driving holiday ! (sorry, long)
07-13-2002, 02:14 AM
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driving holiday ! (sorry, long)
Just got back from a 3-week holiday in the 911, and had to share a couple of thoughts. As a 911 owner for just a year, these things are still exciting to me and I think should be shared with people who might appreciate them.
I live on the Canadian prairie, and had a meeting to attend in Victoria, BC, Canada. The trip is 1900 km each way, across prairie, through the Rocky Mountains, across several mountain passes in BC, and then across the Strait of Georgia on a ferry. I decided that my '82SC Targa was reliable enough to do this, and made my plans to drive out alone, and have my family fly out later to join me for a holiday when the conference was over.
My Dad, now 83 years old, and living near my destination, hates to travel. I was floored when he called to say he wanted to fly to my place and accompany me on the trip out west. We arranged everything, out he came, and then the weather turned: rain, thunderstorms, etc. I was going to give up and take another vehicle, when my wife pointed out that this trip had "major memory potential". We set out as planned, but I had major misgivings.
What a trip! I've not had so much time alone with my Dad since before I got married, 21 years ago. I have no radio/CD, so we talked the whole way, over the noise of the engine. We had one horrible 24 hrs of rain, but the Targa kept us, our bags, and the interior dry as a bone. We removed the top at every opportunity. My Dad, who'd only had a couple of short rides in the car before, grinned hugely everytime we overtook a truck on a long sweeping uphill, or hit 6000 rpm in 2nd on our way uphill. His only problem was extricating himself and his cane from the car at gas stops!
My wife and 9-year-old were with me on the way back. That was a blast, too, with perfect weather and near-deserted secondary roads (more deer than vehicles seen the first day). The car performed flawlessly the whole trip: 3900 km, 1.5 litres of oil consumed, 32 mpg!
I'm glad I went ahead and drove the 911 on the long trip. Although until this trip the car only saw rain when I was caught in unexpected showers, I don't for a minute regret deliberately driving into heavy rain. I am very blessed that my Dad was able to enjoy it with me; realistically, we may never have the opportunity to do that again.
To all who've read this far, thanks for letting me indulge in this post!
I live on the Canadian prairie, and had a meeting to attend in Victoria, BC, Canada. The trip is 1900 km each way, across prairie, through the Rocky Mountains, across several mountain passes in BC, and then across the Strait of Georgia on a ferry. I decided that my '82SC Targa was reliable enough to do this, and made my plans to drive out alone, and have my family fly out later to join me for a holiday when the conference was over.
My Dad, now 83 years old, and living near my destination, hates to travel. I was floored when he called to say he wanted to fly to my place and accompany me on the trip out west. We arranged everything, out he came, and then the weather turned: rain, thunderstorms, etc. I was going to give up and take another vehicle, when my wife pointed out that this trip had "major memory potential". We set out as planned, but I had major misgivings.
What a trip! I've not had so much time alone with my Dad since before I got married, 21 years ago. I have no radio/CD, so we talked the whole way, over the noise of the engine. We had one horrible 24 hrs of rain, but the Targa kept us, our bags, and the interior dry as a bone. We removed the top at every opportunity. My Dad, who'd only had a couple of short rides in the car before, grinned hugely everytime we overtook a truck on a long sweeping uphill, or hit 6000 rpm in 2nd on our way uphill. His only problem was extricating himself and his cane from the car at gas stops!
My wife and 9-year-old were with me on the way back. That was a blast, too, with perfect weather and near-deserted secondary roads (more deer than vehicles seen the first day). The car performed flawlessly the whole trip: 3900 km, 1.5 litres of oil consumed, 32 mpg!
I'm glad I went ahead and drove the 911 on the long trip. Although until this trip the car only saw rain when I was caught in unexpected showers, I don't for a minute regret deliberately driving into heavy rain. I am very blessed that my Dad was able to enjoy it with me; realistically, we may never have the opportunity to do that again.
To all who've read this far, thanks for letting me indulge in this post!
07-14-2002, 08:10 PM
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Stan,
Thanks for a wonderful story with you and your Dad. I will always remember a very short trip I took with my Dad in 2000. I did not see him until that time in almost 22 years. Before that, we only talked on the phone or via snail mails. My parents currently live half way around the around, in VietNam.
In 2000, my parents got a chance to come to America to visit the children for the first time in over 20 years and their first time in USA. I was very sick back then, but I managed to take the Turbo out for a few runs with my Dad, including going to the monthly OCR PCA's Breakfast club. My mom does not like that kind of ride in the mountains or fast car, so, I made her a video tape of the same road for her to take back home.
I had a great time with my Dad, to whom I did not have many chances to talk to much before. We took off really early and headed for Ortega Highway. It's located about 20 minutes on the freeway south of my house, off of the 5 South freeway... We even took breaks and ate food my mom prepared for us... I miss my parents so much. I'm very glad that I was able to share my passion for Porsche with my Dad, who does not know how to drive a car.
Now my parents are half way around the world again. And I don't even know when I will ever see them again. As they get older, it is harder for them to travel to the USA to see the children and grand children, and I have a hard time traveling myself.
Sorry for the "soft" post... drive safely everyone.
Sonny
ps: Porsche content - I need to take the Turbo out to exercise the wastegate... <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
Thanks for a wonderful story with you and your Dad. I will always remember a very short trip I took with my Dad in 2000. I did not see him until that time in almost 22 years. Before that, we only talked on the phone or via snail mails. My parents currently live half way around the around, in VietNam.
In 2000, my parents got a chance to come to America to visit the children for the first time in over 20 years and their first time in USA. I was very sick back then, but I managed to take the Turbo out for a few runs with my Dad, including going to the monthly OCR PCA's Breakfast club. My mom does not like that kind of ride in the mountains or fast car, so, I made her a video tape of the same road for her to take back home.
I had a great time with my Dad, to whom I did not have many chances to talk to much before. We took off really early and headed for Ortega Highway. It's located about 20 minutes on the freeway south of my house, off of the 5 South freeway... We even took breaks and ate food my mom prepared for us... I miss my parents so much. I'm very glad that I was able to share my passion for Porsche with my Dad, who does not know how to drive a car.
Now my parents are half way around the world again. And I don't even know when I will ever see them again. As they get older, it is harder for them to travel to the USA to see the children and grand children, and I have a hard time traveling myself.
Sorry for the "soft" post... drive safely everyone.
Sonny
ps: Porsche content - I need to take the Turbo out to exercise the wastegate... <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />