Seafood, boats, and automobiles

The early part of our friday was not too exciting. Got some awesome French pastry for breakfast, meet up with my brother again, and did some laundry. When you are traveling and living out of a carry on size bag, you wear the same clothes a lot. Met up with some friends for a quick lunch. And then, Regina, my 11 year old daughter, apprentice, helper, navigator, trip planner, and all around coolest kid ever, got a special surprise. When I was young (although older than 11), my dad would take me to the high school parking lot and i would practice driving. Regina has more than earned her chance. As i said she was with me all the way through this project, she was with me from Iowa to CT and will be with me when we finally start the trip to AZ on Monday. Two of our lunch dates (thanks Liz and Rose) got to the parking lot, just after we started and Liz got this awesome video for me. Regina, thanks for being the best kid a dad could ever ask for. Love you.

Now, i've got to give some details here, the Dart has no power steering, no power brakes, and a 4 speed. This video is not the first spin in the lot, but she did not stall the car the first few times trying. She did awesome and even garnered the courage to "blip" the throttle a few times.

 

After our parking lot adventures, which lasted about 15 minutes and included lap after lap in the parking lot we were heading to a birthday party. Not just any birthday party, but Lori's birthday party. Now Lori had not seen the car yet and i was nervous all over again. We got to the house and parked the car in a sunny spot in the drive way. Lori was very pleased with the results. Now, when i was at Johns family's house on Wednesday, i did something and didn't blog it. I didn't want to spoil the surprise for Lori. I had sets of keys made for Marie, Elizabeth, Marie, Richard and Lori, and presented the sets to each of them. The car may reside in my garage in Arizona, but is as much theirs as it is mine. Richard and Lori, i can never thank you for bringing the car to me in AZ, much love. On our way out to Lori's we parked the car in front of the garage where John did his part to start the transformation on the car. It is now an automotive business, seems like John paved the way to that. We took a few photos and headed out.

The party was awesome and i made frequent trips to the driveway to talk about the car. We all stayed up late and Saturday morning came way too early. Now, Saturday was going to be another big day. Seems my pal Ritchie from AZ, knows a few folks and has been spreading the word of this blog. Ritchie's pal Alan Taylor, of Motor Trend radio caught wind of what i was doing, and asked me to call into the live show Saturday morning. Regina and I called in at our appointed time and talked to Alan for about 15 minutes about what we were doing and why. Ritchie, thank you you're a true friend. Alan, thank you as well, Regina and i were beaming from the experience. Ill post a link to the recording of the show when it is available.

http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7118/7634664620_d555e68d08.jpg


 

Saturday was overcast, seems typical for New England for our visit. We left with the top up, headed to Westbrook CT to where my brother has a boat. The intent was for us to head out on the boat and go to lunch. We got to the marina under cloudy skies but enough chance to take a few photos. We got on the boat and once we got a few miles out the sky darkened and we, and by we i mean Regina who was piloting, turned the boat around and headed back to the Marina. As we docked ,the skies let loose and we got back to my brothers truck to take a ride around town and take in some awesome seafood dinner. The evening was "supposed" to be filled with cruising with the car on the Berlin Turnpike, like i did back in the day, and i was going to meet up with another mopar friend that i had never met in person. The rain likely prevented anyone other than Regina and I from cruising the turnpike, and my newest friend Gary drove his 71 challenger down, ...up?? To meet us at an ice cream shop. Gary, just got his car back from some "upgrades" and was proud to take it out. Gary, so nice to meet you. Wish we had better weather and more time, but at least we met in person.

 

We finally hit the east coast with the Dart at the harbor which leads to The long island sound. Im sure Randy's boat is in this picture, somewhere on the left.

 

 

Someone is going to have the best, "so what did you do on your summer vacation" story.

 

The pedestrian door on the left, used to be a single garage door, which is where the Dart began it's transformation. Regina is in the passenger seat, while i stand in the middle of the busy road taking pictures.

 

Artsy shot that regina took on the way to Thomaston.

 

 

 

A rather dark and wet shot of Gary's 71 challenger next to the Dart. Thanks again Gary. Great to meet you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ill just caption this, "Yes, seriously"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ive a few phone calls to make, but i think i have something else special in store for the Dart and our journey. Might have to modify our return route, but there is a higher calling.

 

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