Hi, Everyone!
If you've received this note, I've successfully added your e-mail
address to my travel update group, and I should be able to send you news
during our European trip. (Let me know if you prefer NOT to
receive travel notes!) Today's note will give you a little background
in preparation for our big trip:
Who's Minnie? Minnie is a 1931 Ford Model A coupe with a
rumble seat. She belongs to some very dear friends, Gordon & Dorothy,
who bought her at a Mennonite auction near Fresno. We were so enthused
hearing about their Model A European tour a couple of years ago, that
they sponsored us in joining the Model A Touring Club, enrolled us in
the Fall 2001 Europe Tour, and LENT us (!!!) Minnie for the tour. They
have us hooked on touring... (You can view photos of Minnie with Jay
and the traveling dresser/"box" he built for her on our website, http://www.patburbank.com.
The "box" is also on its way to Europe, filled with 95% of the clothing
we'll use there.)
Where are We Going with Minnie? The 3-week itinerary covers
parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and little bit of Northern
Italy. There are 50 Model A Fords going, but since we'll mostly be in
small towns that can't accommodate such a large group, we'll split into
two groups of 25 cars each. The two groups will cover the same areas,
but at slightly different times, and we'll converge only a couple of
times during the trip.
When are We Going? Actually, Minnie has already left. We
trailered her to San Pedro on July 16th. By July 20th, she and two
other cars had been sealed in a sea container and several containers had
started for Europe. We know she cleared the Panama Canal August 9th,
and the most recent update we've received was that she was in the
Caribbean August 11th. Jay and I leave (fortunately, by plane!) on
September 8th, with arrival in Zurich on September 9th.
When Will We Write to You? We don't know! When we have time
AND we locate an internet cafe, we'll send you a travel update. Hope to
"talk" to you soon.
