Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1404782
17 Spiel – August 2021 cars. He drove a 1963 Austen Healey 3000 that he bought new in Germany when he was in the Army. He also owned a 1960 AC Aceca, the gorgeous closed coupé version of the AC Ace, one of the 328 made. Early in 2021, John died from dementia, and I started a new chapter in my life. He passed away with the Healey and Aceca, both in a bucket, filling the garage. They had been in pieces for many years. I seriously considered having at least one of them restored, so I could drive it in John's honor, but I finally realized just how impractical that would be. Around this point, I determined that no matter how practical the Subaru Outback is, it is not a sports car, and I "needed" a fun car. I sold both of John's cars with all the parts, and had room in the garage for a sports car. I decided on a 2019 Cayman GTS with a manual transmission in Carmine Red. I quickly joined Porsche Club of America to meet like-minded folks and enjoy my new toy. I attended the Women's Driver Education class at Pacific Raceways and the social at Chateau St. Michelle and enjoyed them both. But then came the Griot's Tour. I read "Tour Etiquette" and "Rules of the Road" for PNWR tours to try to prepare. I didn't know what to expect, and boy, was I surprised. I liked the Cayman before, but it wasn't until the Griot's Tour that I realized I LOVED it! I had never really experienced the euphoria of spirited driving until then. I was in a group with Bill Bauer as the lead and David Brady as the sweep who were both superb. David lent me an extra radio, so I could hear what was being said which was great. There I was – driving the Cayman with about 40 other Porsches in the beautiful Hood Canal area. I had my lunch and a cooler with cold water and iced tea with me. I was listening to Phil Ochs tunes (look him up), and we passed lovely scenery. Then we got to some twisty roads where we could exercise the Porsches. I couldn't believe how I felt. John was in my heart saying "Go, Bobbie!" and tears came to my eyes. It was extraordinary. I thought of this verse from folksinger/songwriter John Stewart's song "Mother Country" from his 1969 album California Bloodlines that was voted by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 100 most influential records in rock history: I knew a man named E.A. Stuart, he spelled it S.T.U.A.R.T And he owned some of the finest horses that I think I've ever seen And he had one favorite, a champion, the old Campaigner And he called her "Sweetheart on Parade" And she was easily the finest horse that the good Lord ever made But old E.A. Stuart, he was going blind And he said "Before I go, I gotta drive her one more time" So people came from miles around, and they stood around the ring But, no one said a word You know, no one said a thing And here they come, E.A. Stuart in the wagon right behind Sitting straight and proud and he's driving her stone blind And would you look at her Oh, she never looked finer or went better than today It's E.A. Stuart and the old Cam- paigner, "Sweetheart on Parade" And the people cheered Why I even saw a grown man break right down and cry And you know it was just a little while later that old E.A. Stuart died I thought of this because, with my beloved John's passing, I am thinking that sometime my time will also come. If God decides to take me sometime soon, well, at least I had that one day of fabulous spirited driving with John in my heart, so it will be OK. PNWR-PCA is a wonderful club. Everyone I have met has been very welcoming and friendly to this newbie. The tour was very well organized by Curtis Broderson, and Griot's was a gracious host. And a special thanks to Bill Bauer who was such a great lead and to David Brady as the sweep. I can't wait until the next tour.