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Thanks!

 By Gary Moschetti

In the wake of the accident I had in June, I’d like to extend Big Thanks to everyone who sent “get well” cards, emailed, telephoned or visited me in the hospital.  If you didn’t hear, my ’35 Ford hot rod was rear-ended in a fairly serious crash by a girl looking at her cell phone.  She never did see me.  Although my car was destroyed, it protected me enough that I only broke some bones in my arms and leg—but nothing “main frame”.  I am grateful beyond words that it wasn’t worse.

 I hope to be driving as soon as I get these casts off.

 One unexpected thing about being “busted up” is the re-learning process that’s required and the amount of time it takes.  Dislocate a finger, break your right arm, your left hand and your leg and you can’t walk, comb your hair, feed yourself or do much else.  So, some very talented therapists teach you!  They put foam rubber pieces, like pipe insulators, around your knife and fork so you can get some purchase on them, even if you have to use both hands.  Same for the tooth brush.  Another neat trick is to pull out your shoe laces and substitute elastic cord.  That way your shoes go on like loafers.  Sure, they probably would come off if I tried to run, but I can’t wait to find out!

 For several weeks I worked every day in the hospital therapy gym around people with injuries far more serious than mine.  Many were there because of traffic accidents, so naturally I thought about all the drivers we see on the road, zipping in and out, following too close, push-pushing their way, going fast.  But the gym levels all that out because in there, ain’t nobody moving very fast!

 Thanks for the “Get Well” wishes, they were truly appreciated!

EVENT FEEDBACK

Custer and Mt Rushmore

Skeet Gifford

 If Gary and Sharon plan it, you just know that it will be an outstanding event...and the drive to Custer State Park, South Dakota, was no exception. This was their third time to visit the area, so the rest of us benefited from their experience. My left knee was in need of major maintenance and unable to comfortably operate a clutch, so Gary and Sharon generously allowed me to ride with them in their Porsche Cayenne.

We left a day early just to make sure that all the arrangements were, if fact, in place. The first correction to the plan occurred at our Torrington, WY lunch stop. On our second pass down Main St, we finally spotted LaFamilia Prado Mexican Restaurant. It was open but there were no cars in the parking area. Just a couple of blocks north was Deacon's Restaurant at which parking was at a premium. What did your dad tell you about truck stops? It was a no-brainer--we had lunch where the locals ate, and the food was good. This bit of intelligence was passed along to Bob and Cathy Little who were leading the main contingent on Thursday.

The Comfort Inn in Custer is a relatively new facility with all the amenities one expects today such as self-serve breakfast and high-speed wireless internet connection. Yes, Marie, I brought my laptop.  

After dinner, we took a lap through Custer State Park and on one of the back roads found a herd of buffalo which I estimate at 300, with perhaps as many as 50 calves frolicking among the adults. The youngsters were particularly entertaining as they would dart off in a full run and then circle back to mother, as if to say, "Look at how fast I can run!"

My camera was back at the hotel. We would see the same herd another afternoon, but at that time of day, most of the calves were napping.

Dinner Thursday (?) night was in a quaint building that was built in 1881, The Steak 'N Ribs Place. Their website is inviting and from the street, the facility oozed charm. The high ceiling was decorated with embossed tin panels and framed prints of familiar classical artists adorned the walls. The restaurant had just that day opened for the season, and unfortunately, neither wait staff nor the food measured up to the image. Beef tasted as if it had been cooked on the same grill with fish. Only one bottle of wine was available, and it had probably been intended for cooking. It had a slight taste of vinegar. In one corner of the eating area, a live parrot sprinkled the area with detritus. Where is the Health Department inspector when you really need him? But enough of this.

Friday morning we took a scenic drive on the Needles Highway, named for a unique rock formation. After we took our fill of pictures, it was off to Deadwood for lunch.

I was expecting something a little more rustic. Deadwood is a study in contrasts between the architecturally interesting restored brick buildings in the downtown area to the small private homes perched precariously on the hills surrounding town. On the way back, we made an unscheduled stop at a winery for a tasting.

We reached the Crazy Horse Memorial just a little behind flight plan, and weighed the time remaining and the entry fee against our desire to kick back for a while. Kick back won, and we headed back to our hotel. Dinner that evening was at the State Game Lodge.

This is not the Mt. Rushmore of North By Northwest fame. Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint were nowhere to be seen. The quaint lodge with the large picture windows has given way to a museum (a must see) and an amphitheater.

The wildlife loop followed, and this time I brought my camera.  

Dinner at the Sylvan Lake Lodge concluded the day. Golly! Did you ever see so many steps?

Rocky Mountain 356 Porsche Club                         OVERSTEER                               June  2008

Cherokee Ranch

We were taken in 3 groups through the 10 000 sq ft castle.  Built in 1924 by Denver Realtor Charles Johnson who enlisted Burnam Hoyt to design the castle. The castle is built in the typical English and European style out of stone harvested from what is now the basement.  It includes some petrified palm also found at the site and is roofed in the normal style with Vermont slate that provides multi-color to the Castle.  The outstanding view stretching maybe 50 miles is about a 270 degree vista much like Rosie and Roland’s.

In 1954 Mildred “Tweet” Kimball purchased the property for her cattle operation to run Texas Santa Gertrudis.  Upon delivery the Colorado ranch manager refused to unload the cattle, was fired on the spot and Tweet and her butler herded the cattle five miles to the ranch.

 Inside is a true plethora of English and European furnishings, world renowned art, first edition manuscripts and memorabilia, many from the 1500’s and 1600’s.

 Truly all in attendance were awe-inspired and left, despite the wind, desiring a future return.

 Among the group were several old timers not seen in some time and many old 356 war stories were exchanged.

 Thanks to all who attended and especially Rosie and Roland for their hospitality.

 King Clemons

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