Ralph bought an old Packard from a car junk yard in Caldwell, ID. So he called me and asked me if I would drive it from Caldwell to my house in Boise. Seems he could save some cash to ship it from Boise instead of from Caldwell.

So, in an experience I will NEVER EVER forget and will cherish forever, I drove that Packard on the back roads from Caldwell to our house. Took about an hour plus because the fastest I could get it to go was 35mph. Plus it kept running so low on gas, so I would drive while Sarah would fill up a 5 gallon gas can and meet me beside the side of the road. I'd pull over, gas up, and off I'd go again while she would take off to the next gas station.

I had to call my folks to learn how you shift a car where the stick is up by the steering wheel. You have to shift like it's an H, with reverse being in the fourth spot.

I stopped traffic the entire trip! People along the side of the road stopped what they were doing to look, point and gasp! "Dude! Nice car!!" "Hey man, like your car!" and my favorite "You look like you're in The Godfather! Who are you going to off?!?"

We got to about a quarter mile from the house and it stopped running. After trying for about 30 minutes, I pulled out the tow rope and towed it home. After driving that Packard, I got into my Honda and drove to the house to get the rest of what I needed for towing. That Honda felt like it could drive itself!! If today's cars were that hard to drive, there would be no texting and driving! There's NO POSSIBLE WAY! I was EXHAUSTED when we got home!!

Ralph always apologized whenever I brought up this story. He sent me a couple of pages of $1 Nevada chips. They were all in perfect condition and all, somehow, were chips I didn't have! I always told Ralph there was no need to apologize. My wife and I had one of the most precious experiences we've ever been honored to have. We have chosen to try to have experiences over memorabilia (I say this while I collect chips!). We have maxed out a couple of credit cards so we could see Paul McCartney in concert. Went and saw The Police because we both knew this was NEVER happening again!! And driving a beautiful old car 25ish miles is likely something I may never have ever experienced had it not been for Hot Rod.

Rest in peace, Mr. Myers.