On October 4, 2013, I met with "Photo Detective" and genealogist Maureen Taylor to get her thoughts on several mystery photographs from our family collection.  Here's what I knew about this postcard photo:  This postcard was owned by my Great Grandmother, Gertrude Helena Brown Smith.  It was (presumably) mailed to her in an envelope (postcard not canceled or stamped) sometime around 1910 (based on the date of the car).  This is the ONLY link we have of Gertrude to any of her relatives.  The writing on the back says:
Mrs. D. Smith, Carterville, Mo., Box 56
Dear Aunt, Uncle & Cousin - How would You all like to go Automobile riding?  Hope to hear from You all soon. Write Soon as You can.  Loving Niece & Nephew Gus & Helen
It is also stamped with the words Post-Card and says: Printed in the U.S. and there is a Serie # stamped as well.

Maureen quickly dismissed the notion that the people in the photograph are related to me or are Gus & Helen or that the sole male in the photo is the mystery man from the posting below (distinguished man in the very conservative clothing and pinky rings)..  She says that the photo is too goofy and that it was simply purchased in a drug store like we can purchase pre-printed postcards today.  She says that the Serie # indicates that the card was a European design, but she couldn't read the copy I had well enough to identify the number for a google search.


I did not believe her until I google-d "We Are Having a Great Joy Ride" postcard and found another identical card that sold on Etsy.  It was stamped and postmarked from Massachusetts in 1910.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/27063451/humor-postcard-2-we-are-having-a-great
and another one postmarked 1911 from Ohio http://www.cardcow.com/447853/we-are-having-great-joy-ride-group-happy-people-car-transportation-cars/ 
and another on a French website!  http://postcards.delcampe.fr/items?language=F&searchString=%22We+are+having+a+great+joy+ride%22&cat=0&catLists[]=788&searchOptionForm[searchMode]=all&searchOptionForm[termsToExclude]=&searchOptionForm[searchTldCountry]=fr&searchOptionForm[searchInDescription]=N

This is a big disappointment but really good to know!  Wish I'd thought to google that caption sooner!