Lasalle show 'n Shine September 24th Terry (Da Boss), and I made the decision to go see the show'n shine hosted at Lasalle Chrysler in Quebec. I'd navigate, Terry would drive. Getting to Lasalle was a piece of cake, something like installing a lift kit on a late model Blazer in 9 hours. It started out as a trip to visit and attend the Show 'n Shine being hosted by Lasalle Chrysler and O.R.A. No problem I said, just go follow 20 EST through Dorion, get off the highway at Rue Dollard turn right on Newman, down the street and you're there… well, maybe not! We left around 2:20 thinking around 7:30 right??? What we didn't count on was all the construction and the wonderful tour of Montreal we'd have. Somehow I got the impression that Da Boss didn't quite see it that way.

This Jeep was in it's original condition... nice!!

FLEX!!! This TJ was running the Rubicon Express 4.5" long arm kit.

We're on the road again to find the motel with directions from Mike. Hmmmm, as it turns out we ended up taking the actual street that was supposed to be the cutoff and is but isn't marked as such. I think Terry remarked under his breath "this is totally insane" I won't tell you what I was thinking. Anyone who has visited Montreal knows what we are referring to. Well, we found our motel, stopped and looked in Horror as we realized it was on the other side of the street. Now, normally you would just turn left, you are there… not a chance even with the best rockcrawler could you get over what one would consider shades of the BerlinWall. I think Terry said something like "let's ask someone, because I'm going to lose it" as we pulled into the Ramada Inn parking lot. I'm the navigator so out I jump to ask some how to get to the other side (wasn't there something about a chicken getting to the other side of the road?). Inside I asked pointing my finger "how do I get over there?" "Tricky!" Three people piped up. Here we go again! By this time we are tired and just wanted to get to the motel and catch some shuteye. The instructions the girl at the desk gave me looked something like the instructions for my VCR/DVD/Blender in Chinese. Turns out, that following the instructions line by line got us right to where we wanted to go.

The next morning was hubbub of preparation. There was a great deal of what appeared to be organization at it's very best. Between the dealer staff and O.R.A. members, things came together very quickly. The cars were stripped from the lot to make way for the influx of Jeeps and other varieties of off-road vehicles. The main gate was cordoned off and staffed by the O.R.A. members. In came sound gear PA system, teeter-totter, RTI ramp, blocks and two ramp ready Hondas… yeah!! The obstacle course was laid out so two trucks could be running it at the same time giving the audience around the perimeter plenty to watch. Someone once told me the blocks were easy, so why did everyone have so much trouble? My favorites are still the Hondas and the RTI ramp. There's just something pleasurable about watching the trucks squash Hondas.

By about six o'clock the registrants were pouring in one after another filling what seemed almost too much room earlier. The music was good and the place was rockin', people were happily munching on corn on the cob, drinking gallons of coffee and pop supplied free to the participants and visitors. I don't think I've seen so much corn in one place that wasn't on a farm. It was a great turn out about 65 registered in the show and another 27 visiting in the restaurant parking lot across the street!! WOW, the parking lot was a show in itself. There was probably close to two hundred people as the night wore on. It was around 11 PM when the awards ceremony ended and people slowly started to leave. Most were smiling.

This was a well attended event, even the outside parking lot was like a show in itself.

We headed back to the motel, Terry navigated this time without a hitch. I was too tired at this point to be touring around Montreal. It was a good trip, met some nice people and discovered Jeepers and Off Roaders alike speak the same language whether it's in French or English. Yup, squashing Hondas with 35" rubber is the same in French as it is in English! We'll be back! Special thanks to O.R.A. (Off Roaders Anonymous) as a number of their members actually took the day off work to come out and help with the organization and staffing of this event. Thank you Lasalle Chrysler and Mike Lacelle for having the insight to hold such an event.. Lasalle ROCKS!

For a source of National 4WD products in Quebec, check out Lasalle Chrysler.