As I told you last month, my spring journey in the LeMans was less than satisfying. Rather than have the 2021 travel season end on that sour note, I had the remaining mechanical issues fixed so I could enjoy an autumn road trip similar to those from the glory years of Pontiac travel, when I would roam leisurely under the big sky along the prairie roads of South Dakota—roads traveled lightly enough that I had them pretty much all to myself.
Clear skies prevailed during my visit; cool mornings, sunny afternoons and cool evenings. I spent a lot of time behind the wheel while rolling toward no particular destination…waving to farmers working the fields, waving to livestock, stopping for quiet walks down dead-end country roads, photographing abandoned buildings, enjoying beautiful sunrises, sunsets and twilight skies, watching the Moon, driving at night under the stars and, of course, listening to plenty of great road music.
This month’s road trip succeeded in washing away the bad taste from that May misadventure. And the Pontiac performed perfectly on this journey. Mind you, I kept my promise and stayed on well-maintained farm roads this time around; there was no camping involved, and no travel on rocky 4×4 wilderness trails. I confidently declare that my days of tent camping with the LeMans are over. The search for a proper backcountry camping vehicle begins in earnest this winter.
Riding with Carl 