Three Oaks, Michigan - Historic Featherbone Factory

Parked outside the Historic Featherbone Factory Store in Three Oaks Michigan.

Next weekend, the Village of Three Oaks will host the world's largest Flag Day celebration beginning on Friday and culminating with the parade Sunday afternoon featuring about 150 entrants. I sent my registration form last week to ensure my entry with the Clenet. A few days later I received an e-mail from the organizers asking if I'd consider being the lead car by driving the Grand Marshall.

Of course I'd consider, let's hope for clear skies!

Winter Drive

My last posting to the blog spoke of the last time either Mario or I drove the Clenet. It was sometime in early November before it was stored for the winter months. Last winter we had a break in the February weather that gave us a very warm weekend with daytime high temps pushing sixty degrees. Mario and I were eager and excited to take the car out for a spin.

Today, the 1st of March 2010, I had a crazy notion to take the car out for a drive. After a quick breakfast, I left my home in Three Oaks. While on the road, I phoned Mario to see if he was interested in joining me. He was twenty miles away showing homes to a client and seemed preoccupied to continue the phone conversation. I told him to call me when he became free.

I continued driving to his home in order to retrieve the keys and alarm code for the garage where the car has been stored. The idea of taking the car out for a spin was becoming more and more promising as I journeyed towards Mario's home. The streets were dry and clear - something I was hoping for! Mario's home is tucked away off the beaten path on a private dirt road that doesn't get much sun! The X-type (AWD) was having some trouble getting through the remaining slushy snow. I've never gotten stuck while driving the X-type today was no different. I was determined to get the keys and the alarm code!

The Clenet is stored less than a mile from Mario's home - luckily in a garage that's located in an area that has paved roads. After retrieving the keys and code, I made my way to the garage and was very happy to find all of the paved roads and streets clear and dry. Within minutes I had the garage opened and the alarm turned off. I pushed the car out of the garage, closed the overhead door and then locked up the home and garage. I jumped into the Clenet, pumped the gas about 10 times and turned the key. I knew the car would quickly fire and it did. I let the car warm a bit in the driveway as I checked the gauges and mirrors.

In less than a minute I was motoring along the Red Arrow Highway headed towards New Buffalo. It was wonderful driving our baby...with appropriate 70's disco and pop music accompanying me. I took the opportunity to fill the tank, check the appropriate fluids and clean the windows at a local filling station where an elderly couple approached me to compliment the car. I've turned a few heads along the way...most likely people wondering who's the eccentric driver motoring about the area in a Clenet.

The few hours behind the wheel of the Clenet did wonders to lift my spirits and I enjoyed every second!

We last drove our Clenet...

Mario and I last drove our Clenet in mid-November. The weather just prior to Thanksgiving was very cooperative, considering how cool and wet the Fall season turned out to be. The past week has brought Southwest Michigan a daily deluge of lake-effect snow that's amounted to about 20+ inches, with more expected. I want to drive our Clenet!!! With the rate of snowfall and the daytime high hovering in the low 20's, I'll most likely not get to drive the car 'til March or April.

Last winter was cold, however towards the end of February the snowfall had let up a bit giving us clear roads and streets. There were a few weekends where Mario and I were able to take the car out for a drive, snapping pics along the way.

Let's hope we have a few days where I can satisfy the need to drive the Clenet, even for a short drive around the Harbor Country area.

Sunday Drive in Harbor Country

Warm sunshine and clear skies on a beautiful Sunday morning means that one could drive their Clenet all over Harbor Country...so long they own one! I backed our Clenet out of the garage and drove to Bailey's where I would meet Ken for breakfast this morning. I scored rock-star parking out front and took a window seat and opened my laptop. The place was busy and had a lively atmosphere.

Ken arrived about twenty minutes later. I closed the computer, ordered breakfast and enjoyed a leisurely weekend breakfast. Afterwards, Ken left to open the Featherbone Factory Store and I drove towards Lakeside towards Mario's home. Just as I turned onto the dirt road he calls a "country lane," I noticed our '67 Fleetwood driving away from his home.

I followed the Caddy to the intersection to have Mario finally realize I was in the Clenet behind him. He was about to meet a client in nearby Union Pier. Knowing this particular client, I followed and enjoyed a quick conversation at Skip's farmers market.

The Caddy has been ignored since acquiring the Clenet and Mario was going to have fun with Priscilla today. We agreed to meet back at his home to spend time freshening the old gal. On my way back towards Lakeside, I stopped at Milda's deli and bakery in Union Pier. Milda was seated outside the establishment and immediately greeted the Clenet. Yes, I digress the car usually gets top billing!

We spoke for a bit, however I was a parched and desperately needed some libation! Milda asked if I'd wait for a few minutes to give her husband time to run over with his camera. Linus has been snapping pics of customers inside the store and at times, really cool cars outside! Today was Clenet Roadster's lucky day to be the local Union Pier celeb du jour.

I stuck around, offering to reposition the car for a few shots that showed the deli in the background. While posing for the pics we were greeted by a few of Milda's customers - some inquiring about the car. I am always eager to share the Clenet story and the history of #229. Needing to get on my way back to Mario's home, I departed and agreed to bring our '67 Fleetwood Brougham this fall season. With a blast of the airhorns, I sped away to spend several hours with Mario and Priscilla, Queen of the Prairie.

Warren Woods Road

I spent last week in Michigan as I usually do every mid-October, to enjoy the bright crisp mornings along with the vibrant fall colors that abound. Wednesday afternoon was one of those spectacular fall days and I knew that a drive down Warren Woods Road was in order.

I grabbed my camera and hopped into the Clenet. Here are some pics taken from inside and along side the car.

-Ron