I trust you've all survived the winter blues, cabin fever and shoveling snow. Well, those days are behind us for another year and we can now concentrate on the lazy days of summer--or not so lazy for most! Getting out and exploring what the country and beyond has to offer is a big part of the American way. Eight out of ten families will take at least one road trip this summer to destinations near or far. Regardless, we are all road warriors at one time or another, but above it all we love to vacation!

When I was a kid, we'd plan the family vacation months in advance agonizing where we would go, taking into consideration everyone's ideas, then ending up going where Dad wanted anyways. We'd all cram into the old station wagon, stuffing the back full of gear, surrounded by pillows, coolers and backpacks, with little room to move. Up top Dad would strap on satchels and sacks and suitcases and such. These were held on by a chain of old belts, bungees, ropes usually tied on through both the front and back window with a variety of questionable knots. There sat most of our necessities precariously lashed to the roof. We took turns watching out the back window for something to work its way loose and topple off. (And it did happen more than once over the years!) I guess that was just all part of the fun. After the inevitable "Are we lost!?!" (Mom), and the predictable reply "No, we're taking the scenic route!" (Dad), but we'd eventually reach our destination. Throughout the week we'd thoroughly enjoy ourselves, sometimes at the expense of the old wagon. Ice cream, sand and sea shells, mashed crayons, greasy fingers all, wet towels, all made their way onto the floor mats and the cargo, and by the time we returned home, well, lets just say that the car was a little worse for the wear. Oh, the good old days!

A sight like that is rare on our highways today. We have all sorts of gadgets and gear for making summer vacation a little neater and organized, and getting there a little less stressful. If only we'd had the luxury of luggage and bike racks, cargo carriers, cargo liners and organizers, and, of course, Dad would have loved a digital compass! It's hard to imagine a trip without a digital compass once you have one. They have come such a long way and can practically do everything for you except steer! The granddaddy of digital compasses, as far as I'm concerned is the V7000 Wayfinder. The compass mounts to your dash wherever it's most convenient. It turns on and off automatically with the vehicle and gives clear, precise readings (day and night) on directions (down to one degree!), weather forecast, temperature inside and outside the car, elevation, barometer, and it even predicts upcoming weather based on trends. Hey, that's every bit as good as a weatherman!

So, hit the road in style and comfort in this year. Make Summer 2004 one to remember! Take lots of pictures, wear your sunscreen, don't litter, wait half an hour after eating to get in the pool, and all that.

Here's to a safe and fabulous vacation, where ever the road may lead! Bon voyage!

POORBOY'S WORLD Polishing and Detailing Products

Showing the world that high performance doesn't have to equal high dollar!

Poorboy's has gone against all odds, snubbed their nose at the flashy-overpriced competition, broken all of today's marketing rules just to prove that it's what's inside that counts. Did you ever hear the old adage "Don't judge a book by its cover?" A favorite saying of Grandmas everywhere, this product looks like it came right out of Grandma's era. Bland, generic-looking black and white labels, a little down-and-out looking dude for a mascot, and not much to read.

But inside these bottles you'll find potions and polishes, lotions and emulsions that will blow your mind!

I think the manufacturer went for the element of surprise! It sure worked on us. (For a good story, read how Poorboy's got their foot in the door at Palm Beach Motoring Accessories.) Only the best ingredients (the same that the name brands use) are used in the formulas. Poorboy's took the tried and true products-polish, sealant, wax, quick detail- and raised the bar, a new twist on an old theme. Spray & Wipe Waterless Wash?!? Polish with Carnauba, sealant with Carnauba, professional grade swirl removers in three different strengths- the list goes on. (Us car junkies are drooling

But the story gets better. OK, excellent products, superb value, but do I have to be a rocket scientist to get those stunning results? The premise Poorboy's was formulated around was ease-of-use, so easy that even a first time user could attain professional looking results. Literally idiot-proof! But here's the biggie: Poorboy's has skirted the competitors, fooled the critics, stunned the skeptic- and made all of their products user-friendly even in full, direct, blazing sun!

This is fantastic news for summertime! No need to stay inside or seek out a shady spot; no excuses for skipping out on upkeep. Many of Poorboy's products look and smell remarkably like tropical sun tan lotion. Be aware: This product has not been approved by the FDA for topical use and Steve says not to use it as sun block no matter how tempting!

Summer is the season most of us gear up, pack up, and giddy-up to someplace that we can escape from our daily routine. The best intentions to unwind, de- frazzle and enjoy ourselves are sometimes eclipsed by the tensions of travel. Packing, unknown roads, wear and tear on the vehicle are just a few of the little nags that can get in the way of 100% enjoyment!

Vacation-just the word evokes notions of quiet beaches, solitude, rest and relaxation--or maybe you're the type that longs for outdoor adventures, family visits, or nightlife far enough away from home that nobody knows you! Either way, if you're taking on the road, you're going to have to face up to packing all your stuff into or onto the car (quite possibly the most dreaded aspect of traveling!). Packing doesn't have to be painful! With the vacation season looming right around the corner, you may want to plan for carrying your cargo as thoughtfully as you plan your vacation. Each year, in early spring new and better products for alleviating the hassle of packing in an organized and logical way arrive at AutoGeek. We have the job of selecting the most useful, most practical and most economical to offer to you!

This year's top picks for cargo packing are the WeatherTech Bike Racks and Rack Sack roof-top carrier. WeatherTech specializes in quality exterior gear for your vehicle-especially those related to toting your stuff when traveling. The WeatherTech Bike Racks (three styles) are built sturdy for heavy use, mount to the rear of your vehicle, carry up to four bikes, and load and unload with the greatest of ease. The craftsmanship in these is second to none; they safely and securely transport your bicycles with virtually no chance of damage to your vehicle or your car. Every imaginable safety and convenience feature is integrated into the construction of the WeatherTech Bike Racks, taking the concern out of toting your bikes. Pull into your destination, release the bikes from the locking system and go! You can concentrate on enjoying them, rather than struggling with loading them in and out of the vehicle!

The WeatherTech Rack Sack is the epitome of convenience and economy in extra storage space. An increase in cargo carrying capacity of 13 cubic feet- enough for an additional four suitcases! I like the fact that the Rack Sack is soft; made of super-tough woven polyester with a water-repellant PVC coating- all the advantages of the old, hard shell cargo carriers, but much easier to attach, access, and remove, and much more economical. Weather Tech has eliminated all the glitches associated with lesser cargo carriers-a thick, soft fleece is a protective barrier between the super-sized duffle bag and your car, it's expandable to fit to the amount of cargo you need to transport, and it folds up and stows away when it's no longer needed. Don't over-stuff your vehicle or leave behind anything or anyone for the lack of storage space! Your things will be kept dry and protected and out of your way. And, with all WeatherTech products, there is no need to worry about durability, fit, service or ease of installation; WeatherTech is known for excelling in all these areas.

In our quest to have fun, the last thing we want to worry about is tracking in grease and grime from roadside rest stops, accidental spills from eating and drinking in-transit, leaky coolers, and wear and tear on our trunk space from loading and unloading gear. Both WeatherTech and Highland, another company associated with top-notch products for vehicle protection, offer custom floor mats and custom cargo liners to keep your carpets looking factory-new, regardless what you do! Quality, value and protection-wise, products from these two companies are neck-in-neck. However, Highland products are superior if you live in extreme climate locations. The premium rubber that is used for their cargo liners and floor mats can withstand very high and very low temperatures. The WeatherTech products sport an anti-skid textured-grain surface so cargo doesn't shift and slide while traveling. Floor mats and cargo liners make keeping a clean interior easier than ever. Vacuum away dirt, wipe away spills and move on. For families with active lifestyles, these are absolutely a must!

Travel without trepidation! Lighten up and enjoy the trip. Finally, on our list of summer vacation must- haves is a gadget that's actually useful year-round. The family of automotive compasses from PNI range from basic to advanced, and perform some outstanding functions to make traveling fun, informative and stress-free. Getting lost on your way is enough to ruin any vacation! Just some of the nifty features you'll find: clocks, trip timers, a variety of compass readings, GPS systems, weather forecasts, interior and outdoor temperatures, altitudes, and barometers. These PNI auto compasses are the most reliable, accurate, easiest to read, and come in all prices to fit any budget. The Z250 and the Corsa X473 models are water resistant, making them perfect for outdoor and marine use. Aside from being functional and giving you peace of mind when traveling unfamiliar territory, they are a fun and educational addition to any trip. The latest PNI innovation (to hit our shelves June 15) is manifested in the Wayfinder V2020 Full Spectrum Temperature and Compass System. This sleek, classy-looking compass sports a crystal-clear gold LCD display by DuPont and a read out identical to that of the V7000 model. The best feature of the newest member of the PNI family is the accurate wireless remote sensor that reads an amazing 155 degree range--from
-35 degrees to 120 degrees. This patented technology makes the V2020 the most up- to-date gadget available.
(We are accepting pre-orders for the V2020 on a first-come, first- served basis-we were only allotted 48!) These compasses make a great gift for Dad!

Excuse the vagueness of this report, but facts surrounding Connolly Leather's financial and growing pains have been suppressed, hidden and are altogether frustrating to pin down and verify accurately. The point of this article doesn't rely on the circumstances. The end result though, remains the same. Please read on.

Connolly Leather, the English tannery that brought us the world's finest leathers since 1878(!), leather that graces the interiors of the world's most luxurious vehicles (Rolls, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bentley and Jaguar to name a few), leather exquisite enough for the behinds of British House of Commons and House of Lords, leather with the panache required for acceptance in the Concorde, leather with grandeur sufficient to adorn the interiors of the world's finest luxury liners has hit some financially rocky ground in the recent past. AutoGeek proudly stocks their world-renowned Hide Care leather care system (Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner) admittedly as the finest, most complete nourishing system for leather. With leathers so fine and in demand, keeping them in pristine condition is a must.

A few years back, we heard through the grapevine that Connolly Leather had filed England's version of Chapter 11 or corporate re-organization. I was concerned about losing our ability to offer this product to our customers. We stockpiled as many as we could and kept our fingers crossed that it was only a rumor. Apparently the company was experiencing an upheaval, and per financial advisors to the company, export into other countries was ceased. As Connolly Leather got things back in order, limited amounts of their famed leather care products, Leather Cleaner and Hide Food (conditioner), were once again offered to a handful of suppliers in the United States.

But when it rains it pours! Here's a perfect example. Just as things at Connolly Leather seemed to be swinging in the right direction, some shmuck had Hide Food for dinner and subsequently filed a lawsuit. (I don't understand how people can sue someone else for their own stupidity!) The FDA, worried about copycat cases and the possibility that we have people in our country every bit as stupid, banned Hide Food from import because of the word "food" in the label. Connolly Leather wasn't about to let this foil their efforts of regaining ground, so they changed the name of their leather conditioner to Hide Care. (Yeah, take that FDA!) Same great product, different name. As good fortune would have it, we were one of the few suppliers to be chosen for American import and distribution. And we thank our lucky stars for that!

Whatever is going on over there and why the mysterious, hush-hush nature of the circumstances surrounding the legendary company, AutoGeek has a steady supply of Connolly Leather Cleaner and Hide Care, and we'd be delighted to pass it along to you!

You all may be interested in what you may be facing on highways and by-ways this season. It's a jungle out there! Be careful!

DID YOU KNOW

• Nine out of 10 long-distance trips are by personal vehicle.
• Personal vehicles are used for almost all trips less than 300 roundtrip miles.
• Americans total 1.3 trillion personal miles of long- distance travel a year on about 2.6 billion long- distance trips.
• The median distance of these trips in a personal vehicle is 194 miles.
• 56 percent of long-distance trips are taken for pleasure-vacations, sightseeing trips, visiting friends or relatives, outdoor recreation
• 98 percent of long-distance trips are to destinations within the United States.
• 62 percent of long-distance trips are to destinations within the traveler's home state.

(Statistics compiled by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics; National Household Travel Survey)