Where does your interest lie
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Great Falls MT
I like the road trips! Last summer my wife and I did 7 states in 9 days. This summer we are taking a full 3 weeks and don't have any sort of itinerary planned. We do our best to avoid the interstates and stick to the backroads and enjoy finding the roadside oddities, like that giant ball of string. We do it with a minimum of gear, just sleeping bags, a small tent, a little backpacker stove and a kettle and a change of clothes. Believe it or not, my diesel truck and trailer just stay at home now.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 12
From: NOLA
I live in a rural area, and have a number of wonderful driving roads around that I can challenge myself on vaguely within the limits of the law (no more than 20MPH over), and no traffic ever at certain times of day. I DD the car rain, wind, snow, salt, whatever, and maintain it myself. My goal is to get a C6 Z06 with a carbon package and track it in the next 6 years or so. I'm in my mid-20's right now, and had only been out of grad school for 3 months when I got my C5, so I'm hoping to grow into it.
A C5 is a good base to start with then modify it as you please
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Great Falls MT
For several months after the heart attack and strokes I wasn't aware of my surroundings, no interest in anything at all. I did not know who my wife or two daughters or five grandchildren were, I did not recognize the house I built thirty six years previously, I was blind and did not communicate at all. One morning my wife had rolled my wheelchair to the kitchen table and I asked her if she was married, The entire family thought I was so sick and weak that I didn't talk, until that day after questioning me and realizing I had total memory koss and taking me to the doctor, then a mri it was discovered I had suffered three strokes. Sometime after that my vision was restored, I had recieved Hot Rod magazine since I was a teenager and a stack of that and many other car magazines had accumulated. I picked one up one day and flipped through it and something stirred inside of me. Shortly after that one of my daughters and her husband pushed ny wheelchair around our circular drive to a building behind to the left of our home and inside were four beautiful cars and they explained that they were mine. During this time I had started reading volumes of books, watchimg CNN, Fox business news, history channels, public tv, and asking hundreds of questions etc.I remember Christmus of 2009 I did not know what is was or how we celebrated it. Jumping ahead, I now read thirteen car magazines per month, hang out at my friends hotrod shop and warch him work and ask questions. I parked the wheelchair one year ago in Dec. and stopped using my walker last June or July and depend greatly on my custom walking stick. In addition to the damage by the strokes I also have Parkinson's desease and rheumatoid arthritis so the walking stick will be my companion as long as I live. I have chronic, severe pain, especially at night in my legs.
I learned to drive in the parking lot of the local Highschool, and last Sept, went to N.C. and ran the Maxton Mile landspeed event just as a personal goal, but when I found out how close I was to breaking a landspeed record I went back the end of Oct. after some minor modifications to my SS Silverado truck and set a class recrd which I am very proud of. I am now making modifications to my truck which should add 50+ hp and I have everything in place to run the first ever Ohio Mile at the end of April.
I owe my survival and ongoing recovery to God, my Wife and my love of cars.
I make it a point to learn something new each day.
Garrell Patterson1
I learned to drive in the parking lot of the local Highschool, and last Sept, went to N.C. and ran the Maxton Mile landspeed event just as a personal goal, but when I found out how close I was to breaking a landspeed record I went back the end of Oct. after some minor modifications to my SS Silverado truck and set a class recrd which I am very proud of. I am now making modifications to my truck which should add 50+ hp and I have everything in place to run the first ever Ohio Mile at the end of April.
I owe my survival and ongoing recovery to God, my Wife and my love of cars.
I make it a point to learn something new each day.
Garrell Patterson1
What an incredible story of family, healing, God's love and CARS! So did your wife make you court her all over again? Just wondering.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
She was very hurt I could not remember her or our life together I could tell, she would never express so though. She lugged me around to doctor after doctor and to hospitals for scans and mri's. We talk about things that happened a lot, I asked her to describe in detail just how things were and she can't understand why it is so important to me to learn as much as I can. I know my family doctor of twenty years tried to get Linda to let him call Hospice to come to our home to help her out bathing me, changing me etc, she told him no that when I was better I would not have liked that. Calling in Hospice is likened to the vultures circleing.
To answer your storey, my two daughters and my sister helped me plan a wedding, they decorated the fellowship hall at the church we were married at 43 years before on the date we were remarried. They ordered a beautiful dress for her and took two nugget rings with diamonds that Linda had given me and had a new wedding ring made for her. I had found eight hundred dollar bills in an old brief case I carried for twenty years, and used that to pay for flowers, decorations etc. She had to take over all the family business and finances that I had always taken care of and I had no money or any need of but Idid not want Linda to have to right checks after I proposed for everything. On the Sat. morning the week of our anniversary O asked her if she had known how much a burden I was going to be would she have married me and of course she said that was rediculous and then I placed the new ring on the kitchen table and said "Will you marry me again today" and she said yes. My daughters came shortly with the dress and fixed her hair and helped her get dressed and we went to the church. I guess there was a hundred people at the church when we arrived, family and close friends most of which were at the original ceremony. One of my son in laws rolled me to the alter and our oldest grandson walked Linda down the isle, she was crying and smiling at the same time. She looks ten years younger than her age and she was very beautiful and we pulled it off as she never suspected a thing, remember we were together 24/7.Well aren't you sorry you asked, there was no way to tell the story any shorter.
Garrell
To answer your storey, my two daughters and my sister helped me plan a wedding, they decorated the fellowship hall at the church we were married at 43 years before on the date we were remarried. They ordered a beautiful dress for her and took two nugget rings with diamonds that Linda had given me and had a new wedding ring made for her. I had found eight hundred dollar bills in an old brief case I carried for twenty years, and used that to pay for flowers, decorations etc. She had to take over all the family business and finances that I had always taken care of and I had no money or any need of but Idid not want Linda to have to right checks after I proposed for everything. On the Sat. morning the week of our anniversary O asked her if she had known how much a burden I was going to be would she have married me and of course she said that was rediculous and then I placed the new ring on the kitchen table and said "Will you marry me again today" and she said yes. My daughters came shortly with the dress and fixed her hair and helped her get dressed and we went to the church. I guess there was a hundred people at the church when we arrived, family and close friends most of which were at the original ceremony. One of my son in laws rolled me to the alter and our oldest grandson walked Linda down the isle, she was crying and smiling at the same time. She looks ten years younger than her age and she was very beautiful and we pulled it off as she never suspected a thing, remember we were together 24/7.Well aren't you sorry you asked, there was no way to tell the story any shorter.
Garrell
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Where does your...Sorry
Sorry guys, I just got in from the hospitol, my Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday evening with a heart attack. She weighs 60 lbs and until two days ago she would sneak up out of bed by herself and walk across the hallway to a den. She looked really bad and was breath very shallowy.
Please say a little prayer for her and if that is not your belief then just keep a good thought for her.
Garrell
Please say a little prayer for her and if that is not your belief then just keep a good thought for her.
Garrell
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Brett Foote
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
My interests are many with this hobby ....
I enjoy modifying my car to my tastes, and learning something new about it. I enjoy updating my web page on my mods so that others can see how I did said modification. (www.ToqueZ06.com). I hope that others gain some knowledge from my site. I'm no pro for sure, but I'm enjoying learning something new, and sharing what I have learned.
I enjoy meeting my Corvette buddies at our weekly Sunday evening GTG. Chatting about our cars, other cars, and usually fine ladies come into the conversation... . I enjoy going for late night cruises with my local corvette buddies, or all meeting up at the tuner shop to see what mods they are adding now... 
I enjoy cleaning my car better than it came off the show room floor. A quick dusting for me is minimum 4 hours. A full detail will take 2 evenings and usually 8-10 hours of work total. I love it though. Its very relaxing for me and takes my mind off of work.
I enjoy helping my buddies with there modifications or repairs on there cars.
I enjoy putting my 7yr old son in my car with me and going for a cruise around town. Giving my wife some time to herself. I enjoy taking him to a car show and teaching him all about different car's. My dad used to do the same with me. My son enjoys taking pictures of different cars, and we look at the pictures later on my computer. He gets a kick out of that.
And most of all... I just like to put my foot to the floor sometimes. Tires are not overly happy about it but it sure is fun... I finally got my car to a point where it is just a dream to drive. I also just love cruising down the road...Radio off... Just listening to the exhaust note.
Toque
I enjoy modifying my car to my tastes, and learning something new about it. I enjoy updating my web page on my mods so that others can see how I did said modification. (www.ToqueZ06.com). I hope that others gain some knowledge from my site. I'm no pro for sure, but I'm enjoying learning something new, and sharing what I have learned.
I enjoy meeting my Corvette buddies at our weekly Sunday evening GTG. Chatting about our cars, other cars, and usually fine ladies come into the conversation...
. I enjoy going for late night cruises with my local corvette buddies, or all meeting up at the tuner shop to see what mods they are adding now... I enjoy cleaning my car better than it came off the show room floor. A quick dusting for me is minimum 4 hours. A full detail will take 2 evenings and usually 8-10 hours of work total. I love it though. Its very relaxing for me and takes my mind off of work.
I enjoy helping my buddies with there modifications or repairs on there cars.
I enjoy putting my 7yr old son in my car with me and going for a cruise around town. Giving my wife some time to herself.
I enjoy taking him to a car show and teaching him all about different car's. My dad used to do the same with me. My son enjoys taking pictures of different cars, and we look at the pictures later on my computer. He gets a kick out of that. And most of all... I just like to put my foot to the floor sometimes. Tires are not overly happy about it but it sure is fun...
I finally got my car to a point where it is just a dream to drive. I also just love cruising down the road...Radio off... Just listening to the exhaust note.Toque
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
where
Toque, you just expressed what most every one in the car hobby whether a Corvette person, a street rodder or even the poor Mustang souls, not really all gear heads are created equal some of us are just faster than them. I used to be a fanatic about cleaning my rides but now I am not able to do it, I try to not get them real dirty if I can and daily I go over them with microfiber towels and detailer, then about once a month I put wax on them to help avoid fine scratches. I have four hotrods one of cource my Corvette, I have been consumed for the last year with landspeed racing and am preparing my SS Silverado truck now to go to Ohio for the first Ohio Mile in April. I have a reservation to go to the tune up shop on March 6 for performance improvements and tuneup including dyno time. You are doing somthing I am a firm believer in, keeping our young people interested in the car hobby. Most of them noe are worried about there tweeterwolferthinges in there Honda than cams or headers.I better stop before I get politically incorrect and get barred from the forum. Keep living the life.
Garrell Patterson
Garrell Patterson
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Muskegon Michigan
This is exactly what I want to do.... I'm still looking for the right car but when I do, this is the first event on my list. IT's even coming to my town again this year, Muskegon, MI. Hit me up when your in town and I'll show you around. George
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
what
The power tour is on my bucket list items, it is a little too far west and north for me this year. Maybe next year after I set another or two landspeed records it will be within my travel range. Another item on my list is the Hot Rod Drag Week, but that would take a lot of thought into a car selection.
Garrell
Garrell
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 14
From: CT
Sorry guys, I just got in from the hospitol, my Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday evening with a heart attack. She weighs 60 lbs and until two days ago she would sneak up out of bed by herself and walk across the hallway to a den. She looked really bad and was breath very shallowy.
Please say a little prayer for her and if that is not your belief then just keep a good thought for her.
Garrell
Please say a little prayer for her and if that is not your belief then just keep a good thought for her.
Garrell
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Ware Shoals SC
First off, God Bless Garrell and his family.
As for interests, I LOVE cars but I'm not a real driver. I see so much beauty in all six generations of corvettes I just sit and stare at them. I enjoy driving them as daily drivers but when we go long distances the wife usually drives because I'm lazy and would prefer the short trips around when we reach our destination. Being an undercover redneck I find myself sitting in a lawn chair just taking in the physical beauty of cars. I stare at my vettes, I stare at my rusty jags. I live 1 mile from our local drag strip and attend but haven't run since I was a kid. Maybe I'm shallow and possesive but I just like to look. I turn my own wrench but don't do mods or anything advanced. I guess I've got other irons in the fire too. I collect c&r firearms and have a thing for 1911s. I collect guitars and have a thing for Gretsches and Gibbies. I collect replica watches and save up for the real ones. I front a classic country/soul band that takes up time I should be spending at car shows but sometimes I get to play a car show and that's the best of both worlds. I escentric but pretty damn boring from the corvette standpoint. I do loke reading on this forum about folks mods, where they are racing, what they are running, etc so at least I'm interested in all the events I'm too lazy to get involved with.
As for interests, I LOVE cars but I'm not a real driver. I see so much beauty in all six generations of corvettes I just sit and stare at them. I enjoy driving them as daily drivers but when we go long distances the wife usually drives because I'm lazy and would prefer the short trips around when we reach our destination. Being an undercover redneck I find myself sitting in a lawn chair just taking in the physical beauty of cars. I stare at my vettes, I stare at my rusty jags. I live 1 mile from our local drag strip and attend but haven't run since I was a kid. Maybe I'm shallow and possesive but I just like to look. I turn my own wrench but don't do mods or anything advanced. I guess I've got other irons in the fire too. I collect c&r firearms and have a thing for 1911s. I collect guitars and have a thing for Gretsches and Gibbies. I collect replica watches and save up for the real ones. I front a classic country/soul band that takes up time I should be spending at car shows but sometimes I get to play a car show and that's the best of both worlds. I escentric but pretty damn boring from the corvette standpoint. I do loke reading on this forum about folks mods, where they are racing, what they are running, etc so at least I'm interested in all the events I'm too lazy to get involved with.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Toque, you just expressed what most every one in the car hobby whether a Corvette person, a street rodder or even the poor Mustang souls, not really all gear heads are created equal some of us are just faster than them. I used to be a fanatic about cleaning my rides but now I am not able to do it, I try to not get them real dirty if I can and daily I go over them with microfiber towels and detailer, then about once a month I put wax on them to help avoid fine scratches. I have four hotrods one of cource my Corvette, I have been consumed for the last year with landspeed racing and am preparing my SS Silverado truck now to go to Ohio for the first Ohio Mile in April. I have a reservation to go to the tune up shop on March 6 for performance improvements and tuneup including dyno time. You are doing somthing I am a firm believer in, keeping our young people interested in the car hobby. Most of them noe are worried about there tweeterwolferthinges in there Honda than cams or headers.I better stop before I get politically incorrect and get barred from the forum. Keep living the life.
Garrell Patterson
Garrell Patterson
.... Enjoy getting your SS setup, and I hope you break some records ! Toque
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Where
DACFAN, what do you go in your spare time? You caught my attention listing all your hobbies and pastimes. I think we all probably enjoy staring at our rides no matter what year also.
Go to the dragstrip one weekend when they are having a test and tune, there is no pressure trying to outrun anyone other than improving your own e.t. and it is not destructive to the car.
What caught my attention was the mention of gun collecting, I collect on a small scale and target shoot when I can and would you believe my favorite gun is the 1911's. I shoot a Colt Gold Cup, National Match Series 70. I have owned it since my wife gave it to me in late 1970's new, I did not know I had it until about a year ago because of my memory loss. Even though I used to compete with it it looks brand new and I even have the original box and papers.
Thanks for the sentiments, thoughts, and prayers you have expressed for our parents, it is a very heart breaking situation.
Garrell
Go to the dragstrip one weekend when they are having a test and tune, there is no pressure trying to outrun anyone other than improving your own e.t. and it is not destructive to the car.
What caught my attention was the mention of gun collecting, I collect on a small scale and target shoot when I can and would you believe my favorite gun is the 1911's. I shoot a Colt Gold Cup, National Match Series 70. I have owned it since my wife gave it to me in late 1970's new, I did not know I had it until about a year ago because of my memory loss. Even though I used to compete with it it looks brand new and I even have the original box and papers.
Thanks for the sentiments, thoughts, and prayers you have expressed for our parents, it is a very heart breaking situation.
Garrell
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 9
From: Crossville TN
I drag raced my old EB C5 Z06 a couple times and then mostly autoxed it. But then I sold it for my current C5Z that is a purpose built road race car. I love it and its the most fun I've ever had running wheel to wheel with other competitors out on the track. A rush like no other!