More of my ramblings........driving at night............. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

fbodfather · 08-27-2013, 04:00 PM

Some of you have heard me say that I rarely drive anywhere during the day. (a trip of length, that is--) A fleet of mini-vans driving in formation across all lanes of traffic is enough to make my head explode.

Further, traffic continues to get worse as we put more cars and trucks on the road – yet we rarely build NEW roads…….so what do we expect? I truly believe we’ll see complete gridlock in some parts of the country in the next half-dozen years or so………..

----there’s something about driving late into the night – or early in the morning as the sun is coming up…… No traffic jams – no ‘amateur hour’ ….you get the drift. Put on XM radio to the comedy channel and laugh your way to your destination…….or perhaps plug in the iPod and listen to what you will……..

I attended the Berger Chevrolet/Western Michigan Camaro Club Annual 28th Street Cruise last weekend – meaning that I had to head over there on Friday morning – AFTER a meeting downtown. As one can imagine, the John Lodge Freeway was clogged on Friday morning and by the time I hit I-96, I was regretting that I didn’t head out the night before and phone into the meeting………

By the time I reached Grand Rapids, I was pretty much fit to be tied up and shot at sundown…..

Now......that said...........I had a great weekend with some old friends and of course, I made some new ones…..there’s not an enthusiast group more inviting than Camaro/Firebird people! Making the trip even more special was lunch with Dale and Matt Berger. The Berger Family has been selling Chevrolets in Grand Rapids since 1921. William Berger started the business – his son, Dale Sr. continued the tradition and then turned the business over to Dale Jr – and now Matt is 4th generation. They’re the last of the Chevy SuperCar dealers – they do a great job – so much so, that Matt was selected as “Dealer of the Year” by Chevrolet in 2012.

Dale has some amazing stories of the ‘glory’ years from the early 60s on….. We laughed and laughed as we shared “Chevy Stories” – of being in the dealership and at Chevrolet meetings over the years – and the characters we met… I definitely want to interview Dale for some stories for “my book” if I ever get around to writing it. Interestingly Jim Lukiens – who was Berger’s Performance Parts guy in the 60s and 70s has taken up writing for various publications –and offered on Saturday to ghost write for me. (…I’m now up to 4 offes now…….what am I waiting for???)

But…….as usual, I digress!

So –Saturday evening with Camaro Comrades was a blast – nevertheless, I decided to turn in early and then set the alarm clock for ‘stupid o’clock’ (…that’s just before ‘dark o’clock’…) and head back home…..missing Sunday tourist traffic……….

“Mr. Valentino” -- my ZL1 Convertible -- was looking ....especially and particularly furious ....as he sat in the parking lot awaiting my arrival from the hotel room. Perhaps it was the gaggle of Priuses that were looking so……… foolish………
--or perhaps it was because someone parked a mini-van wayyyy too close to him.

You have to admit – a ZL1 does not smile……..

....continued............

fbodfather · 08-27-2013, 04:02 PM

--continued....

I’m certain that his booming voice awoke several of the young-uns who were staying over for a soccer tournament – several of them had yelled “Nice Car, Mister!” the evening before………

The mist rolled off the paint as we headed down 28th street and onto I-96. The butterfly valves on his exhaust opened up – announcing to the world

“OK…I’m HERE -- now GET the H@#& OUT OF THE WAY……..”

....

--At that hour of the morning, it was appropriate for us to ‘practice his performance’ by performing ‘sprints’ – no traffic on the highway, so one can slow to about 5mph and then ‘hit it’ – allowing his muscles to get exercise. Funny – you could hear the joy in his roars and bellows………after all, isn’t that what a ZL1 is all about? Not breaking the law - but going from 5 to 70 is a lot of fun when there is nothing around......

At 4:30am, you can get a fresh cup of strong coffee at the Speedway station – the clerk a bit sleepy-eyed –but pleasant none-the-less.

“…nice car young feller, you take care now, ya hear?.. I remember my ’63 Chevy 409…………”

("...young feller?.....he can't even see that early in the morning!! )

– followed by a few very pleasant memories – his lined face seemingly to grow younger as he talked….. You wonder what other great stories you could get him to share over a drink or two……and what you just might learn from his many years – and the wisdom that those years brought forth…..

At 70 mph – the world flies by – but when there’s no traffic, you get to enjoy what’s alongside of the road. The mist nearly hides an old Chevy truck from the early 50s – as it sits in a field by itself….you wonder why it was parked there in the first place. Many farms – many outbuildings – some so very neat – others abandoned….each with many stories to tell. A sign for “Dot’s Candies” – I find myself wondering if Dot is someone’s grandmother – and if they use her original recipes…….. Cars enter and exit the freeway – very few of them, but it makes you wonder where they’re headed – or perhaps they’re getting home from an overnight job…..

God’s sunrise was especially firey on Sunday morning – the oranges and pinks and reds shimmering off Valentino’s hood……..out in the open, it can be breath-taking. I switched on the Halos as the skies grew lighter….and I came upon more and more cars and trucks.

I stopped just outside of Detroit to grab a quick breakfast. A young lady came into the restaurant a minute or two later and said to me:

“Is that your Camaro out there?” (….must have been the Camaro shirt….)

I indicated that it was and she said “…Oh my God! I looked in the rearview mirror as you came up behind me and your car could scare the heck outta someone! It just looks like it’s ANGRY!.......”

True, that…………. She tells her friend that she really really really wants one – except in yellow………….

As I pulled Mr. Valentino into my driveway, I realized just how relaxing the ride was coming home – and how much more calm I was -- and how I was looking forward to a Sunday of just plain-old relaxing….something I don’t seem to do much of…….. Perhaps I’d take some time to wash off the bugs (…Mustang Crumbs…) from Mr. Valentino's face – after all, a Michigan August DOES bring out the bugs………..and the Mustangs.....

And so as I come to the end of ANOTHER long story that doesn’t really lead anywhere – I highly encourage you to take a drive in the early hours of the morning…….and to just enjoy the trip…………

Thanks for listening………….

james347 · 08-27-2013, 04:07 PM

Thanks for posting!

crsr1 · 08-27-2013, 04:08 PM

Good read!

Sales @ CAI Inc · 08-27-2013, 04:12 PM

You missed your true calling, you need to be a writer

Good read Scott, thanks!

camaro2lt · 08-27-2013, 04:13 PM

Great story Scott, I think it would be great if you wrote a book......I rarely ever read a book but I think if you wrote one, it would be the only book I ever read.

Richie

RavenZL1 · 08-27-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Some of you have heard me say that I rarely drive anywhere during the day. (a trip of length, that is--) A fleet of mini-vans driving in formation across all lanes of traffic is enough to make my head explode.

Further, traffic continues to get worse as we put more cars and trucks on the road – yet we rarely build NEW roads…….so what do we expect? I truly believe we’ll see complete gridlock in some parts of the country in the next half-dozen years or so………..

Feel free to come visit us in Northern Virginia (specifically Interstate 95) and I'd be happy to show you that gridlock is already here.

Great read though, thanks for sharing the story.

Frank in MD · 08-27-2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenZL1

Feel free to come visit us in Northern Virginia (specifically Interstate 95) and I'd be happy to show you that gridlock is already here.

Great read though, thanks for sharing the story.

It's been here for quite some time.... and I hear today that DC wants to lure the Olympics here for 2024? Are they completely mad?

Thanks for sharing Scott. I loathe traffic myself, I work an extra two hours per day just so I don't have to go home in it. It makes me mental....

fbodfather · 08-27-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank in MD

It's been here for quite some time.... and I hear today that DC wants to lure the Olympics here for 2024? Are they completely mad?

Thanks for sharing Scott. I loathe traffic myself, I work an extra two hours per day just so I don't have to go home in it. It makes me mental....

I know what you're saying.

When I lived in New York (during the early 3rd gen days) I would go to the gym and work out with a buddy from work....all to miss traffic.

That was many years ago - but I got really big muscles out of the deal.

(...they have since left for the coast.....

.......)

jshaf · 08-27-2013, 04:48 PM

I never drive at night but early in the am when the sun is just coming up is my favorite time. mostly open road and some AIC and I am very happy!!

tramtwo · 08-27-2013, 04:52 PM

I don't know about writing, but you definitely deserve your own show!

radametz · 08-27-2013, 05:45 PM

Great post, Scott!

I actually get to do that every day. Around 5:30 each morning I have the majority of the highway to myself. Great relaxing experience, one that most people don't get to enjoy too often here in NJ.

45thAnniversary2SS · 08-27-2013, 05:58 PM

Finally something I can agree with you on! Thanks for sharing. I too love driving at night. The ONLY drawback is all those dang bugs lol.

RedRaven · 08-27-2013, 06:04 PM

Thanks Scott. Took a Sundown drive Saturday with the wife to get out of the house for a while. Through the backwoods of North Florida for 60 to 80 miles, literally "over the river and through the woods". But the best feeling of all was while I was gassing up after running back to town to pick up a FedEx package yesterday, heard a little voice yell "I like your car!" from behind me. Turned around and a 10-12 year old girl was peeking out of the front window of her mom's car. I called back "Thank you". That made my evening. Permagrin all the way home.

08-27-2013, 04:00 PM	#1
fbodfather Drives: Camaros................ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seven Fields, PA (Pittsburgh) Posts: 4,523	More of my ramblings........driving at night............. Some of you have heard me say that I rarely drive anywhere during the day. (a trip of length, that is--) A fleet of mini-vans driving in formation across all lanes of traffic is enough to make my head explode. Further, traffic continues to get worse as we put more cars and trucks on the road – yet we rarely build NEW roads…….so what do we expect? I truly believe we’ll see complete gridlock in some parts of the country in the next half-dozen years or so……….. ----there’s something about driving late into the night – or early in the morning as the sun is coming up…… No traffic jams – no ‘amateur hour’ ….you get the drift. Put on XM radio to the comedy channel and laugh your way to your destination…….or perhaps plug in the iPod and listen to what you will…….. I attended the Berger Chevrolet/Western Michigan Camaro Club Annual 28th Street Cruise last weekend – meaning that I had to head over there on Friday morning – AFTER a meeting downtown. As one can imagine, the John Lodge Freeway was clogged on Friday morning and by the time I hit I-96, I was regretting that I didn’t head out the night before and phone into the meeting……… By the time I reached Grand Rapids, I was pretty much fit to be tied up and shot at sundown….. Now......that said...........I had a great weekend with some old friends and of course, I made some new ones…..there’s not an enthusiast group more inviting than Camaro/Firebird people! Making the trip even more special was lunch with Dale and Matt Berger. The Berger Family has been selling Chevrolets in Grand Rapids since 1921. William Berger started the business – his son, Dale Sr. continued the tradition and then turned the business over to Dale Jr – and now Matt is 4th generation. They’re the last of the Chevy SuperCar dealers – they do a great job – so much so, that Matt was selected as “Dealer of the Year” by Chevrolet in 2012. Dale has some amazing stories of the ‘glory’ years from the early 60s on….. We laughed and laughed as we shared “Chevy Stories” – of being in the dealership and at Chevrolet meetings over the years – and the characters we met… I definitely want to interview Dale for some stories for “my book” if I ever get around to writing it. Interestingly Jim Lukiens – who was Berger’s Performance Parts guy in the 60s and 70s has taken up writing for various publications –and offered on Saturday to ghost write for me. (…I’m now up to 4 offes now…….what am I waiting for???) But…….as usual, I digress! So –Saturday evening with Camaro Comrades was a blast – nevertheless, I decided to turn in early and then set the alarm clock for ‘stupid o’clock’ (…that’s just before ‘dark o’clock’…) and head back home…..missing Sunday tourist traffic………. “Mr. Valentino” -- my ZL1 Convertible -- was looking ....especially and particularly furious ....as he sat in the parking lot awaiting my arrival from the hotel room. Perhaps it was the gaggle of Priuses that were looking so……… foolish……… --or perhaps it was because someone parked a mini-van wayyyy too close to him. You have to admit – a ZL1 does not smile…….. ....continued............ __________________

08-27-2013, 04:02 PM	#2
fbodfather Drives: Camaros................ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seven Fields, PA (Pittsburgh) Posts: 4,523	--continued.... I’m certain that his booming voice awoke several of the young-uns who were staying over for a soccer tournament – several of them had yelled “Nice Car, Mister!” the evening before……… The mist rolled off the paint as we headed down 28th street and onto I-96. The butterfly valves on his exhaust opened up – announcing to the world “OK…I’m HERE -- now GET the H@#& OUT OF THE WAY……..” .... --At that hour of the morning, it was appropriate for us to ‘practice his performance’ by performing ‘sprints’ – no traffic on the highway, so one can slow to about 5mph and then ‘hit it’ – allowing his muscles to get exercise. Funny – you could hear the joy in his roars and bellows………after all, isn’t that what a ZL1 is all about? Not breaking the law - but going from 5 to 70 is a lot of fun when there is nothing around...... At 4:30am, you can get a fresh cup of strong coffee at the Speedway station – the clerk a bit sleepy-eyed –but pleasant none-the-less. “…nice car young feller, you take care now, ya hear?.. I remember my ’63 Chevy 409…………” ("...young feller?.....he can't even see that early in the morning!! ) – followed by a few very pleasant memories – his lined face seemingly to grow younger as he talked….. You wonder what other great stories you could get him to share over a drink or two……and what you just might learn from his many years – and the wisdom that those years brought forth….. At 70 mph – the world flies by – but when there’s no traffic, you get to enjoy what’s alongside of the road. The mist nearly hides an old Chevy truck from the early 50s – as it sits in a field by itself….you wonder why it was parked there in the first place. Many farms – many outbuildings – some so very neat – others abandoned….each with many stories to tell. A sign for “Dot’s Candies” – I find myself wondering if Dot is someone’s grandmother – and if they use her original recipes…….. Cars enter and exit the freeway – very few of them, but it makes you wonder where they’re headed – or perhaps they’re getting home from an overnight job….. God’s sunrise was especially firey on Sunday morning – the oranges and pinks and reds shimmering off Valentino’s hood……..out in the open, it can be breath-taking. I switched on the Halos as the skies grew lighter….and I came upon more and more cars and trucks. I stopped just outside of Detroit to grab a quick breakfast. A young lady came into the restaurant a minute or two later and said to me: “Is that your Camaro out there?” (….must have been the Camaro shirt….) I indicated that it was and she said “…Oh my God! I looked in the rearview mirror as you came up behind me and your car could scare the heck outta someone! It just looks like it’s ANGRY!.......” True, that…………. She tells her friend that she really really really wants one – except in yellow…………. As I pulled Mr. Valentino into my driveway, I realized just how relaxing the ride was coming home – and how much more calm I was -- and how I was looking forward to a Sunday of just plain-old relaxing….something I don’t seem to do much of…….. Perhaps I’d take some time to wash off the bugs (…Mustang Crumbs…) from Mr. Valentino's face – after all, a Michigan August DOES bring out the bugs………..and the Mustangs..... And so as I come to the end of ANOTHER long story that doesn’t really lead anywhere – I highly encourage you to take a drive in the early hours of the morning…….and to just enjoy the trip………… Thanks for listening…………. __________________ Last edited by fbodfather; 08-27-2013 at 05:48 PM.

08-27-2013, 04:08 PM	#4
crsr1 Drives: Camaro Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: TN Posts: 309 View My Garage	Good read! __________________ 2012 2SS/RS 2007 Tahoe Z71 2004 Nickey Hayden RC51 2013 Silverado Z71

08-27-2013, 04:48 PM	#10
jshaf Montani Semper Liberi Drives: 2011 Black 2SS/RS w/ IOM stripes Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Masontown, WV Posts: 4,841	I never drive at night but early in the am when the sun is just coming up is my favorite time. mostly open road and some AIC and I am very happy!! __________________ Stainless Works 1 7/8 Long Tude Headers, Stainless Works High Flow Cats, Stainless Works Retro Chambered Catback, Z/28 Air Intake, RDP Tuned, FR41 Chrome Rims, 1100W stereo, 35% Tint

08-27-2013, 05:45 PM	#12
radametz Drives: 2013 CRT 2SS/1LE; 2016 Colorado Z71 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 648 View My Garage	Great post, Scott! I actually get to do that every day. Around 5:30 each morning I have the majority of the highway to myself. Great relaxing experience, one that most people don't get to enjoy too often here in NJ. __________________

08-27-2013, 04:07 PM	#3
james347 Drives: 2006 Crownline Join Date: May 2012 Location: . Posts: 700	Thanks for posting!

08-27-2013, 04:12 PM	#5
Sales @ CAI Inc Drives: 2010 SS/RS Supercharged 427 Build Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,503	You missed your true calling, you need to be a writer Good read Scott, thanks!

08-27-2013, 04:13 PM	#6
camaro2lt Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT VR/RS CGM Rally's Join Date: May 2009 Location: Palmyra, PA Posts: 5,675 View My Garage	Great story Scott, I think it would be great if you wrote a book......I rarely ever read a book but I think if you wrote one, it would be the only book I ever read. Richie

08-27-2013, 04:52 PM	#11
tramtwo Drives: 2021 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: N'Awlinz Posts: 6,315	I don't know about writing, but you definitely deserve your own show!

08-27-2013, 05:58 PM	#13
45thAnniversary2SS Drives: 2012 45th Anniversary 2SS LS3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,812 View My Garage	Finally something I can agree with you on! Thanks for sharing. I too love driving at night. The ONLY drawback is all those dang bugs lol. __________________

08-27-2013, 06:04 PM	#14
RedRaven Drives: 2012 2SS M6 CRT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Alachua, Fl Posts: 251	Thanks Scott. Took a Sundown drive Saturday with the wife to get out of the house for a while. Through the backwoods of North Florida for 60 to 80 miles, literally "over the river and through the woods". But the best feeling of all was while I was gassing up after running back to town to pick up a FedEx package yesterday, heard a little voice yell "I like your car!" from behind me. Turned around and a 10-12 year old girl was peeking out of the front window of her mom's car. I called back "Thank you". That made my evening. Permagrin all the way home. __________________ 2012 2SS M6 CRT SOLD! - - 1983 Berlinetta, 305HO, Comp 235 cam, shorties First real car: 1968 Malibu, '67 283, Canary yellow