1 Northlander March 2013 - North Country Region

A Visit To The Everglades Region
By Rich Willey
Several months ago Marilyn and I planned to get away from the NH winter for 10 days in late January. As luck would have it we
chose what turned out to be the coldest and windiest days of the winter to be in south Florida. Perfect.
During last fall’s NCR Get-a-Way we met a couple, Ron and Jean from CVR who attended our event. I learned that they wintered in
Florida and after a few emails in early January, they invited us to spend a day with them and attend an Everglades Pot Luck dinner.
The day started with a brief tour of Ron and Jean’s home while checking out some of his cars. Ron has two double car garages
with 4 lifts. That’s 8 cars that are shared with his son plus a ninth that is stored in the corner awaiting restoration. Needless to
say it was impressive, but it was not complete. Ron’s son is a racer so they are outfitting a car condo to hold the GT3 race car,
tow truck, other cars and support equipment. And that’s only the Florida cars. To say he is a car guy is an understatement.
We then went to visit the local Porsche dealership where the latest Boxster was on display. Very impressive. If I were a rag top
guy I would be tempted. After letting them know I was in the market for a Gen II Cayman S, we headed to the Ferrari dealership
just for laughs. Who do we see there but Steve from CVR, who also attended our 2012 Fall get-a-way weekend. Small world.
The owner gave us a tour and it was apparent that this was the perfect place to check out the latest Ferrari’s as well as the new
McLaren MP4 (they had 4 of them), Lambo Aventador, and a Fisker, as well a full selection of slightly used cars. If you are in the
market for a very clean Testarossa, I know a guy.
After a tour of the area, a nice lunch on the beach and some great stories (I now know a little bit about German Rieslings) we
were ready for the Pot Luck dinner, which was held at Bonnie and Mark Wooten’s car condo. (car condos seem to be the thing in
this area). About 30-40 P-car owners attended, enjoyed a smorgasbord of food and drink and swapped stories. Many people
commented on how they envied our access to curvy mountain roads, considering they only had perfectly flat roads on which to
exercise their Porsches.
I spoke with Everglades President Chris Branston who told me they have about 450 members who are fairly active in social events.
They do have 4-5 AXs at an airport each year (sound familiar) but no DEs. Clearly this is the place to buy low mileage slightly
used Porsches.
After a full day and having met some new friends, we were primed for a restful few days at the beach. Can’t wait to get back
there soon.
Everglades Region members enjoying the potluck
dinner at Mark Wooten's car condo with the 356 cab
on the lift in the background.
Continued on page 51..
Rich Willey flanked by Jean and Ron, hosts for
the Everglades Pot Luck dinner.
50 Northlander March 2013