5 Years Later...and Future Mother Road Plans

2020 Car d'Alene, the Dart!

1973 FJ40 Land Cruiser

1969 Plymouth Valiant Signet, Cade's "1st Car"

Mark and Tina 2021

2005 Magnum, Cade's "2nd" Car

S10 Pickup

The Valiant at Cars and Coffee with the New Owner

The Dart Near Waterville, WA

My 6'3 8th Grader, Luke

My 17 year old, Cade

Our Family at Corban University, 2021

The Shay Roadster

The Current Project Cordoba

   

 

    It's been 5 years since our family adventure down the Mother Road, Route 66. I can't hardly believe it. I've recounted the story of our adventure many times over the last five years. So much has changed, but one thing that hasn't: I still have the Dart! Oh, there's other things that haven't changed either - I'm still happily married to Tina. My sons, Cade and Luke are now 17 and 14. Cade is driving and has an affinity for automobiles that may lead him to the mechanic's profession once he graduates high school next year. He is looking at the auto mechanic's program at Lewis and Clark State University in Lewiston, Idaho. Luke, while not as much into cars as his older brother, still enjoys our local jaunts in the Dart and makes coffee every Saturday for our community's Car's and Coffee event. 

    Cade had such an affinity for our Route 66 trip 5 years ago that he wants to take the journey again upon his graduation from high school. We are planning a trip, possibly just the two of us and are actively searching for candidate for the Mother Road...this time with air conditioning. We've been debating back and forth: should we take a classic again? Should we "upgrade" to something newer. We've initially decided that a Corvette would be an excellent choice for the road. Cade suggested we pick one from one of our birth years: my birth year is 1973 and Cade's is 2004. I'm leaning more toward the 2004 for simple comfort and reliability. Cade is much more into the classics and would like to do it in a '73. Maybe you could chime in? Comment on this blog with your suggestions. This is not a poll - the highest votes won't win - ha! Just give me your opinion, as it may have some consideration in our search during the next year. I'll include pictures of each year at the end of this blog for some examples.

    Dartzilla still attracts attention everywhere she goes. I missed our annual Car d'Alene car show this year as I was traveling to Texas for school. Yes, you heard that right - I'm back in school studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lamar University. I'm still pastoring in the Nazarene Church and am not sure yet where this new academic and professional journey will take me. But one thing's for sure...Adventure Awaits!

     The Dart has been untouched mechanically since our journey down the Route. I haven't had to do much aside from regular maintenance. I have acquired a 4 barrel manifold and fuel injection and am tempted to do that "upgrade" but we shall see. Right now, she just fires up and goes where I need her to, so I don't have much to complain about. 

    In 2019 the Dart won a first place trophy at our local Mopars Unlimited show in Spokane for the "Survivor Class." That was a fun moment for Cade and I to enjoy. She shines up nice and has a good 15 foot paintjob. 

    Cade and I have been flipping a few cars in the last few years. We acquired some shop space a couple of years ago and began searching our area for potential car flips that fit within our wheelhouse of skill. So far, we have bought and sold these "gems:"

1. 1973 Toyota Landcruiser FJ40

2. 1980 Shay Model A Roadster

3. 1996 Chevy S10 Pickup

4. 1979 KZ 650 motorcycle

5. 1975 Chevy El Camino

6. 1999 Pontiac Grand Am

7. Currently we are getting ready to flip a 1977 Chrysler Cordoba T-top with a big block 400. 

8. 2005 Dodge Magnum

9. 1969 Plymouth Valiant

These flip cars are hopefully going to lead us to the Covette we plan to take on Route 66 in the summer of 2023! We can't wait to share that adventure with you! For now, enjoy some of the pictures of what's happened in the last 5 years. 

'73 Vette?

or...2004 Vette?