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Hi all, Where are we now? We're east of DC and South of Annapolis. Sitting right in the path of "Charlie" waiting and watching the news to see if we need to head west. "Bonnie" leftovers hit last night with a lot of rain and a tornado warning but everything was over by 9 PM. If the weather holds we're staying here a week to tour DC and then heading to Gettysburg, PA traveling west to Minot, ND for Don's class reunion. After ND back southeast to the Atlantic Coast and looking to spend the winter on the Gulf Coast somewhere, maybe Galveston, TX. Our "Americana Extravaganza" has been wonderful. Last Monday we put Jorden back on the plane back to Florida. He convinced us to let him miss one day of school (why we still don't know.) Had a whirlwind trip to NYC. Did the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island our first day. We don't have any family that came to the United States through Ellis Island but it is still an incredible experience to walk through and think about all of those who did - and how they felt. Yesterday we took an "All loops" tour of the city on the Greyline double decker bus. Really a good way to see as much as possible in a short amount of time. We braved the NY subway system to travel from our RV park across the river in Jersey City. The park is basically a gravel parking lot with hookups BUT has a view of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island AND the NYC skyline. Worth the $60 per night rate! We hopped off at Rockefeller Center and checked out the Today Show area and the golden Prometheus Statue, then. . .(the real reason for hopping off there) we headed down the Today Show alley to Scott's Deli for great sandwiches. Their pastrami and Panini's are SO good! We found this place our last trip in '99 by following some construction workers to lunch. Highlight of the day was getting off the subway right on the World Trade Center Site. Hard to express the feelings of looking down into that vast hole knowing what was there and remembering what we saw on TV on Sept 11. The Empire State building is incredible - not just going to the top of the tallest building in New York but the Art Deco decor throughout is so beautiful . . .and we had good pizza in Rosa's in the building. LOVED Boston - took the "T" train there and out to Harvard. Added a MIT sweatshirt to my collection - and found a great burger place just off Harvard Square. Jorden had the most fun swimming and fishing. Think he could have skipped all the educational and cultural stuff and just enjoyed the campground facilities! He's proved himself to be a pretty good photographer too - digital cameras are wonderful. We've traveled more than 5,000 miles since leaving Monterey on June 2. Stuck our toes in the Pacific Ocean then and on July 25 we again stuck our toes in the ocean - the Atlantic Ocean! Betty & Gary
JOKE OF THE MONTH A man wants a pet that can do anything so he goes to the pet shop and asks the owner if he has any ideas. The shop owner suggests a dog. But the man shakes his head. The owner says " How about a cat then?" The man replies, "No way. Cats are useless. I want a pet that can do everything!" the shop owner thinks for a minute, and then says, "I've got it! A Centipede!" The man replies, "A Centipede? Hmm, I've never considered a centipede. Yeah, why not?" So he takes the centipede home. "Wash the floor", he tells the centipede and twenty minutes later the floor is immaculate. He is absolutely amazed. "Clean the bedroom". He says next. Twenty minutes later, the room is spotless. The man thinks to himself, "this is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. This really is a pet that can do everything!" Next he says, "Run down to the store and get me a newspaper". The centipede walks out the door. Ten minutes later…no centipede. Twenty minutes later…no centipede. Thirty minutes later…still no centipede. The man is wondering what could have happened. Did it run away? Did it get run over? Where is that centipede? So he goes to the front door, opens it and there's the centipede sitting right outside. The man says "Hey! I sent you down to the store half an hour ago to get me a newspaper. What's the matter?" The centipede says "I'm going, I'm just putting my shoes on, okay?"
 "Cleared for TAKE-OFF" There is a lot more racing to come this year, so come out & support YOUR USARM events! Photo Credit: Mike Allison
 2004 Ferrari Challenge and Annual Ferrari Club of America comes to Laguna Seca! USARM had the privilege of supporting this event in August, beginning with a drivers' school on Monday, Aug. 16th. The entire event held an air of the regal, with the Ferrari's taking center stage. As the marque for the just passed Monterey Historics, we were guaranteed a show of the finest automobiles and quickest drivers. We weren't disappointed. Taking the track on Wednesday, August 18th, the Ferrari Club of America didn't leave a doubt in anyone's mind that this is a beautiful and fast car! According to Jack Fitzpatrick, Chief Steward of Ferrari Club of America, Pacific Division, this event was so highly regarded that it was sold out long before the actual event date. The filled grandstands and paddock areas only proved this statement. It was a wonderful sight, seeing the Ferrari's taking the track with the crowd on its feet, cheering. The Ferrari Challenge races were fast, highly competitive and a crowd pleaser. This is the last time these fast pace races are held in the United States this year. Chief Steward, Bruce Clarke, was thrilled with the performance of this group and the effort made by USARM to provide a safe & professional atmosphere. In a quote from Jack Fitzpatrick, "This is the first time in many years that I have really enjoyed an event like this"………………. So kudos to all who supported this event with such a wonderful effort:
One notable incident that happened between Turn 11 & Start/Finish, the Ferrari 750 that didn't make the turn. This is what can happen with a LOT of throttle and no turning! With the "Alert" called, the USARM crew went into action, giving precise details that enabled Advanced Fire & Rescue and Laguna Seca to deal with the crash in record time, getting everyone safe and racing resumed. For those of you who have asked about long time HMSA Starter, Chuck Weinstein, Bruce Brenner has been in contact with his daughter. Chuck was very pleased with the checkered flag that was signed for him at the Historics and if you would like to send him a card or best wishes for a speedy recovery, it can be done through his daughter: Dara Weinstein While Chuck is our very own special "Curmudgeon" I know he would like to hear from his USARM family. It isn't too early to start thinking about the upcoming USARM elections.
If you know someone who is a USARM Member & not getting The Grid, please let one of the BoD members know & they will be added to the roster. |
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