Boston to Amelia Island with the Hagerty Touring Series
Packing for a months-long stay is quite the challenge – a lot of putting things in, then taking them right back out. My luggage had to fit in the trunk of a Porsche 914 alongside David Geisinger's belongings. I arrived at Dave's house in Boston around 5 pm so we could hit the road to New York and beat the snowstorm that was forecasted. Peter and Tara arrived in Pete's meticulously worked-on Porsche 911, which even had Alexa built-in, a cool feature.
It was March 1st, freezing outside, and we were in a 914 with no heat, with cold air inexplicably blasting through the footwells. I had to resort to stuffing my sweatpants into the vented areas just to try to get some feeling back into my toes. At a stop at Cracker Barrel for dinner, I couldn't resist buying a Whoopee Cushion, knowing I was going to get Dave at some point during our trip. It was a $2 investment that promised amusement!
The next morning, we woke up to find the ground covered in snow. I hurried outside to snap some photos of the three Porsches. Our friend Mez joined us in his own Porsche, and we all headed to the NB Center for American Automotive Heritage in Allentown, Pennsylvania. At one point, I switched cars to get some shots of Dave's car, and the heat nearly singed my finger off. I couldn't resist taking a video of how warm and cozy the other car was and teasingly rubbed it in Dave's face. It gave us all a good laugh.
As we approached our final destination, we encountered other cars that were also attending the rally. One of the standouts was a Marcos GT, which is famously made of wood! Upon arriving at a beautiful stone barn, I was warmly greeted by Dave Hord and Tabetha Hammer who handed me my packet and had me sign a few things. Among the attendees, I was delighted to see my good friend Nick Williams from Jacksonville, Florida, who now works for the Historic Vehicle Association as their Digital & Social Media Strategist. Nick and I collaborated on photography for the Amelia Island Concours last year, and this year he was capturing moments for the HVA. It was wonderful to witness his career growth and life choices in action.
Nick took me up to the photo studio that Michael Furman had designed for Nicola Bulgari, the owner of the center. The studio was impressive, with a massive infinity wall looming above, and a Tucker 48 Tin Goose prototype sitting on a turntable at the center. This wasn’t just any Tucker; it was the famous 1947 Tucker 48 Tin Goose prototype. Nick Williams generously allowed me to take a few pictures with their professional camera and lighting setup to get a feel for shooting in such a studio environment. It was a different experience, highlighting the elegance and beauty of the car in a controlled setting. While it was fun, I still prefer shooting outdoors where I can capture a range of emotions and contexts. Michael Furman’s work, however, truly showcases the grace and allure of classic automobiles.
We returned to mingling with some of the fellow participants we would be spending the next couple of days with touring the roads to Florida. During the event, they treated us to dinner and a movie experience, complete with a drive-in theater set up with the back windows of the barn opened. We collectively chose to watch the iconic chase scene from the movie "Bullitt," which is simply epic and a classic automotive film moment.
After the movie, we all headed off to top off our gas tanks – the moment I had been waiting for had finally arrived! As Dave was filling up the car, I was waiting anxiously inside for him to get back in. He dropped into his seat and plplplplplffffftttt. The Whoopee Cushion strikes again! I had a big smile from ear to ear, but I’m not sure Dave did, haha.
Sunday, March 3rd was our first day on the road with everyone, and it got off to a slow start as I messed up the directions right off the bat. I had just finished telling Dave how good I am at reading a map from when Joe and I did the Bugatti tour. Despite the chilly weather, I managed to capture some great photographs of the cars from inside our car. However, I noticed that the curvature of the windshield on the Porsches blurred every image and made them hazy. Nevertheless, looking back out at Andrew Male in his Alpina B10 with the flurries and curvy road through the woods was perfect!
Our following stop led us to lunch at the Guide House Grill in Knoxville, Maryland. Taking a seat at the bar, I struck up a conversation with Jeannie, the bartender, and a gentleman named Stephen Skinner. They were both delightful, kind individuals. Our discussion veered towards Oshkosh EAA Airventure, given Stephen's background as a pilot. Engaging with new people and sharing experiences is one of the highlights of my travels.
We proceeded on to Tom O’Brian’s garage, where we encountered an impressive collection of Corvettes! Among them was a C2 Corvette Grand Sport parts car, as well as the very first drag car to achieve a 10-second quarter mile. Later that evening, we made a stop at Heritage Brewing in Manassas, Virginia, enjoying a couple of beers along with some delicious pork sandwiches. As I drifted off to sleep, my mind buzzed with anticipation for the thrilling adventures awaiting us the next day.
Down on Sam Snead Highway sits the expansive Omni Homestead Resort, our destination for lunch. Throughout this entire journey, my camera was practically an extension of my arm. I was determined to document every moment for Dave, who had invited me along, and to showcase my work to Hagerty, potentially solidifying myself as a valuable asset. So, every shot I took, every bit of exploration, was driven by passion and the desire to grow my business.
During the lunch break, while everyone was enjoying their meal, I couldn't resist the urge to wander and capture the essence of this magnificent place. I darted around the entire building, unknowingly finding myself on a rooftop at one point. I stumbled upon a dark movie theater and, after fumbling for the light switch, was instantly transported back in time. The atmosphere was eerie yet captivating, a surreal experience amidst the grandeur of the resort.
There was a particularly bone-chilling night when we made a stop at the Old Cranks Museum in Galax, Virginia. Despite the biting cold, I found myself outside, consumed by the task of capturing light paintings of the cars we were traveling with. While my companions were inside, enjoying their meal, I was driven to be outside, pursuing the shots I envisioned.
To me, it's about seizing every moment to its fullest. I could have easily been indoors, warm and sated, but the pull to create something memorable was stronger. This is one of the aspects of photography that resonates with me the most—being able to transform a moment into a lasting memory through creative expression.
On a Tuesday during our trip, we found ourselves on some of the most breathtaking roads of the entire journey. Twisting and turning along these picturesque mountain roads in a Sunbeam Tiger with the top down was like a dream realized. Brad Philips had just finished putting this car together the night before the event, adding an extra layer of excitement.
This experience turned out to be my favorite part of the trip—embracing the madness of the blistering cold while using a convertible as a camera car. It was a wild and exhilarating adventure that I won't soon forget.
Whenever I saw a chance for a great shot, I would encourage people to position their cars just right. One memorable stop was on a mountain in Little Switzerland, Virginia, where we paused to grab a bite at the Big Lynn Lodge. It was there that I had the pleasure of meeting Larry Webster, the editor for Hagerty Magazine.
For anyone who hasn't subscribed yet, it's an absolute must-have. The magazine's imagery and stories are exactly what I look for in a publication. Meeting Larry was a highlight, as it reinforced my admiration for the quality of work that Hagerty produces.
The scenic vistas surrounding Maggie Valley, North Carolina, where Brad Philips spent much of his childhood, were breathtaking. Not far down the road, we discovered a gem called Wheels Through Time—an American motorcycle museum that is simply incredible!
Inside this expansive warehouse, a staggering array of functioning vintage American motorcycles awaited us. They were artfully displayed in life-size dioramas, creating captivating scenes at every turn. This made photographing an absolute joy, as there were endless angles and compositions to explore.
On March 6th, I found myself back in the 914 with Dave when we stumbled upon a picturesque waterfall along the roadside. An idea sparked in my mind—I asked Dave to continue while I found another ride after capturing a few photos. Just then, a luxurious Rolls Royce turned the corner.
I quickly hopped into the back of Mike's Rolls and settled in to edit some photos. It was a surreal experience! Soon after, we came across another waterfall, and I was determined to make this shot truly epic. Constantly striving to make my pictures stand out, I reminded myself of the answer: Work for it!
One of the standout places we visited was the Chattooga Belle Farm. As we arrived, a helicopter sat peacefully in a nearby field, and in the distance, some cows grazed. Despite the temptation to linger and socialize, I reminded myself that in my line of work, the photos do the talking. Creating powerful memories through my photography ensures lasting support.
Although Dave didn’t venture the quarter-mile out into the vineyard to get up close to the cows, he did catch sight of them in the distance. It became my mission to capture these scenes uniquely, setting the tone for our experience and showcasing a different perspective.
Later that evening, we had the privilege of listening to Ed Bolian recount his adventures in setting the Cannonball Record of 28 hours and 50 minutes. He emphasized how this feat is an incredibly challenging task that requires the right equipment, strategic planning, and immense intelligence.
To achieve such a record-breaking time, one must carefully consider the optimal times for travel, conduct extensive research, and possess a deep understanding of the task at hand. Ed's story highlighted the incredible dedication and preparation needed to succeed in such a daunting endeavor.
On March 7th, we found ourselves on the final stretch to Amelia in Eatonton, Georgia. The weather had finally become tolerable, likely hovering around the high 50s. During the journey, I reached out to Guy Smith to inquire about sharing some photos from the tour for the upcoming movie night upon our arrival.
It was a wonderful experience to share not only my favorite photos but also some of the amusing moments we had all experienced together. The 'Amelia or Bust' tour had been truly phenomenal, filled with adventure and camaraderie. If I have the opportunity to join again next year, I look forward to once more immersing myself in life through the lens of my viewfinder.