Slipstream - January 2003

Photo by Mark Gluck
Giant Slinky Spotted Near Winnsboro
by Bob Bianconi
News Report: Unnamed sources reported a giant accordionlike
creature slithering through the environs of Winnsboro
and neighboring communities. The creature - some estimated
to be more than 2 miles long - had not been seen in these parts
before, befuddled observers noted. Accordion-ologists identified
the ever expanding and contracting-thing as a distant relative of the
slinky, that ubiquitous children’s toy. Mostly grey and silver, the
creature also seemed to have spots of black, blue, gold and a tail
very similar to the color of guard’s red. The unnamed sources also
reported that the slinky seemed capable of high speed travel and at
other times, seemed to be moving at a snail’s pace. Some Winnsboro
residents even noted that it looked as if the brightly colored slinky
was basking in the sun in the middle of the road.
Long shadows at the morning departure point
of fame for drawing so much business. In any event, Ted and
Bonnie had, as usual, everything planned. Trip instructions were
given and we even had to break into three groups: The Chickenfried
Steak group, the Chicken group and the Snitzel Group.
...Do we have to wait until spring for the
next tour?
So who was there? Well, with so many folks present, I can’t
begin to name them all. But, I can tell you there were several
928’s, a 914-6, a 944, lots of 911’s and the obligatory Boxster
bunch (Ted: need you plan for the Cayenne next season? - maybe
a river crossing??). It was great seeing such a huge mix of cars;
in fact, for many folks, this was their first tour. Once the
preliminaries were over, it was time to hit the road. Managing a
group this size proved to be a daunting task for our tour-meister
duo. As alluded to earlier, the tour consisted of 35 cars which
required the use of three FRS radio relays to convey messages
back to the caboose in a guards red Boxster (the aforementioned
slinky’s tail…) Even with these ‘state-of-the art-communicators
(not!), we managed to dice up the slinky a few times
Of course, the Slinky we’re talking about was the giant
fall foliage tour headed up by our great tour-meister (and tourmistress?)
Ted and Bonnie Glover. To say this trip was a success
would be a huge understatement. Thirty-five(!) Porsches made
the daylong jaunt through the countryside near the Community
of Winnsboro. And a slinky it was; a giant caravan snaking it’s
way through the twists and curves of ranch and farm land.
Someone estimated that the caravan stretched out for 2 miles at
one point.
The day started off with the obligatory driver’s meeting at
“THE” Walmart at I-80 and Beltline Road. This location has been
the start of many fine Glover tours. In fact, I believe I heard that
Walmart was placing a Ted and Bonnie star on their sidewalk hall
Photo by Mark Gluck
An eager group read to enjoy the roads of East Texas
Photo by Mark Gluck
“Our Place” Restaurant
Nonetheless, the roads were simply beautiful, especially
several of the most narrow 1-lane country roads. How Ted and
Bonnie find these places is beyond me. Anyway, after several
hours behind the wheel, we pulled into Pittsburgh, home of the
Steelers, er, I mean “Our Place” restaurant. If you get a chance to
visit Pittsburgh, this restaurant should be on your short-list of
things to do. Chicken, steak, snitzels, and strudel, they’ve got it all.
As an added treat, Pittsburgh resident and Boxster-owner Bob
Jones stopped by while we ate and recounted tales about the
latest Boxstoberfest.
After lunch it was back on the road for the trip back to DFW.
With less turns on the way home, our photographers were able to
snap some shots of the procession. It was quite a site. Thanks Ted
and Bonnie for another great tour!
ps…Do we have to wait until spring for the next tour?????
19