Dr Benz's Excellent Adventure

[Garry]

Dan,
You could turn right at LA and end up in Australia for a continuation of the Dr Benz Execellent Adventure.    You will be most welcomed here and have many places to stay and check out all the Aussie Pagodas as you trip from East to West and then on to Florida from Perth, WA.

Garry

[Flyair]

This is becoming Dr.Benz World Tour

[Benz Dr.]

Dan: good to see you at the Collector car auction in Toronto last weekend. My friend bought that beautiful 250SE cabriolet for a song . You are welcome anytime here in TO either coming or going on your excellent adventure.
Doug

Thanks Doug. I really couldn't fathom why anyone would place a nice car like that in with the usual Friday night cars. If you want to find a deal that's the night to be there and your buddy sure did that.
 
Trust me folks, this car was really nice........wood was a bit lacking but for 60K it was a good buy. 

[Benz Dr.]

Dan,
You could turn right at LA and end up in Australia for a continuation of the Dr Benz Execellent Adventure.    You will be most welcomed here and have many places to stay and check out all the Aussie Pagodas as you trip from East to West and then on to Florida from Perth, WA.

Garry

That's a bit further than I think I can drive. LA will be far enough. I would definately look you up if I get that far. 

I would like to visit your country after I retire which probably will never happen. You know the saying; old mechanics never die, they just smell that way.........

[Garry]

It can be done, I drove the 'Jag' from Pub in Blacklick Ohio with Tom Colitt to LA then on to a boat to Australia.  I know that Joe, JA17 has also done it in a Merc Coupe some time ago.

We will all wait in anticipation.  You could then call it Dr Benz's Excellent Adventure Around the World in 280 Days.  You could do Pagoda work along the way! No need to retire.

[pj]

Hi Garry,
you know, that's not such a far-fetched suggestion. A person with specialized mechanic's skills probably could thumb their way around the world for a year or two. You know: have gun, will travel. Too bad math teachers can't do the same, or I'd be on my way.

Do you know any astronomers in SE Australia? I don't have anyone specific in mind, but if I ever get a chance to visit Down Under, I will aim for telescopes & pagodas. Might make an interesting article in 2 different magazines!

[Garry]

It is pretty hard to find specific Pagoda mechanics in Australia so there would be plenty of work.

There are lots of astronomers working at a large CSIRO Radio Telescope at Parks, NSW.  http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/

[simonarn]

I'll take a sip once in a while but I have to be careful with my pain meds.  Not my son-in-law, he's the BF of my niece. Who knows when they'll get married.........


I'd like to visit the lands of my fore fathers somewhere in France. Poland sounds interesting........ good sheet metal guys I'm told.

Let us know whereabouts in France you want to visit and we (I) can probably help with finding accommodation etc.

[Benz Dr.]

My wife likes to travel but she's not that fond of driving so I'm not sure if she will be coming with me or not. This is why I'm looking for driving partners or other cars to drive with. I'm fully expecting to do a cetain amount by myself which is OK by me. Once I get into larger metro areas it would be good to have someone wth me who knows their way around. My plan is to use the interstate hyways to move from place to place and then use secondary roads to see points of interest along the way. This is where you, the local 113 owner, can play a part. No one knows their local area like a local. Show me your neat places to see and we'll have fun in our cars. show me you diners, drive-ins and dives - I like to try new things to eat.  I even tried some mondongo in the DR - don't ask........

The wind noise on a trip this long might be more than I can stand because I rarely put the top down. I'm thinking about running with a hard top but I sold mine a long time ago. One of many things to consider I suppose...

[mdsalemi]

I'm thinking about running with a hard top but I sold mine a long time ago.

First stop, Michigan.  You can borrow mine. (white and unrestored, but it's solid...)

[Cees Klumper]

When in France I can offer a place to stay with a Pagoda and 13 engines 

For the wind noise I actually do one of two things: listen to music through those little earbuds, or simply put in foam hearing protectors, like I do when riding my motorcycles. Either makes a huge difference, particularly on long drives and cut down on general fatigue, even in modern quieter cars.

[Bonnyboy]

Wind noise doesn't bother me as I have been wearing a lambskin aviator cap for close to 30 years now (same cap).  The plain type that is all leather on the outside with a strap under the chin.   Offers full visibility, warmth, won't fly off and keeps the wind noise to a minimum. 

My daughters say I look dorky wearing it but that's ok, my ears are warm and I have no headache afterwards.   
 

[GGR]

Hey Dan,

you're welcome to stay with us in DC, on your way to Florida or back from there, as Pagoden will host you on the other way.

You can go from DC down to NC via the Blue Ridge Mountain drive. Never drove there but I was told it's really great. I may join you for that portion.

Where in France are your ancestors from ?

[Benz Dr.]

I'm not sure where we came from but I think it's Lyon. I know the first Caron to reach the new world was Robert in 1633 or 1634; he settled in Quebec City. This was during the time of Champlain who died Dec 25th 1635 so I'm sure they knew each other since it was little more than a small village at that time. You can google Robert Caron and read the story.

  Next year will be an interesting one for my family. In June the old Thornyhurst school we own will have been closed 50 years, in Sept the same school will be 125 years old, and on Dec 1 2014, we will have owned our farm for 100 years; on Dec 14th I will be turning 60 years old. I'm thinking we will have at least two parties; one for the school and one for the family. Both will be reunion type celebrations. Everyone is welcome to come of course.

 

[mdsalemi]

I'm thinking we will have at least two parties; one for the school and one for the family. Both will be reunion type celebrations. Everyone is welcome to come of course.

Will be hard to top "The Meeting of The Clans" for a party/weekend celebration...but please try.  Will be there. 

[GGR]

Aparently the name Caron is from Picardie, is coming from Charron which is the guy who was repairing carts. I guess the genes have crossed the generations as Dr. Benz is surely a modern interpretation of the name !

[rmmchl]

I'm glad to hear Dan is healthy enough again to have the urge for a long haul in his Red Rocket . You are a true treasure to this site my friend. I hope you realize that, and it's been reinforced by the kind replys you have received on this forum. Guys like Michael volunteering to let you use his hardtop. That's from the heart. I think this site has arrived at the place, that makes us all happy to be a part of.

[Raymond]

Dr. Dan, for route and timing consideration of the Florida leg:
Jacksonville is at the intersection of I-10 and I-95.  You're welcome to stay here.  Depending on when you come, the Amelia (Concours) is the 3rd weekend in March, the Blues Festival is in April, the Jazz Festival is in May, the Main Street Cruise-in is every 4th Saturday, the beaches are year 'round, I can arrange canoe or kayak tours of the Okeefenokee, or St. Johns River and the world's largest outdoor cocktail party is in October (FL-GA football).  We're 40 minutes from the Castillo at St. Augustine, 90 minutes from Daytona International Speedway. 

[Benz Dr.]

I'm glad to hear Dan is healthy enough again to have the urge for a long haul in his Red Rocket . You are a true treasure to this site my friend. I hope you realize that, and it's been reinforced by the kind replys you have received on this forum. Guys like Michael volunteering to let you use his hardtop. That's from the heart. I think this site has arrived at the place, that makes us all happy to be a part of.

I'm well enough sometimes and other times I have to work around my health problems. The people on this site were a life line to me when I was really sick back in '06 and I haven't forgotten that.  I want to do this tour before I'm unable and see a few of you while I still can.

The site has matured a lot in the past year or two but it's never been about cars. It's about the people who own them - you, the Pagoda owners around the world.

[jszeman1]

you must stop by Albany between Albany and Saratoga on your venture a great B&B waterfront and great relaxation

[bsimaz]

Always welcome here too.  Although I'm pretty close to Micheal. 
But...   The west side of Michigan is WAY better than the east side ( no offense ).

Place to stay,  good food and some of the best beer in the US.

[glcg123]

Count in Winnipeg! We're here all summer except for the first 2 weeks of July.

George

1965 230SL 4 speed

[Benz Dr.]

My wife's sister lives in Stienbeck so I'm sure to stop over for a day or two. The trip through western Canada will be a long one......   I've never been to Manitoba.

[glcg123]

Just let us know when you are coming. We have a spare room.

George 204-896-1175

[Flyair]

George

spare room for Dr. and spare garage for Dr.'s Pagoda…..