Caryl was born in Kansas and moved with her family at the age of 11 to Illinois, where she learned how to drive on a 1939 Chevrolet.  Well, kinda learned.  She crashed Mom's car on the way to the driver's test.  Now, of course, it wasn't her fault.  We all know accidents are a common event; hell, I've had a few myself...but on the way to the DMV?  Not to be discouraged by such an insignificant event as a caved in door.  After picking up the chrome trim, mirrors and pieces of glass, Mom and Caryl continued to the DMV, where Miss Larson was issued her driver's license.  She mastered her driving skills well enough to drive herself to work as an executive Human Resources manager for 25 years. 

Len, on the other hand started driving a Model A Ford.  He bought that piece for $45.00.  When he bought his second car, it too was a Model A.  Some wise guy yelled to him "GET A HORSE!" and so he did.  That's right, Len traded in his Model A for a horse.  It didn't take him long to realize that a young man without wheels spent way too much time with that filly and not enough time with the ladies. 

Len was a working man and a member of the Naval Air Reserves when he took a shine to Caryl.  She was still in high school.  Somehow, he, being a handsome young man in uniform shortly after World War II, managed to wedge himself between Caryl and her then-current beau.  Caryl said that he used to ride by her house all the time and she didn't like him doing that but she admitted to running home to change into her red short shorts and was always picking weeds as he rolled by.  Puppy love bloomed to true romance and the couple was married at the ripe old ages of 19 and 22. 

Len was always a car guy and the couple's first car together was a low down '49 Ford Business Coupe...a flathead Ford loaded with cool stuff from that era...half chrome headlights, spotlights, fender skirts, neckers knob.  AHA!  Don't know what a neckers knob is?  That's just one more reason why you should spend some time with Len & Caryl.  

This couple had two sons, one of which passed away tragically early on in life.  He was active with and a major contributor to the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago...the only free zoo in America.  He gave time and money to the care and maintenance for his love of the animal kingdom.  Len & Caryl decided to follow in his footsteps of benevolence and are members of the Wildlife Trust Society for Lincoln Park Zoo.

If 53 years of marriage isn't journey enough, these two have been all over the world...Tahiti, South America, Europe, Australia, the Panama Canal and all 50 states.  Their favorite trip was to Africa.  By day they would be on safari in the wild with lions, wildebeests and the like; but at night, enjoyed decadent opulence of the finest hotels.  They traveled on the American Orient Express and for their 40th wedding anniversary, they traveled the European Orient Express from London to Venice.  Other travel adventures include 8 trips on the Mother Road, Route 66.  One of those trips was handled by their '80 Corvette coupe.  Route 66 is also where they found their '52 Chevy farm truck that they restored to its original beauty. 

They have been Sunshine State people since '98 but run to the cabin in the woods for a cooler summer in the land of Cheeseheads. 

Caryl has an affinity for telling a good story with amazing recall for details.  Fascinating couple.  Introduce yourself...learn something!

                                                                        Butch Uzzo 

Send any questions or comments to : ncvette@tampabay.rr.com