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Created by serious people just for fun . . .

Wagon's Ho
Load Em Up…
and Head Em Out

By: Frank Starkes
1,000 miles more or less, is quite a trip I guess. This was the feeling of most of our members from the East, as they thought about going to Waukesha for the 12th annual Convention. Their loss; as this was one great week of fun and enjoyment with the cars and the people who make up the I.T.C.

Last year when it was announced that our Convention would return to Waukesha for 2005, it immediately brought back fond memories of our first visit to our fourth convention in 1997. Back then, I believe we had 13 cars in our Caravan, and it took two issues of the Script to tell the full story of our trip out and back using the theme of the T.V. series “Wagontrain”. Jean and I were the Wagonmasters, and all the rest of the gang were portrayed as the characters in the story. The story of our trip was a masterpiece of journalism by Dr. Rich Schatz, and was probably the most outstanding story about our members that I can remember. We gathered at Rich’s home in Hazelton, Pa, and headed west on Monday morning. Those that went along will remember it well.

This year we were again asked to be The Wagonmaster’s for the Eastern Gang; however, we knew things would have to be arranged a little different this year. Our rendezvous point would have to be determined by who was going, and where they lived. We waited and waited to make the final arrangements, but sadly, many of the members who normally attend our Conventions either couldn’t come or chose not to attend. So, with a final count of just six member families wishing to travel in the Caravan, the final plans were made.

Vince and Barbara Beaver, in their beautiful 63 red sport roadster arrived at our home on Sunday morning at 8:00 A.M, as Jean and I finished packing our 02. We headed down the N.Y. Thruway to I-84 west into Pa, with Vince leading the way. This was the most exciting part of the trip for Vince and Barb, not good excitement I might add, as it kept Vince on his toes. First, a lively young deer decided to cross the road right in front of him, but that was O.K. Then going down the Thruway a tractor trailer passed us both; then the driver either fell asleep or was so taken back by the red T-bird, that he decided to pull back into the driving lane before he was passed the front of Vince’s car. Vince hit the brakes, pulled the bird off on the shoulder, and the truck kept coming in. Finally a hard brake and the truck was on by, but a very scary experience. Finally on I-84, heading down the mountain into Port Jervis, an SUV pulling a small trailer in front of Vince almost lost it as it started to zig zag back and forth due to an unbalanced load. After a couple of miles he pulled off the road, and we went peacefully along our way.

Our next rendezvous stop was at the first rest area just west of Hazelton on I-80 at 1:00 P.M, where we hooked up with Ken and Ann Leaman, and Doug Bradley. After a short break, we headed west to Youngstown, Ohio, arriving around 6:00 at The Sleep Inn where we met Norm and Kitty Mummert and Judy and Earl Dickinson. We were glad to arrive, a bit wind blown after a 475 mile trip with the top down. We found that after packing the trunk of the 02, there was no room for the boot cover, so we just had to put it where it belongs, covering the top, but that is a whole nother story.

Monday morning brought nice sunshine as we headed across Ohio. Jean convinced me that she was going to ride with someone else if I put the top down again, so Ken came to the rescue and let me put the boot cover in his van. After lunch we headed into Indiana where we took a little side trip just off the Interstate to Sturgis, Michigan, to visit Arnie and Ethel Buhl. What a delightful surprise that was, as The Buhl’s treated us to a tour of their Car Barn, complete with all the memorabilia, collectables, and car stuff that most only dream about. Their cars ranged from a Model T, to Model A’s, a 37 Ford, a number of T-birds, a 48 Caddy cruiser, and even a 60 Chevy Convertible which was a beauty. In the back was a full wall painting of a 30’s gas station garage complete with the two proprietors in their Texaco uniforms standing by to pump your gas. Arnold explained that this was a painting of his Father’s gas station, and the two men were his Dad and his partner. In front of the painting were two real gas pumps, to give it a real life like appearance. Out in front was a section set aside for fun and entertainment sectioned off with a white picket fence. It had a black and white checkered floor, a juke box at one end, a real coke dispensing machine from the forties, a coke table and chair set, and display cases with lots of things to admire. It was here that Ethel did herself proud by putting out a spread of cakes, cookies, pumpkin pie, iced tea, lemonade, and candy for us all. The Buhl’s were most gracious hosts, and by four o’clock we bid them good-bye, thanked them for their hospitality, and headed to Elkhart for the night.

Tuesday morning brought another nice sunshiny day. Arnie and Ethel decided to join our caravan and met us at eight for the final leg of the trip. Now numbering six, we took the lead as we headed toward Chicago. There was Jean and I in our 02, Vince and Barbara next, then there was Norm and Kitty and Earl and Judy in Norm’s green 40th Anniversary, then Ken, Ann, and Doug in Ken’s van carrying all the Club merchandise, and finally Arnie and Ethel driving a Ford P/U towing a box trailer with their 55 red baby bird inside. Traffic was moving along as we headed for our last scheduled stop at our daughters home just before we left Indiana. Just two miles off the Interstate, we arrived at The Pasyk home about 10:00, and were greeted by Pam, Jonathon 10, and Christina13; where they had been busy preparing a nice mid morning brunch for us. There was quiche, blueberry coffee cake, breads, a bowl of fresh fruit, juice, and coffee to replenish our stamina for the ride through Chicago. After a last minute check of the road conditions ahead, it was decided that the best route was right thru downtown.

We headed out a little after eleven, and after a short traffic hold-up we were able to navigate with all cars staying together through downtown and on up to Wisconsin. We stopped at the first major rest stop for a break, and here we met Earl, Bea, and Orville Zastrow having lunch. From here on up to our hotel was another couple of hours, and we covered the course in good time, arriving at The Country Inn by mid afternoon. A great three days with lots of fun, no problems, and some good memories of another memorable Caravan to a Convention. Let’s start planning now for our trip to North Carolina.