Illinois Peeps

Ooops, sorry Jeff, I just presumed you were more in tune with this whole thing. When it comes time to "drive" with this group, you better be ready! I've almost been left behind several times when hanging out with the SOC crowd. I was looking forward to picking your brain. 

Sandy whipped up a video of our Sunday tour.  Enjoy!

Excellent! Sandy captured the day beautifully. Thank you so much for putting the video together.

Thanks for sharing those pics. Cool video! Looks like a great day of cruising. Bummer that Jeff & his wife got left behind!

I thought I was too. 11 O'Clock means 11 O'Clock. When I go to class and I get there early, I don't start teaching immediately. I wish I could live on "island time" like you guys.

The real thing that gets me is that I had to schedule all of this. I usually need at least a few months planning ahead of time as my schedule is too chaotic to allow a spur of the moment. This was only my second car "thing" in years and one of the first social group things I've ever done.

Jeff

I have a great video of you guys driving away.

We wouldn't of had fun being apart, not to mention she probably couldn't sit in the seats, much less for the length of the cruise. That's why I just bought some 356 seats I need to rebuild. Then I need to sell a bunch of my cars (and a kidney) to get Kevin and Carey to build us a car.

Jeff

P.S. The color and ride height on your car is great! Got a nice picture of it.

My life story....

Jeff

Jeff-

I'm sorry for the way this worked out for you-- I really am. Most of us understood the compressed nature of the schedule, and were anxious to get rolling, but it still wasn't an excuse to leave you standing in a parking lot. I'm a bit confused about the 11:00 thing, though. I looked back at all 7 pages of the thread and saw 10:00 mentioned multiple times-- but nothing about 11:00, unless I missed it.

I can assure you that there's nothing "island time" in my life. I've lived by the clock my entire working life, which is to say since I was about 12 years old.

Regardless, I wish you'd have had the opportunity to make the trip worthwhile. I know that seeing these things in person, and riding along in several different versions would have made my initial buying experience a lot less "trial-and-error" and a lot more informed.

If there's anything we can do to make it up to you, please send one or more of us a dialog. I can speak for the group when I say that I'm sure none of us what to be "that guy".

Jeff:

I think I was the last guy you spoke to before we left at about 10:15. If I knew you wanted a right seat, I'd have offered. You didn't indicate that you had changed your mind about going hiking with your wife (see above) and I wish you had.

With all due respect, everybody who committed to show up with a Speedster had done so by about 10:00. There was no apparent reason for us to wait until 11:00 to get on the road nor do I recall any discussion about that as a drive start time, but I may be wrong. You're right, we don't stick to much of a schedule once we are all gathered to start. Frankly, I'm not apologetic about that, it seems to work for the group.

We were all itching to get going as this was primarily a driving event, not a "shine and show".

I am sorry you were disappointed. I look forward to having you join us at some future event, and you have my right seat whenever it is available.

I can't imagine any one or all of us leaving you out intentionally. I wish you had simply made it clear that you wanted to participate in the driving portion of the day. We had at least 4 available seats. 

I'm sorry for you, but I am having a hard time feeling guilty as I don't think anybody tried to adversely effect you in any way.

Hopefully, by the next event you will be up and running with a Speedster, but if not, you are welcome to hop in mine. 

I just remember someone saying something about being there an hour and then hitting the road. We were considering going hiking then shopping but the wind left our sails. I would have ridden with any of you but I was with my wife and I rarely do anything outside of work without her next to me.

Anyway, it's over and I glad you guys had fun. Here is the video I shot.

http://youtu.be/0ovwXCpL-T8

Jeff

Great video, Jeff... Sorry you weren't taking it from a passenger seat.

taking a ride up here to Wisconsin before the snow flys is still an option.

The Lake Mills Cars and Coffee, first Sunday in October might be an opportunity, but be aware...8 to 11...promptly. Stay in touch.

I need to get a Go Pro some day. That way I could be in the driver's seat!

Thanks Rich but that isn't happening! Too far, too close on the calendar!

Jeff

Just a little late to the dance! Thanks to Chris and Sue for mapping out and leading us on a most excellent cruise. Bobbi and I met and made new friends. You mid-west folks are very welcoming and kind. Thanks to Stan and Jeannie for hosting our stay. You have taken hospitality to new heights. This weekend was very therapeutic for me. I so needed a break to clear my head and regenerate my batteries.It was so relaxing and laid back to get to drive along some of the prettiest landscape in the country. Ruby ran flawlessly, and the mellow exhaust tones were blissfully symphonic. What a treat. I can in all truthfulness  say that I look forward to our next gathering. Remember this friends. Every day is a bonus. Maximize the joy that you can extract from each one of them. Make a difference in someones life, and inscribe a legacy of love on their heart. Blessings to you all.

  I would of posted something sooner, unfortunately I had an emergency response for work.  Apparently a motorist veered off a roadway down south and hit one of our pipelines. It was good timing for me to leave Saturday.

Other than that … I had a great time with everyone. Thanks Chris and Stan for setting things up. It’s nice to see the faces of those behind their  great look cars. My car loved the winding roads. Great video Sandy .  I hope  we do this again in the future .

Corn Daze Trois!

Only a winter away.

Looking at cruise routes already. I think we can find a covered bridge, some twisty river bottom roads, bendy bluff byways (say that three times fast) and a couple of nice hill climbs.

Rich, start thinking shirts!

Stan, we need to search out more bar food stops.

Maybe a tech session?

Tom--go to Carlisle and join your old friends ands I'll go to Illinois.

I really want to do another West Coast run too and hope to hook up with someone else who wants a great adventure----which it is!

Tom/Jack-- Both of you are expected for Corn Daze Trois. Resistance is futile. And, really-- why would you want to. All the cool kids are doing it. 

The big problem is: once you drive through cornfields with a handful of guys from IL/WI, how can hanging with 100 other speedster owners from all over the country (and all the builders as well) at a huge multi-day extravaganza out east ever satisfy a guy again? But wait-- there's more! We have corn AND beans!

You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll be moved. You'll never want to go home.

It's highly unlikely I can make it, but just where do you plan to meet for CDIII?  Probably 1200-1500 miles from Charleston, I'll bet.

 The gang at Duffy's

... and there's my big 'ol melon, blocking out Joe like and eclipse of the sun.

Joe prefers to remain incognito, but his work certainly speaks for itself. We who were there appreciated his presence .

Ah, yes, Joe! I got a ride in that cool Speedster back in '06! Car still looks great!

Sandy, SWEET video!

It's for the better. Ever really look at that face? You'll turn to stone!

Jeff

Thanks Rich . Yes I tend to hide in the shadows, I' m like " the stig" I from the show " Top Gear". 

Yes ... I remember that Danny. I think we paved the road that day with rubber.

What's a couple rear tires between car buds?? We can always buy a new set or two!