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Published: August 14th 2005
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Kev's Vette
Kevin in his new baby Any reason to travel is a good reason, but when you're picking up a 2001 model Corvette with 5.7 litres of V8 goodness under the bonnet, you know you're travelling for the RIGHT reasons.
And so it was that my buddy Kevin and I travelled from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Detroit, Michigan to pick up his new pride and joy.
We were scheduled to leave Ft Lauderdale at 7:30pm, having made it to the airport only 30 minutes prior. After checking in with our minimal carry on luggage, we quickly hauled arse towards terminal 4 and the start of our journey. As has been a customary tradition of mine, we sought out the nearest bar and downed a few beers prior to the flight. After all, a flight without a few thirst quenching ales is not a flight worth taking. I am sure Kevin can attest to that.
After sitting on the runway for what seemed like an eternity (due to Florida's regular afternoon storms) we were finally cleared for take off. Our flight was for the most part un-eventful, apart from a terrific electrical storm that was wreaking havoc upon some South Florida community (fortunately from my
Serenity
A piece of paradise a short drive from downtown Brecksville vantage point some 10,000 plus feet above the earth the storm was nothing more than a display of mother natures power and sheer breathtaking beauty).
We arrived in Detroit some time around 11pm and thanks to our efforts to pack light, we walked straight out of the terminal and into the pick-up area, where we first laid eyes on Kevins new baby. She was waiting for us right outside the terminal because Kevin had organised with the guy who was selling it to meet him at the airport. The first thing I noticed was just how low the car was, the roofline being well below the cars in front and behind. Finished in a British Racing green with gold trimming, the car looked the 'business' sitting there......it looked fast even though it wasn't moving.
Kevin made some final arrangements with the guy (who had also brought his buddies along) who was selling the vehicle before being handed the keys. Nice blokes they were too, invited us to a strip show they were going to later on. Unfortunately we had to make hast and leave for Cleveland right away. Cleveland is around a 2 (maybe 3) hour drive from
Little Bridge
A piece of paradise a short drive from downtown Brecksville Detroit. I am pretty sure we did it in around and hour and a half. I am sure Kevin would disagree.....but damn....we were FLYING!!! Our first impression of the 'Vette was one of sheer exhilaration. The sound of a big V8, the thrill of a true sports car, the joy of sitting so low and sleek. What a rush, particlarly after having been driving rental cars for so long!
We made it to our destination of Brecksville, Ohio around 2am. We would be staying at Kevins house just a short distance from downtown Brecksville....only 15 minutes or so from Cleveland. Both of us were really tired and looking forward to a good nights rest so that we were fresh for the next day, however it wasn't long until we realised that our goodnights sleep was going to be a luxury not afforded to us on this night.
Camping out is always fun, however after a 3 hour flight and a 2 hour drive a nice clean bed is somewhere at the top of the list of priorities. Unfortunately for Kevin and I, we were locked out of his house because his brother had not left the back door
Little Creek
A piece of paradise a short drive from downtown Brecksville opened for us and his parents were many miles away on a boating trip on Lake Erie. Numerous calls to his brothers phone yielded no response, so we were faced with no other option but to sleep outside near the pool on the deck chairs. In a way I would have to say it was kinda cool....I mean this was like being kids again, sleeping out in the back yard under the stars, taking life as it comes. And it was really cool.....until 3.30 am brought the the first few drops of rain, waking me up with a pitter pattering on my forehead! Thunder and lightening soon followed. We quickly moved the deck chairs under the small awning and attempted to get a few more hours of restless sleep.
Around 6am Kevin had the good sense to wake the neighbour and get a key (kindly left by Kevins parents) to open the garage door that would let us in the house and allow us a few hours of solid sleep.
Day 2 and Kevin took me for a little drive around his hometown of Brecksville. I think I summed it up nicely when I said "this is a
Pete of the Jungle
Me clowning around postcard town" because it really is just like those little postcards you see where everything looks so wholesome and orderly and quaint. Brecksville is kind of like that, it is a glimpse of the America that existed around 50 years ago. A place where people wave to their neighbours (and indeed passers-by as we found out on numerous occasions). It is a place where good family values are upheld, where decency and good morals are the norm and where the hospitality is always warm and welcoming.
Later that evening Kev and I met up with Mark, one of Kev's best buddies that he grew up with. The three of us necked a few coldies and made the short drive to downtown Cleveland to meet up with Maja, another of Kevins old school buddies. We hit a few bars in the main street of Cleveland (the Boneyard rings a bell).....got busy with some dancing, drank a little more, danced a little more. Cleveland has a totally different vibe to South Florida.....WAAAAY different. People just seem a lot less concerned with image and show than they do down in Florida. I guess because Florida has all the beach babes and so
Brecksville Train Station
Really pretty little area a short drive from downtown Brecksville called 'beautiful people' whereas the folk up this way are more 'real' and genuine.
Our night in downtown Cleveland was wrapping up (bars closing at 2am.....what a joke!) so Mark, Kevin and I cruised back to Kev's house and decided to swim in the pool in Kev's backyard, which was glowing warm thanks to Kev putting the heater on before we left. It felt fantastic to be in the warm water, particularly after having a few drinks. We took it in turns diving off the spring board, but I soon decided diving wasn't my thing after I landed a huge back-whacker. Kinda like a belly flop but reversed. Youch!
Next morning (a Saturday) we woke around midday, got ready to leave and said our goodbyes to Kev's brother Brian, and started our 18 or so hour drive back to Florida, leaving around 1.30pm. The drive home was long, the monotony of driving freeways broken by our little cruise with a group of 4 Harley Davidsons somewhere in southern Ohio. We pushed the Vette to around 120mph (over 200kph) and the Harleys were overtaking us, so they must have been FLYING!! The guy on the first Harley that flew
Thomas the Tank Engine
Had to take a picture of this for my 4 y.o nephew past was pumping his fist and waving, Kev and I were cheering him on, giving thumbs up and pumping our fists! The poor girl on the back of the Harley must have been hanging on for dear life, and neither of them had helmets on. Crazy stuff! They rode alongside us for a few miles, and then the whole group of four Harleys turned off, all of them waving us goodbye. It was a great display of road trip cameraderie, and for me a great American experience.
We had some great driving through the Appalachian Mountains, which looked stunning with mist covered peaks, windy roads and quaint little towns. Our journey saw us pass through Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and then eventually Florida, although most of this was freeway driving and we didn't really see a great deal, since we pretty much only stopped for gas and food. We arrived back in Fort Lauderdale around 6am on Sunday morning, both of us feeling like zombies and being totally exhausted. Kevin probably moreso since he drove the entire way except for the last hour from West Palm beach.
All in all, a great road
Brecksville, OH
Stopping for gas off the main street in Brecksville trip, albeit a little more rushed than either of us would have liked. Hope you enjoy the pics and write-up.
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Pete's Sister
non-member comment
G'Day Mate
Pete, it was great to read of your roadtrip and see the pic's. Kev's vette looks awesome but it is clearly too slick a ride for you!! Have you shown Kev pic's of your cars back in Oz????(How embarassing!!)