive and invasive as well as endangering the survival of their own species. Always read the posted signage at the entrance and within the parks. Signs posted in and around national parks and public lands are there to protect you as much as they are the wildlife and environment. Adhere to posted signs to stay on the trails, conceal your food, or avoid specific areas, etc. Know your limits and keep it close. Adhering to openings and closings of parks will help ensure your safety and wellbeing.  The same can be said of not taking risks such as exploring “uncharted” areas or going off trail in posted areas.

Spring is finally here! Today we’re sharing four great picks for amazing springtime destinations in the US that you simply must explore with your friends and family. We’ve got everything you need to enjoy a week away from the daily grind.  From fields of flowers to oceanside stays to southern retreats, you’ll find a little bit of everything you’ve ever wanted, and then some!  No matter if you’re booking the kids a fun-filled family getaway for spring break, or looking to take a long weekend with friends, we can guarantee you’re going to have a great time at these destinations.  We’ll be focusing on the best Spring Blossoms and flowers to see in these areas while you’re there! more Washington, DC The Cherry Blossoms of the Tidal Basin are arguably one of the most famous sites to visit in DC, blooming in the last week of March through the first week of April.  Peak bloom does depend on the weather in the weeks leading up to the start of spring, but that’s generally a great timeline to aim for. This year the National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 through April 13th. The US Botanic Garden offers free entry to its gorgeous gardens. The National Garden and Conservatory are open from 10AM to 5PM daily. The Botanic Garden and its sites feature seasonal flower exhibitions, as well as permanent installations such as the Orchid House with 5,000 orchid specimens, the World Deserts Rom, the Rose Garden, First Ladies Water Garden, and more. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is a unique stop in Northeast DC featuring stunning aquatic flowers throughout the gardens, with peak viewing time in June through July when lotus blossoms and lilies are in full bloom You simply must stop by the Bluebells at Bull Run Regional Park and enjoy the 1.5 mile trail through Virginia Bluebells, a native flower that peaks just after Cherry Blossom season.  Great Falls Park is another wonderful place to view Bluebells, and the Bluebells at the Bend Festival takes place in April. The Floral Library at the National Mall is a perfect destination for picnics, and really comes to life during April when tulip season starts!  Likewise, the Netherlands Carillon near Arlington National Cemetery is another outstanding show of tulip blossoms with great scenic views of the nearby monuments as well. Gatlinburg, TN Smoky Mountains National Park is also known to flower enthusiasts as ”Wildflower National Park” thanks to its abundance of native flora.  More than 1,000 species of flowers and flowering shrubs bloom here each season.  The annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage commemorates the start to the Spring season with a spectacular 4 to 5 day festival!  You don’t want to miss this memorable event, and definitely make sure to bring your camera to take pictures of the stunning blossoms!  You can enjoy a history and nature walk, photographic tours, special art classes, educational seminars and lectures, and more during the annual festival. Take a trip to Anakeesta’s Vista Gardens Arboretum for an absolutely stunning sensory garden walk and mountaintop retreat.  It makes for a truly unforgettable experience with its cascading waterfalls, creative installations and botanical art, beautiful birdsongs from local birds, and more. This beautiful garden was a restoration project following the Wildfires of 2016, and has blossomed into a gorgeous artistic installation and curated garden. Outer Banks, NC The stunning 10 acre Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo are one of the top spots in OBX for flowers; recreating a 16th century English pleasure garden, this garden is in its prime in the spring and early summer with 50 cultivars of rhododendrons and 100 cultivars of hydrangeas and roses! The Dare Country Arboretum and Teaching Garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset and free for all to enjoy.  It’s jampacked with multiple mini gardens each featuring a different style of flowers and arrangements.  This venue is also dog friendly and has picnic areas to enjoy. All up and down the shoreline of the beaches in Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, and Southern Shores, you’ll find beautiful native wildflowers that thrive in the sandy, humid environment along with the stunning sunny-yellow blossoms of the Prickly Pear cacti. Island Farm is a living history farm from the mid-1800s housing the Roanoke Island Farmstand, a dairy, farmhouse, farm animals, and more.  The Kitchen Garden is a wonderful venue to learn about medicinal and culinary plants and flowers as well as the history of early farming. Each season the farm features transitional blooms including native plants like the Jerusalem artichoke. San Diego, CA Ring in Spring in San Diego by immersing yourselves in spring florals at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad; 55 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers bloom from 6 to 8 weeks each spring, in early March through early May!  The Flower Fields makes a truly memorable family photo op, and an unforgettable experience. Explore the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park is a stunning botanical garden and museum dedicated to traditional Japanese garden practices and Japanese cultural traditions; May 4th is children’s day with special performances, traditional cultural foods, and plenty of interactive activities. Encinitas’ San Diego Botanic Garden covers 37 acres with nearly 4,000 incredible plants from all around the globe, and the country’s largest bamboo collection; explore bamboo groves, desert gardens, tropical rainforests, native California plants, and much more! The San Diego Zoo is also an accredited Botanical Garden housing more than 700,000 plants representing more than 4,500 species; the third Friday of each month is Plant Day & Orchid Odyssey, specifically highlighting its flora and plant related activities for visitors.

Since everyone is spring cleaning and working on organizing their garage, we thought it would be a great time to go over a little garage safety info. March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month, so we’ll be highlighting ways to keep your garage and vehicle organized to eliminate safety hazards due to chemicals, oil, and other fluids.  We’ve got some tips on how to dispose of them safely, how to best clean up those messes, and even how to keep your pets out of harm's way in the garage.  Check it out on today’s blog! more Tips on Properly Storing Chemicals, Fluids, and Fuel and other Hazards in Your Garage Equip your garage with proper ventilation and airflow such as windows, exhaust fans, and air filters. When utilizing toxic chemicals and poison substances, make sure you are outfitted with proper eyewear, respirators/masks, and hand protection. Open the doors and windows of your garage for additional ventilation. Make sure all hazardous materials are clearly labeled and indicate toxicity or flammability with bold, easy to read labels. If it is not up front on the bottle, add your own! Invest in proper chemical storage cabinets. These specialty cabinets are designed to meet specific safety standards to protect solvents, paints, and other chemicals with fire-resistant materials and secure, locking doors to thwart unauthorized access. These cabinets will also offer ventilation features to help reduce fume build-up and lower flammable risk. Store flammable materials such as fuel or paint thinner and flammable cleaning agents separate from other sources of ignition. Keep these items far away from heaters, electrical outlets, and electronic tools/appliances. Ensure that any and all chemicals are stored in a temperature controlled area of the environment to ensure the integrity of the products which can degrade over time with fluctuating temperatures. Properly Dispose of Used or Expired Chemicals/Substances Check your city or town’s local “Hazardous Waste Collection Days” to safely dispose of items such as paint, chemicals, and motor oil.  You may also reach out to your local Waste Management division and request a drop-off or in some cases an extra collection appointment to dispose of these materials off-schedule.  If your town does not offer this regularly, oftentimes county and state organizations will offer centralized disposal sites or drop-off locations. Dispose of chemicals in their original containers unless explicitly instructed on the packaging to do otherwise; this can help prevent accidental mixing of materials which may lead to combustion, burns, hazardous gases, or other potential injury. Old or improperly stored batteries carry a risk of bulging and leaking corrosive materials. Bringing old vehicle and appliance batteries to designated waste collection sites can prevent injury and environmental damages.  Some local auto parts stores have a battery drop-off program. Always use a drain pan and collection bucket to catch the fluids as they’re released. Bring them to your local designated hazardous waste disposal facility or recycling center immediately.  If you’ve spilled oil in your garage, you can use an oil absorbent mat, a substance like Oil-Dri, or the standby of kitty litter. Pour liquids such as coolant or brake fluid or other contaminated fluids into a bucket or bin of kitty litter. It will absorb the liquid, and make it easier to transport to the waste facility. If you’ve spilled fluids, you can absorb the spill with clay cat litter, play sand, cornmeal, cornstarch, or even baking soda.  Apply one of these substances over the spill stain immediately, and this will help prevent it from seeping into the concrete or pavement of your garage. Preventing Accidents and Injury to Pets and Children in Your Garage. Ensure that all members of your household are aware of which items in the garage can cause injury or death, and explain the safe handling rules of each substance. Small children and pets should never be left unattended or allowed access to these dangerous items. Leave the Poison Control Hotline number clearly visible in the garage in case of emergency, and make sure there is a fully-stocked first aid kit easily accessible.  Let everyone in your household know where to find it. Make sure your fire extinguisher is up to date and all family members know how to use it in case of emergency. Never leave your pets unattended in a garage. Garages can become extremely hot or extremely cold quite rapidly.  This can cause temperature related illnesses such as heat stroke or frostbite. Clean up all spills and leaks immediately after they happen.  Keep your pets out of the way if you’re performing fluid changes or top-offs so they do not drink or lick any spills. Tidy the garage floor thoroughly when you’re finished working on your projects and after any regular vehicle maintenance.  Even residual waste from chemicals, solvents, or soaps can pose a threat if licked or ingested or skin contact. Be sure that antifreeze, gasoline, motor oil, insect sprays, paints, cleaners, herbicides, soil bags, polishing solutions, wiper fluid, and other liquids are stored in their original containers and tightly sealed. Store them up and away from prying paws and nosy sniffers.  Keep tools and batteries up and off the floor, and do not allow pets to lick them or chew on them. They’re at risk for serious injury, electrocution, and even death. Utilize airtight and locking storage items.  Place small items into lidded plastic bins that have child-lock features. All tools and ephemera should be placed into toolkit boxes and locked securely so that your pet cannot get into it, knock it down, or open it to see what “forbidden snacks” are inside. Keep garbage and waste bins secured. Pets love to sniff and explore inside trash cans, garbage bags, recycling bins, etc, so it’s important you keep them stowed safely to reduce risk of suffocation by bags or other serious injury due to ingestion of discarded chemicals and materials. Do not allow children or pets to play with used receptacles or reuse any containers from chemicals or other substances, as they may accidentally ingest residual materials. Opt for environmentally friendly and pet-safe/child-safe alternatives to the typical corrosive, toxic chemicals and substances to reduce risk of injury or death.

Since buying and fixing cars isn’t a part of our daily or even weekly lives, we know that it might seem a little daunting when you come in to shop or bring your car in for service. We’re hoping our Automotive Terminology series will instill you with a sense of confidence in navigating the industry’s terms and vocab.   Today’s topic is the Suspension System. more Let’s break it down! What parts help the suspension system function? This suspension consists of tires, tire air pressure, coil springs, rods and linkages, joints and bearings and bushings, and shock absorbers or struts.  These work together as a system of protective, shock-absorbing components which ensure your car drives safely and smoothly, absorbing bumps and impacts from roadways and other kinetic energy.  It supports the vehicle’s weight, absorbs and dampens the shock, and stabilizes the drive to keep it calm and comfortable. What does the suspension system do? As you drive, the suspension system’s job is to absorb the energy from potholes, lumps, bumps, cracks, and curbs. Eventually this normal wear and tear will lead to some regular maintenance and repairs.  Should the vehicle experience damage from accidents or collision, even minor ones, that additional damage will also have a toll on your suspension and alignment. If your usual commute has smooth, well-kept roadways your struts and shocks may last longer than average, but you will usually need to replace the shocks/struts at least every 50k and 100k miles.  It’s possible that you may need service in between if you have a particularly bad incident, but for the most part this won’t be a repetitive repair. The suspension system is a vital safety component on your car, and it’s dangerous to drive with worn or broken shock absorbers and increases your risk of accident. If you notice any of these things in your vehicle, call one of our service technicians right away to have it serviced. When to look for when it’s time to service your vehicle’s suspension system? Here’s what happens when it’s time to bring your car in for a repair: The vehicle begins to drift a bit whenever you turn or drive on a curve. you can feel the bumps and shudders as you drive It feels as if you’re driving with boulders for wheels the vehicle pulls to one side as you drive, especially at higher speeds. fluid leaks, oil, or grease accumulation on your shocks/struts. tire treads wear unevenly. The vehicle frame is sinking a bit. unusual noises (a broken strut or shock may have a clinking, clunking, or knocking sound) Terms your mechanic may use to describe the suspension system: Adjustable suspension A suspension that offers driver-selectable damper (and sometimes spring) firmness settings to suit varying conditions and personal preferences. Auto-leveling suspension A suspension that adjusts the height of the vehicle so that its rear stays even with the front when cargo is carried; some systems offer multiple height settings for off-road, normal and high-speed operation. Ball joints Movable joints in the steering linkage and suspension system of a vehicle that permit rotating movement in any direction between the parts that are joined. CV joints Constant velocity joints, which are located on either end of the drive axles and transmit engine power while enabling full steering and suspension movement. Black accordion boots cover and protect these joints and hold lubricant. Stabilizer bar Sometimes called an anti-roll or anti-sway bar. A device that connects the left and right sides of a suspension to limit body roll in turn Suspension fluid A fluid used in suspension systems that are hydraulically adjustable. Suspension geometry The relationship between the placement of the mounting points for each of a vehicles suspension components.

Today, we’re sharing our picks for beautiful conservatories, curated landscapes, nature preserves, and other magnificent botanical facilities across the state of Illinois.  Fancy yourself a little road trip? We’ve also included the distance mileage to our best estimate, so you can plan your route for a little weekend getaway or day trip as you see fit! more The Chicago Botanic Garden - About 20 miles from Classic’s Dealership This gorgeous botanical garden is perfect for a few hours stroll through its 27 gardens over 385 acres to appreciate the collection of rare, tropical, and local plants and flowers.  It’s the perfect backdrop for snapping a selfie or two, and great for the avid photographer who wants to hone their nature photography skills.  The garden is open daily all year round, but the hours do change seasonally.  In addition to the permanent collections and displays, there are also special events, rotating exhibitions, and artwork to enjoy! Regenstein Center in Glencoe- 20 miles from Classic’s Dealership This specialty campus is run by the Chicago Botanic Garden, and serves as an educational and exploration center to explore our connection with nature and the environment. People of all ages and abilities can traverse this accessible park and learn about plants, bug, flowers, landscape design, and biology at the new 26,700 square foot Learning Center facility.  The new facility features indoor and outdoor classrooms, a nature lab, a beautiful Nature Play Garden offering a multisensory experience, and so much more. The Sculpture Park in Schaumburg - 45 miles from Classic’s Dealership Located on 20 beautiful acres of meadows and forest, this dog-friendly sculpture park creates a tranquil walking path for an immersive art experience. The grounds are an extension of the Chicago Athenaeum, and feature a selection of work from both international and American artists.  Each sculpture was carefully selected to fit the natural environment; the installation ims to encourage visitors to explore the relationship between good design, creative arts, and how it positively impacts our daily lives and environment The Morton Arboretum - About 50 miles from Classic’s Dealership This beautiful space is a public garden and outdoor museum with a library, herbarium, and Center for Tree Science research facility.  Every Wednesday the arboretum offers discounted admission, and there are free timed-entry admissions on certain holidays (check the calendar for more info!)  The arboretum is perfect for a leisurely stroll or stop by on one of the special events days for music, lectures, and so much more!  There are 16 miles of hiking trails open 265 days a year, so you can explore more than 200,000 plants just about any time! Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens Rockford - About 100 miles from Classic’s Dealership This beautiful facility is the third largest conservatory in the state, with an impressive 11,000 square feet of indoor space to observe tropical plants and flowers, a fully landscaped lagoon, and beautiful sculptures.  Stroll through these beautiful gardens or check out the permanent and rotating educational exhibits and unique events, or take a peek at the calendar to see what seasonal displays are currently offered. Monticello Sculpture Gardens at Lewis and Clark Community College - About 310 miles from Classic’s Dealerships Each year the Monticello Sculpture Garden at Lewis and Clark Community College announces a new theme, and this year’s theme is “Discover Monticello Sculpture Gardens” in celebration of their 10 year anniversar and inspired by the college’s rebranding campaign.  Tours are available for free between 9AM and 3:30 on Monday through Friday!  Your group will learn about the history of Lewis and Clark and the former Monticello’s Women’s Seminary, what steps are being taken to preserve the original buildings, learn about the artists and inspiration behind the sculpture installations, and explore the plants, lily pond, and fountains. Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens in Mahomet - About 180 Miles from Classic’s Dealership This incredible oasis is located inside of the Woods Forest Preserve. What originally began as a small garden outside the Museum of the Grand Pararie has since grown into eight rolling acres of gorgeous green grasses, cascading waterfalls, rock gardens, and truly magical blossoms.  It’s full of scenic areas that are perfect for some romantic couples portraits, or of course, a colorful spring selfie! Other notable destinations include: Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park in Skokie - 35 miles from Classic’s Dealership Oak Park Conservatory in Oak Park - 45 miles from Classic’s Dealership Linmar Gardens in Galena - 180 miles from Classic’s Dealership West Street Sculpture Park in Galena - 180 miles from Classic’s Dealership Meadowbrook Park and Wandell Sculpture Garden in Urbana - About 180 miles from Classic’s Dealership Luthy Botanical garden in Peoria - 190 miles from Classic’s Dealership Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island - 200 miles from Classic’s Dealership Ana Bethel Fisher Rock Garden in Decatur - 225 miles from Classic’s Dealership Mandala Gardens in Marion - 400 miles from Classic’s Dealership

Our clocks may have moved forward for the season this weekend, but we’re still waiting for the weather to catch up. Although temps are still on the chilly side here, it’s never too late to “spring ahead” and plan for upcoming maintenance with our Spring Seasonal Checklist! Winter weather drives can be harsh on your vehicle, so it’s important to prepare for the warmer weather with a system refresh.  Proper spring car care ensures your safety, vehicle efficiency, and can extend the life of your car (pardon our pun) by a mile. Let’s take a look at the recommended tasks so you can start budgeting in time for those Spring weather trips.  For a fun way to help you remember what tasks to complete, we’re pairing them with some fun song lyrics in each category. more So fresh and so clean, clean: Give your car a thorough cleaning both inside and out. Whether you opt for the DIY self-service car wash bay, a drive-through car wash facility, or a full-service wash with detailing, removing all the build up of salt, grime, and winter ick from your vehicle is vital. Removing road detritus and ice melt can protect the paint and clear coat from eroding, and prevent long term damage from rust and deterioration.  Use a high pressure sprayer to remove build-up from the undercarriage and prevent rust; if you notice any signs of rust call your local body shop to ask for rust repair and prevention options. Protect your newly cleaned vehicle with a fresh wax. Get your motor running: Pop that hood and give your car’s insides a thorough inspection. Check all of the nooks and crannies signs of wear such as cracks, leaks, breakages, or other damage.  You’ll want to check the coolant hoses, brake hoses, power steering hoses, as well as all the belts.  Take a peek at the fluid levels such as transmission, brakes, coolant, and wiper fluid; top off or replace as necessary. Check the cylinder head gaskets to make sure they’re not leaking or in need of repair, as these do break down over time with regular usage. I can pull up by the curb, I can make it on the road: We’re fast approaching road trip season, and that means a lot of activity for those tires! Make sure you thoroughly inspect your tires for signs of wear and tear, such as adequate tread depth and no signs of puncture or leaks. The change in temperature can cause your tires to lose pressure with each 10º increment, so you’ll want to regularly check and inflate the tires to pressure.  Once the ice and snow is finally gone, consider swapping your winter tires for all-season or summer tires. Have your local service center rotate and balance your tires, and take it out for a test spin to evaluate the difference. I will be your light, shining bright: Pay attention to your dashboard lights, and schedule a call to your service center if you notice anything critical is illuminated; don’t procrastinate the issues after the warning lights are on, because you may be in for a much larger issue down the line.  Ensure that your interior lights are all functioning and bulbs are replaced if not. Check all headlights, rear tail lights, brake lights, and hazard lights are in working order and function as expected; if you notice anything not illuminating properly, it may require a replacement bulb or be an electrical issue in need of service and repair. I can feel it comin’ in the air tonight: Remember to change your air filter and clear all exterior vents of leaf debris and outdoor detritus.  Having a clean air filter can improve your breathing during allergy season, as well as improving the comfort of you and your passengers with a clean, odorless drive.  Now is also a great time to replace any in-vehicle air fresheners or odor absorbers. Additionally, make sure to have your Air Conditioning and Fans serviced to ensure they’re cooling effectively before the hot weather hits.

This year is the 70th incredible year of the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Chicago!  To celebrate, we’ll be sharing some of the best places to watch it along with other fun ways to celebrate the occasion!  The Chicago St Paddy’s Day Parade is the largest of its kind in the whole US, and we’re very proud of that fact.  We’ll be covering where to catch the parade, more information about VIP access, and recommendations for local Irish eateries afterwards. It’s all right here on today’s blog. more Guests of Honor for 2025 This year’s parade theme is “Trades, Technology, and Education” highlighting apprenticeship programs, education and state-of-the-art training for the United Association (UA) and Plumbers Local 130.  This year’s Parade Guest of Honor is Mary Ellen Caronm, Ph. D., CEO of After School Matters.  The Parade’s Grand Marshal will be Mark McManus, General President of United Association.  This year’s 2025 Chicago st. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen is Cara Walsh About the Parade Local law enforcement would like parade viewers and guests to know that there will be additional security and security processes on parade day to help ensure a family-friendly, safe environment for all.  As a result, entry to the parade route opens at 11AM and will only be permitted via Jackson Ave and Ida B Wells. If you’d like to catch the river dyeing, you’ll want to get a spot along the Michigan Avenue Bridge, between Columbus Drive and State Street before 10AM. And the best views are from Upper Wacker Drive between Columbus and Fairbanks.  Please note, businesses along the Riverwalk will be closed on Parade Day, and the stairwells leading to the lower riverwalk will be closed. Public transportation to and from the parade is recommended due to the high volume of visitors and parade viewers, and multiple street closures; CTA train stations in the Loop are walking distance from the parade procession route. The parade kicks off at Balbo and Columbus and proceeds north on Columbus Drive with the viewing stand at Buckingham Fountain. The main Viewing Stand is located at the Buckingham Fountain, and this is where dancers and bands will pause to wave to attendees, so you’ll want to arrive early to secure the best spot.  Grandstand VIP Seating is $65/seat to be purchased in advance, and the grandstand will open at 10:30AM. March 7th at 8AM is the last day to purchase VIP tickets no refunds will be given, and ticket + ID is required for entry. Security will be checking bags and personal items such as purses; note that coolers, alcohol of any kind, open beverages, and personal water bottles won’t be allowed. The Northwest Side Irish Parade will be taking place on March 16th 2025 at 12PM starting between Northwest HWY and Raven.  Parade participants will arrive at 10AM, and the parade will kick-off at 12PM for bystanders and onlookers.  Check out their Facebook Page for more information. The Southside Irish Parade will be on March 16th 2025 starting at 12PM and will kick off at 103rd and Western Avenue, and march south to 115th and Western.  The parade is approximately two hours long, and full event details, including events before and after, can be viewed on their website. May every petal of the shamrock bring you joy and good luck We hope you all have a happy, fun, and safe trip to the parade this year. Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at Classic Auto Group