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I bought my 1997 Arctic Silver/red-blk/blk 1.9l Z3 May 1st  2000 and quickly signed up with the NE Convoy to attend my first Homecoming in Spartanburg over Labor Day weekend. I had the time of my life, meeting so many wonderful new friends who all shared a passion for the same wonderful car/s. ( M & Z3s). One couple in particular, Ron and Carol Weathers, were so nice they came to my defense when another participate (who shall remain nameless) reneged on her offer to relinquish a unneeded reservation at the Airport Marriott. (Thanks Carol, my "lunch on the house" w/ Eric & Jodi was delicious, as were the two glasses of my favorite Chardonnay)   ;-)

Carol told me before we left Greenville that I should really try to make one of Mike Noble's Cruises. Keeping in touch via email, later that September she sent me a copy of one of Mike's mails. I wrote and introduced myself, and weaseled an invitation out of him. <grin> After clearing time off, I needed Friday as well as to drive down, I was all set to meet a whole new bunch of great folks who again shared a passion for the Z3. As Mike has said countless times, it's the people on a cruise that make it so much fun, and I am in debt to all of them for making my 4 hr. trip to Reading, PA a most memorable one.

Below are the shots from that weekend. Most are from Saturday, of course! Click on a thumbnail to view it larger (vga resolution 640 x 480) Please do save as many as you'd like for your own memories.

All my best,

Bob   

Arriving Friday evening around 5pm, I located Mike's house and went to a neighboring farm to ask directions to the nearest hotel. As I rode up the winding street, I saw my car's twin pass me head-on. Fortunately for me, Mike pulled over up ahead and waited for me to turn around and catch up. I followed him home where I shared a flask of Macallan 12 y/o single malt scotch and we surfed the web a bit looking at mods on MZ3.net. 

I met the Wonderful Lesley and these two folks graciously welcomed this 'total stranger' into their home. They fed me, helped me book a room at the local Hampton and later Mike lead me there on some of the most awesome twisty roads I'd seen since Homecoming. I envy your daily drive to and from work, Mike!

My room at the Hampton Inn was fine!

Saturday morning Mark and Jenny Hollis met me at my hotel, just down the road from theirs. We had some difficulty following Mike's directions from the Sheraton, but once be back-tracked and took a right out of their hotel, instead of a left we were back on track. Mark, remember this bridge? Once we found it I knew I could find the way back to Mike's house Saturday morning? And wasn't it fun keeping up with my little 1.9 on that twisty 15 minute ride? Yahoo! <big grin>

  Mike's house (great brunch Lesley) & then the meeting.

And we're off!  

At Roadside America, what a 'blast from the past.'

And I thought I was the only one to carry a duster in my trunk Mike? 

Lunch at the cute little train station, thank God there was food there! No, I didn't pack my box lunch, Mike!

Both Mike and Dick (along with their charming wives) did a wonderful job putting the most delightful day together for all of us! Our heartfelt thanks, Mike & Lesley and Dick & Pat!

Alone the ride, w/ the last shot taken over the windshield, (my favorite).

Sometimes I wish I had a passenger to take some of these shots on twisty roads at 45 to 50 mph. Steering, shifting and aiming a camera are definitely a challenge but couldn't be without these!

Scrumptious dinner at (need help w/ the name). 

Candids - see, next time you'll keep an eye out for me?

Couples pictures at Dick and Pats beautiful home. 

I'm sorry I couldn't get more of us. OK, confess Sue,  you really didn't go to the Octoberfest 2k, you just wanted that sweatshirt because its YELLOW?

No, not a 'couple,' just a couple of guys who happen to own two of the most beautiful Z3s, "Arctic Silver," is there any other color?

 

The view from my hotel room Sunday morning, hey isn't that Mark and Jenny's hotel in the upper right?

That's all for now, folks!

This site will be revised, at times, with your help of course.

Can't wait for spring to do it all over again,

97/Arctic Silver/red-blk/blk 1.9l

This baby's is under wraps for the winter months

as of 11-17-00 (our first snowfall 11pm) see pic below:  

second: RADESIGN earlier that day, believe it or not & third: 'the rat'

Z you all at Homecoming 2001