Having a go in...

[BMK]

Hi all,

I am currently enjoying my third week in the US with my wife. This is the first time that I have really just travelled and enjoyed everything - but no cars this time, just family time..

On my ninth or so trip now, I thought it would be real rest and relaxation.

I do tell a small tale as I managed to squeeze in Shelby's 50th at Pomona and a casual look in at South Coast Classics in Miami.

I know I am guilty of never commenting on your great country. - I have commented on your politics. but we have really enjoyed our stay so far.

The suggestion to stay on the Queen Mary at Longbeach was a fantastic historical experience and
I really enjoyed the tours behind the scene.

I travelled to the Eichler house regions in California and we checked out the Eichler homes and the Californian Moderns - think I mentioned it was Anne's holiday list of things to do.

Then our stay on the east coast at Zeigler House in Jones St, Savannah was a real highlight for my wife who is an architectural expert. The town is just a historic dream. The old trolley cart tours and house tours were fantastic. What a delightful place to stay.

House located right in the heart if Savannahs historic district is a great place to stay with host Jackie treating us to real southern hospitality.

Whilst in Miami now at you guessed it an Art Deco hotel. we are really enjoying the 30's and 40's experience, with Anne photographing and researching everything in Art Deco and construction.

But me - I decided to just have a cold drink and just take in the atmosphere.

I am watching this young man really working hard, running around parking cars, delivering cars to
neighboring hotels. He was coming and going returning on the back of a motor scooter. He never stopped.

I was intrigued and spoke to one of the other young men who told me he was parking and detailing cars.

After wandering around I found their little business hidden two blocks away.

He was really having a go. He had a low cost lease on a site that is going to be developed in coming years. Parked on the site were over 60 cars at $25 a day. He was picking up tips if around $5 at a time dropping cars off to hotels for guests - more tips!!

I felt like an undercover Miami cop watching him but I was intrigued.

His partner the scooter rider who pillioned him around was washing, vacuuming cars. I talked with him and booked my car in for a wash and vacuum. Mmmm another $40 to have this done.

At a guess this guy was making around $300 a day cleaning cars. $250 a day in tips and around $1500 in parking. All on a disused site that his car washer told me he was paying very little for.

The whole thing intrigued me. But it really having a go in the GFC and working seven days a week. What a kid....

[macloft]

Sounds like u and your wife are having a real enjoyable time. Great stuff.
There is certainly lots to do if u plan and are prepared to travel
I could have shown u around McAllen TX.
Safe travels
Bruce

[*13*]

Traveling is a great thing. Letting go of the every day hustle n bustle & taking it all in. Sounds like you are having a good time of it!

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by BMK

He was really having a go. He had a low cost lease on a site that is going to be developed in coming years.
At a guess this guy was making around $300 a day cleaning cars. $250 a day in tips and around $1500 in parking. All on a disused site that his car washer told me he was paying very little for.
The whole thing intrigued me. But it really having a go in the GFC and working seven days a week. What a kid....

Great you having a good time and enjoying the stay in the US.

Now to that statement, sorry to bust your bubble but there is no "low cost lease" in Miami. Even a "vacant" lot cost estimated based on space for 60 cars --- 20K at least. Well, there is taxes, insurance, permit and and and...
On top of that you have to come up with the security deposit - may a hard working kid and makes a good buck on tips, but someone makes the money.

[BMK]

Macloft

Yes we are having a great time. It is Anne's second time here. We travelled together about two years ago and saw a lot of Cal. Then we went onto Florida. Headed up later to NY on that visit prior to jumping across to France. Paris wiped out my credit card..

Look forward to heading back to Texas soon. I did stay with Jay there for a week or so and travelled with Hersh to Fredericksburg and to Luckenbach home of music. It was a great trip.

I'll be back later for S.E.M.A and will drive up to Provo, Utah to Kirkham Motorsport, as I recently received my Cobra from them.

[BMK]

*13*

Thanks we are really enjoying this trip together. Miami has been fantastic and Anne just loves the Art Deco and Miami Modern buildings. We managed to get to the information booths on South Beach and really just wandered the South Beach strip.

Went down to the Keys today. It was a huge drive but Key Largo - lunch - was nice as was Key West.

We head back to Cal. nextt week for San Fran and a trip back down the coast staying at Carmel, Santa Barb. and Santa Monica.

Tnx. again

[BMK]

G- Pete,

Yes it certainly is expensive real estate.

This young guy has cleaned up the site according to the car cleaner, I talked to him whilst he is cleaning.

From what he has told me the site owner has put a building development on hold - maybe the GFC - and has this young guy there who keeps the site clean and stops rubbish etc. being dumped. Who really knows what the deal is.

What impressed me was the hustle with him and the ability to turn a dollar..

[Ron61]

Bernie,

It is great that you and your wife are having a chance to just travel and see and do things that you want to with no having to rush to keep a schedule. There are a lot of things to see in all countries and it is almost impossible to see them all. I hope that the rest of our trip gos as well and that you really have a great time.

Ron

[BMK]

Ron61

Ron hi mate. Been a while since we communicated.

I miss Shasta Lake by only a few miles, but heading up to DenBeste north of San Francisco to have Australiana look at their facility. I purchased a 468 Shelby motor there
through their Australian agent - Absolute Pace - for my new Kirkham. Just finished the brushed finish on it.