[Fred Douglass]

Ron, Jerry 'n' Jim,

I am not normally one to post what amount to personal messages on this board---but I'm too lazy at the moment to fish up all your e-addresses and replicate the following.

1. Pictures comin' up--after: a) I remortgage to get them back from the developer! and b) review Brent's instructions on how to post'em!

2. This trip would have been almost worthless without Jerry Goddard's hosting and guiding us around to the above-mentioned cobra and engine builders. ANY cobra owners/wannabes who are not native to SoCal should look up Jerry and Jim (and Ron).

3. Jim---you're a kind and gracious man---and I screwed up on the trip to Petersen's visit. Max (the 22-month-old Turbo) was pretty much travel-stressed out. By the time I'd gotten directions from Jerry Goddard, stabilized Max and his Mom---we were on the way into the Museum itself. As to photos of the "Twins"---it could be Christmas-card material! Next time.

4. Ron, you, too, are a great (remote-control) host. I really enjoyed our telecons. After I recounted your descriptions of them, Julie (my neice) was eager to see the REAL Redwoods/etc. in your area and points eastward. Butt time didn't allow it. We ended up going from the 'Del to San Simeon, Monterey and every point in between.

Here's an assignment, counselor---if you're in the vicinity of Estero Park in Monterey (during your Salinas trip) there is a boat-yard right back from the beach, perhaps off of Del Monte Ave, in the Fisherman's Wharf area. The reason I'm interested is there is a 65-foot, 1930s-era Commuter-yacht sittting there. It might be a Consolidated and just might be "Miss Asia". You'd like to look at it anyway, since it's a rare and exotic breed of transportation. Some of these big commuters could break through 34 knots---as a displacement hull! That's sort of violating the old formulae for "hull speed". That area of Monterey would be a cool place to take a lunch. We didn't have time (and you may not either), but I'd be interested.

To allayuz---the 100th anniversary of my cottage ("Ledgemere") in Five Islands, Maine is next August (2003). Get out here! No excuses! Outdoor shower! Toaster pot (ach!)! hysterically-funny natives (who think WE "talk funny")! Whales, seals, GW sharks, lobsta boat races! Acura-ad-brought-to-life! Boat-rides of all varieties. Jim, Ron and me in the Rub-a-Dub (Jerry filming at a safe distance!) Excrutiatingly-beautiful scenery! Open Bar! Filets-mignon cooked in fire-place! Episodic dipsomania! La Tourette's at the wood-splitting pile! No prisoners! Gitcherasses out here!

Chow and thanks,