Sophie had her first "vacation" last week, and it was quite the experience. Every year, my family travels to the National Chrysler Products Club National Meet. I'm now the club chair. Dad is treasurer, Journal editor, and a lot of other things (Basically, he's Mr. NCPC). I introduced Joe to the fun in 2010 when we went to Sugarcreek, Ohio, and suckered... er, sweetly coerced... him into writing the National Meet recap and other stories for the Journal. Hey, I wrote 'em for years. People are sick of my blatherings. Besides, he's a better writer than I am. (Don't believe me? Check out his blog.)
Anyway, the Sunday before, we attended an anniversary celebration in Harrisburg. Since Joe had to go to work that day, Sophie and I went back to Chambersburg with my parents for the three days before we headed to Bird-in-Hand, Pa., for this year's National Meet.
As you may well guess, or know, traveling with an infant is an adventure unto itself. Petey was loaded down with a very large suitcase that held all of my clothes (and some of Sophie's) for the week, two diaper bags (one acting as another suitcase for Sophie, because you can never have too many clothes for an almost three-month-old), another bag full of "linens" (burp cloths, receiving blankets, etc.... things that, again, you can never have too many of), another bag of "extras" (like the baby sling, toys, etc.), her kick and play gym, her pack and play, and the stroller. And this was to go to my parents' house, where Mom stocks Dreft (which, despite all of the things I packed, came in handy), diapers, bathtime necessities, and the travel tub. I'm not sure all that stuff will fit in Petey if we go anywhere else. Dad's Durango was jammed full on the way to Bird-in-Hand.
Sophie's a mixed bag when it comes to traveling. She slept most of the way to Harrisburg, and apparently was pretty good on the way from Chambersburg to Bird-in-Hand (I rode in the Crossfire convertible with Andrea). But there's something about the reverse trip back to NEPA that usually has her fussing. Hmm....
The NCPC National Meet is a good, albeit busy, time. Being on the club board of directors means some extra responsibilities, but on the flip side, there are gorgeous cars to see and good friends to catch up with. Everyone was very excited to see Sophie for the first time.
It's also more than just a car show. People arrive a few days early and take part in driving tours. Friday, Dad, Joe and I did that, checking out the Ressler Family Home and Mascot Roller Mill with several other members. The home was left to a foundation by a brother and sister, last of their line, from the milling family. It is really a step back in time, as everything was left just as the siblings left it when they went to the nursing home in 1977 -- and really, it's not too far off from the 1800s, when it was built. Their father, apparently, was not into modern conveniences. Next door is the grist mill, also very well-preserved.
We then went to a member's home to see his private collection. When you say that he likes 1956 automobiles, you aren't kidding. He has one of almost every make and model from that year! They are in absolutely beautiful condition as well. Three of them were previous NCPC Best of Show winners, and a fourth won during Saturday's show. He's done most of the work himself. Seriously, these cars are gorgeous, probably better than the day they rolled off the showroom floor.
Friday evening brought about our traditional board meeting, general meeting and fun auction. Emphasis on the "fun" - you get your random assortment of old car parts, stacks of paperbacks, and the occasional odd item like a charcoal portrait of Gary Coleman. But it's not just goofy items - this year, we had an autographed first edition novel from a new member, some lovely hand-knit items, and a weekend getaway to the Poconos! Our auctioneer and his assistant kept things lively as well. We also kicked off a Chinese auction, a new addition this year. There were nine great gift baskets made up and chances were sold til the banquet Saturday. I didn't win, but my mom did. Jealous!
Saturday morning was showtime! I also serve as the event photographer, capturing each car as it enters the showfield, for our National Meet Journal issue. This is admittedly a bit stressful, as I have to make sure I catch every one and that their information is in order. This is why I have my "lovely assistant" Andrea, who takes their info slips before they get to me, and my "handsome assistant" Joe, who parks them correctly so all photos are (relatively) uniform. However, I get to see everyone as they come in! There were some really gorgeous cars this year, new and old. We have members with cars from the 1920s all the way through modern Challengers. It really is a great variety and this year was no exception. I think pretty much every decade was represented.
Later in the day, after the show, Joe and I took Sophie for her first swim in the hotel pool! I was inordinately excited about this. I taught swimming lessons as a teenager, and I think it's important to get kids comfortable around the water at a young age. I really wanted to take her to the outdoor pool, which had an incline entrance, but it was blazing out there. The indoor pool had steps, so I could stand her on the top one. And then I carried her around and paddled her feet. She seemed to like it!
That evening was the annual awards banquet. It's a banquet, nothing out of the ordinary, but time for good food and good friends. And trophies. :-) I also had the pleasure of recognizing the former NCPC chairwoman, who was in attendance. When I was 13 and went to my first NCPC National Meet, she was the chair, and I thought it was the coolest thing that a woman was chair of a car club. No girls I knew at the time were into cars. She was something of my inspiration, because here I am today, chair of the NCPC myself. I wonder if I will serve as similar inspiration to any young ladies in the club...
On Sunday, we traveled to nearby Lebanon to visit my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bob, who invited the rest of the Botchie clan there as well to meet Sophie! It was a fun afternoon. We used to all get together for almost every holiday, but now that we "kids" are grown up and have families of our own and have scattered about, we don't get to see each other as much. Several of my cousins were there too, and it was great to catch up. Facebook pictures just aren't the same. :-)
So how did Sophie fare with all the travel? Not too badly, I'd say. It helped to have Mom, Dad and Andrea around for extra help. (Side note: Grandpa has the magic mojo to settle Sophie.) She slept 10 hours solid in her pack and play at Mom and Dad's and eight hours the first night in the hotel, which is doubly amazing because she's been going through a phase where she likes to be held to sleep. She wasn't too fussy at Friday night's events but we did have to roll her around in the stroller during the banquet on Saturday. She did like shopping, though. :-) The car rides weren't too bad, with a minor exception on the last leg home. We'd been talking about flying to Florida later this fall to visit my family there, but now I'm not so sure. Moreso because of the amount of stuff we'd have to take. We could roadtrip, but even so, we don't have enough room in the car and I don't know how she'd hold up for 20 hours.
All in all, a good week. I wish it had been longer!
