Reflecting on this past weekend’s family activities offers insight into the priority the Ford hobby plays in my life and the life’s of my family members during “these economic times.”
Sunday is a special day in our household. It is the one day each week the entire family (all four of us) are together from sunrise to sundown. The day usually offers some special outdoor activity for my boys who are just 1 and 3 years old. Like most American families, we are especially cost-conscious right now but are reluctant to hunker down in the house every weekend just to save money.
From September 18 - 20 the local Air Races were in full swing here in Reno, NV. The Air Races bring the musclecars of the aviation world to our hometown, the P51 Mustangs. The Blue Angels were also invited this year to show off their skills. This would be a perfect event to show my boys so we decided to go until we realized it was $27.00 per adult for entry and bringing your own food was prohibited. As a father, I did the quick math and multiplied by 1.25 to account for hidden costs.
Considering the show, the price was fair. Afterall, these are some very special planes that take big dollars to operate and maintain. However, there had to be a better option. We hopped in the Ford Freestyle and drove to an obscure off-road spot in the desert hills outside the airport. Surprisingly, there were at least 30 other cars spread respectfully across the desert landscape with the same idea… to watch the warbirds within the negative space on the perimeter of the airport, free of charge. It was awesome. Right overhead and loud! To top off the savings, we skipped the usual pre-made Deli sandwiches and worked with the ham, cheese, and sliced bread we already had in the house. Total savings for the day was easily $100 and the entertainment was spectacular.
To make the day complete, we went home and put the kids to sleep. Shortly after, I put one cold Blue Moon in my toolbag (yes, one!) and rolled down to Pick N’ Pull. Found a good ‘86 Turbo Coupe in the back of the nearly empty yard, popped the top and pulled some gems. Total cost… $30. It was a great day… even in “these economic times.”
its funny - wrecking yards in Australia have traditionally been places where you rarely get to go `out the back’ - you waited at the counter, paid extra for some guy to remove the part, and had no choice between which car gave up the part… in the last few years, U-Pull-it yards have arisen which are like you say - you go in with your own tools, and get to check out a whole row of cars to get the least worn parts..my only gripe with my local yard is that the owner is also into late 60’s-early 70’s falcons - so any that come in are stockpiled in the private yard next door…Its a good thing that lots of parts interchangeability exists between my 73 Falcon Coupe (think Road Warrior/Mad Max) and later model falcons (and if that concept does your head in, remember we still make falcons right up to the current model, fitted with 400 hp turbo 6’s and 5.4 V8’s…
By Anonymous. September 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 pmIt’s sad that so many “pull it yourself” yards are gone. I can remember when all the local yards at home would let you wander with your tools (aka the old days). Now, forget it. I’m glad some of you guys still have places like that around.
By Anonymous. September 22nd, 2009 at 6:30 pmSounds like a great day to me. I have never been to the air races but if their fast and loud I would enjoy it. Lets hope there are Pick n Pulls around to take your kids along to when they are old enough. Me and my son have spent time together at Harry’s U-Pull-It searhing for parts. Good times I will never forget.
By Anonymous. September 22nd, 2009 at 5:52 pmI loved this story. As long as there are “open spaces” left in the world, everyone should have this kind of fun. Let the ones who want to hear commentary and sit in bleachers pay the price of admission. As for “no bringing your own food” don’t even get me started. That is exactly why I don’t do NASCAR or alot of other sanctioned events as far as that goes. Good for you. Good Dad.
By Anonymous. September 22nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm