6-5-05 - Sharktrip

Well, unfortunately it was the last day of the 928 Specialists - Sharks In The Mountains gathering.
Officially, it was supposed to be a couple of tech sessions at Dave and Jeannie's but as always it seemed to wind up as an ad-hoc last minute free-for-all-fix-every-problem-on-every-car day. There were a lot of people that went, maybe 20 cars or so, but it was more than I've seen before. There were a couple guys doing a water pump in one area of the driveway with the whole front of the mill opened up, a few cars with A/C problems, an oil leak, etc... We just walked around the whole time checking out one thing after another. I felt really sorry for poor Wally, who had a 6 hour drive ahead of him, getting constantly hit with questions. Thanks Wally for answering a bunch of mine! :-)
Had some pizza and wings for lunch and people started taking off after that. We stuck around for a couple hours after and finally head out so we could take a much needed dip in the pool.
It's hard to believe so much gets squeezed into just a couple days and somewhat of a letdown when it's over. There's such a braintrust of knowledge that I sure would like one more day just to try to absorb more from everyone.
So, with SITM ended, I really have to take my hat off to Dave, Jeannie, Wally, and the whole 928 Specialists crew for once again, putting on a great event. They are awesome hosts and always try to accommodate everyone and they're just the best. Thanks so much guys!

Alright... for dinner...
We went back to Crabby Bill's. I know, I know... we are creatures of habit that's for sure. Thing is, we find one good place ya got to go back, right? I know there are supposedly a couple other good restaurants in the area but after the really good food on Friday night (and us telling them we'd be back), we of course had to go back. Unfortunately we didn't have Nikki take care of us, but Leslie did a good job of making sure we were taken care of (though, next time give me a real glass not a styrofoam cup or a carton for my milk). This wound up being our BIG meal of the trip so we totally went whole hog. So, we went a little different and got the conch fritters that surprised me and were really good with a little bit of spice and key lime mustard sauce that was most excellent. I opted for the Cleveland oysters again and a big ol' 1lbs. lobster tail. And of course I just HAD, HAD, HAD to have the best coconut cream pie again! OUTSTANDING! Hopefully this place takes off and sticks around. After being SEVERELY disappointed that Manhattan's restaurant had left the area it was good to find this place where we could get couple good meals in. We managed to get Nikki out from the back room to talk to us for a little bit on the way out. Sorry she got stuck doing dishes... Next time girl...

And here I am... starting to get all my junk packed for tomorrow and head out and am reflecting. It was a lot of fun and I always have a good time down here. Of course after 4 years of driving the same routes we still miss turns or get a little lost (even with a freaking gps) on these roads but we always enjoy it. That thrill of driving hard into those tight turns, accelerating easily up those hills and having a car under you that is hard to let get away from you (MOSTLY!). There are a lot of good people that are really nice to hang with and talk to. As Jeannie said yesterday, and I can't remember the good quote exactly, but she said it's something like a family reunion and you can definitely see that with these people. As I get to recognize people I've seen before, put faces to all the emails I see on Rennlist and GLOC, and to be recognized by others, this was the first time I felt like not really as much of an outsider looking in and maybe like the step-child part of the reunion.
Next year, I really want the 84S down there too. I would never begrudge Dan driving those 928 parades up and down the parkway and I know he's offered to let me drive them at times but it's his baby and since I know what a rush it is just being a passenger, I would really like to drive in that procession as well. I told Dan today, I was reminded of a movie quote that hit me as a saw that line of 928's - "It's not a convoy, it's a dream". So, I know that sounds hokey, but it sure is a good time. Of course, then I wouldn't nearly be as worried about bending the nose up hitting a guardrail :-)))) if I had my own car! This trip was just more incentive to get off my a$$ and finish getting that motor up and running.

Mike