It was January. What did we have to do? Not much. So, when we heard about this multi-day cruise, we thought we’d join in and take our hot summer night STI out for a long few days on the road.
The 48 Hours of Tristate was to begin in Camden, New Jersey, at Subaru of America’s headquarters, but we had a little side trip on the way down, and wanted to visit Big Rusty – a monstrous statue. Big Rusty is a metal, cement, and wooden troll created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. She sits like a creature from The Never Ending Story at the end of a semi-closed dirt road in Hainesport, right off of Route 38. The figure's body is made out of found materials from an old abandoned structure that still stands by her side today. Dambo has built over 170 trolls like her across 17 countries. While most of Dambo's trolls are made from wood, Big Rusty is largely crafted from metal.
Big Rusty is so Weird NJ!
When we arrived at Subaru, we got to meet some of the folks who put this fantastic event together each year. They were a very welcoming bunch, and it seems that most of the drivers that would be rolling along for the next few days have been doing this every years… some for as long as it has been run. It was a bit like a Backroads Rally, but we couldn’t be chastised for route infringements and errors.
Subaru was most welcoming too – and we all boarded buses, and were shuttled to a “secret” location – a giant multi-rook building that houses some of the most historic, rare, and celebrated Subarus in the world.
This was truly amazing. From the 360 (first Subie in the States) and the Brat to Impreza, and then the WRX, and the modern Subarus that have taken over the market, and Vermont. Seeing one of Ken Block’s cars was all I needed to see. We were again asked not to reveal the location.
We shuttled back and were not surprised to see MIB Agents Edwards and Brown greeting us with a flash of the Neuralyzer. I think.
After a nice meal which Subaru had set out for us all, many of us drove across a bit of the state to get to a hotel closer to the headquarter Castle of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Yes, they have a castle.
This entire morning was a humbling, yet heart-warming time. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, if you do not know (seriously?), grants wishes to hundreds of critically ill children and teens each year. Maybe one child wants to go to Disney World (always a biggy), or meet a famous athlete, or musician. Many children wish for something for their families.
It is all so painful and wonderful at the same time. This is why the 48 Hours of Tristate is run every year, and we want to thank everybody, all our friends and readers who helped us raise enough to get team Backroads into the Top Ten this year in team donations raised. Yeah you!
After lunch and some swaggy door prizes, we broke up into four groups.
I want to be honest here, and when I heard we’d be part of a nearly 20-car caravan, my heart sank; but after the first bunch of lost drivers, closed roads, and U-turns – well, gee, just like a Backroads Rally. We felt like we were right at home.
Eventually, we all got across the Delaware River and drove north, more or less into Backroads' backyard. By later afternoon, Shira and I vectored off on our own to head to Hermy’s Triumph for an event, a 2026 bike unveiling, and then met up with the now very large group of Subie-folks in Fogelsville.
Plans we made for the next morning.
Although the previous few days were stunning, this day was deeply overcast, and then the light snow turned to a heavy white blast that was heavy, icy, and frozen all at the same time.
Undaunted, our group readied up.
Ummm – we're all still going? Okay, right with ya.
Heading out onto the main road, I rolled on the gas, and the STI immediately attempted to swing its way around. Oh, oh. This did not feel nominal or good in any way.
The STI, our hot summer night ‘go get ice cream’ Subie’s Toyo ProEX summer sport tires, were less than happy in the snow and ice; they were contemptuous. Hateful.
We motored o
Heading out onto the main road, I rolled on the gas, and the STI immediately attempted to swing its way around. Oh, oh. This did not feel nominal or good in any way.
The STI, our hot summer night ‘go get ice cream’ Subie’s Toyo ProEX summer sport tires, were less than happy in the snow and ice; they were contemptuous. Hateful.
We motored on. We were on a bit of highway, Route 22, and when slowing down for the exit, I had to fight with the WRX just to keep her under some sort of control. Off the highway and on a PA county road, we heard a call for a stop at a fuel station. We almost hit the Crosstrek in front of us. I felt like I had less than nothing traction-wise.
This bites, and I am not having fun.
I was white-knuckling it, and with a 200+ mile day ahead for the group…I made the adult, if dweebie, decision to head back to the hotel. I felt I might not only wreck, but take somebody who actually had winter tires and was having loads of fun out for the count too.
So here I am, kids… but the snow has
This bites, and I am not having fun.
I was white-knuckling it, and with a 200+ mile day ahead for the group…I made the adult, if dweebie, decision to head back to the hotel. I felt I might not only wreck, but take somebody who actually had winter tires and was having loads of fun out for the count too.
So here I am, kids… but the snow has now stopped, the sun is peeking out, and some of the other Subarus are rolling back in as well.
Adult decisions for others, too, I guess.
With some serious education gleaned from the internet, I knew this was all on me, and knew more reasonable tires were in our STI’s future.
Still with the sun back out and the roads kind of passable, we took a short ride for lunch with our new Subie buddy Dana.
Even after lunch, coming out of the diner’s parking lot, the WRX slid around in a
With some serious education gleaned from the internet, I knew this was all on me, and knew more reasonable tires were in our STI’s future.
Still with the sun back out and the roads kind of passable, we took a short ride for lunch with our new Subie buddy Dana.
Even after lunch, coming out of the diner’s parking lot, the WRX slid around in a Pastrana-like fashion. I let out a few expletives. Dana said it looked cool to the people eating lunch at the diner, like we meant to do this. Kind woman.
By evening, after a stellar sunset, most had come back, and there were stories and one VERY dented Forester.
That night they had a gathering of which I dubbed Beer & Baking – as that what was asked for and some of the brownies and cookies were outstanding. There was more Subaru swag to be had, and though we did not win the coveted bumper f
By evening, after a stellar sunset, most had come back, and there were stories and one VERY dented Forester.
That night they had a gathering of which I dubbed Beer & Baking – as that what was asked for and some of the brownies and cookies were outstanding. There was more Subaru swag to be had, and though we did not win the coveted bumper from Vermont SportsCar, I did snag a Subaru Rally Team USA coloring book – which I thought would see action later this winter while I waited for spring, and having the STI be a Summer-Night Ice Cream Queen once again.
I went to bed that night with images of driving along a couple hundred miles of snow-covered trees and clear, black pavement.
Before dawn, I looked out the hotel’s window and had only two words.
F!#K Me! Shira sat up in bed, took one look, said, “Ugg,” and pulled the covers over her head. Although there was a chance of another dusting, it was coming down hard and steady.
I looked at the rest of our group and simply said 'No Mas'.
They all left (with their gnarly snow tires and all-weather rubber, yada yada)… I brought out the coloring book and tried to scrounge some crayons from the front desk.
We did get home later that day, the 65-mile drive from Fogelsville to home taking forever, as I drove tortoise-like, managing the Toyo’s as best I could. I haven't been passed by so many people since I took the SATs.
So, kids, we learn a lesson (again). Know your gear. Know your tires. Know your skill sets, and know there is nothing ever wrong with making adult decisions. That is how boys and girls become men and women.
The 48 Hours of Tristate will be back next January. We hope to be ready, and hope that you join us. It’s nice to have a Subaru, but it's not required, as it is really all about making some wishes come true.