DVSFII weekend from HELL part #1

CobraDan · #1 (**permalink**) 06-27-2002, 03:30 AM

My account of the Double Venom Spring Fling II is not as happy as others that attended. We headed out for Ohio on Wednesday at 4am because Jean switched days at work. I always like to get an early start so my first day out is the longest day and the second day is much shorter. Things weren’t going to badly until we stopped for a break about 4 hours from our destination in London, Ohio. My wife Jean fell and landed full force on her left elbow. After we checked in at Cross Country Inn we went to the Doctors Hospital in Perry, and spent the next 3 hours finding out that the pain Jean was now having was because she had broken the radial bone at her elbow. Jean had to have a cast put on her arm in a bent position until we see the Doctor back home. Well, now I get to help my wife get dressed, where as before I was always trying to get her out of her clothes.
After running around most of the day in London with the Cobra, I found it was running HOT. We had no rain in Ohio and it was so HOT that I was glad when we got back into Cape Coral to COOL off. On the run up to the Quaker Steak and Lube things really went bad with the Cobra, and when I finally pulled over it spit fluid everywhere. I still don’t know why it was over heating so badly but I kept the Cobra parked for the rest of the events. Jean had tagged along and we wound up eating at Asian Cuisine and getting water from the same people to refill the radiator for the trip back to the Motel. The lady didn’t know what a funnel was but a pitcher did the trick.
The rest of the weekend didn’t go as badly, but it isn’t over yet. I had everything ready for a 4am departure. As we both got into my Blazer and when I turned the key, nothing happened. I had just checked all the lights on the trailer and Blazer for a safe trip home. I got out, closed my door and went to get the wife out as she said, lights where are the lights? I got towed into the local Chevy dealer to find out what was going on with the Blazer. Of course nothing happens until a little later in the day around 8am and we finally got out of town around 10am. The Blazer had a badly corroded positive battery terminal, and I just had it in for service before I left on the trip north. Now both days where going to be long days, but the second day would have to be the day with most of the mileage being driven. We did make it into Georgia and had at least gotten out of them damn mountains. When we hit Ocala, Florida the rains started. We pulled off the freeway at least twice because the rain was coming down so hard I couldn’t see the road. We finally made it back home late on Tuesday around 5pm. The Cobra has been towed before in the rain, but never had the foot boxes full to the top with water. I guess I will have to drill holes to let the water out.
If it wasn’t for all the great Cobra people I met from all over the world, it could have been the weekend from HELL. I guess it's not over yet, because I took Jean to the local Doctor's office yesterday to find out the oppointment is not until today. I have not written the part about the weekend that makes me want to return next year to see DVSFIII, but it's coming just give me some time.
Dan & Jean Wulff

Hotfingrs · #2 (**permalink**) 06-27-2002, 04:50 AM

Dan, I guess when you stop for a break, you literally stop for a break. Next year maybe you should call it a rest stop. All kidding aside sorry to hear about all your problems after we left. I was really surprised when we got there on Thursday and your room was only a couple down from ours. The wife and I really enjoyed sitting around talking at the end of the day with all our friends. Sure hope that there will be a DVSFIII and you make it back. We also look forward to seeing you again on our trip south this winter. Jack and Jana

CobraDan · #3 (**permalink**) 06-27-2002, 05:13 AM

I stayed at the Cross Country Inn, where all the action is later each evening. I made reservations for the Spring Fling like everyone else through the 800 number. On my arrival I asked about the senior discount and got my room rate reduced, and saved about $15 per night. A lot of people showed up early as I did on Thursday and we started the BS sessions that evening. I met old friends and made many new Cobra friends. Jack May and his lovely wife had visited my home in Florida during snowbird season and where only a couple doors away at Cross Country Inn. I was surrounded by Ohioans, my old stamping grounds before my retirement and move to Florida. I really think that all you have to do for the Cobra guys is stick us out in a field with a chair, something cold to drink and let the fun begin. On each side of Jack’s room was an Ed, I will not get into last names because rather then spell them wrong, I will omit the last names. I do remember their Cobras though, so we have Ed FFR and Ed SPF. Jack had an Everett Morrison with a Chevy engine with Ford valve covers that had to be the loudest Cobra at the party. One evening as all of us started our evening session Ed SPF came out with a Corona in hand trying to stuff a lemon into the bottle. When he finally got it in he shook the bottle and sprayed beer all across the trunk of Jack’s Cobra. Ed got out a rag and started to clean everything up he even got the windows. We all suggested he also get the inside of the windows. Later when they all took off for dinner I stayed back having had dinner with my ailing wife earlier. I told them I would guard the chairs and Cobra parking spaces. Soon a young lady comes over telling me she has that Miller metal sign that Ed had bought but could not get back with in his Cobra. She left it in the office for him to pick up later. Jack is the first to show after dinner and I tell him of Ed’s purchase. Jack runs over to the office telling them he is Ed and wants his sign. When Ed finally gets back we have Ed’s sign in Jack’s Cobra, thanking him for the sign as payment for the beer spill. We had 3 evenings of fun with all the Cobra people.
Diane (Ed FFR’s wife) purchased one of the 2 quilts that Ginny had made for the auction because I had made one of the panels for the quilt. My panel was the only one that had an actual Cobra and the only one done by the husband and not the wife. I got to introduce Chris Knueven from Ohio to Fred Rice who works for the same company in different parts of the country. I got to meet the Gasholes; I’m still wondering why you have to be a size 3XL to own a Cobra in California. I met the couple from England and the 3 from Australia and many many more.
Dan & Jean

bonyhadi · #4 (**permalink**) 06-27-2002, 06:41 AM

Dan,
Glad you are finally back and hope you sort out the medical issues as well as the mechanical ones. The reason some COBRA owners in California are 3xl
is unlike CLUB CRANKY that only talks about cooking we get down and do it!
NOTHING like washing down half a steer with a 1.75L bottle of RAKKI!

CobraDan · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2002, 06:20 AM

Jean lucked out with her broken arm no cast and she is feeling better each day. It will take 10-12 weeks to actually heal though. As far as the car goes it was mainly a new engine being pushed to hard in the summer heat of Ohio. Having a Cobra weekend without RAIN was great. Will I go back, Hell Yes! Bring on that DVSFIII. I think I will fly the wife up to meet me.

Dan

wilf leek · #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2002, 06:43 AM

Dan - it was good to meet you and your wife. My own wife commented on the fortitude of your good lady with her broken arm!
I told her that Cobra folks let pretty much nothing come between them and a good time involving the cars, but not to try breaking her leg to test the theory!
Hope the healing process goes well and swiftly, and look forward to seeing you both able-bodied next year.

CobraDan · #7 (**permalink**) 07-02-2002, 08:14 AM

Thanks Wilf and your wife,
I think I will put the wife in a wheel chair next time that way we will automatically be put to the front of the line. No I think it's her turn to push I will be in the wheelchair.

Dan & Jean

ToyCollector · #8 (**permalink**) 07-02-2002, 07:54 PM

Dan,

I suggest next year you plan the trip as though you are going to Wisconsin, with a 4 day layover in Ohio

Sorry to hear about the mishaps (hope Jean recovers as quick as possible), but sounds like you still have the right attitude.

Jamo · #9 (**permalink**) 07-02-2002, 08:16 PM

CobraDan
Hope the wifey's doing better.

Hey--good outlook for III--I mean, it can only get better--RIGHT? You're a good guy; you didn't give up. I think you need a Gashole hat.

Randy Gallagher · #10 (**permalink**) 07-02-2002, 08:26 PM

Hi Dan,
I am the one with the black cobra with the big block chevy and I enjoyed talking to you and the spal dual fans took care of the problem of running hot at idle. Sorry to hear about your bad weekend and hopefully next year it will be better.
Randy
By the way you can get the fans for $249 at rbsauto.com

Bill Wells · #11 (**permalink**) 07-02-2002, 08:33 PM

so, other than that Mrs Abe Lincoln, how did you like the play ? Bill (it can only get better next year)

CobraDan · #12 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 04:14 AM

Thanks guys for all the well whishes, and the wife is feeling much better as her daughter and the grand kids arrived from Ohio yesterday for their annual monthly visit. Randy I'm glad I met you and the wife. I knew that the Spal fans would do some good because when we were given the demo, I thought wings were going to pop out of the side of that Cobra and it was going to taxi down the road. You will have to plan better for next year so you can hang around for Sundays events at the lake, plus you would have seen my block for the quilt I made for Ginny which sold for $300. Jamo I'm glad I met the Gashole crowd, but the doctor said I can't gain any more weight

, so I won't be able to get a cap, plus ain't it bad enough that I'm on Bony's daily porn list.

I'm looking at 3 differant downloads as we speak. I'm retired and I don't have time for all this BS

Again if it wasn't for the people that own Cobras there would be no DVSF's. Thanks guys.
Dan & Jean