The 14th running of The “Mother, May I?” Spring Tour is set, and we’re going to the Galena Territory! For the first time in the tour’s history we’re including parts of Illinois in the route. But fear not, we’ll head north of the border after lunch. And, of course, our relationship with Drive Toward a Cure continues!

Drive Toward a Cure pursues an alternative to the numerous ‘for profit’ rally driving programs through the creation of events that team Cars and Camaraderie™️ to raise funds and awareness to support the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease, benefiting research and patient care. To find out more, please visit www.drivetowardacure.org.

What: A one-day driving tour. Participants may bring any car of their choosing; sports cars are highly encouraged, especially vintage (25 years old) sports cars (cuz what’s the point in having them if you’re not driving them?). This is not a lead-follow event, and there are no run groups, thus allowing participants to go at their own pace; but you’re certainly welcome to drive with others as you desire. 

When: Saturday, May 9, 2026. Driver’s meeting at 8:45 am before a departure time of 9:00 am.

Where: The drive will commence from the Love’s Travel Stop located at 4628 S. Main St., Rockford, IL.

The Route: From our starting point, we'll follow the Rock River south until heading west toward our morning point-of-interest stop, which will be more of a social stop than anything informative. From the morning stop we’ll continue west for lunch at Chestnut Mountain Resort, perched above the Mississippi River. After lunch we’ll head north, passing by Galena on our way to The Toy Train Barn Museum in Argyle, WI. After our visit to The Toy Train Barn we’ll continue north and west to Stoughton for an optional dinner at The Viking Brew Pub.

Cost: There will be a donation of $100 per car in support of Drive Toward a Cure.

• 100% of the donation is payable to Drive Toward a Cure, for which you’ll get a receipt for tax deduction purposes. 
• You will pay through the DTaC-supported registration website; I have no involvement in the transaction.
• Additional donation amounts are welcome - why stop at $100???
• The cost of lunch this year is currently expected to be at participants’ expense. More to follow if I can scrounge up a sponsor.

As in the past, the optional dinner continues to be at the participants’ cost. Please be sure to indicate in the Notes section of the registration webpage if you plan to join the optional dinner that night. 

The deadline for registration will be April 25 for meal planning purposes.

If you cannot join us, please consider making a separate donation to DTaC:

Since 2016, Drive Toward a Cure has been on a mission to support Parkinson’s Disease research AND patient care, with donations benefiting the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Parkinson’s Foundation. In addition, DTaC created its own ‘Access to Care’ fund that supports Parkinson Foundation Centers of Excellence throughout the country! Your participation on the “Mother, May I?” spring tour will directly contribute to the continued support of these programs. To find out more, please visit https://www.drivetowardacure.org.

I look forward to seeing you on May 9!