A Z4 Ride to Virginville and the Scariest Place Ever

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by TheBroker

Virginville doesn't sound like a scary place... sounds FANTASTIC!!!!

Broker,

Virginville wasn't scary at all. (Well, maybe the gal with the Harley…) I never found out how the town came to have that name, incidentally. But a local resident said they've stopped trying to have Virginville signs as you enter town. The moment they're put up, someone steals them for souvenirs!

It was the Pennhurst Asylum that was scary.

Rick F.

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by tbalutis

Rick,
While you are researching the Duryea Hill Climb, check out the Giants Despair Hillclimb that is nearby in Wilkes-Barre. Lots of history there. Also Brynfan Tydden, which is another story. You will find references in Burt Levy's book, The Last Open Road.

Tom

Tom,

I enjoyed reading The Last Open Road some years ago--it was a lot of fun. (Burt Levy and I knew each other a bit from our SCCA racing days.)

Thanks for the tip regarding Giants Despair and Brynfan Tydden. I'll look for them, too, on my next trip up that way.

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by bucko521

Another wonderful trail you have lead us on....thanks for the stories and photo's.

bucko,

Thanks! It's just amazing what all is out there. And it's fun learning the history behind the places I run across. Who would have thought that there are three almost identical "Rudolph Valentino Isotta-Fraschini" one-off specials out there? Or that the U.S. had one of the best custom coachworks in the business? I've been a car guy all my life, and I hadn't known anything about Fleetwood.

Now if I could just do something about my 60+ hour day job, I'd be able to go exploring more often!

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Wow, what a journey - I felt I was with you on it! Thanks.

Kevin,

Hey, I'm really glad you enjoyed the write-up--thanks for the feedback.

Rick

PS: One can never have too many kids' cars!

[plasar]

Rick - you rok!!!

Awesome thread as always. I share this with a friend in South Africa who is keen on pictures of scenic Americana. Also, I am moving to Frankfurt next Feb 2012, and I plan on picking up a E85 Z4. You inspired me to consider taking a few pics on my treks around and to share them here.

Look forward to your next post!

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by plasar

Rick - you rok!!!

Awesome thread as always. I share this with a friend in South Africa who is keen on pictures of scenic Americana. Also, I am moving to Frankfurt next Feb 2012, and I plan on picking up a E85 Z4. You inspired me to consider taking a few pics on my treks around and to share them here.

Look forward to your next post!

plasar,

Thanks! Your move to Frankfurt sounds exciting. As many old, historic things as there are in this part of the U.S., Germany and the rest of Europe have a vastly greater number--and they're often 10 times older!

You should definitely share some photos of the interesting things you run across. And enjoy that Z4 on the Autobahn!

Rick F.