Californication- Trip of Dreams -Just do it or else !

[chevazon]

After watching the parade of the various class winners I went back to the "tent" where it was manic for a while with all the cars returning. This is a report from Jay Leno about the event and a closer look at "our" cars ! -

That first Lambo was beautiful and the owner stated it was never for sale even after turning down 6 million Swiss Francs for it.



Louie was a really nice guy and we had a bit of a laugh with him.
I spoke to the owner of a McLaren F1 about his car and he was very pleased to tell me all about it and the fact he has a McLaren dealership. He didn`t say how much it was worth but a one sold recently for $7.8 million !
After tucking the cars away Brendan and I went up to the Auto Retro area and raided a couple of posters. After this I returned to my hotel room for a well earned rest while Brendan had to return home as he was at work the next day.
It had been a splendid day and a fantastic trip.

[chevazon]

Monday 19th August - packed my stuff from the hotel room to make the short trip to San Jose as this was my last day before flying home.
With the words of "El Camino Real" running through my head I set off north east -





After getting back to Brendan`s home my first job was to get rid of the salt still under the arches of the hire car as there was still a good lot of it there. After getting all the salt out of the interior as well it was ready to be returned to the hire point at the airport tomorrow.
I took Brendan and his family out for a meal that evening and thanked them for their hospitality and packed the suitcase which was overweight. I am only glad they didn`t weigh my backpack as it was nearly the weight of the case !
The following day I made my way to SF International for the long flight home to my loved ones.

[retrolegends]

Epic trip, thanks for sharing it with us.

[wheeler]

Just amazing. Like someone said, I have just added this to my bucket list. Thank you for all the great pictures.

And this probably means nothing from a stranger on the internet, but I'm sorry for your loss.

[chevazon]

Thanks Wheeler.

After the long haul from SF I eventually fell into the arms of my gorgeous wife Carole and caught up with events. A couple of days later the family had waited until my return and spread Allison`s ashes in a quiet and dignified manner. It was very emotional and I will miss her.

I cannot say what the high points were on my journey but I know there were a few low ones as well.
Setting foot on the Salt was probably the high as I have never seen a landscape like it before and to be in a place which has interested me for a long time was inspirational. I want to go back, there is no cure for Salt Fever and even thoughts of taking a vehicle down the track has crossed my mind but the costs would be prohibitive.



The other highs were meeting so many good and honest people. Big Tim and the Salty Box crew were good fun and I wish them well in their conquest of speed. They took me into their fold and I can proudly wear the T shirt as part of the team.
The other folk I met on the way were equally as important and helped to keep my spirits in good fettle. I have been in touch with most of them and hope one day to meet up again.
The two Dutch guys were funny and another couple of Aussies I met at Pebble Beach Bobby and Sam were equally as funny taking the pi$$ out of the pretentiousness of the event. I know if I ever go to Sydney there will be a meal and a couple of beers waiting for me.
I must thank my good friend Brendan Ryan and his family for their hospitality and setting me up for the Pebble Beach volunteering.
Most of all I must thank my wife Carole for allowing me to continue my travels and the support we gave each other via my mobile phone. I did get a huge shock when the phone bill arrived which over the 7 weeks I was away came to around £600 in total ! but it was exceptional circumstances.
I hope the goodly RR folk have enjoyed my tale and I will be posting my favourite pics some of them may be already posted as I took around 1200 in total.
I have been lucky in the fact that I had sufficient time and funds to do this trip and the good fortune I met on the way and if anyone wants any tips or advice on visiting the places I have been just drop me a line.

[jader1973]

Thank you for taking the time to put together what is a very, very good post.

I've been feeling that the content on here has gone a bit downhill recently (a lot of "which wheels" and "I know this isn't retro but..." type threads) but in amongst the dross there are a few gems - this is one of them.

[chevazon]

Many thanks Jader and unfortunately I know what you mean.

[MattE]

Thankyou for a captervating read, i don't think i`m the only one on here that enjoyed it:-). Sorry for your loss and i hope your health is improving now.
Thanks again, Matt

[georgeb]

Just like to add my thanks for the effort and time put into this thread. It's been an amazing read, a real page turner!

[whitbykustompaul]

Chevazon, my friend. Iv only just found this thread.
I have read every word. What an epic journey you have had. Physically and emotionally.
I have lived it, through every line and picture with you. tears of joy and sadness.
I thank you for taking the time. I hope to see you in a few weeks time. I never have enough time to chat at Whitby. But we will take the time to chat at length in another field. at another time.
Take care and stay safe.

[Rich G]

Thread of the year as far as I'm concerned - a veritable Retro Odyssey!

[chevazon]

Oct 4, 2013 18:47:02 GMT whitbykustompaul said:

Chevazon, my friend. Iv only just found this thread.
I have read every word. What an epic journey you have had. Physically and emotionally.
I have lived it, through every line and picture with you. tears of joy and sadness.
I thank you for taking the time. I hope to see you in a few weeks time. I never have enough time to chat at Whitby. But we will take the time to chat at length in another field. at another time.
Take care and stay safe.

And don't forget the "fast salt" !
Many thanks Paul and looking forward to the Gothfest.

[grizz]

Stunning thread and report so far.

[fastblatt]

Great thread. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[chevazon]

Oct 4, 2013 21:48:41 GMT grizz said:

Stunning thread and report so far.

So far !!!!

Anyways, one thing I do like about the owners of the various rods etc. are the personal plates they put on their vehicles. Here is a selection mainly from my time in Reno -



















you may need to study them a bit closer -

[grizz]

Love the plates.

[chevazon]

Went out to see The Revolutionaires a local band who dedicated their song "El Camino Real" to me. Brought the trip back home.
Here is the original -

[fannywhacker]

Trip of a lifetime and brilliant thread, thank you.

[chevazon]

On looking back at some of my pics I have been doing a bit of digging.

This "Tucker" was at Speed Week and to be honest I never had time to have a good look at it as I had never seen one before.



I later caught up with it at the Pebble Beach show where it was sporting some of its recently acquired salt -



It appears that this is a fibreglass replica of the (in)famous Tucker 48 and was painted up to look like it was a relic.

I did see an original Tucker though in Monterey -

[chevazon]

Just had word from my friend Brendan that the car show we attended in Carmel where I met Wayne Carini has been featured in a recent "Chasing Classic Cars" and Bren`s `55 Chevy was on the programme. Must watch out for this in the future !

Just checked - Series 8 episode 10 but will have to wait to see it on our screens no doubt.