Great Race Day 5

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to Binghamton, New York

This morning we were about ready to leave and one of the veteran racers warned us that today we would be going over the wall. I asked worse than the Tower Hill we encountered yesterday. He said to expect it to be.

Brad and I remember climbing some mountains in years past, and not being able to hold speed. Jane has a new motor this year, so my initial thought was she will be able to make it.

After calibrating our speedometer, we were off and as promised we went up against a wall. As much as I coaxed the car to go, she could not hold speed. Like we did the day before, we would count while we were down in speed, and make it up at the peak of the hill.

We made our way over the mountains, and headed to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania for lunch. Lewisberg is located in the eastern part of the state. Lewisberg is the home to Bucknell University.

The town and the school gave us a warm welcome with a large crowd lining the streets as we drove in. It always surprises me when we have a large lunch crowd mid-week.

After lunch we drove North toward Binghamton, New York. Like much of the North East, Southern New York is lush and green right now. The roads are lined with wooded areas and the trees are all full of bright green leaves. There are lilies everywhere you look. The pretty orange colored lilies look like they just grow wild on the roads’ edges.

We received an email about a month ago from a couple we met in 2022 when we came through Binghamton. They are members of the local Ford Mustang Club, and they let me know they would be meeting us at the end of the day in Binghamton. They are so kind, they even offered us a place to stay. Bob and Carol Seidel were at our car door when we parked the car in Binghamton, New York. They had brought several of their friends and cars to the event. We visited with all of them. What I didn’t mention was it was raining when we arrived. They came out in the rain, and stayed as it continued to get heavier. Brad spent more time with them, while I was being interviewed by the local news channel.

I am sorry I didn’t have a chance to say thank you or goodbye in person, but we sincerely appreciate the effort you and your friends made to be at the finish.

https://www.wicz.com/clip/15477314/a-race-like-no-other-the-great-race-returns-to-binghamton-for-the-third-time-in-over-a-decade

The crowds were large when we arrived and people were standing in parking structures to watch us go through the arch. Cars continued to come in for another hour as it started to thunder and lightning. Much of the crowd dispersed.

We completed half the race and had a surprise when we were entering the hotel. Our friend and past racer Jim Mennetto showed up to fill in for a driver. Jim was President and Publisher for Henmings Motor News. Hemmings Motor News is a title sponsor of the race. Jim did the race with his daughter the past couple of years, and we were happy to see him join us again.

As much as we love to see our incredibly beautiful country, half of what makes this journey and country so great are the people!