Video of Romancing the Road by Growing Bolder, at growingbolder.com

Posted on September 18th, 2007 at 9:43 am

This is an unusual love story involving an 89-year-old woman and her beloved Chariot. The two have been together for decades and traveled more than 540,000 miles across this nation's highways and side streets.

Rachel Updates:
-- GBTV from Rachel's backseat
-- The Today Show Visits
-- Pistol Packin', Flag Wavin'
-- Smiles Per Gallon
-- Rachel Joins GB

We've started a new gallery. Show us your first car or your favorite car.
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We've started a new gallery. Show us your first car or your favorite car.
It's easy. Upload the photo here.

Rachel's stories have inspired a lot of comments. Join the conversations!
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And be sure to visit these great channels:
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Total Length: 03:48 Views: 5,847,645 Comments: 402 Favorited: 88 Rating: 5 Votes: 126

Channels

Travel
Technology - Vehicles
GB Topics - Passions
GB Topics - Unforgettable Characters

Tags

540000 miles - car - family - automobiles - caliente - hobbies - love story - travel - senior citizen - chariot - 89 years old - collection - vehicle - mercury - friends - ford

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prairiegal
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Posted 7:08 pm February 5th, 2010
WOW what a story!!!
TomS
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Posted 4:49 pm January 14th, 2010
All I can say is atta go granny, I wish that more of our seniors had half the spark that this woman has.
Essa Adams
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Posted 12:44 pm October 11th, 2009

What a fabulous lady who knows who she is! Watched it three times then sent it to everyone. Essa
Billg
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Posted 2:20 pm October 8th, 2009
This my all time fav. story sometimes when I log in to G.B. Il'l go right to this and watch ~ Billg
Miss B
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Posted 11:50 am October 4th, 2009
Just watched this story on TV and absolutely LOVE the story. What a fabulous woman with a sassy spirit. Loved it!
stanchfi
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Posted 4:04 pm October 1st, 2009
Great car, and a great lady! I hope I'm still driving my 1964 Mercury (Monterey) when I'm her age!

-James
http://www.MercuryStuff.com
Lynne
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Posted 7:05 am September 28th, 2009

Every woman in America should take a lesson from this gal. What an inspriation! Now, I'll take that gun safety course!!
harrym
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Posted 12:04 pm September 24th, 2009

Congratulations from the South Side Boys of Long Island NY Car Club it's an amazing story and may you put another 500,000 miles on Charriot and a Happy belated Birthday,

www.southsideboysofli.com

P.S. Keep shooting straight
SherryAnn
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Posted 10:42 am September 19th, 2009

Rachel and Charriot are a true inspirational team for all of us who are or about to enter the senior years. She definitely should be in the Guiness Book of Records and I would love to hear more about the rest of her life's experiences.

What a great story!
vintage keo
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Posted 2:05 pm September 18th, 2009
Hi, Rachel. I knew you in the Orlando chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America back in the 90s, when my husband Eddie C. Hardman belonged on behalf of our '58 Rambler Cross Country Station Wagon, Beep. Glad you're still motoring strong.
auablu
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Posted 8:04 pm September 16th, 2009

Hello Chariot!! I just pick up my old Girl her computer board was burnt out...with 310,909 orginial owner like you...engine and transmission automatic... 1990 Montero White leather on White... Traveled all over CAlifornia, Vegas and now on the Island of Aruba... She was is the shop for 8 weeks... When I opened the door and turned the Key today I was so happy to have her back . She is my indenpence from 1990 ...It sound so stupid but I really like this old Montero... I talk to her... So happy your back... it really felt good to drive my Old Girl... Here on the Island she is cruising now...Burning a little oil but we will fix her up...... Take care...
Pedro V.
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Posted 4:20 pm September 16th, 2009

Hi Chariot !! I´m following you !!! with my loved "Amapola" my Jeep-Cherokee - Laredo - 4x4-1991... "she" have 275.326 miles traveling across my country Venezuela ... with the original engine and still going on & strong (like me.. thanks to God) I expect to raise your record ... I live in a small town named "La Puerta" in the Venezuelan "Andes" with beautifull landscapes ... and some times & near my home (2 or 3 hours) some snowing in the high mountains of the Andes .... Also I travel to beachs at 4 or 5 hours of home .... the capitol city (Caracas) is at 9 hours of home ... I live with my son & wife (Luis & Maria C.) and his child "Lana" .... I have 3 dogs and some fishes in a aquarium and a garden to attend.... I´m retired from a Petroleum company and work in "everithyng" including the elaboration of trouth caviar and other delis.... Bie Bie & congratulations !!! God Bless You .... Pedro
attila g
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Posted 1:08 pm September 15th, 2009
just goes to show how much better the older cars was just try to go that long with a newer one
Frannie
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Posted 9:22 pm September 14th, 2009

Hi Rachel, My mother, Ruth (Thelma's sister) said she spoke to you a couple of weeks ago and that you have had your chariot painted a nice gold color. Also hear you had your 91st birthday in August, so Happy Birthday. We sure have long livers in our family, right? Grandpa Charley lived to be almost 109. He did not keep his cars like you have, though. I remember seeing your car out in front of Aunt Thelma's a few years ago. I liked the light yellow color, too.

A distant cousin,

Frannie
roadamazon
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Posted 1:47 pm September 13th, 2009

Hi Rachel,

To say you're an inspiriation is an understatement. I'm in my 50's and have put about 10K miles on my big ol' Jeep in the last few months because of out of state obligations. I guess I'll shut up and stop whining now. My good friend Patty sent me the clip about you. I guess she saw a parallel because I do love my car too. My husband saw your story and said, "Hey, is that you in a few years?" I can only hope. God bless, safe travels, and may you have many more road adventures. All the best, Lisa
christiane Schneckenburger
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Posted 6:31 am September 12th, 2009
Well, well, well, Your 90 have reached you, this is a real fantastic life.

Remember when Doris Laetitia and I visited you and Le Chariot, 17 years ago. What a pleasure, proudness and emotion also. You deserve respect, honour and greatfulness for all you have done in your life, helping, loving and working so hard. The passion you are giving to Le Chariot shows how you are also towards Life.

God and all guardian angels bless you.

Love from Christiane, Doris and Laetitia (20) in Geneva,Switzerland.
KevdaPainter19
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Posted 9:43 am September 11th, 2009

Man!! Your an example to us all in so many ways. Your a good steward of your car, your GREEN because you keep up with the emmissions of your car. I think the average owner holds on to a car for about 4.5 yrs, WOW! Your definetly a RECORD BREAKER!

Regards,

Kevin

Frederick, MD.
Kirajan
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Posted 7:16 pm September 9th, 2009

This is a great story and you are an inspiration to driver's across the country. If more people took care of their car and truly understood their cars as you do there would be a LOT less accidents. Keep going. Maybe you should be in the Guiness Book of World Records!
karen Fischer
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Posted 9:34 pm September 2nd, 2009
My mother is 95 and still drives. While she
sold her car due to financial reasons, she does

drive car. She loves my car better than the one she had. She says my car turns easier than hers did. It just seems strange that my mother is asking me if she can borrow my car. Aren't the kids supposed to ask that question of their parents?

My mother did have to take a vision road test because of macular degeneration in one eye. And the fellow even took her on the Freeway.

I told her she should go for it again since she

gets it for two more years. If at some point she doesn't feel she can drive anymore we'll let DMV know. I think it's important that seniors that are capable be allowed to continue to drive. My mother is still able to drive across a major toll bridge. How's that for senior gumption?

You go girl and keep traveling. I hope your as lucky to be able to drive till your well into your 90's.
KarenAnn
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Posted 3:36 pm September 2nd, 2009
What an amazing story!

Congratulations to Chariot and Rachel from Nanaimo's Ford Dealership!

Karen Ann
Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln
Bernice
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Posted 2:06 pm September 2nd, 2009

WE WATCHED ALL OF THIS LAST NIGHT..I AM IMPRESSED BY UR GREAT STORY ONLY HOPING MY VEHICLE WILL LAST THAT LONG ( NOT) LOL YOUR CARE IS BEAUTIFUL BLESSING TO U MY FRIEND (HUGS)