Six Days On The Road......(long)

[mede8er]

Well my rig's a little old,
But that don't mean she's slow.
There's a flame from her stack,
And the smoke's rolling black as coal.
My hometown's coming in sight,
If you think I'm happy your right.
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.



My father passed away January 15th. After nearly 2 years of Altzheimers his decline was rapid, mostly pain free,
and he died peacefully in his sleep. For that I am thankful.



I flew into L.A. on the 16th. No offense to San Angeleno’s, but the L.A. Basin is a pressure cooker of humanity
and filth these days, not the beautiful city I grew up in 40 years ago……..



Right now my fathers urn sits on a corner table, his ever present Dodgers hat rests on top of the lid……



After getting my fathers estate in order for mom it was time to turn my attention to my means of transportation
for my 3,000 mile return trip; a 1964 ½ Ford Mustang, although since my 80 year old mom had driven it in the last
couple years she bunged up the hubcaps pretty good and a minor fender bender resulted in a respray that is not
quite the original ‘Baby” Blue it is still pristine after 40 years……



My father was meticulous in his maintenence of machinery. His mowers, tools and cars were always in perfect
order. The week the Ford Mustang was introduced he bought one, of course his personality would only allow for
the basic 6 cylinder and automatic for pragmatic reasons, it was (and is) nonetheless an impressive automobile…..



My son flew in from Telluride to ride shotgun on the return trip. He had recently slipped on some ice and broke his
shouder, thus he couldn’t drive but would be a handy assistant in roadside emergencies. Throughout the 3000 mile
journey home the car ran like a jewel, just the way Dad maintained it. Although it was totally overloaded with 2
large tool boxes in the trunk (for emergencies that never occurred), and my son and I were squashed up front
with all our luggage and mementos stuffed in the back seat. It was still an extremely comfortable ride….more so
than my company supplied Cadillac CTS whose seats are hard as rocks!!!!!!!



We looked like the Beverly Hillbilly’s riding across country…….the trunk was so loaded with tools the long hooded
Ford's headlights were rendered unusable has they shot straight up into the sky We would be unable to drive
before dawn or after dusk…….



Then there was the weather factor. I had my laptop and weather patterns dictated our every stop. In the end
we arrived without ever encountering any precipitation. The one speed wiper motor runs sooooo sloooow it would
have been usless in a hard rain…….



First leg, Phoenix….a pleasant driving experience if you discount the 30-40 mile per hour Santa Ana crosswinds
which buffeted the car mercilessly……



Next stop El Paso…..not bad considering the heavy cloud cover, menacing snow and temps in the twenties…..



On to San Antonio, the most desolate stretch of highway in the US…..snow covered the mountains and patches
of ice were still present on he roads, the most intense part of the journey and our ‘Over the Hump’ leg of the trip. San Antonio is a beautiful example of Texas 'hill country'......



Next stop, Lafayette…..no offense but Louisianna has the worst road maintenance anywhere on I –10…..



Finally Tallahassee and then West Palm, finally not having to wear a jacket even with the heater full on was
blessing…….



The old Mustang is now sitting in the driveway, a lasting memento of my fathers life and the disciplines and
lessons he has passed on to me. It is a fitting tribute……

[mede8er]

The Car.........

[creaturecat]

well done mede8er

[Joeaksa]

Glad the trip went well and sorry to hear about your loss. Am sure that your Father was with you every mile...

Should have send a notice to the Pelicans in each place. Phoenix would have turned out to say hello while you were passing through!

Really agree with you about the weather. Was just up in Niagara Falls (18 degrees) and when we returned to the nice weather here it really makes a difference.

Take care of the car for your Father. I am restoring the '69 below as it was my Fathers car. Unfortunately its not in as good of condition after sitting for 18 years on jackstands, but it was his so it will be done.

JoeA

[pwd72s]

Great tale...and proof that while not all cars are high bucks collectables, many are "keepers" because of what they mean to the families that keep them.

[M.D. Holloway]

Your Pony is a prize for sure - sorry about your pain - it's a bad sickness, been there. Prayers said.

[Willem Fick]

My condolences on your father's passing away.

I found your description of the road trip really touching! Always remember though:

"Few are wholly dead
Blow on a dead man's embers
And a live flame will start."
- Robert Graves

If your he had the car this long, it obviously meant a great deal to your father - no better way of "blowing on the embers" than by fixing it, keeping it, and driving it!

Regards!

Willem Fick

[mede8er]

Thanks, guys......anyone know a good Mustang Forum.........

[M.D. Holloway]

I have a few books on the subject - PM me your shipping addrss and they are yours gratas!

[mede8er]

Thanks, Lube.....PM sent........