A Year Ago Today...........

[MustangOne]

On April 15th, we were arriving in Birmingham, AL by the hundreds having crossed this beautiful, wonderful country together. Our Mustang group joined in by people from all over the US and around the world was BLESSED to make one more cross country journey without major incident, and without major bad weather.

We stayed at some great hotels, and a creepy one or two (I'm looking at you Rodeway Inn). We met some very generous and hospitable Mustang clubs and enthusiasts who moved heaven and earth to welcome us to their home towns. We still to this day cannot say or do enough to thank them for their hard work and investment of time and money.

I look back on this day a year ago when we rolled through thick traffic to finally stop and gather at the shopping center parking lot in Birmingham. There we shook hands, hugged, exchanged gifts, and planned for what was next. It was exciting. It was a rush of feelings of accomplishment. It was also sad in a way because we all knew the drive had come to an end. Real life was about to commence once again. We then gathered at the hotel for an evening of comraderie to keep it going for just a couple more hours.

Lucky for us we were not let down by the big show that the Mustang Club of America put on. I will always remember what an absolutely gorgeous place the Barber Motorsports Park was to celebrate the Mustang 45th Anniversary. Personally, I felt the event was one of the best I have ever been to not only in all of what was there to see and do, but how well MCA pulled it off. To me, it was a CLASS ACT.

As I sit here reflecting on this day a year ago I want to take one more opportunity to say THANK YOU to everyone who participated and made the MAA 45th Anniversary Drive what it was. This is because the drive on its own is fun and an event in and of itself. But the large showing of participation, the miles of Mustangs down the road, the momentum of it all is what made it special. If not for the participants who made the trek, it would not have been Mustangs Across America.

[bigdaddy]

Hey all

Big Daddy here

I am in full agreemant with Mustang One. We could not have asked for better anything. From all the Mustang clubs that opened up thier cities and hearts to us to the dealerships who put our group on priority for oil changes and some needed car repairs. I still think about this trip with such fond memories and all the friendships I made and all the wonderful people Jo and I met. I wish there was more time to drive but alas... life keeps getting in the way. So it is with fond wishes for all who made the trip and those who will be there for the next one I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

125.7 million seconds and counting....

[AZ SVT]

Sam and Big Daddy,
Well said! :usa:

And a sincere, "Thank you," to Sam and all the crew! :headbang:
If not for your dedication, promotion and love of our hobby there would be no MAA.

In appreciation,
Charlie

[BlueStang09]

Thanks, Sam, and to everyone else who put all the time and effort at making the trip last year so very memorable. I've been thinking about the trip all week -- a trip of a lifetime for me, that's for sure. I took my 11 year old son with me on MAA 2009, so this week we've been talking about where we were each day exactly one year ago.

Even though I didn't get a chance to mingle too much with everyone, it sure felt like we were part of one huge Mustang family driving across the country. I wasn't sure how my son would handle all the driving, so I told him let's at least try to make Mustang, Oklahoma, if possible. After the first day we looked at each other and agreed we'd go all the way to Birmingham, for sure!

Santa Rosa was particularly memorable, what with seeing Mustangs filling up everything in town, from the car wash to the hotels to the dining places. I had bought my first Mustang just six weeks before the trip, although I wasn't completely forthcoming with my wife about why I had to get a Mustang all of a sudden. She didn't realize that I'd wanted a Mustang for decades...

That trip was way too cool. Thanks again, Sam, and everyone else involved!!!

[NTMAREMACH]

Wow a year has passed already. I think about the beautiful Country and the time spent getting to Vegas from Massachusetts and then the rush of being with so many Mustang enthusiast like myself to make the trip to Birmingham Al with MAA. Met a lot of great people and made many new friends. What else can someone do to accomplish such a feat. My hat comes off to you Sam, Big daddy, Charlie and all the others involved in making this happen. With one year down there are only four more to go before the next drive. Only about three more until registrations will begin, and at that time we all start getting excited.
I also thought the Cruise to Homewood was top notch. To have about 650 Mustang in a line must of been a record. I swithched my cb to a truckers channel just to hear them talk about the cruise. One trucker said "Stopping traffic for a darn Mustang Convention, who do they think they are? We should have us a Corvette convention." Then I heard another one say "Where can I buy me one of those Mustangs." It was truly a site to be seen.
Until next year when we can say it's been two years now. :cheers:

[66 NAG]

Thank you Sam, MAA participants and MCA. :cheers:
Our group of travellers had a wonderful time, met some of the nicest folks you could ever hope to meet and are eagerly awaiting 2014.:mouth_water:
The Mustang brought us together but it is the friendships made that are most memorable.:usa:
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to our experience. :)

[drtdncn]

Here, here!


(patiently waiting for 2014...)

[24KMACH]

Mustangs Across America was the event of my life. Cool to the max. Thank you Sam and one and all. I will be 70 when the next one rolls around and pray to God my wife and I can make it.:usa:

[twodudes]

We thoroughly enjoyed our 1st trip to America & participating in MAA & the 45th Anniversary celebrations. Many of our fellow club members are planned to come over for the 50th. Can't wait for it to roll around again.

Grant & Barbara Duder
New Zealand

[sawman]

Charles and Myrtis Mouton Lafayette La. WE had the trip of a life time on the 45th. run. 2014 can not get here soon enough Charlie.

[gofastguy]

It sure was loads of fun to think back about what we were all doing a year ago. I did it every day this year! (Although I did leave out some of the rush trips to the rest areas between Vegas and Mustang, OK when I was under the weather!) I have travelled fairly extensively and would have to put this journey right up at the top of the list.

My new goal is to really try to work in an "epic" journey at least once a year. I haven't yet decided what this may be this year, but sure know what I want to do in 2014, God willing...

[SprintB]

Mid life crisis! Maybe, maybe not. I’ve been working since I was 15. Married now for 31 years and have never really taken a vacation for myself. You know a day here a day there, a couple of days when the kids came along, but never a real vacation, something for me. Always putting work and other’s needs before me. Well this year was different. After helping my wife care for her ill parents for the last 5 years we decided it was time to do something different. The wife knows the desire I have for Mustangs. She was instrumental in my getting my first Mustang last year (1968 coupe with Sprint B options, Wimbledon white with red stripes. only 1 of 2 made per Marti!) Something of a show car. Good for those short cruises and shows around town on the weekend. Anyway she went out and found out about the 45th Anniversary celebration for the Mustang in April last year at Barber . She then found out about the Anniversary drive and this great group... Mustangs Across America. We discussed and I didn’t want to take the 68 out on such a long trip so she rented me a Mustang from Hertz out in LA ! So I went on the cruise of a lifetime! I ended up with about 4000 miles over 10 days between the drive from LA and joining the group in Las Vegas (at Shelby’s factory/museum) all the way to Birmingham and back to Chicago! I met so many wonderful people on this trip that and saw so many wonderful Mustangs..as evident by all the pictures posted and all the comments made by all on this forum. The trip was the most fun ever...After getting back to Chicago and dumping the rental, I decided that I needed to get a “newer car” to drive more often. (not that the 68 is a bad driver ..) So I have been looking for that right car. About 4 months ago, daughter #2 needed to buy her own car. I took her to the local Carmax where she found what she was looking for..not a Mustang). In talking with the salesman about my past trip experience, he mentioned that they had just got in a 2007 Mustang GT into inventory but it was at the “dealer” getting a recall taken care of) The only info that he could give me about the car was that it was a 2007 GT with only 11,000 miles and it was ORANGE! I originally was looking for something to counter the 68. Either white with red stripes or the reverse. But when he said GRABBER ORANGE my head started to clear and then I started looking into all the neat things I could do .. Black stripes, scoops, decals,
We set up an appointment to see and drive the car. Needless to say the wife had to prod me along after I saw the car. It already had the stripes, scoops, oversize tires, and a set of Loudmouth mufflers. I was smitten. (The wife now calls it my mistress #2) :ooer:
Thanks to Sam and all those responsible for putting together the 45th drive. We are looking forward to that day when we can all meet up again for the 50th..maybe by then I'll even have a newer Stang! :luvu:
Thanks all !

[PHR3AK38]

i have to agree with everyone it was a trip of a lifetime or atleast a trip of a 5 year lifetime, mainly because we will be there again for the 50th i have been talking to people telling them about the sight and hoping that come the 50th it will be double the size
i know alot more work for sam and everyone to take care of a group of 1200 mustangs but wouldnt that be sight to see as we all left out for the 50thl. anyways thank you oh so much sam and everyone else that had a hand in making the 45th happen it was definitely something ill remember forever :cheers:

[jalexm12@sbcglobal.net]

What an adventure! 600 of your closest Mustang Friends at 70 mph. The people, the sights, the food, the road side repairs and the new friends made.:cheers: OUTSTANDING! Great job Sam and your helpers. I am looking forward to the 50th. Maybe even find a special car for that trip.

Thanks again Sam.

Alex MAA 296
"Classic Renegades"

[pmeyler]

Sam and the rest. it was a great trip, we met many people and made a number of new freinds. Like the rest we are looking forward to the 50th but am a bit concerned about the crowd we could get. After all the 50th is a very special birthday as anyone who has celebrated that half century event knows.
To Tom (Sprint B) thats a very pretty 68 but I'm sure that the orange provides more fun on a daily basis. Just take note Tom that many trips can be taken in the intervening 5 years. If you like road trips why not consider the MCA Grand National show in Bellvue Washington. While you will need some time off, thats what vacations are for and what's more fun than hearing the rumble from the back with an open road in front. We are planning this trip with a stop in San Francisco, a drive north on Hwy1 and a few stops in between. Part of my bucket list involves driving every state in the USA if possible & we are getting close. We plan on taking 3-4 weeks to do it including if possible to drive as much of the Lincoln Highway as possible.
Company can be fun so if anyone wants to tag along part way, let us know.
Hufbeats

[gofastguy]

Part of my bucket list involves driving every state in the USA if possible & we are getting close. We plan on taking 3-4 weeks to do it including if possible to drive as much of the Lincoln Highway as possible.
Company can be fun so if anyone wants to tag along part way, let us know.
Hufbeats

We are working on touring all 48 contiguous states in the Shelby. So far, we're at 26...we love to go cruising!

[gray ghost]

2009 was a trip of a lifetime. We had a great time and made many friends. Also made 2 very good friends who live just down the road. Can't wait till the 50th it is going to be a blast.

[nvdrklok]

Sam and the rest of the crew,once again thanks for making this great trip possible.It was wonderfull
Whe are already planning our next trip whith the MAA for he 50th aniversary.

Greetings from The Netherlands

[MustangOne]

It was a pleasure and a labor of love.

[dr_mal]

So glad to have had the chance to make some epic memories in my first Mustang. Still waiting for the right combination of timing, vehicle, and finances to come together to have another Mustang in the garage, but one thing is certain - it'll happen before April 2014.

[twomanystangs]

I have to agree with everyone on here that the Birmingham trip, only a short year ago, was fabulous. I had so much fun with my local mustang club. The drive was a blast to hang with your friends and meet some new ones. I even brought my boyfriend along who is a Trailblazer SS fan and he had fun too. His favorite part was the drifting. I have to say I was shocked to see the drifting at a MCA event but it was an awesome bonus to the trip. Von Gitten Jr. is so cool. I am looking forward to 2014. I have been talking about the 2014 trip since I got home from the 2009 trip. I think I talk about it at least once a week. We have four short years to go till the next trip. I absolutely cannot wait. I wish it was tomorrow. Please keep us informed on details of the next trip. I am ready to register and make my hotel reservations, lol. Look forward to talking with everyone about the last trip and the upcoming one.
Nicole

[SALLY4PONIES]

Wow! A year already passed. It slipped by and I can't wait for the 50th!! Let the registrations begin!!

[drtdncn]

So now it's been TWO years ago this week, and I still relive it like it's just happened! :) Only 3 more to go... (patience is a virtue... patience is a virtue...)

[2yellowstangs]

I made the trec back to Birmingham this last week. Took the turn to barber motorsports park and then realized i was supposed to be heading to talladegh for the race. Fridy would have been interesting this year because we had to avoid several tornados that hit the area. At barbers we just missed the boss 302 testing session by an hour. Cant wait for 2014

[IKANDY]

Ditto! I couldn't help but think about the great times when April 17th rolled around. Only 3 more years, we've already planned that MAA will be our vacation for that year so count us IN!!! :D

[MustangOne]

Yes, watching the tornado coverage last week on TV brought back memories. We watched weather channel live when the tornados were going though and seeing its projected back path right into the heart of Birmingham where we stayed at the hotel. Homewood where the cruise night was also at one time was in the path. Some of the camera shots downtown even included the areas in which we stayed.

If anyone remembers the night of our banquet at the hotel in downtown the the tornado sirens were going off and there was an active tornado watch, but we were already safely in the basement ballroom eating and celebrating - mostly oblivious.