Kirsten Johnson, left, and Charles Mistele sit in the cockpit of Miss America IX, a 1930 hydroplane built and raced by Gar Wood. Johnson is part of Wood’s extended family, and paid Mistele a visit to learn what she could about her great-uncle’s racing exploits and boat building business. Mistele has owned the boat for many years. Johnson met Mistele during the ACBS Blue Ridge Chapter’s 27th Annual Lake Chatuge Rendezvous.