Slipstream - September 2013

continued from page 17
make and model. So, I explain
to the very sympathetic service
manager that it is not a feasible
option for me. (As I write this, our
car is “home” in the Metroplex at
a local independent shop waiting
on a replacement engine [used]
from that Porsche salvage yard
just north of the Red River.)
Pam and I have dinner at a local
pub. The pizza was great, so as we
digest the meal we were also digesting
the news. We have a very nice
and relaxing evening at the hotel,
and the next day head to Parade.
Pam and I have a very nice drive
into Traverse City on Tuesday and
we get to see some pretty country.
Once at Parade we see and hear Peter
Porsche introduce the new GT3.
We see the Concours d’Elegance
winners at the Concours Banquet.
We visit some wonderful areas of
Michigan, taste some local cuisine,
and spend the rest of the week seeing
all kinds of beautiful Porsches.
And on the last night we get to
see two couples win new Porsches.
It was so cool! Pam’s and my first
Porsche Parade was a true joy.
Throughout the ordeal, we kept
a positive attitude, as things can
be fixed, and what is really important
in your life are the people,
not the things. Sure, driving a
Porsche home from work, letting
all the stress just melt off you, can
be very beneficial to the people
in your life, but what matters are
those people. The friendships
we have and the family we love.
I have a saying that I use to
describe driving a Porsche: “Everything
is just a fun drive away.” After
our experience, I might have to
change that just a bit. I have not decided
on my new version, but here
are a couple of twists I am considering:
“Everything is just a fun drive
away, in an air cooled Porsche” but
in the heat of summer that would
have to be changed to “Everything
is just a fun drive away, in an aircooled
Porsche, with a working
air conditioner” Oh, but see that
is an oxymoron, so I can’t use that
one. I will keep on thinking.
We met so many wonderful people
on our trip and at Parade. And it
was made even better by spending
it with people I love, my loving wife,
and my parents, Fred and Jean
Stubbs, from the West Texas Region
of PCA. We had a great time and we
are looking forward to our next
Parade. Enjoy driving your car, and
I sure understand if you consider it
a member of the family!
24 September