To Be One With Gar, and Charles!

Yup! Thats Me!

I was walking down the hill and ran into fellow Hagerty Marine Hall Of Fame Inductee Charles Mistele, who pulled me aside and asked if I had ever had a ride on Miss America IX.. I had not, and to be honest even if I had I would have said I hadn’t. The ride is a once in a lifetime event, and it was about to happen, like winning the lottery. Yet better, cause money can’t buy this kinda stuff!

Peter Stephens  ACBS Executive Director telling me about his trip on Miss America IX..

All dressed up in a nice lifejacket

One does not get to feel the same raw power that made history often. Miss America IX is a living, running museum experience. Thanks to long time fellow Woody Boater Chris Bullen for capturing the moment – ish.. It all happened so fast, and I mean fast.

This photo cant blow up, sorry. Its a crop in from a wide shot. But whats cool is that you can see the heat and exhaust if you look closely! Dang!

The ride. The first thing that hits you is that the sound and feel is beyond a Megadeath concert. Your ears go numb. Ear plugs? Have you lost your mind? I want to ear everything, feel it and smell it.. The heat and full blast of 16 cylinders is a full dose of raw American power.

If you look closely I am holding on for dear life!

For the first time, took my iphone and put it into my pocket, I said to Charles, I am going to try and feel all of this..We put putted along and then Charles taps you on the leg and in 4 seconds we are off.. OFF! Great Jeehosifats OFF!

making the turn down the lake. By the way, that thing can turn fast! And that lake is a lot smaller in this boat!

Here’s what goes through your mind.. If I am going to die, this is the way. I will add, I was told we went airborn. I felt it, it was just for a mila second.. But ya knew it. That’s for sure.

We are eternally greatful to Charles for the experience. What a moment in time I will never forget.

Stay tuned for more photos from the big International Show, yesterday alone we shot over 2300 photos.. Yes 2,200 of them are out of focus and bad, but I shot the heck out of the show, and got some amazing stuff out on the water. Needless to say, it’s gonna be a fun week ahead on Woody Boater!

Thanks to Fellow Woody Boater Chris Bullen for taking the video! Here is Chris in his amazing beast!