Richard and Jo had major engine problems that eventually resulted in him having to haul his car home on a U-Haul trailer with many days and dollars spent.
Epilogue
Now, the fantastic finish. I brought the car back to Ely on the U Haul trailer. I removed my baby from the trailer and returned the truck and trailer to our local U Haul dealer. I had to wait until the next day, when my son was available, so we could push my baby into the driveway where it sits to this day. I tell everyone my baby is resting comfortably awaiting major surgery. My next door neighbor Betty put another article in the newspaper for me. I decided that my award needed a fitting base so I designed and built one. I did this mostly because as is the award will not stand on its own and I wanted the award upright when I displayed it at car shows.
During the trip I told Tony, several times, that I cannot put into words how I felt being on the run. I said it would be weeks before I could say what I really felt about this ride. Well, Here it is weeks later and I am going to attempt to put the words down on paper. So here goes. This only begins to scratch the surface of what I think about each and every driver I had the opportunity to meet, and to those I didn't get the privilege to meet, well, wait until the next time. You aint getting away that easy!
I have had a great life to this point. I have been fortunate enough to have driven across this great country of ours more times than I can count. I have seen alot of what makes this country great. I have been blessed with a great marriage. This August we will celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. We have 2 wonderful children who have each blessed us with a beautiful grandchild. I do not know what more I could ask for.
For me, this ride was like taking a step back in time. Not only because we were riding on Route 66 (because that alone conjures up images of the past) but because of the people I was riding with. They showed me that not everything in this world has to be bad. Just watch the news and all you see are images of the worst of mankind. What I experienced on this ride showed me the best in man. Whether it was loaning a wrench to a fellow driver or stopping to make sure someone was OK on the side of the road or just sitting around at night shooting the breeze. It was the camaraderie that formed between the drivers and the courtesy that we showed to each other. I felt like I was in this great big family. I didn't feel the need to put on airs or pretend to be someone I was not. With the exception of my wife and family this was the best time I have had in my life. It is for these reasons I am looking forward to the next ride. It's the chance to relive a simpler time when you could get to know your neighbors and talk to strangers without worrying what they were up to. I believe that Mustang owners are the best folks in the world and I count myself lucky to be included. From the bottom of my heart
Thank you, one and all
To Sam and Tony, A special Thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to plan and assemble this most wonderful experience. For some you have made the dreams of a lifetime come true. For others, the chance to have color in an otherwise colorless world. You are both truly remarkable people and we all owe you a debt of gratitude.
I think it wraps up the whole story kind of nicely, don't you? I hope to have the car done by next year which seems to be when the next MAA run is. Steamboat Springs, Colorado seems like a show for the next planned event. Maybe I'll have my 05 by then so
I will sign off for now with the closing I use on the MAA website:"See ya in the funny papers"
Big Daddy & Jo
7DSTANG (a.k.a. BigDaddy on the MAA Forum) |
