[NefCanuck]

Got home today around 5:30 or so but I've been busy with a few things.

This will be a sort of pictoral travel log.

I started out in Gananoque, ON because of a presentation I had to give. This turned out to be a good thing as the trip in was a straight run down I-81 which I started at 3pm Thursday.

My first "moment" comes at the border as the US agent seems overly suspicious of my reason for entering the US and my license plate so I get directed to "The Line" As luck would have it however, the line is long and the second border agent sees my disabled parking permit and waves me through, delay averted.

Here I have to post an op-ed comment. I was treated in the US both in NYS and PA with dignity, respect and every courtesy extended to me as I needed it in any public or private establishment I visited. It may simply be they were adhering to both the letter and the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act but hell I'll take it

My first stop on I-81 was a rather well appointed "rest stop" (no gas in most of these locations due to US Fed Law I was told)



Along the way I needed a fill up and discovered a quirk that would dog me the rest of the trip. No gas station in the US is willing to sell you gas without you paying in advance and since I had no clue about how many gallons a fill up would be at any given time I ended up having to credit card my gas purchases (which would turn out to be a good thing for later on)

I arrived in Carlisle around 10:30pm and immediately checked into my room and went searching for food. Another quirk, after 10pm most fast food joints do drive through only most annoying

Next day found myself awake at 7AM and since I woke up so early I went and found a coin op car wash on the way to the fairgrounds (thanks to my Garmin 855 I was able to do it all hands free too )

So I arrive on the fairgrounds and make my way to the spot designated for Fusions, take a look what they stuck us on



That camera angle only hints at the climb all weekend. I sure got my exercise, that's for sure

Here's a shot of the car by itself with the "Fusionator" plates:



Now I hadn't planned to spend any money at the show for car stuff but while walking Manufacturer's Alley Friday we came across Red Line Tuning offering a show special on the install of hood struts at the show and well:

Installer working on the Milan parked beside me:



The car with the struts installed:



Now no longer will I risk getting smacked by the car hood with that stoopid hood prop.

and then a bit of luck falls into my lap on Saturday...

Turns out the Milan beside me was going to have his tail lights redone with a fresh piece of Lamin-X but decided at the last minute to back out. However he already had made arrangements to have another Fusion owner who is a tint installer by trade, install it. So he offers me a deal to take the Lamin-X off his hands and have it installed on my car for $35USD. Of course I jumped on that



and there was even enough left over to do the side markers:



Saturday's other highlight was the burnout competition. Who knew breathing in toxic rubber smoke could be so much fun:



Sunday was awards day and despite what turned out to be some vote swapping by two bone stock Fusions (who didn't even have the guts to stick around for the parade lap for the awards presentation) I placed third in my class. Here's a shot of the award presentation during the parade lap:



Lots of interesting Fords to see, shame I packed the battery charger and forgot I had otherwise I would have gotten more than I did that I've posted to my Photobucket album here:

Carlisle 2010 report & pics

I want to back next year now and embarrass those two stocker fools

NefCanuck