I MADE IT & SHE MADE IT!
Wo Hoo!
What a week!
I almost changed my mind about driving to the South Bend swap meet. I had wanted to attend both, York and South Bend. Had to skip York, and had my heart set on getting to SB. Made reservations and then was informed that it was the weekend that my daughter, Jennifer, was graduating from her University the same weekend. Late in the previous week, I had decided to cancel the trip. Then, my wife suggested, "Why not go Wednesday, spend Thursday & Friday, get up early Saturday, and you can make it back in time for the ceremony." The ceremony was not until 7:30 Saturday evening. I was still reluctant to risk cutting the timing that short, for the distance involved. Spent some more time agonizing over the decision to attend, but since my wife, Donnie, had added approval by her encouragement, I decided to test my "multi-tasking" (probably more correct to call it "sequential tasking") and make both events.
Wednesday morning, I drove out of my driveway at 7AM. 383.7 miles later, I made a "pit stop" at Dry Ridge Ky. to fill up, (empty another container
), and buy a burger. I arrived in Plymouth Indiana at approximately 4:30PM. The Super 8 (two star) motel is where I made my reservations. Checked in, and drove across the road to a Bob Evans Restaurant. Ordered a Breakfast (for supper), went back to the room, turned on the TV, and promptly fell asleep. Next morning, I went to check out the "FREE BREAKFAST."
The nice ladies at the desk told me about it the night before. Well...I did pour myself a cup of coffee, go back to my room, and look into the bag of "just in case" stuff my wonderful wife had insisted I bring along. She had packed an apple struddle pastry. I have discovered they do not drive my diabetes out of control. It is a guilty pleasure that somehow helps me tolerate my daily insulin routine. Also, this time, it saved me from returning across the road to the Bob Evans and pigging out on pancakes.
Since the swap meet didn't officially start until Friday, I had pondered how to spend my time on Thursday. In my mind, I envisioned going by the Fairgrounds to see if anyone would be there, and offer assistance if any was needed setting up. Since I was not selling anything, I wasn't even sure if I would be allowed in.
I figured that if that didn't work out, I could go to the museum or Studebaker International's store. Well...when I drove up to the fairgrounds, I was pleasantly surprised! Not only was it a hotbed of activity, but very welcoming, friendly folks, busy hustling boxes of parts, pushing hand trucks, and bright colored vest wearing staff offering assistance. I found what I thought would be an out of the way parking spot, and walked into the main building. What a pleasant experience. To a person, every one I encountered, was a friendly face. I managed to assist some bring in boxes. One gentleman, using one of those electric scooters, seemed especially appreciative for my assistance. For the amount of boxes we carried in, I was surprised at the volume of parts that ended up on his table. Either someone else brought other items later, or he is the best box packer in the SDC!One of my bucket list goals, was to be sure to meet Bob Peterson. And, as a bonus, traveling with him was Ian Mackellar from
Victoria, Australia. I realized, some meet in the past, I had encountered Bob, but never had we introduced ourselves to each other. I did thank him for (years ago) selling me a very lousy steering wheel on ebay. It turned out to be just the core I needed to exchange with the Schrocks for my new Land Cruiser steering wheel.
I almost offered to help them unload that trailer full of nice California sheet metal, but managed to slink away while they were not looking.
Before I realized it...it was already after noon!
Wandered over to those wonderful ladies preparing food up front. Picked up a hotdog, piece of peach pie, and shared a table with Ryan Patrualski (try pronouncing that name with a drawl), and "Arrow Head" (Homer Hinchliff) where, in addition to Studebaker, we swapped stories 'bout Studebaker, motorcycles, and making (knapping) arrow heads. Honestly, I was having such a great time meeting, greeting, and enjoying the fellowship among my SDC friends, that the day literally flew by.
Before I knew it, they were making an announcement about closing the gates for the day. My initial concerns about how to spend the day were forgotten. I think it was Ed George who invited me to the evening "tailgate party" at the meet headquarters motel parking lot. There, the fellowship continued. It was kinda like this forum, where we conversed much like we do here. Only, with face to face conversation, we managed to murder the language by attempting to speak it, rather than spell it.
Ian Mackellar was very gracious by not pointing out that we all talk with a strange accent. While, for me, it was Ed George who gave “face” to the parking lot “Tailgate Party,” I realize there were others who assisted in setting up the tables, manned the grille, and contributed to hosting the event. To all involved, a heartfelt THANK YOU! There, I met the Davis brothers from Arkansas. Again, it was one of those wonderful times you wish wouldn't end, but the realities of keeping to a schedule, began whispering, “you gotta go,” into my aging brain. I reluctantly crawled into my old Dodge Ram and made it back to the motel in Plymouth at sunset.
The next morning, Friday, I checked out of the motel. Made a note of my Thursday mileage (56), zeroed out my trip meter, and headed back to the fairgrounds. Now, the clock was really ticking. One of the highlights of this trip was getting to engage in a little fellowship with Ted Harbit and Mrs. Harbit. What a wonderful couple. Here's a couple of accomplished folks, who look you straight in the eye, with sincere gracious humility. Without actually saying it, they give testimony to “clean living,” and being God's children.
Here's a couple of accomplished folks, who look you straight in the eye, with sincere gracious humility. Without actually saying it, they give testimony to “clean living,” and being God's children. Sharing the booth with Ted, was Bob Palma. It could be said that Bob has never met a stranger. But, since we are all Studebaker fans...what could be “Stranger” than that???!!! I thanked him for the discount coupon for Hemmings Classic Car magazine. How else could a CASO (cheap a$$ Studebaker owner) be enticed into subscribing?
I thanked him for the discount coupon for Hemmings Classic Car magazine. How else could a CASO (cheap a$$ Studebaker owner) be enticed into subscribing? Gosh...I know this tale is getting long, (and boring), but how else can you convey such great times? (Certainly not with a “tweet.”) Before I knew it, the clock hands were converging on Noon. I still managed to engage in a conversation with Tom Curtis. Always, interesting, and pleasant experience. We all benefit from his dedication, and enthusiasm. Thank you Tom for the time and work you do.
(Certainly not with a “tweet.”) Before I knew it, the clock hands were converging on Noon. I still managed to engage in a conversation with Tom Curtis. Always, interesting, and pleasant experience. We all benefit from his dedication, and enthusiasm. Thank you Tom for the time and work you do. I bought one of those new flex oil gauge lines from Jim Turner, exhaust gaskets from Jon Meyer, and a crankshaft gear installer tool from Phil Harris. As a testimony to the wise intellect of Bob Peterson, most of his stash was already sold before loading it on his trailer. However, I did manage to extract two NOS carburetors from his "Not Pre-Sold" inventory.
Had some great CASO banter (negotiation?) with Barry Hackney over a couple of brake drums. He didn't sell, and I didn't buy...but it was fun anyway. For all of you who took my money, you should know, it is not a common occurrence. If this trip was to be evaluated in terms of pure economic practical reasoning...it was a foolish exercise. In terms of collecting memories for a 71 year-old geriatric (afflicted with congenital immaturity)...PRICELESS!!!
Had some great CASO banter (negotiation?) with Barry Hackney over a couple of brake drums. He didn't sell, and I didn't buy...but it was fun anyway. For all of you who took my money, you should know, it is not a common occurrence. If this trip was to be evaluated in terms of pure economic practical reasoning...it was a foolish exercise. In terms of collecting memories for a 71 year-old geriatric (afflicted with congenital immaturity)...PRICELESS!!!Tearing myself away from the crowd, I reluctantly waddled to my truck, fired it up, drove around to Tom Karkiewicz's red T-cab and retrieved the 5 lug rims he had brought from home. I pulled out of the fairgrounds at noon. Again, I made one stop to refuel at Dry Ridge, Ky. Exactly, at 10PM, I pulled into my driveway. After dodging jay walking deer, potholes, construction zones, distracted texting drivers, and one “Kamakasi “ bird-strike...my odometer revealed I had successfully negotiated 691 miles in ten hours.
WOO HOO! I DID IT!...
...Next day, Saturday...SHE DID IT!
BP
Actually, she got married in 1994. Her daughter, Jordan, wasn't born until 1998. Son Luke was born in 2002. Thus, my corny joke, "She dropped out of school to have a couple of teenagers."
.
Comment