Surf's up in South Dakota, June 29-30

We head straight west out of Monona, Iowa and a brief 400 miles later we are thinking, "sailing would be fun".

Oh ye of little faith. You say South Dakota and water sports don't go together. While South Dakota may not be known for great water sports, it has a fabulous large reservoir near Pickstown on the Missouri River. The Fort Randall Dam and Lake Francis Case are a sight to behold, over two miles wide and forty miles long. We also have a connection there. My college roommate of 40 plus years ago has a beautiful 32 foot sloop docked at the aforementioned reservoir. Old friends, a stiff wind and plenty of grog and we're off for the final weekend of our trip. Bill (Pig Willy) and Joyce spend most summer weekends on the lake after traveling three hours from their home and farm in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Bill, a purveyor of pork, learned his sailing techniques on Long Island Sound as a lad. Joyce has also learned well and the master and mate titles are interchangeable in that household.

The 'ol Cobra got a days rest as we explored the length and breath of the lake on the good ship "Hog Tide". We met many friends of our hosts and, naturally partook in too much good food and drink. This was a perfect finish to our month long odessy.

Sunday we arrived home in Castle Rock, Colorado where we started on June 3rd. We have traveled 6180 miles, used 300(299.3) gallons of gas, and averaged 20.6 miles per gallon. We estimate we have scraped 6 pounds of bugs from the car. We were rained on only once while driving for about 15 minutes. Our only repair was the welding of a crack in the exhaust system ($35.00). Are we ready to go again? Check back next year.

Thanks for following us on this blog. May all your journeys be as much fun as this one was for us. This is a beautiful country to see, with the top down.

Best regards,

Bob & Peg

Boy, da corn is everywhere. June 27

We are headed west to Iowa. Agriculture is the predominant feature of the countryside. After struggling for several years of the last decade, the farmers have finally won one. It would appear that every square inch of the midwest is planted in corn, and the price is twice what it was last year. The methanol plants, the live stock farmers and the food producers are all buying as much as they can get. That's a long political discussion that my wife has instructed me not to get into. Whatever turns your crank.

We crossed over the Mississippi River at Praire du Chien, Wisconsin and stopped at the "Pikes Peak State Park". It would seem that old Zebulin Pike spent some time here on his way to Colorado. Not much of a peak by Colorado standards, but a great view of the upper Mississippi River, from a bluff several hundred feet above.

We continued on to Monona, Iowa, a small town where Peg's aunt and uncle, Lynn and Jack hosted us for the night. Good conversation, great food and a wonderful bed. What else could we ask for.

Tomorrow it's South Dakota and water sports. Sound strange?

The ferry to Cheeseland, June 27

Bright and early, we boarded the 410 foot "Badger". It is the last coal fired, steam powered commercial vessel operating in the U.S. It took a bit under four hours to traverse the 60 miles across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. After landing and getting our bearings, we headed south along the edge of Lake Michigan, through Sheboygan, the bratwurst capital of the world, and on to the Milwaukee area, where, yours truly spent about 14 of his formative years prior to the time when I left for college in Colorado.

We drove around the Village of Elm Grove, where I lived, and I managed to remember an incredible number of names of former friends and neighbors, to the resounding yawns of my wife.

We spent the evening with old friends John and Gail, he being a dyed in the wool Ford flathead V-8 maniac. Everybody should have two garages full of '36 & '37 Fords in pristine condition. Gail is a master gardener and the yard is a thing of pure beauty. Needless to say, we had a great time.

Tomorrow we continue to head west across Wisconsin and into that zany madcap land called Iowa.

Detroit on a hot day.

We drove along Lake Erie, then north along Lake St. Clair toward Detroit. Along the way we passed one of the rarely seen, railroad nuclear reactors. The logo on the side was a dead give away. Peg gets the credit for catching this one while we were at highway speed.

We decided to check in with young Bill Ford, so we made a detour through Gross Pointe, but he was otherwise occupied, updating his resume. Nice neighborhood though.

We stayed with Cobra friends Bill and Karen, who attended our Colorado Cobra Cruise last summer, (see, we're all a little crazy with these cars). Unfortunately, other commitments prevent them from attending this years event in Colorado, but we are hopeful for 2008.

We had another very enjoyable dinner and evening of conversation about family and Cobras, well into the night. They are also on the short list for most comfortable bed competition.

Tomorrow it is off to the west coast. That is of course, the west coast of Michigan. Our sights are set on scenic Ludington, where we will catch the ferry to Cheeseland or Wisconsin as it is also known.

Yes, Cleveland Rocks

We traveled from Rochester, New York west and crossed the northwest corner of Pennsylvania, into Ohio. A very pleasant drive along the shore of Lake Erie, where we saw the lake through the haze. Cleveland is a real renaissance city. It makes you feel really good to see a city reinvent itself and emerge as a beautiful, cultured and diverse place. It is also the home of the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame, which is a real shrine for folks my age. It is not to be missed. We, however, actually missed it this trip, but have visited it the last time we were here. Fabulous, simply fabulous.

We stayed with our long time friends Patti and Herb, and well, did our normal "too much great food and drink thing". We were able to catch up about families and careers that have continued to progress, since our last chance to get together. They are just beginning to enter the empty nest phase as both of their children are college students. Been there, done that. The quiet can be deafening.

We head to the Motor City next. Tomorrow it's off to see friends and fellow Cobra owners in suburban Detroit.

Wednesday June 20th - Rochester, NY

Well, you all probably thought we drove off the end of this big flat world. Actually we have been masquerading as maintenance contractors at my son's new home in a suburb of Rochester. The town is called Chili, pronounced Chy-lie, and yes they have an annual Chili chili festival. I guess they couldn't pass that one up.

Our son is getting married in September to a wonderful gal and we had the chance to spend some quality time with them. We ate too much and drank too much and had a really great time.

On Sunday the 24th we head to Cleveland to see friends and to see if "Cleveland Rocks", as is purported by Drew Carey.

Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont roads can be lots of fun.

After completing our small repair, we headed west for the first time in two weeks. We have set a course for our son Brian's home in Rochester, New York. This will take two days with an interim stop in Castleton, Vermont, close to Rutland. This small college town is only about 20 miles from the New York border.

The drive was slow by most standards, but was both beautiful and fun with the winding roads to test our attention. Probably the most fun I've had under 50 MPH, in recent memory. We arrived in the late afternoon just as the skies became overcast and the humidity jumped well into 3 digits. Boy can it get humid in those parts. We unpacked the car and decided to put up the top in case of evening rain. Just as we finished the skies opened up with a real frog strangler which continued most of the night.

This B&B, built in 1790, was another remarkable restoration. The accommodations were superb and we will recommend it to our son as a stop on their honeymoon trip to Maine in September.

The morning brought overcast skies, cooler temperatures and a suggestion from "trusted co-pilot" that leaving the top on could be more comfortable than not. I agreed and we headed into the Empire State.

Off to the Maine coast

We left Cape Cod feeling relaxed and headed to Freeport, Maine, the L.L. Bean mother lode. Here is a tiny town with a massive corporate campus and the flagship store for this catalogue retailer, that is open 24/7. Upon arrival, we heard a small exhaust leak emanating from under the hood. As it turns out we cracked an exhaust pipe where it enters one of the catalytic converters. Our B&B host for the evening, a former Navy fighter pilot, mobilized the locals and we had it welded the next morning before our departure. Small towns rock! We did manage to visit the L.L. Bean store and had a great dinner in a 1770's inn, so no major loss on the enjoyment front.

We will head inland next on our trek, and experience yet another scenic drive across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Cape Cod, the vacation segment

Now that the pressure of making it to the Open House is over, we are kicking back and relaxing. We have toured the Cape from one end to the other and even took a boat ride past the Kennedy compound to wave at Ted. Didn't see him wave back, but that's ok. The food here is wonderful. Peg keeps telling me to leave some for the other visitors, and that's a pretty good idea. We also visited several museums, beaches, marinas and have gotten lost on occasion. The weather could not be better and the car continues to run great.

Factory Five Racing Open House

This is why we came 2970 miles. Free hot dogs. And of course about 200 other Cobra people from the New England area and a few crazies, like us, from other places a long drive away. We did get an honorable mention in the "long distance drive category", which was very nice. Chris & Donna Mann from Corvallis, Oregon, yes, you heard correctly, drove almost 4000 miles and won top honors. There were lots of neat cars and neater people. It was a great experience and a lot of fun to meet some of the folks that we have talked to over the years, but never seen. To finally put a name and face together led to a lot of high fives and back slapping.

It was a great open house and we are very glad we made the trip. Dave Smith (President of Factory Five) is a very genuine guy and it is evident why this company is so successful. He really sounds like a fun person to be around. I'm happy to have been able to meet him.

Tomorrow a day to kick back on Cape Cod.