Bill and Terry's Excellent Adventure
(Return to Watkins Glen)
At noon on a brilliant hot Wednesday, 707 and TA left Martin Veem's Napa
Restorations for points east. Inside the shop was Bill's partially assembled
PA engine. There just hadn't been enough time for Bill to get it together
for the trip east so back there on the trailer was "Dads TC". Our
destination: Watkins Glen, New York for the re-creation of the sports car race
of 1948, a concurrent North American MMM meeting and the New England MGT
Register's Fall Gathering of the Faithful plus Vintage racing on the modern
track there. What a weekend this promised to be!
We motored east easily in the 100 degree valley temperature until the
Sierra
loomed and the "Check Engine" light came on. The Explorer was running fine
and a quick reference check in the owners manual indicated that it was
probably minor, so on we went, though Bill seemed a little worried. Down
through Reno, the Biggest Little City in the World, past the Mustang Ranch (we
didn't stop!) and out to the high desert of Nevada we went. The temperature
reached 103 but the truck seemed OK and were making good time. We finally
eased into Wendover, Utah and passed a noisy night in the local Motel 6. Those
of you who have traveled with me will know what that means!
An early breakfast in the local casino and we were immediately out near
the
famous Salt Flats where Thrust II broke the sound barrier last year and the
MGF failed to run this year. It was long before the Great Salt Lake came into
view and then the spires of the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City. A quick check
at the local Ford dealer confirmed our check engine light diagnosis and pretty
soon we were over the Wastach. Interstate 80 pretty much follows the route
of the Mormon trail and we marveled how they got wagons through this rough
land. It began to look like we'd make Denver easily that night, so we called
ahead to Bill Bollendonk to hold the beer and pizza.
After passing a pleasant evening in company with Bill and Jeanne, we
collected Jack Kahler the next morning and we three now in caravan were
motoring east on Interstate 70 through the plains of eastern Colorado and
Kansas. CB radios made the time and mileage pass quickly as we BS'ed our way
across the Great Plains, asking and answering MG trivia questions.
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