Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow (Sunday)

When I tell folks we are headed to Auburn for the reunion the most common response I get is -- again? Why do you do it year after year? Haven't you been there? A few years ago, I looked at Barrie one day and said -- I've finally figured it out -- you have MAD CAR DISEASE. That is indeed true and it is the cars that started the whole adventure but the simplest reason for us to be returning to Auburn year after year is the people.

The last few years we have been staying at the home in Auburn. Loann and Charles greet us upon our return like we are family. George and Sheila have been staying with them for more than a decade. They open their hearts and their home and provide us a quiet respite to return to throughout the weekend. This morning we pack our bags and say our good-byes for this year.

We arrive at the Awards Brunch and are soon surrounded by many friends. We know that in a few hours we will be saying more good-byes. I head into the museum's banquet room to grab a table for the group we have been traveling with. This is the last time that the 8 of us will be together on this trip. Josh and Betty are shipping their car home and will fly out tomorrow. The rest of head west as a group and at some point Gail A& Joyce will continue to head west as we head north. So, for the banquet we will sit together and celebrate our trip.

The awards banquet is always well-done and this year is no exception. As president of the Club, Tim Gillmartin is master of ceremonies and does a great job. We are thankful for the efforts of everyone involved in putting the week-end together and we really do appreciate how much hard work goes into the event. The exciting news for our group is that Don Wohlwend is awarded the Wat Adams gold ring. This award is bestowed on a person who DRIVES their Cord Automobile. Don & Arlene are amazing. They drive their beautiful, rare 1937 Cord Convertible Coupe with the top down. We all marvel and most of us don't think we could pass the endurance test. But, they love it and their smiles show it. In just a few short years, they have logged 20,000 miles or more. But more importantly, Don is always at the ready to help when there is a problem. His effort to find a permanent solution to the problem of cracking wheels is likely to keep us driving. The Wat Adams award is a true honor and Don is the 70th person in the history of the club to receive this award. Looking around our table -- each of the men have received this award. First Josh, then Gail, then Barrie and now Don. The Four Cordsmen are intrepid driver's of their cars and fast friends.

From brunch we head out to the parking lot and I take a final look around. I know we'll be back. We head to the cars and begin our drive home. We head southwest through Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Terre Haute. There is still enough daylight for driving so we press on to Effingham for the evening. We learn that Effingham is a mecca for Corvette owners and laugh about what might be for breakfast in the morning -- perhaps effingham and eggs. Tomorrow we are headed for Kansas City.