Puzzle Rally to Pardo’s

Well. The dog days are upon us. As I sit and write this, it’s June 21. The calendar tells me it’s the first day of summer. In my mind it’s been summer for the last month, at least according to my recent power bill and the temperatures inside Iris the last few times I have driven her to work. Despite these unusually warm temperatures, or maybe because of them, we had a fantastic puzzle rally and picnic at the Pardo’s house on Lake Martin June 18th. Thanks to Bill and Barbara Berg for serving as “rallymasters” and hosts Ron and Lynn Pardo for opening their doors.  

At the rally, many of you may have noticed I followed Bobby Gunter and Tommy Potts in Bobby’s Healey into the Pardo’s drive as the last contestant. Honestly. I knew Bobby had replaced his wiring harness and as a conscientious president, I wanted to make sure we did not leave any stragglers behind. It had always been my plan to take the last spot. (Well, that’s my story and I am sticking to it!)  

Actually, about 15 minutes into the rally, I managed to try and turn around on a soft shoulder to double back for a clue I missed. (Curse you, Bill Berg!) The rare rainfall the day before insured Iris’ back tires got out from under her – quickly sliding me and Iris down the embankment and into a wet ditch. Apparently, our own Hamer Phillips drove by but could not see that the car down the embankment was me. (Note, if you ever see a purple car on the side of the road, assume it’s me!) Fortunately, a benevolent passer-by in a watermelon truck stopped to give assistance. (No, you cannot make this stuff up.) As luck would have it, he happened to have two twenty-foot lengths of chain! (Sometimes it’s good to be out in the country.) I put the hook on the tow clip and Iris slowly rolled back up to the tarmac. Of course, the truck managed to spray a “little” mud while getting me out. I did not mind; it salvaged the day for me and likely saved me from waiting on the side of the road for a wrecker. Dave Price also lent aid in clearing the debris and mud from the tailpipe something that had not crossed my addled brain.  

Away we went. No worse for wear. We were just a little dirtier.

From that point on I decided just to drive and finish the rally. Period. And just reaching the Pardo’s was reward enough. Good food and friends, old and new, in a beautiful setting on the water on a very warm, apparently spring day. Some of our members kayaked or swam, but most of us did what we do best: eat, talk about car stuff, and spin a yarn or two. I was sad when it was time to go home. Sad to be leaving and knowing I’d spend the rest of the afternoon hosing mud off Iris.  

And I did go buy a tow rope– something I had never had in my emergency kit in the boot. My only regret of the day is I wished I had bought a watermelon from the nice man who pulled me out of the ditch.  

 Brandon Brazil