Heyo again everyone! I know it has only been a couple days since my last blog post, but today is a very big day.
One year ago today, my parents and I started the journey to New Brunswick, Canada to retrieve who we all refer to as BabyLou. I remember the day like it was yesterday. So, for those of you have not yet heard the story or for those who would care to relive it, I’m going to share the journey I took to go get her, and the adventure that we have had together since then.
Thursday July 13, 2018 7:30am
Usually I am not one to wake up early, but I could not sleep this day. I kept waking up every hour looking at the clock. In just two short hours, my parents and I would be leaving for New Brunswick, Canada to go get my new classic car. I could hardly believe that this day had come. Shawn and I had talked for the past few weeks, and before long what started as a mere transaction became a friendship. I was looking forward to meeting him in person as much as I was looking forward to seeing the car in person.
As Shawn and I talked the weeks leading up to this day, we discovered that we had met in passing two years ago at MINIs on Top 2015. I purchased a duck whistle from his wife who was selling them for a charity. I did not think anything of it at the time. As we got to know each other some more it was clear that this situation did not happen by chance, we had a lot in common. We both decided that it was meant to be, I was meant to pick up Louisa, formerly known as “BabyBlue.”
The drive up was no joke. We left the house at around 9:30am. It would take us around 12 hours to reach our destination. 511 miles to pick up the precious cargo who was awaiting its new owner. We stopped several times along the way, for gas, food, and just some breaks in general. We stopped for dinner around 7:00pm, but still had about two and half more hours to go. I messaged Shawn who told me not to worry, that we would get there when we did.
I remember that feeling at dinner. So close to that moment that I could taste it. Louisa was within arms reach…
11:00pm
When we pulled up to his house, Louisa was parked out in the driveway.
Wow. Words could not describe how excited I was to be here and to be seeing this car in person. I chatted with Shawn and his wife Angie for a little while as my parents were turning the Uhaul around on the street to make our departure easier. A beautiful car, truly. It was a cold night and her windows were beginning to fog up. She was not used to being out in the cold weather.
Loading her up on the Uhaul proved to be a daunting task. The wheel base barely fit on it. My excitement was dwindling for a few moments as I thought we might have driven all the way up here just to not be able to get her on the trailer to go home…
Of course, we did it though and just was up and on and ready to make the journey back home.. Before we left though we got a visit from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I guess there had been a few calls that came in with concerns about a potential robbery. The police were all very nice about it once they were reassured there was no robbery going on. They were then very interested in the car and asked some more questions. They told us good luck getting it back home and went on their way.
I said my goodbyes to Shawn, and promised I would take good care of Louisa. I had the duck whistle I bought from them in my pocket and placed it on her little dash before we took off again.
510 miles back, 9 long hours later, we arrived back home around 9:30am the following morning. Unloading Louisa back off of the trailer was also a very daunting task. There were a few guys on our street who were taking a break from mowing the lawn across the street from my nana’s house. One of them was nice enough to come over and lend us a hand. He back the uhaul down the driveway, and helped us unload my precious cargo.
Here is first photo I ever took of Louisa, safe and sound in my nana’s garage after a long journey back home.
I was so tired.. I had barely slept in the last 24 hours. I went home, took a shower and got into bed. I still couldn’t sleep though. What just happened? Was this real? Am I dreaming? I took a nap for a few hours. But as I’ve said before. There is no rest for the weary. I had organized a Pipe Dream Brewing get together for MINIs of New Hampshire that evening. All of my friends in multiple groups was going to be there, and there was no way I was going to miss that…
Friday July 14th 5:30pm
On my way to Pipe Dream!
I got there kind of late because I napped longer than I wanted to. When I walked in, everyone asked me what the hell I was doing there and why I wasn’t asleep. But for those of you who know me well, you know how I am. I couldn’t have NOT gone to the event I had put together…
I recounted my journey to my friends, had some food, and then promptly when home when it was all over. My journey was over, but the fun was just getting started…
Since that day, Louisa “BabyLou,” and I have gone on some amazing adventures and met so many people. It was truly an experience getting to know this little car, and adjusting to all of attention it was going to bring. Car shows, cruise night, dinner get togethers, ice cream runs and more. I hope that we have many more years together and make many more new friends and memories. Below are photos from our year together, and just a glimpse into the world of being a car girl.
Duck whistle I was referring to earlier
Louis and LuLu meeting for the first time
Some of the first photos I took of her.
Her first Cars and Coffee! #snhcarsandcoffee
Her first GTG with MoNH!
Her second GTG!
#snhcarsandcoffee again!
Seacoast Cars and Coffee!
Kiwanis Car Club show in Concord, NH 2017
#seacoastcarsandcoffee
MINIs of Boston GTG
A few photos from Cruise Downtown in Manchester, NH 2017
Her little award for being a car show favorite at Cruise Downtown, and her first one of many!
More Cruise Downtown
More Kiwanis Car Club show, and her second award! 2nd place in the british class
#snhcarsandcoffee
#snhcarsandcoffee
#snhcarsandcoffee
#seacoastcarsandcoffee
More Cruising Downtown, and theres me in the background! And yes, I did match on purpose
SNHU Gearheads club show
#snhcarsandcoffee #madcowphotography
#snhcarsandcoffee #madcowphotography
#snhcarsandcoffee #madcowphotography
SNHU Gearheads Club show
Her first drive after a long winter! #2018
Took her for a spin to school!
#snhcarsand coffee
Breakfast after #snhcarsandcoffee with the knights 🙂
A few photos of a quick spin around Masabesic lake!
Photoshoot!
Tiffany and Co. key that matches so perfectly.
Candia First Stoppe weekly cruise night
#snhcrsandcoffee heading to breakfast again!
MA Illest I believe? I was one of only 3 classics there..
More Candia Cruise night
My PERFECT picnic basket from my friend Jonny!
Hey look, our first photo together!
Pusheen!!
Manchester Firing Line Cruise Night
#snhcarsandcoffee
Manchester Firing Line Cruise night
Louisa made a little friend at Candia First Stoppe cruise night!
Still at candia! Different show this time
Giving her a little bath
Rotary Show in June in Goffstown, NH!
And she got second in her class again! 😀
#seacoastcarsandcoffee
#seacoastcarsandcoffee
More Candia Cruise night!
Louisa getting cleaned up at Carson’s shop #DetailNewEngland
Her very first photo at the White Mountains for MINIs on Top
Duck Displays!
MINIs on Top at Loon Mountain
Ghost the duck
Photo on the Kanc courtesy of EZ RIder Pics!
Castle in the Clouds Car show just last weekend!
British Car Squad
#seacoastcarsandcoffee Louisa was front and center
She made another classic friend!
Louisa wants to come to The Friendly Toast too!
Colt and MINI
This past year has been crazy. And it would not have been as much fun without all of the amazing people that I have met along the way. I am so thankful I was able to make this happen. It was a long journey to get her and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Thanks Louisa for a year of great adventures, I can’t wait to see where this next year will take us!
Until next time. Motor On.
Adventures of a Car Girl 
Very emotional. I think all first ones leave an remarkable memory and attachment in our lives. My very first car Honda had the same impact on me. I still miss it a lot. Good luck with your cute companion for many more years to come.
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