- By Bill C.
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2004 – Springfield, MO – GROOVE put on another fun and great show this year by.
Bill’s Big Adventure
This paragraph has nothing to do with the show. Connie and I adopted a very leisurely schedule for leaving on Friday. Waiting until Friday morning to get everything together, it was noon before we finally left the homestead. My trip preparation was a little lengthy, taking some rather creative steps to protect the paint on the front surfaces of Lightnin’. Since I was using a tow bar, I didn’t want to ding things up, after my experience going to Eureka Springs last year. Believe it or don’t, I actually used about 2 dozen post-it notes on each rear (4.5” extra wide) fat fender, further reinforced with masking tape. That part worked great. I had added a metal “shield” to my tow bar to protect the hood, front fenders and apron. But I tried some additional protection that I would not advise. You know that “Press & Seal” stuff, used to cover leftovers? It stuck on there great… well sort of. Anyway, it left some sort of mess behind that I didn’t think I would EVER get off at the show. Next time I will try something else.
It was a beautiful day for traveling. The further north we drove, the cooler and drier it got.
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We took a break at the rest stop near Imboden, AR; the other travelers eyeballed Lightnin’ and complimented us. Then a big-rig driver asked, “Is that chain suppose to be dragging?” It was like that dog leash scene in “Family Vacation;” half the safety chain was gone. Too much slack, I guess. But we made it to The Country Hearth, the host motel. I immediately started unhooking, so I could park. A safety wire was the only thing holding one of the pins. Whew! Shades of my Toad Suck trip! Going to have to do some re-engineering before the next show.We were ready for a little rest before going out for supper. I got first turn at the recliner (bad boy) while Connie set up homemaking. Country Hearth is just a block from the show, indoor pool, free breakfast, and a recliner in the King rooms. Ahhhhh! I LIKE this place. By the time this “lazy boy” got out of the lazy-boy, it was time for a trip to our favorite spot, Cheddars, on S. Glenstone. We wandered in at just the right time. Connie snagged a table for two on the patio. So we enjoyed the cool weather one more time.
I got up early the next morning and let Connie sleep; maybe a little vacation time. After I brought her some breakfast, I went to work on Lightnin’. A quick, two bucket wash job and drying was all I needed before driving over to check in. Check in was super-fast, since I pre-registered. Vrooooom, off to find my parking spot on the other side of the block; just getting ready to catch second gear…. screeeech!… I got flagged down to stop & smell the roses. GROOVE wanted to take my bug’s picture. Well, aren’t I special?! Well, actually, it had something to do with the trophies. Hmm? … more later.
All the GROOVE show staff were very friendly and courteous. I was directed to what I felt was my own special parking spot, right on the end where all the traffic comes in. Lightnin’ has pretty much underwent an extreme makeover since I was at the last Springfield show. So I don’t think anybody recognized ol’ fella with his new clothes & shoes.
After cleaning my trusty steed, I had to take lots of pictures and pass out flyers for our show in September, and meet lots of other Vdubbers. Connie showed up just in time for us to go strolling.
(Here comes the food part again.) We ended up taking a nice, cool break at Village Coffee & Sweets; a neat little shop right on the main boulevard of the square. I remember saying, “This place has everything! No reason to leave; special coffees, and yummy bakery sweets, pies, cakes, huge frosted cinnamon rolls (of which I had one), and charcoal grilled hot dogs.” We both had fruit smoothies, too, while we sat in front of one of the doors… feet up, leaning back, cool breezin’, baby. Ahhh. This is the life. … Oh, the show… the show!
Yes … the slow drags were next. A race where the LOSER wins. This year’s winner was a Westy/Vanagon, while 2nd went to a white Corrado. Then, more music, prize give-aways, and finally the awards ceremony.
Remember that picture session that I had to stop for? Well, they must have run out to a 1-hour photo shop. Because the trophies actually had a picture of the winning VW in each category or class. How cool is that? I usually don’t do so well at this show. But surprise; I won my class and Best Engine with a bonus of $50 cash. Cooler than cool! Don & Helen took first place in their New Beetle class; and the David & Betty wrangled up People’s Choice Award for their “Bug RV.”
We wish that we could have stayed another night and attended the evening VW Cruise-In at the Steak & Shake. Sounded like fun, plus a chance for more “vrooming.” But we had committed to visit family on Bull Shoals Lake, so we had to load up to head back south. I had a shiny new Wal-Mart safety chain, properly adjusted so as not to drag; and a fresh batch of post-it notes on the back fenders. We packed up the souvenir t-shirts, and a few for the grandkids; oh yes, and some VW parts too. So, we were ready to go.
The good Lord willing, we will be back again next year. As I was headed down the 4-lane, with Springfield in the rear view, my hopes are that I can talk a few of our fellow members into joining us. Thanks for the great show again this year, GROOVE.
Air Bill
Best Of Show
Best Engine
Best Interior