Page 17 - Discover Fall 2022

literally crumbling before our eyes, bearing a simple The food was good, and we did some more
sign that begged, “Make Offer”.
Some weeks prior, I had visited the Carlisle
website in order to try to get the “lay of the land”,
and Dave and I had decided that a visit to the “car
corral” was definitely in order. I imagined this to
be a modest sized fenced in area displaying cars
for sale. The jaw-dropping reality was that it more
closely matched the size and scope of the SML Wine
Festival, and was chock full of “survivors” and classic
cars in various stages of restoration. Even though I
felt like a starving man looking into the window of a
fine restaurant, I was in heaven.
I found my wife’s dream car, a yellow
Mercedes 560SL, in pristine condition, and at fair
market price. Thoughts of returning home to a
hero’s welcome raced through my mind. All that
was missing was a trailer to haul it home… and the
necessary cash. A person can dream.
We also found more than a few examples of
60’s muscle cars that had been restored in amazing
detail. If such a thing is possible, some of them
looked better than brand new, and with price tags to
match.
I was determined not to go home empty
handed. Eventually, we happened upon a fellow who
had a Trans Am rear bumper cover that fit one of my
cars. He didn’t want much for it, and offered to give
me a deal. A brief negotiation later, I had my prize. I
reasoned that although I didn’t need it, I might keep
it with an eye to the future, or else I might flip it for a
few dollars.
This transaction taught me the value of
bringing a wagon, or of renting one of the ones on-
site. It wasn’t heavy, but it was bulky, and all the
walking had also begun to take its toll on my feet.
Now I began to appreciate the motorized scooters
that some folks had rented, but I was in the company
of The Daves, two rugged outdoorsmen who would at
the very least have snickered at the suggestion.
Dave offered to carry the bumper cover for
me for a spell, as he sensed my increasing difficulty.
Before long, we decided to exit the fairgrounds and
leave my purchase in my pickup truck. We had ideas
about visiting the auction area. The auction had
concluded, but there were a number of cars in there
that had not sold, and were now being offered for sale
at set prices. The Daves were hungry, so we decided
to take lunch at the Fairgrounds Diner, which was
near one of the entrances to the show. Just to be
polite, I agreed to eat as well.
catching up with each other. I nervously anticipated
the suggestion that we return to the show, which we
did. Then I surprised myself, as I was able to walk
with less difficulty after taking that break. We made
our best effort to visit all of the areas that we had not
yet seen, and toward the end of the day we found a
mid-80s Firebird being offered by a private vendor.
We stopped in the hopes that he might also have
parts. He didn’t, but insisted on demonstrating the
car, which was in deplorable shape and missing quite
a few things. We made a hasty exit, and finished up
our tour.
One interesting thing about this event is that a
lot of people will come to Carlisle and park their cars
just outside the fairgrounds, in the hope of selling
them. We saw quite a few more interesting vehicles
out there as well, and then decided to visit the auction
area.
Here again we found a variety of antique and
classic vehicles, including a 1961 Corvette that was
immaculate. It was still for sale, at a paltry $120,000.
I forgot to ask if that included sales tax.
Other Dave wanted to freshen up back at
his hotel, which I surmised was not only closer to
Carlisle but perhaps a star or two superior to The
Doyle. So we all headed back. Dave and I took the
opportunity to quaff a few adult beverages at the
Doyle, and headed upstairs for a nap. Sometime later,
Other Dave called us from downstairs, and we joined
him in the bar for an excellent supper, which featured
an outstanding homemade clam chowder and
homemade sweet potato fries. No wonder the hikers
love The Doyle; the food is great, they are made to
feel welcome, and the prices are certainly right.
After our second night with a front row seat
for the Freight Train Symphony Orchestra, we met
again with Other Dave for breakfast at a diner that
was close to I-81 in Marysville. More re-bonding
complemented a delicious meal, and we reluctantly
said our good-byes to Other Dave, who is definitely
a kindred spirit. It was clear that we would not be
waiting another 40 years to get together again.
As I pointed my big red pickup toward home,
Dave and I plotted and planned future outings until
we reached Front Royal, where I dropped him at his
car. As I continued on home, I reckoned that I would
definitely make this trip again. I might even stay at
The Doyle… after all, the place has character… and it
beats camping, albeit not by much.
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