One of the cool things we did on Thursday was to sign up for a safety inspection sponsored by the National Street Rod Association. The husband and wife team of John and Pat Walberg went over our car with a fine-tooth comb. John inspected the car with pit-crew precision, and in the end gave it an almost clean bill of health. The only issues were a burnt out headlight that mysteriously came back on when I tapped it with my fist, and a horn that didn't work because I put a new steering wheel on the car before we left and failed to read the instructions properly. My inner gearhead wanted to take all the credit for the build, but my conscience prevailed and I told him that I had recently purchased the car and all the work had been done by a guy named [Albert Czarnecki]. "Nice job," said Walberg, "it looks like Albert really knows his stuff."

Throughout the weekend we ran into so many friends from Manitoba it was almost like being at home. It was especially nice to meet up with all the father and son teams who made the trip, and I'm certain some special memories were forged under the blaring Minnesota sun. [Melanie] and I spent lots of time with the Bergmans and our friend Bill Harrison from VaVaVoom Garage. Harrison, or Uncle Bill, as he's known to Manitoba cruisers, is a huge advocate for the hobby. He has more than 500 old vehicles in his yard near Carman and is planning a pre-1965 car show of his own on Sunday, August 16. The main drag of Carman will be blocked off from dawn till dusk for the first annual "Road Kill Rod-up." Harrison was passing out flyers all weekend long, and more than a few of our American friends told us they have always wanted to make a road trip to Canada. Hopefully 2009 is the year they will do it. We'll keep you posted.

We really didn't want to leave early, but for the last month a crew from Farpoint Films has been shooting a Willy's Garage TV show that will air this fall on MTS TV, so we had to get back to Winnipeg in time to film the Sunday night cruise at the Pony Corral on Grant Avenue. We drove all night Saturday. Our '49 Pontiac has no radio, and as Melanie was sleeping in the passenger seat beside me, I had eight hours to reflect on just how much the old car hobby means to me. I have met so many amazing and eclectic people, and the experience has enriched my life far beyond the point that words could ever describe.