Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Aftermath - John Guzzetta

A PENNY FOR THE OLD MAN

You may have asked what the Mansfield group has been doing after re-entering Earth’s atmosphere over a week ago. For a few days, we washed clothes…more clothes than we ever thought we owned. The Model A even got washed after a week or so, and we examined the old warhorse for new battle scars. Some of us went back to daily pursuits, and the more neurotic among us kept driving…at night…in our dreams. I claim another 1000 miles, nocturnally. I’m still driving that yellow pickup every night to an un-named destination…with weird obstacles along the way. In hopes of leaving the dreams behind, we went to the Jess Blaker estate auction in Turlock this last Friday. We previewed the entire collection of antique cars, clocks, player pianos, car parts and memorabilia on Friday, and stayed overnight at the local Motel 6…I drove another 400 miles in my “A” to nowhere in my dreams that night…

Early the next morning, I knocked on Bob & Patti’s door (#131), and # 133 (Ray & Linda) were already up and ready for another breakfast experience at the McDonald’s next door. This was very reminiscent of an ordeal we had just experienced! Early rising in a strange motel room and fine morning cuisine…brushing your teeth, if there’s time…is my underwear clean? Am I wearing underwear? What am I doing here?

We all trooped down to the auction early. Way early. Got good seats. Up front, so they could see our bid cards clearly when we won that neat yellow speedster. Maybe the little red Maxwell Roadster…2 cylinders! Or that C cab with the calliope in the back…

Bob & Shirley and Dave & Susan came in on Saturday morning…now, this was becoming real familiar! Like dejavue…

Apparently, we’ve been on the road much too long. People with real money to spend had come in from all over the country…in fact from other countries, as well as nosing in on the internet…and none of them gave us a break. I raised my bid card once or twice, but I think they laughed at me.

So, we didn’t come home with anything that Jess Blaker had collected over the years. No Regulator clocks, no Rolls Royces, no little yellow speedsters and no parts piled up on pallets with a numbered tag on a pile of rust. People with big checkbooks, people who flew in on private jets, people, who for the most part, never met the man, took his things away. But according to Judy, it was fun. An experience. And it was certainly cheap at the price. I have to get to bed…time to drive…

John Guzzetta
Ps: in the middle of the auction, 100 miles from home, among maybe 1000 or more people…guess who popped up? Yep…
Twilight Zone…

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

John--Good job--I have enjoyed all of your input to the Blog--It was also great to travel with you and Judy--As for me--I was busy figuring my driven miles for at least two days--It also took me two days to get my car unloaded--in the mean time ,I had hay to pickup ,hay to deliver and hay to put away for winter--Last week we had our first caves be born and last night we had three more born--Gloria called and said that I have a dentice appoinment at 8 am--I sure wish that I could put my Hay truck on the Magic Carpet that my A got off of--But anyway hope to see youal soon--Take care till then,bill rose

Pat said...

I miss our traveling every day. We had such great travel companions and it is way too quiet at our house. You wouldn't think everyone could be so cheerful at 6 AM and be ready to get in a car and head down the road day after day but we were. Ofcourse chocolate always makes everything more enjoyable. Thanks for the journey.

Anonymous said...

You know what? A lot of the original East Coast trippers are traveling to Apple Hill for the Placerville event, and we'll be departing September 1st. Maybe some of us could post news of our new adventures on this site...what do you think? Keep in mind that the distance to Placerville is usually the distance we all covered before breakfast on our historic trek to Mansfield!
It's only a trip "around the corner", really, but just maybe those who can't go to Placerville might enjoy hearing from those of us who can go? Just a thought...
We'll be taking scenic backroads through the Delta and Gold Country with a stop in Sutter Creek. Sounds like fun!
John G

Anonymous said...

Great idea John--But how about we leave a week early, travel to Texas and on the way back we can stop off for a break at Apple Hill??--I am not sure we will get into second gear if we just go direct to Apple Hill??What do you think??I am sure Patti must be getting itchie feet by now--bill rose

Anonymous said...

LEAVING AT 4:30 AM????NAH...
Twelve A's will leave for Hangtown from the Donut Shop in Milpitas at 8AM on Friday. Lots of 'em now have A/C...the newest converts being Ed & Clarlene. Bob & Patti have dissected the Borg Warner O/D, and Dr.Bob has effected a transplant of neccessary organs from a deceased donor. If Bob can stop Patti from pacing through the house (these new grandparents!),
they should be able to fire up the old Coupe and join the party early Friday morning. Understandably, Patti is a bit pre-occupied...twins and all..

John & Judy