The chocolates are a good thing. I can stuff my face and will be too busy snacking to make many comments on the activity that's going on all around the car as we careen down the highways and byways.
Barry
May I recommend caramels? Really sticky ones. And offer to share.
Maybe next year get a chauffeur to drive the both of you?
Those "yes dear, anything you say dear, of course you're right dear" comments just fry my grits! * Maybe try neatly changing the topic instead?
*note to Janet's Husband: I was speaking hypothetically of course
__________________
77 Argosy Minuet, 6 metre
77 Argosy 24, Rear door
AIR 3181, WBCCI/VAC # 5575
May I recommend caramels? Really sticky ones. And offer to share.
Maybe next year get a chauffeur to drive the both of you?
Those "yes dear, anything you say dear, of course you're right dear" comments just fry my grits! * Maybe try neatly changing the topic instead?
*note to Janet's Husband: I was speaking hypothetically of course
You mean, "oh, right, yes, sorry" won't work in this situation either? Dang! I knew I had a tough audience with this crowd. I suspect neatly changing the subject would also include removing my hands from the dash, pulling my feet back from being firmly and pushed hard onto the floorboards, and gasping loudly (but I feel discreetly).
In addition to encouraging him to stuff his face *er* enjoy a snack while on the road, it also helps to let him be in charge of the radio/cd player.
It gives him something to do and is almost as good as letting him hold the remote...
Right now I'm working with the CB. I was given permission for the CD until I started playing all those songs about cars going off of roads, last kiss types of songs. She took the remote CD control away and JUST after I'd discovered that my friends were going to make me a CD on safe trailer towing tips for my wife to enjoy while driving. You know, subtle subliminal types of things like "don't get too close to those cars in front" and "remember that with the added weight of a trailer on back your stopping distances have increased dramatically" - nothing too heavy but just something I could put on and play in repetitive mode for the duration of the trip, interspersed with my own "instructional" background detail on the comments off the CD. We had it all sorted out, the areas we thought were of key interest and then wham, there goes the CD remote onto HER (the drivers) side of the car. I have a very strong suspicion that their wives learned of this and have plotted and conspired against us guys. Man, what's a guy to do........
Hi, when together, I do almost all of the driving; And while towing, I do all the driving. My wife's job is to keep me intertained, give directions, and snacks. I always carry my first aid kit in the glove box [No-Doz] and when my wife thinks it's time, she will get me a drink and a stay awake pill. Usually I'm not really tired, but road bored. And I start getting heavy eyes. One time we were driving on winding mountain highway, my eyes were getting heavy, and my wife asked to drive. [1978 Jeep CJ-5] I let her drive because I didn't think I could drive much further. Only after a short distance, my wife took a turn too fast. OK give me the wheel back and for several hundred miles until we got home, without my first aid kit, [No-Doz] my eyes were open like the size of silver dollars. She scared me awake; On purpose or not, I will never know.
Just to give you an idea of the driving conditions under which Donna was undertaking her towing "re-learning/refresher" here is a picture. I think my nervousness will perhaps be understood a bit more. Oh yes, by all accounts she did an excellent job. Especially considering that at this moment in time our trailer is the largest of the group with most towing small Boler/Scamp sized trailers and a few with larger 17' versions of those trailers, so she was pulling 21' versus their 14' to 17' rigs.
I guess, all in all, we both have settled into the routine now. She's cautious, I'm busy finding other things to think about on the passenger side . This is tough. I know lots more of the current male drivers will find themselves challenged with health issues in the future and will then have more than a casual dependency on their spouse or friend to take on the driving duties if they still wish to live the life they have had to date. The moral from my standpoint is make sure the other person in the vehicle is capable of driving your rig home if something happens, and as a passenger we are also capable of riding with some level of comfort as well. I admit, it's as much a blow to my long term dream of retiring and driving my hot rods around American, Airstream in tow, and my partner of forever at my side . I guess it will still happen, it's just that we will have reversed sides. (sigh). At least we will still be doing it. Now, I've got to get her to eat healthier so she stays capable and of course the only way to do that is if I eat all the bad stuff around the house .
Referencing the proper responses such as "I'm sorry" - don't ever say "I told you so".
I learned a much better response last summer when I mentioned numerous times that we should replace our 4 year old trailer tires before an upcoming trip and "he" felt that they had plenty of tread left.
We experienced tread separation only 2 hours from home. Thankfully, there was no permanent damage, but we spent several hours at a tire store doing what we should have prior to leaving. My new response is:
"I'm sorry dear, I should have been more insistent."
Referencing the proper responses such as "I'm sorry" - don't ever say "I told you so".
I learned a much better response last summer when I mentioned numerous times that we should replace our 4 year old trailer tires before an upcoming trip and "he" felt that they had plenty of tread left.
We experienced tread separation only 2 hours from home. Thankfully, there was no permanent damage, but we spent several hours at a tire store doing what we should have prior to leaving. My new response is:
"I'm sorry dear, I should have been more insistent."
Virginia
Now that's one I can keep in mind Virginia. I already know of a couple of times it would have been particularly relevant. Mind you, the downside is that I'm sure Donna could have used it back just as quickly in a couple of other situations.
Barry, one more quick tip:
Crow tastes better if you eat it warm, with lots of ketchup.
We just got back from going for dinner. I guess I "made a recommendation" on the way back that was possibly out of line for a passenger to say. Now I'm in big do-do. The ladies of the car club have decided to get together and put together a "back-seat-driver kit" for my wife. I think I may need more than ketchup on a crow to get me through this one. And just when I had almost convinced her for us to take the '57 and the Flying Cloud instead of her A/C, cruise controlled, leather interior, power everything car back to our old town too.
Now I have my work cut out for me over the next two weeks to get her back on track. I mean, I was already packing the trailer (perhaps a bit prematurely I admit but hey, you can never be too prepared). I just have to figure out how to be an for that period of time. Hey, miracles can happen can't they?
Now Barry, you need to settle down and behave yourself. It's just a month until the Deming rally - are we going to have to drive up there and pick you up ourselves?
__________________
Mel
1960 Caravel "Boris"
1967 Safari "Sparky" My Photos
Oh yeah right, Deming! I'd forgotten about that. How quickly time flies. Man, I have got a lot to make up for with the love of my life (no, not the Airstream, '57 wagon or Chevelle - my wife) and only a month to do so. Dang, can I do this? Breakfast in bed perhaps? Naw, she'd hate me waking her up to make it first. Hmmmm, what to do, what to do. Got any great ideas Mel? I'm sure you and your hubby have been through similar situations and may have some lessons learned to share.
I barely coached. I hardly even flinched, seldom grabbed the dash, and only remember two or three hard presses on the floor until I remembered I didn't have the brake pedal on my side. I thought I did quite well. Donna did as well and heck, in the near future she may even leave the duct tape at home.
Some things I have learned - it does not do much for the conversation after a rest stop if the first thing you do is jump out and kiss the ground. Nor does it help if you gasp suddenly, then try to cover it up like you were taking a deep breath, yawning or having a sudden coughing fit.
Finally taking over and doing the backing up is not considered being negative or pushy, it's just doing it so we can get the tanks dumped and get in out of the rain and head home.
It did not help that on our way down two of US Customs finest, walking around the various cars, stopped to admire the car and trailer and suggested to my wife that they are not single but could be, and could arrange my sudden demise, so they could marry her and take over driving duties.
Having "certain" other forums members at Deming foster my wife's belief that I should just let her drive did not help - now she's thinking I'm redundant other than for hook up and unhooking. . Sure glad it wasn't me caught on Lee's camera blowing up that pink flamingo. Evidence for future use .
We had a wonderful time at the TCT Deming event as did the folks in the other 97 trailers, but what surprised me was that we only saw two other ladies doing the towing. It did do my wife good though to see the lady across the road from us punt her hubby out of the drivers seat when he couldn't back up their rig and she nailed it almost dead on first time. I, of course, told my wife that I'd not noticed. The bruising on my arm will heal eventually.
Finally taking over and doing the backing up is not considered being negative or pushy, it's just doing it so we can get the tanks dumped and get in out of the rain and head home.
I don't believe I was the only casual observer of this incident who skulked quietly back to the safety of their trailer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by safari57
Sure glad it wasn't me caught on Lee's camera blowing up that pink flamingo. Evidence for future use .
Sure glad it wasn't me caught on Mel's camera wearing a pink flamingo necklace and a silly grin.
__________________
Mel
1960 Caravel "Boris"
1967 Safari "Sparky" My Photos
I don't believe I was the only casual observer of this incident who skulked quietly back to the safety of their trailer.
Sure glad it wasn't me caught on Mel's camera wearing a pink flamingo necklace and a silly grin.
1. Yeah, it was getting frustrating for her. Trying to follow my expert hand signals as well as my well modulated voice commentary to provide additional information didn't work with her window up. I learned how to give trailer directions from her years of doing so (if Donna reads this I'm really toast)
As for the pictures I believe you guys got someone else to pretend they were me as I couldn't find my name tag for several hours, nor my T-shirt. Of course this "could" have happened when I was out walking and exhausted from doing my trailer chores (I'm so overworked) and just about ready for my afternoon nappy and not fully aware of what malicious people were doing to me in this drowsy state . The other thing is that I've always tried to be a good sport, particularly when it is obvious that if I don't cooperate I might end up with MY neck stuffed through the picket fence like that poor PF in front of someone's GT.
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Hi, when together, I do almost all of the driving; And while towing, I do all the driving. My wife's job is to keep me intertained, give directions, and snacks. I always carry my first aid kit in the glove box [No-Doz] and when my wife thinks it's time, she will get me a drink and a stay awake pill. Usually I'm not really tired, but road bored. And I start getting heavy eyes. 
One time we were driving on winding mountain highway, my eyes were getting heavy, and my wife asked to drive. [1978 Jeep CJ-5] I let her drive because I didn't think I could drive much further. Only after a short distance, my wife took a turn too fast. 
. This is tough. I know lots more of the current male drivers will find themselves challenged with health issues in the future
and will then have more than a casual dependency on their spouse or friend to take on the driving duties if they still wish to live the life they have had to date. The moral from my standpoint is make sure the other person in the vehicle is capable of driving your rig home if something happens, and as a passenger we are also capable of riding with some level of comfort as well. I admit, it's as much a blow to my long term dream of retiring and driving my hot rods around American, Airstream in tow, and my partner of forever at my side . I guess it will still happen, it's just that we will have reversed sides. (sigh). At least we will still be doing it. Now, I've got to get her to eat healthier so she stays capable and of course the only way to do that is if I eat all the bad stuff around the house
)
I think I may need more than ketchup on a crow to get me through this one. And just when I had almost convinced her for us to take the '57 and the Flying Cloud instead of her A/C, cruise controlled, leather interior, power everything car back to our old town too.
. The other thing is that I've always tried to be a good sport, particularly when it is obvious that if I don't cooperate I might end up with MY neck stuffed through the picket fence like that poor PF in front of someone's GT.
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