On the drive back from San Diego, our long-term 2009 Dodge Viper and I stopped in San Clemente to refuel. Some Marines from Camp Pendleton were holding up signs for a car wash fundraiser down the street. I looked down at the Viper. It was due for a wash. Also, if the Viper was a person, I'm pretty sure it would love America and want to support the Marines. We pulled into the car wash.
Immediately, I knew the Viper was in the right hands. The men sprayed it down and then went at it with clean, soapy shammies. They sprayed it down again and lovingly dried it with cotton towels. Turns out the Marines are raising funds for an annual end-of-the-year ball, but it has been moved to September, because the unit is shipping to Afghanistan in October.
Back to the Dodge Viper: This thing is really an enigma among sports cars. It may be out of production, but the mystique continues and people want to be near it. One of the Marines asked if we could go for a "hot lap" down the freeway. I said sure, and within seconds, he was buckled into the passenger seat and waiting. He had no idea who I was. I could have been anyone. Most importantly, I could have been a terrible driver. But he didn't care and off we went. I got him back in one piece.
It's always neat to be around people who dig on the car you're driving.
After I left the Marines, I did the Viper a favor and paid $4.75 to take the Highway 73 tollroad north through Orange County. With few exceptions, the 73 is baby-butt-racetrack-smooth and in the middle of a weekday, it's light on traffic.
There was room to open the throttle, let the 8.4-liter V10 wind out a bit, upshift with some authority via the industrial-grade shifter and clutch. If you can't make it to a racetrack, this is a pretty good public road for a Viper. The chassis is perfectly at ease here, and the road stretches out before you -- all rolling hills and gentle sweeping turns. It's only 15 miles long, though, and in a Viper, those go by pretty quickly.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 15,530 miles
bodyblue says:
05:01 AM, 08/28/10
Thank you Erin, for supporting those guys. I got a bit emotional when I read your entry. I come from a military family and have a nephew serving in Afganistan right now. I work with three Marines at work and we just finished a CARE package drive for the troops. If you guys at your office want to participate just let me know and I will send you a list of needed items and such. You cant believe how happy it makes those guys and gals to get stuff from home.
audisport says:
06:15 AM, 08/28/10
Yes, thanks for supporting our hard working troops. They don't get the credit they deserve and things easily get put into perspective when you think about them among others leaving their families soon to ship to Afghanistan.
sideswiper says:
07:43 AM, 08/28/10
Note regarding the 73: Watch for cops at the bottom of the hill going NB, just after Laguna Beach.
roar02ram says:
08:07 AM, 08/28/10
AWESOME story, Erin!
zcalvert says:
09:45 AM, 08/28/10
Good for you. In a thousand years, I'd never let any of the high school sports teams or frat/sorority people touch my car; but this I would definitely stop for. Hope the guy enjoyed his ride.
church123 says:
12:43 PM, 08/28/10
+1 on zcalvert's post. Good job Erin.
From a long suffering Navy Brat...:-)
zoomzoom22 says:
01:00 PM, 08/28/10
I count 14 Marines who now have a crush on you, Erin. Girl + Viper = marriage potential.
Seriously though, awesome story. +1 on what what zcalvert said.
hybris says:
06:08 PM, 08/28/10
+1 zcalvert
onramp says:
06:18 PM, 08/28/10
Wow, Erin, you did a really good thing!
eriches says:
10:31 PM, 08/29/10
@ bodyblue: Sure, send over a list, and I'll see what I can do over here. If you're on Facebook, that might be an easy way to do it. I'm easy to find... just "Erin Riches".
bodyblue says:
05:18 AM, 08/30/10
OK! I will get a Male list together and a Female list together along with instructions and get it too you in the next couple of days! Thanks!
mrryte says:
06:39 AM, 08/30/10
"It's always neat to be around people who dig on the car you're driving."
Or the hot chick driving it..... ;-)
Personally I'd have driven up to them; asked them how much they want for a wash; given them TWICE the requested amount and continued on without them washing my car to show my support of these honorable men.
As for the Marines; may God protect them as they protect us.
bigmik1021 says:
08:38 AM, 08/30/10
Excellent article, go America!
bodyblue says:
09:13 AM, 08/30/10
Here is a good list for anybody that wants to help our great guys and gals overseas.
Baby Wipes - packets are better than tubs. Much better than baby wipes, per se, are the "Hoo Ahhs" brand of pre-moistened, alcohol-free, unscented Field Towels
Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
Energy Bars (Power Bar, etc. - Unless a specific brand is requested, much better than standard civilian energy bars are the "HOOAH!" brand energy bar based on the U.S. military's own specially formulated bar that better meets the soliers' needs)
Hot Sauce (Tabasco, Red Devil, etc.) - wrap glass bottle in duct tape and place in doubled zip-lock bags
Sunflower seeds
Peanuts
Seasoning Salt (Lawry's, etc.)
Atomic Fireballs / Jolly Rancher hard candy (for service member use)
Smarties or SweetTart candies (for local children who prefer sour style candy to build relationships with community)
Powdered Energy/Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix (Gatorade, etc.)
Chewing Gum
Avon Skin So Soft - great for removing face paint and also reputed to be an effective bug repellant (the latter seems variable based on personal experience and reports)
AA-cell Alkaline Batteries
Personal Hygiene Gear: Disposable Razors, Toothbrush and Tooth Paste
Eye Wash / Drops (Visine, etc.) for flushing dust and sand out of the eyes
Zip-Lock style Plastic Storage Bags - assorted sizes, heavier freezer style are better
Copenhagen Snuff in a tin ("Even if the service member doesn't dip snuff, they will be a hero and have more power than the Commanding Officer if they have a 'log' (10 cans) of 'Hagen.' A large percentage of infantry use this stuff and it is hard to get. The stuff they do get comes in a plastic can and tastes terrible. The 'Stateside Hagen' is the most powerful bargaining tool in a field environment!")
Pre-paid Phone Card so service member can call home
cello_one says:
01:43 PM, 08/30/10
bodyblue great list! I used a simpler 10 piece list that I sent to friends while they were in Iraq. I would think IL would be inundated by requests to wash their cars for charity given the fact you wash every one of them on Monday. Hell, just set up right outside the garage there....