Day 12 - Hand Family Reunion

Today was the Hand family reunion in Pleasanton. Arrived in Pleasanton to meet cousins, second cousins, and third cousins. First cousins Rex and Norman, we saw on Saturday, but today we got to see cousins Sharon and Barbara. We haven't seen Barbara in 10 years, but I hadn't seen Sharon since the mid-50s. Rex brought his 23 Model T Ford to the reunion, and it is in incredible shape. I had ridden in a Model T as a child, but had never driven one.
Before you know it, Rex was teaching me to drive this beautiful machine and it was a ball. Takes a lot of getting used to, especially when you have to stop - Make sure the left floor pedal is mid way down, and press the right brake pedal at least a half block before you really have to stop. Brakes are only 1-inch wide and are mechanical brakes on the rear wheels only. To take off, advance the gas lever on the steering column and press the left pedal to the floor. Push the handle beside your left leg fully forward when you start moving forward , let off the gas, and let the left pedal come all the way back to shift into high gear, and away you go. When I shifted into high gear, the poor old car bucked and jumped, gears shuddered and groaned, and I asked Rex if that was normal or if if was me. "No." he said, "It's you."

We had it out on the highway and managed to get up to about 40 mph, and what a kick to think this was advanced technology in 1923. Also took it through a pasture behind Norman's home and Rex said this was the way the roads would have been in 1923. When we got back, Rex got Sheila out of the house, and off the two of us went for a ride. That was really a thrill, and I was so glad I could drive that thing and take her for a ride.
These are Betty and Rex, me and Sheila, Norman, June in the lower left, Barbara, and her sister Sharon. Missing in this generation of cousins were Mike and Patty. Seeing everyone and their children was so nice and we had such a great time. We all wonder why it is so long between us seeing each other and are looking forward to the next time we get together. Meeting in Pleasanton is always fun with Norman and Rex and their families. These two guys also have nice toys to play with (air boat and the Model T - They have other toys too).
This is Rex and Norman in Norman's kitchen on Saturday night trying to figure out how they're going to get me to take the Vette down to run in the mud races. (Note Rex's pony tail.) This subject was brought up several times during the course of the evening. They figured the least I could do is drive it down to the pit area to take a couple of pictures with the trucks covered in mud. They didn't talk me into it. K