By: Helen Vogel

I hadn’t planned on writing about the CARavan but with Ruth Dougherty not up to par (see Member Beeps) you will have to put up with me.

To me a CARavan is people and Classics with the emphasis on people. The friends you make on CARavan are like no other. So a lot of this article will be first about friends, then Classics, and last, the places we visited.

Let me start with my week. I had not planned on copying the tour book until Monday the 11^th. I had part of the CARavan Committee ready to come in and help put it together Monday afternoon. I would then pack that evening and be ready to leave mid-morning Tuesday since Clarksville is an hour ahead of us.

Sunday evening I boosted my computer to make some last minute changes and then print everything out, ready to copy Monday. I still don’t know what happened, but it was definitely stupidity on my part, I lost about half of the directions. Yes, I do back up, but hadn’t the last time I worked on it so I had to reconstruct everything. So, needless to say, instead of getting down to Clarksville around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, I arrived with my daughter, Teresa, and her family about 3:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

I had talked Bob into going ahead and driving Vicki down early Tuesday afternoon. He had been gone about 1½ hours when I got a phone call from him. (What did we ever do without cell phones?) He was about 34 miles from Clarksville and Vicki had become temperamental. At least he was at an exit when she stopped. I was working on getting a trailer to go get him or calling AAA to do the job when he called me back. There was a gentleman who stopped, had a flatbed that he could get and would take Bob on into Clarksville for $55.

Our Registrar, Cindy Vogel and daughter Katrina, also left Tuesday. So she was down there, ready to work, with nothing to work with. Well, she had all her records with her, but no license plates or tour books.

Anyhow, we arrived and got settled. Needless to say, we unloaded everything into Bob’s and my room and he didn’t hear a thing. (Good excuse for not helping, right?) I finished the books we would need the next morning just in time to take a shower before Bob got up. I dressed and made myself presentable and took the books, etc. down to Cindy so she could open the registration desk.

We had around 21 Classics and 50 "real early birds" coming early to participate in the pre-CARavan activities. Those arriving for St. Meinrad’s tour, led by Dan & Yvonne Sheek, on Wednesday the 13^th or for a tour of the countryside and Corydon, Indiana led by Bob & Edna Fischer were: Paul & Bev Ayres, Lee & Floy Barthel, Harry Bartholic, Reginald Boland, Ray & Lou Bowersox, Max & Lucy Fields, Swampy Griesbaum, Phil & Frances Guilhem, John Howe, Mike & Joan Huffman, Frank & Ann Huntington, Gil & Clara Mack, Don & Molly Marsh, Don, Edie & Ryan Peterson, Jerry, Lois & Whitney Peterson, Bob Porter. Russ Turner, and Wm. Williford. Nelson & Pat Itterly met us at The Overlook for lunch and David Miller’s Classic gave up the ghost before he even got to Clarksville and canceled the CARavan. We have not heard what went wrong. In addition to the above, several of our Indiana Region members also came early. You have read about St. Meinrad but you really have to see it to appreciate the beauty and serenity of it. Corydon, Indiana was our first state capital and has many historical places to see.

Bill Burchett and Chris Bock had arrived to join us on the Thursday tour to West Baden Springs. Dean & Marge Galloway, Ed Gunther, Matt Larsen, Fred Guyton & Beverly Estes, Bill & Mary Rachwal and Paul & Jean TerHorst, had also arrived. All of our out-of-towners were impressed with West Baden. They had no idea we had such a beautiful and outstanding piece of architecture here in Indiana. Lunch at the Beechwood Inn was delicious but many still went about a mile down the road to the French Lick Springs Hotel not only to walk around the grounds but to eat an ice cream cone and rock in the rocking chairs that line their verandah like front porch.

Orientation was Thursday night with cocktails and hors d’ouevres. George Maley was introduced and welcomed all to the Hoosier-Bluegrass. Don Peterson also had a few "words of wisdom" from all of his CARavan experiences. Our National President, Carl Steig and his wife Ann arrived towards the end of Orientation as did Nick Fintzelberg our 1^st Vice President and National CARavan Chairperson.

Dinner had been on your own the past two evenings as well as tonight. For those who did not wish to stay at the Holiday Inn, there were three really great restaurants about 2 miles away down by the Ohio River. You could go to an Italian, seafood, or an American type so just about every type of food was covered and the view was terrific.

Friday the15^th saw people in the parking lot bright and early loading their Classics. All trailers were left in the parking lot for the week since we were ending only about 4 miles away. The Huntington’s had to leave us that morning because of the death of Ann’s mother.

This was the first time we got to see how the luggage truck would operate. Everyone was to have their luggage in the lobby for Ron to load. If it wasn’t there by that time, sorry. You know something? It worked beautifully! There was one small glitch in Lexington when one piece got put in the wrong room but that was it. It worked so well that Ron and Carol were picking up more pieces as the CARavan progressed. In fact, they picked up a 6-foot Indian in Bardstown and a couple of other items to transport back to Greenwood for Gene Perkins.

The CARavaners did not have to drive in a group on the CARavan, they were given times and directions on where to be and it was up to them. If they did wish to follow they were given the time when the leader for the day would be leaving. . Don & Bev McCallum pulled out of the parking lot about 8:10 a.m. on a beautiful, sunny morning, for the trip east to Lawrenceburg, Indiana. I didn’t specify Indiana in the tour book (I didn’t even think about a Lawrenceburg, Kentucky) and someone (if you don’t tell it was Dean & Marge Galloway) drove to Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. They made it back to Indiana though.

We drove through the campus of Hanover College and on to our coffee break at Clifty Falls Inn. We didn’t think of it being 90 degrees, so had the refreshments set up outside on a patio overlooking the valley and the Ohio River. Luckily, we have pretty smart CARavaners … they got their food and went back inside. There was an area like an enclosed verandah with chairs and lounges where you could sit and look out over the same beautiful view, but was air-conditioned. After a drive through the state park we drove on down into Madison, and I do mean down since Madison is in the valley along the Ohio River. They were on their own to browse, sight see, eat (which most of us did) or just sit and watch the barges and boats on the Ohio. A lot of us had lunch outside at the Wharf and I can recommend it to anyone. The restaurant is on a barge and has outside dining. It was truly great (even though a little windy) to sit outside and do nothing but talk and swap lies with other CARavaners.

Leaving Madison on the Scenic River Route we headed east again and to Vevay for afternoon refreshments. I know several of our CARavaners went on and had lunch in Vevay and Rising Sun at what they termed quaint restaurants along the way. Someone told me about the place they had lunch, they had names on the chairs and that is where the regular set when they came in. When they moved or passed on, their name was hung on the wall. We all ended in Lawrenceburg, Indiana at three different hotel/motels. There was a hard rain with wind late afternoon that had some people worried, but nothing was hurt (except maybe some dampness if they didn’t have their windows up or the car covered). Even if they didn’t stay at the Argosy, I think most of us ate there at the seafood buffet. It was great! All you can eat and enough variety that should have pleased everyone. Many went on the riverboat, some to gamble, others just to see what it was like.

Saturday morning, the luggage was left for the luggage truck and everyone headed for Clay Cook’s Restoration Shop led again, by Don and Bev. Clay has quite a layout and the men had a great time. If the ladies weren’t interested, well, there was always the coffee and rolls.

Leaving Clay’s we headed on down to Lexington via US 25 South (Dixie Highway) or if they were in a hurry they could go over and take I 75 down. Some stopped at antique stores along the way at the different small towns, some stopped at the Kentucky Horse Park, and others came direct to the Marriott Griffin Gate. Whether they had minor car problems that needed taken care of or just wanted to get in out of the hot weather, I don’t know. One small glitch in the directions, (and even though Teresa and I put up two signs at the stop sign where they were to have turned right, most didn’t see them) but many thanked me because they saw some beautiful countryside they wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

The Hospitality Room (presided over by my daughter Teresa Keith and her husband Todd) was well received. We had it opened at Clarksville and Lexington for the beginning of the CARavan. There just wasn’t enough time to do it later in the CARavan. But this gave the CARavaners a time to relax and get to know one another better. You could always tell when they had just gotten in from the tour; hot, thirsty, tired, but still ready to talk cars. That was the men, the women were just hot, thirsty, and tired. But all were ready to relax, have a drink and some munchies and get better acquainted.

Dinner was on our own. I am sure you could see Classics all over the city of Lexington. I know there were at least 4 or 5 at the Homestead where Bob and I had dinner with the Ortmans, TerHorsts, Bill Burchett, McKnights, George & Cheri Thomas, Pecsoks, and Chris Bock. The Homestead is an old house and they have tables in all the rooms, upstairs and down. We were given a private room upstairs, evidently our reputation preceded us.

John and Elaine were to have been with us. John called (actually it was Elaine as John was driving) and said they had gotten a late start leaving Indianapolis (Surprise! Surprise!) and would meet us there later. They arrived when we were about ready to leave so instead of joining us opted to have their dinner downstairs in another room, which was smaller and more intimate. Again, I would go back because the food was very good and our waitress that really appreciated our Classics. Her former husband went to Hershey every year.

Going back out to the Classic (I was the DD) we found that Vicki had a rear tire going down. Bob said it had started before but Walt had pumped it back up again. Slowly, I left the parking lot and looked for a gas station with an air pump, with the McKnights and Thomas following. Found a station and filled the tire with air. By the time we got back to the Marriott, it was going down again, so instead of driving to Frankfort on Sunday, we spent quite a bit of time calling around to try and find an inner tube. Most of the places were closed on Sunday so early Monday morning we called and found a place. Jim Hull had given Bob an inner tube on Sunday night that fit Vicki’s tires so he only needed a place that could change it.

Sunday, John and Elaine led a group to Frankfort, Kentucky. John had suggested they could take in the gallery in Shelbyville, Kentucky but found it was closed on Sunday. The CARavaners had plenty to do though. Frankfort itself was good for 2 or 3 hours, and the drive was over was just beautiful. Plus they had all the historical sites around Lexington. Since it was Father’s Day we had a bourbon tasting late afternoon followed by cocktails, dinner, and make your own sundae. Wanting to do something different in awarding the Father’s Day awards, and not wanting to give awards to the oldest, youngest, most children, etc.; awards were presented for the following: Father whose children’s ages totaled the highest – Joel Haffner, Father who was driving a Classic closest to his age – Paul TerHorst. Father whose birthday was closest to Fathers Day – Dennis Brue (he had a birthday on the 21^st of June), Man who had driven the most Classics on CARavan – Dick Roach who came up with at least 14 different Classics. The youngest (Kurt Vogel & so not to play favorites Jim Lobenstein) got to escort the oldest (Bob Titlow) to be the first in line to make their sundaes.

Monday morning saw most leaving for Bowling Green. This was our longest driving day. It also saw Bob Titlow and Bill Davis going to have their tires fixed. I don’t know what it cost Bill, but it only cost Bob $12.50 to have the new inner tube installed. Talk about Hoosier Hospitality, Kentucky has its own brand.

The Reddings left us here as Bloor wasn’t feeling well and wanted to go home to his own doctor. If was a good thing he did because he had pneumonia. The Ayres also had to leave as they had received word his Mother was ill. Lonnie Fallin left that morning but had to return almost immediately as he was having problems again with his Classic. After working on it for about an hour, he decided it just wasn’t going to finish the CARavan, and called to have it picked up. He rented a modern car for the rest of the CARavan.

Getting a late start (after 11:00 a.m.) we weren’t going to stop anywhere along the way except for maybe a drink and some ice cream. I was driving after a pit stop and Vicki decided she was going on a diet and wasn’t going to eat any more gas. This did cause some problems. I kept her going until I found a shady spot on the edge of someone’s lawn and pulled in. Bob had just gotten the hood up and was starting to see what was the matter when part of the Indiana contingency went by. I did put thumbs up to let them know to go on, but being true car enthusiasts (nuts) they all pulled in, Jeff Henry couldn’t get stopped fast enough in Ruth’s Pierce Arrow so went up the road and turned around and came back. Getting stopped in time to help (or watch and kibbutz) were Bill & Sonya Miller, John & Elaine Klein, Gene & Sally Perkins, Hugh McKnight. Gene got his wooden clothespins out which he says is a requirement in any Classic as if you fasten them to the lines will help cool off the engine faster. I don’t know, I only know what I am told. The people that lived in the house were fascinated with the cars and we also had to admire the children’s pets. Anyway we got Vicki going again, with Bob driving, he didn’t trust me, but I really didn’t do anything to her, and headed on into Bowling Green, Kentucky. Vicki was running so we decided to take a chance on I-65 to the Corvette Museum exit. (We had chosen to use I-65 for about 10 miles on the tour so we would be able to get to our hotel without driving through the city at rush hour.) Wrong thing to do, she became temperamental again but luckily there was a rest stop. Bob pulled in and I went in to make a call to Teresa asking her to make sure everything was fine and that as soon as we got Vicki cooled off we were going straight to the museum since we were having dinner there anyway and it was getting late. (It was the next exit and only a little over a mile away.) Vicki cooled off and away we went. Just out of the rest stop, she started in again, Bob nursed her along until we came to a very wide area on the side of the road and pulled over just as she died. Keep in mind that there is roadwork on I-65 and even though there is 2 lanes each way there are no berms at some places. Bob got her started again, but she still wasn’t getting enough gas, but at least he got her further off the highway and we sat and waited. We knew Walt would be by and that we were ahead of him because we had passed him while he was working on DeAtley’s Cadillac. He came by, but the Cadillac was on the trailer and the DeAtleys were in the cab with him. He didn’t stop because there was nothing he could do. Kurt and Cindy arrived shortly after that and stopped. (They better or they would have been disowned.) We decided Cindy and I would go on to the museum and Kurt would stay with Bob. That worked out and Walt, Kurt, and Bob arrived at the Corvette Museum in time to have a drink (for Bob and Kurt) and dinner (for all 3). The museum is delightful and the food delicious. After dinner we nursed Vicki back to the hotel, checked in, showered and went to bed.

I know I left you in suspense last month … arriving in Bowling Green, dinner at the Corvette Museum and then to bed. Here is the "rest of the story".

NOTE: No matter what time zone we were in, all times were EDT.

Tuesday morning saw most up and going by 8:00 a.m. Their first stop was the Corvette factory and a tour of the facilities. During the tour, someone in each group got to start a new Corvette (just off the assembly line) for the first time. I know that Sonya Miller received this privilege as well as my grandson Johnathon Keith.

Tuesday morning saw Bob and Kurt working with Walt trying to get Vicki well again. One of the bellhops from the hotel drove them to Napa for plugs. They only had five, but you do what you can, so they were purchased and installed in Vicki. The DeAtley’s weren’t so lucky. They had to finish the CARavan as passengers.

Kurt and Cindy had traded daughters for the day with Todd and Teresa. Katrina would go with Teresa and take the tour of Mammoth Cave and Katrina would stay with Cindy. So, Cindy, Kaitlin and I passed up the Corvette factory and headed straight to Mammoth Cave National Park. I needed to get there ahead of time and pick up the tickets for those of us going on the Green River Cruise.

Those going on a Mammoth Cave tour ordered their tickets through the National Parks Department. They had several choices of tours and everyone I talked to enjoyed their tour.

The Green River Cruise was delightful, the scenery relaxing, and our tour guide informative. The original Mammoth Cave entrance is on the river and is now closed to the public. Not sure how you would get there anyhow with all the forest around.

Bob and Kurt arrived just as we were returning from the cruise. Vicki was running smoothly and continued to do so for the rest of the CARavan. (Thank God!)

This was close to noon so we headed into Cave City for lunch. It looked as if several others were of the same mind as we passed several diners, etc. with Classics parked in the lot. We went on into town to the Dairy Queen and ran into Jack & Marilyn Pecsok.

Leaving the Dairy Queen, Cindy and I stayed together for the drive to Bardstown, as I needed to pick up the tickets for the evening Stephen Foster performance.

Lincoln’s birthplace (a National Historical Site) was on the itinerary from Mammoth Cave to Bardstown as well as his boyhood home. You have 56 steps (one for each year of his life) to climb (or a ramp to walk up) to get to his birthplace and Sinking Spring where they drew their water. Coming down those steps is where Lee Barthel had his "downfall". I didn’t get the complete story, but evidently Lee was not paying close enough attention to where he was stepping, fell, and broke/sprained a bone/ligament (depending on who you talked to) his foot. This did not keep him down (even on crutches), he laughed and said that Bardstown had very nice doctors and nurses working in their emergency, and kept right on with the CARavan. He and Flo did have a chauffeur for the balance of the CARavan, but he didn’t miss a thing. He only griped a little when we had music and he couldn’t dance.

The route we were taking (US-31E) to Bardstown is part of the Kentucky Scenic Byways and is known at Old Kentucky Turnpike. It was also called the Louisville to Nashville Turnpike in the early 19^th century.

Tuesday evening we parked our cars in the town parking lot, had a delicious dinner at the Old Talbott Tavern, and boarded school buses for the outdoor amphitheater to see the "Stephen Foster Story". The tavern was opened in 1779, licensed in 1785 by Patrick Henry and is the oldest Western Stagecoach stop in America.

Wednesday was a "free day". I know several of our CARavaners including most of our "Spirit of St. Louis" contingency went to the Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven and took a ride on the train. Others (including Bill & Carolyn Greer) went to Bernheim Forest, and some toured one of the distilleries that were close by. Many walked to downtown Bardstown (or drove) and browsed around in their many antique stores. There was a children’s store that was having a sale and we just about couldn’t get Elaine Klein out of it since she had to look at both boy and girl things. I think all of us visited the drug store with their soda fountain. They served sandwiches as well as a full service soda fountain and if you ordered lemonade, they made it fresh for each glass ordered and then gave you a small pitcher of sugar water to sweeten it to your taste. John Klein was in heaven and made the comment that all drug stores should have a soda fountain. I must admit that everything they made was picture perfect and just about too pretty to eat. But that didn’t stop us!

There was a party room available at the General Nelson Best Western that we used Wednesday night. We started with a cocktail party presided over by Phil & Frances Guilhem. Phil and Frances furnished the drinks and bartender. The charge for the drinks was then donated to the Classic Car Museum. We then had a "cook-out" indoors. Hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, slaw, and strawberry shortcake. Later in the evening there was three kinds of birthday cake as we celebrated Cindy Vogel’s birthday. There were some moans when they saw we were going to have music, but when they found that the music was low enough for you to still carry on a conversation without raising your voice, they sat back and enjoyed a little bit of "country/mountain music". (You did have to raise your voice, but that was because everyone was talking. I have often said that if my kids were making that much noise, I would tell them to quiet down.) CARavaners Marilyn Pecsok, Edna Fischer, Ann Marie Steig, Dick Roach, Bob Fischer, Bill Burchett, Lucy Fields, Chris Bock, Bill Greer, Ellen Roach, and Ron Vogel got into the act with a rendition of "Mama Don’t ‘Low (allow) No Music Playin’ Round Here". It brought tears to your eyes. Later Kurt Vogel sang for us and much, much later Kurt and Ron gave us their rendition of "On the Road Again". We ended the music, etc. at 9:30 because we thought people would want to be getting ready to hit the road again the next morning, but found many still out in the parking lot talking.

Thursday morning saw us on the road and our last driving day of the CARavan. Leaving Bardstown, we traveled to Elizabethtown to the Swopes Cars of Yesteryear Museum. William Swopes was there to greet us and give us a little history of some of his cars. He also had punch and cookies for us. Mr. Swopes has many interesting cars ranging from early 1900’s to the 60’s and 70’s. He also had on display a copy of a letter that Clyde Barrow had written to Henry Ford complimenting him on his car and telling Mr. Ford that he always drove a Ford whenever he could.

Leaving Elizabethtown, we headed north to Fort Knox. After turning back onto US-31W, Bill Davis had the misfortune of being broadsided (by a broad). Evidently she just pulled out into traffic and was paying no attention to where she was going. There was damage to the door and rear fender on the driver’s side. No damage to Bill or his passenger Katie Robbins and the 1941 Cadillac 62 convertible sedan was still driveable. Can’t you just see this gal’s insurance company when they get the repair bill?

I was mentally congratulating ourselves in not having any detours on the CARavan when, wouldn’t you know it? …. We came upon one in Ft. Knox. It was the road we were to take to the General Patton Museum so I got out of Vicki and stood directing traffic until Kurt and Cindy came along. We left Kurt there and we went on to the museum. (Ain’t kids wonderful?) The museum was interesting and Bob, along with many others were looking at the maps and showing us where they were stationed during World War II.

Lunch was in the Leaders Club (use to be called Officer’s Club) and then on to Louisville and the Brown Hotel. No major catastrophes, vapor lock, tires, etc. and most of us made it to the hotel and were unloaded before the rain came. This was the first rain we were in since the Friday before in Lawrenceburg. The weather had been hot, sunny, and beautiful. In fact, it had been in the 90’s for a lot of the CARavan, which was unusual for June.

Thursday evening we walked across the street and down a block to the Brown Cadillac Dealership. They are located in a historical building and have antique furniture and rugs scattered throughout their showroom floor. We walked upstairs to see their collection of cars that are housed on the second and third floors. They had told us they would have refreshments for us, which was very thoughtful of them. Their "refreshments" consisted of a never-ending supply of hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks, champagne, and desserts. You really didn’t have to go to dinner after that. This was very thoughtful and gracious of them since there probably wasn’t a customer in the bunch.

Friday was "tour day". Buses took them to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Farmington (designed by Thomas Jefferson), lunch at Masterson’s and then on to Churchill Downs. Many liked Churchill Downs so much; they stayed and brought a taxi back to the hotel. One of the buses ran out of gas about two blocks from the hotel so its passengers walked to the hotel rather than wait for another bus. Some of us opted on the Louisville Slugger Museum, Science Museum that is really great, walking around the riverfront and then back to the hotel to get ready for the final banquet.

Everyone dressed up for our final dinner together; even our "younger generation" most of who were sitting at their own table so they wouldn’t have to listen to the adults. Andy & MaDonna Wolf have to be congratulated on having the two youngest on the CARavan and surviving. Megan and Zachary were great! We had 10 to 11 (depending on what day is was) participating ranging from 5 to 16. The "older" ones could be found playing cards whenever they had a chance.

Prizes were awarded to Ed Gunther for driving the furthest (from San Jose, California) and to Derald Ulmer for trailering the furthest (Fairview, Oregon). Don Hoelscher won a hard luck award. He left St. Charles, Missouri three times (two in Classics and the last modern) before getting to Clarksville. He and Joan left their modern iron in Clarksville and rode with Joel Haffner during the CARavan.

There were 65 cars from 21 states participating in the CARavan. Ed Fintzelberg (our First VP as we well as CARavan Chairman, recognized the first time CARavaners and then began the countdown on who has been on the most CARavans. Bob & Edna Fischer dropped out after 39; Katie Robbins sat down at 46, which left Don Peterson standing with a total of 57 CARavans. Nick announced the Pete Dudney Award (reinstated just this year and going to the best-prepared Classic) went to Nelson Itterly. The Deutsch Memorial Trophy (awarded to the CARavaner who best exemplifies the type of sportsmanship and helpfulness that characterized Bill Deutsch) was presented to Marc Ohm and the William F. Crossett Award was presented to John Klein and his 1931 Duesenberg. This award is given for having the best Classic on its first CARavan. This is the second time one of John’s Classics has won this award.

John Klein had asked to say a few words before the awards were presented so I said OK. I was very pleasantly surprised when presented a gift from all the Indiana Region CARavan participants. While I was unwrapping my present, John went on to tell everyone that they had taken into consideration how I liked to dress (plus they had some of my kids around to bounce ideas off) and this present was the result. After getting the gift unwrapped, I found it to be a beautiful, one of a kind hat in a beautiful shade of lavender/mauve, along with a silk scarf with a thoroughbred & jockey hand painted on one end. Needless to say, I wore the hat and scarf for the rest of the evening and now have to find me a dress or suit to match. THEN I have to go back to the Kentucky Derby to wear it. Bill Miller also gave me an un-numbered license plate that was signed by all the Indiana Region members participating. I treasure all of these gifts as well as the memories of the Hoosier-Bluegrass CARavan.

I could not end this article without thanking the following, this was a team effort and all worked to make it a success. Dan & Yvonne Sheek for planning the route and setting up St. Meinrad’s as well as the route to West Baden and lunch at the Beechwood Inn. Bob & Edna Fischer did the planning for lunch at the Overlook, Ft. Knox and the route from Bardstown to Louisville. Don & Bev McCallum took the route for Friday to Lawrenceburg as well as our visit to Clay Cook’s Restoration Shop. John & Elaine Klein gave us a beautiful drive from Lexington to Frankfort on Sunday. Bill & Sonya Miller sent me all the Lexington restaurants. Andy & MaDonna Wolf contacted the Corvette Museum and Factory for our dinner and tours. Jim & Pam Ray checked out Mammoth Cave as well as Jim was available to help Shawn with the Classic Storage.

Shawn Miller for making his building available for storage of the "out of towners" Classics and the scheduling of his time to make sure someone was there when the cars arrived. Hugh McKnight and his taxi service from the airport to Shawn’s.

Howard Clark for his beautiful picture we used on the front of our Tour Books (he designed & printed all of them). He also did the logo for the license plates, garment bags, and our badge, and to Bill Miller for getting us a good price for the license plate. Ruth Dougherty & Jeff Henry put out two great issues of the Beeper during CARavan (in color even). Jack Pecsok for doing the wonderful colored maps used in the Tour Book as well as nametags. George & B.J. Maley as well as John & Elaine for putting all our brochures together and filling the packs

Andy Wolf donated the luggage truck used for the CARavan that helped a lot with our expenses. Walt Reynolds with his trouble truck. Gene Perkins consented to be our ombudsman (if it was needed) and Sally took over getting the first bus load seated at the Stephen Foster Story.

My fantastic family for all their support and work to make the CARavan a success … and last but not least Bob, just for putting up with everything.

We had beautiful weather and the scenery was outstanding. Lush, rolling countryside, beautiful farms, historical homes & sites, nature’s outstanding work all combined with our great CARavaners to make this a memorable week. Cars broke down … Walt repaired them, or other CARavaners helped repair them. Cars had flat tires … Walt or someone else stopped to help them. That is what makes the CARavans so great. Everyone is willing to help one another to participate in this great hobby of ours. See you on the road!