Went on a great road trip over the past few days. Started out on Sunday and returned yesterday. Route was from the Olympic Peninsula to Kelowna, Canada, via Hwy 97 out of Wenatchee, WA.
While in the Okanogan area, we were hit with the most severe weather I've ever encountered. Torrential rain (no hail thank goodness) and so much rain that we pulled off the road a couple of times because the road had so much surface water, it was just too dangerous to drive on with the GT. Pulled into a road-side fruit stand finally to wait it out. Wind lashing, lightening and thunder all around us, the owner of the fruit-stand wanted us to pull the car into his store for safe keeping while the storm rolled on. Tons of water were falling on the GT. Only a couple of drops made it into the cabin, but the engine compartment did not fair as well. Once the weather cleared a bit after a 45 minute full blast shower, the car did start, but ran like crap. Figured that once the engine was hot once again, all would be well, and in fact, that was the case after about 20-30 minutes.
Canadian Customs was interesting too. Usually it's just one official to ask questions. For the GT it took at least 4 or 5 agents to make sure we were OK to be in Canada. And, had to show the bonnet storage, and of course, raise the clam shell. Seems some of the questions were from "car guys" rather than official border crossing questions. All answered with a smile and good will. Finally sent on our way with: "Have a good day, Eh!"
Monday through Wednesday, the weather was hot and we were able to check out how well the A/C worked. Perfect. And another first for me, 6th gear. 80MPH at under 2K RPM..... Is this where the 21MPG on the window sticker comes from?
Car received a lot of attention and the Canadian crowd was most polite at all times. Gas fill-ups were an arrival event and while driving, it seemed to be a traffic stopper.....
This trip was organized through our local Ferrari Club and was extremely well thought out with great tours and wonderful meals.
It was interesting that even the most die-hard F-Car/Lambo owner, just had to chat with us a while about the virtues of the car and
one fellow said he just put in a call into Shelby to talk about adding a FGT (again) to his collection. Maybe the yellow one with under 100 miles he told me........
A great trip, car ran perfect, and one of these days, I might even get to find out what the McIntosh actually sounds like.
DJ.
While in the Okanogan area, we were hit with the most severe weather I've ever encountered. Torrential rain (no hail thank goodness) and so much rain that we pulled off the road a couple of times because the road had so much surface water, it was just too dangerous to drive on with the GT. Pulled into a road-side fruit stand finally to wait it out. Wind lashing, lightening and thunder all around us, the owner of the fruit-stand wanted us to pull the car into his store for safe keeping while the storm rolled on. Tons of water were falling on the GT. Only a couple of drops made it into the cabin, but the engine compartment did not fair as well. Once the weather cleared a bit after a 45 minute full blast shower, the car did start, but ran like crap. Figured that once the engine was hot once again, all would be well, and in fact, that was the case after about 20-30 minutes.
Canadian Customs was interesting too. Usually it's just one official to ask questions. For the GT it took at least 4 or 5 agents to make sure we were OK to be in Canada. And, had to show the bonnet storage, and of course, raise the clam shell. Seems some of the questions were from "car guys" rather than official border crossing questions. All answered with a smile and good will. Finally sent on our way with: "Have a good day, Eh!"
Monday through Wednesday, the weather was hot and we were able to check out how well the A/C worked. Perfect. And another first for me, 6th gear. 80MPH at under 2K RPM..... Is this where the 21MPG on the window sticker comes from?
Car received a lot of attention and the Canadian crowd was most polite at all times. Gas fill-ups were an arrival event and while driving, it seemed to be a traffic stopper.....
This trip was organized through our local Ferrari Club and was extremely well thought out with great tours and wonderful meals.
It was interesting that even the most die-hard F-Car/Lambo owner, just had to chat with us a while about the virtues of the car and
one fellow said he just put in a call into Shelby to talk about adding a FGT (again) to his collection. Maybe the yellow one with under 100 miles he told me........
A great trip, car ran perfect, and one of these days, I might even get to find out what the McIntosh actually sounds like.
DJ.
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