a Dairy Queen we’d missed on a previous trip to the NC Zoo! But if that still doesn’t close the sale, I whip out my sharp pencil (well, a calculator will do) and proceed to demonstrate how the proposed road trip will be so much easier on our pocketbook than any other modes <strong>of</strong> transportation. And, mind you, that’s no bull; it’s serious economics. In my experience, the money we’ve spent on our road trips, even our longest ones, has invariably come out to a fraction <strong>of</strong> what flying (plus renting a car at the other end) would have cost. If you want pro<strong>of</strong>, do the math yourself. These days, that’s not pleading poverty; it’s just plain smart. Anyway, if nothing else, this closing argument will always win the case for me. You, dear reader, might still say: But what about all that time on the road? In reply, I’d point out that we’re talking about going on a vacation, not a business trip. The objective is to cruise, not get there as fast as possible. (Duh!) Then I’d cap it <strong>of</strong>f by referring you to Item One above, on the assumption that you actually like driving. I trust I’m not wrong about that. One item on that list that I keep to myself – in my hip pocket as it were – is my demand for minimal distractions from all the gadgetry populating dashboards nowadays. All those neat, sophisticated and, Oh, so helpful accessories remind me <strong>of</strong> the ‘Star Trek’ movie in which Jean- Luc Picard, captain <strong>of</strong> the ‘Enterprise’, muses about what it must have been like to navigate the oceans with nothing but the wind to propel the ship and the stars to steer by. It’s not quite like that for me, but pretty close. I know your reaction will probably be: Ah, there he goes again, the old Luddite. I won’t blame you. It’s what sells cars today. But the truth is, I don’t hate technology; I merely draw the line at what’s <strong>of</strong> use to me all the time (read ‘car phone’ or ‘mpg readout’), not once in a blue moon. What fun is there in knowing that it’s twenty miles to the nearest cafe serving coq au vin when, by pulling over on a whim at a local eatery, you may find the best culinary experience <strong>of</strong> the trip. Besides, I’ll say it again: I’m talking about vacationing here. It’s when you’re supposed to enjoy the scenery, converse with your co-travelers, maybe listen to music – not play with the touch screen on the dash and endure the GPS incessantly bleating “Recalculating” as you explore new ways <strong>of</strong> getting to wherever ‘there’ is. Yep, I’m <strong>of</strong> the old school. But I enjoy the freedom it represents. And when in doubt, there’s always a fallback: A quick stop to consult the good ol’ paper map, and knowing that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. That’s what real road trips are made <strong>of</strong>. Come to think <strong>of</strong> it, I better quit here. One dream, as yet unfulfilled, is doing my very own One Lap <strong>of</strong> <strong>America</strong>. I have a route in mind, sort <strong>of</strong>, and I’ve driven parts <strong>of</strong> it, here and there. But I’ve never done it all in one swoop – boxed the compass as old salts used to say. So it’s back to the maps for me. I’ll let you know how it went when I come up for air at the other end. Joyner’s EST. 1993 An Independent <strong>BMW</strong> Specialist * Early and late model <strong>BMW</strong>’s (Call for motorcycle maintenance) * Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or <strong>BMW</strong> Original parts * Many years <strong>of</strong> experience exclusively with <strong>BMW</strong> repairs, maintenance, and modifications and race prep (<strong>Club</strong> events) * Latest Diagnostic Equipment Chris Joyner, Owner/Technician 76 South Market Street Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 253-6000 csjoyner@bellsouth.net Hours: 10:00 – 6:00 Monday through Friday 4 TARHEEL CHAPTER FOOTNOTES http://www.tarheelbmwcca.org
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