Monthly Cruise-Ins at Sonic or Dairy Queen

[GTRS Fiero]

In general, about 8.5 hours' drive.

So, there were more than just the one?

[Fierofool]

Some of the Sonics weren't receptive to a cruise in.  We changed to DQ Grill and Chill for a little better food and indoor dining in case of bad weather.  All DQ's were glad to have us.  The last cruise in was August because of RFTH in September and because we only had 3 members show up.

We did move them around the state so some members didn't always have to drive long distances each time, and go get exposure in different areas.

[GTRS Fiero]

It was really cool that the manager at that one Sonic really seemed to want you there.

Nothing dto do with Fieros, but another group I hang out with picks different places after every performance.  One time it was a pizza place nearby; this last time, it was also a pizza place; the time before it was a banquet hall.  I have noticed that each place they pick is family-owned.  No place was a chain.  Each owner was a good, solid person, and the food was great (except this last place).  At a few places, the owner personally thanked us for coming.  My point is, it may be better not to use chain restaurants.  I like the family restaurants, anyway.

There is a place I'd love to get to, called Galleria del Paco, or some such.  If each place was a destination, but on an off day, results may be better.  Not 8 hours, but I'd probably go further for such a place.  It would have to be a day trip, for me.  If it put extra load on my wife, I couldn't do it.

We had an evwnt where we parked at a school next door, but ate at the restaurant.  That was a DQ.  We also did a Waffle House and a Burger King.  Chains, but we just descended on them.

[pgackerman]

As a lazy member I'll fess-up that I don't want to drive more than 1.5 hours away; 2 hours on VERY special occasions.  Given that I live near Augusta, you're unlikely to see me very often.

Maybe we can have East Side of Atlanta Cruise-ins/Drives and North/South/West Side Cruise-ins/Drives?

[Fierofool]

Does the 1.5-2 hour limit apply to riding along with someone, also? 

[pgackerman]

Yes.  It's not the drive.  It's the time away from family.

We all work and have school, so weekends are the best family time.  I feel greedy taking an entire day.

[GTRS Fiero]

Bring the family (no Fiero).  I've done this.

[Fierofool]

I've done it, too.  When my daughter was in school and the wife was working, they would drive up on Friday afternoon to our hotel and one of them would ride with me on the run on Saturday.  Usually my daughter because my wife and her Dramamine always helped me do the scouting and layout.  Once, they couldn't get there until Saturday, but spent the day enjoying the area until the group returned. 

There's always a shorter way to get to our final destination when we use two hotels, which we are probably doing again this year.  Pigeon Forge will be our final destination and there's lots of stuff to do up there.  When we've stayed in the Clayton, Ga., Franklin, NC area many of the wives would get together and go up to the casino in Cherokee for the day

The Dublin St. Pat's Day Parade is March 18 and we're about to start putting together a commitment to drive in the parade again this year.  The young lady from my church who helps to carry the club banner comes down with her mom and dad and they spend the full weekend. 

[GTRS Fiero]

The young lady from my church who helps to carry the club banner comes down with her mom and dad and they spend the full weekend.

Future Fiero owner?

[Fierofool]

Probably not.  She and I have had that conversation.  Her Father is a Gwinnett County Police Department Training officer, rides a Harley and her tiny little Mother has a Gold Wing.  Summer wants a motorcycle. 

[GTRS Fiero]

It used to be that kids would get a chance to drive early.  I'm not suggesting that anyone let someone else's child drive, but we used to have a lot of fun, before we could get a license. Here, you can't get your bike license until after your car license.  Motorcycle is an endorsement.

I'm hoping my kids will be interested in/knowledgeable of cars, but I'm worried the future will ruin this for everyone.  Cars now are much harder to work on, and new laws prohibit working on a car in public view, more or less.

[Fierofool]

If the auto manufacturers have their way, unless it's something simple or mechanical like replenishing fluids, changing filters or brake pads, you won't be allowed to work on a car.  Any connection to the PCM will be proprietary and only authorized dealers will possess the software to do diagnostics.  A recent PFF thread spoke of how John Deere is already claiming that a farmer only rents his farm equipment and doesn't have a legal right to do PCM diagnostics.  If court cases uphold John Deere, it's likely that automakers will continue to pursue their claims to the same legal ownership. 

[GTRS Fiero]

And that's why I have older vehicles.  If the auto manufacturers keep it up, people will build their own.