SAD ENDING TO GREAT TRIP

I only go to movies with happy endings. Life is full of disappointments I don't need to pay to have more of them. That may be how Jim and Judy are feeling today, but more on that later.
We left Fort Bragg on Friday AM choosing, or was it Dave demanding to leave the adventure of the coast route and head back over to 101. No longer was the concept of "it is the journey, not the destination" relevant.


No I did not switch to black and white - this is just normal San Francisco in the summer. After a beautiful drive thru Anderson Valley with lots of great wineries and vineyards we crossed over the Golden Gate and wound our way thru SF on 101. In case you are wondering, no we did not stop at any of the wineries. Remember it is destination time and home is the destination. Nothing is stopping Prez Dave now.

Of course nature does have a way of stopping even the Prez. This was one of the nicest rest stops ever at Fort Hunter Ligget north of Atascadero. One of the pleasure of the trip is the admiration of folks along the way. They gathered any time we stopped or waved and smiled from passing vehicles.

Now for the sad ending. Jim and Judy's car had major problems causing an immediate stop just south of Atascadero less than 200 miles from the end of a 3350 mile trip. "engine blew up". well not really but some wild noise that said call a flat bed. After some delay explaining to folks in India what a Model A was... The Freemans continued in Little red truck and the Hamiltons rode in air conditioned comfort. It is an unfortunate ending to an otherwise great adventure and beautiful sites.

Of course, after spending one month with his truck, day in and day out, once home he still needed a little garage time to stroke the engine and talk nice to it.

Michigan in two years? Get your car ready.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE AND MORE

First a snippet of a story heard today at our lunch stop. We were seated in a booth next to 6 "older ladies" our for lunch. The server was taking their drink order and one lady ordered her drink and was heard to say be sure it is filled all the way to the top? Soon the server arrived with their drinks and placed a big mug filled to the top with milk... the lady stared at it for a minute and said "I didn't order milk, I ordered a MILLER and be sure it is filled to the top." Never know about those women out for lunch.

Yesterday we headed from Bend on our adventures alone, driving across Oregon on a beautiful route 242 crossing mountains and many forests. see below
Did I mention the road was a bit twisty. A challenge to say the least even for the Garmin, note one of the hairpin turns. Still a beautiful drive.

Around one corner we were met with volcanic rock, lots and lots of it for miles.

A stop at one of the many summit peaks. Note the volcanic rock and Mt. who knows what in the background.

Nature is a strong force. Trees grow from nothing adjadent to a petrified tree stump. The volcano occurred many thousand years ago.

Down from the mountain was a beautiful valley in Vida Oregon with this covered bridge.

CALIFORNIA HERE WE ARE! Checkpoint to be sure we didn't bring any illegal fruit.

And on Wednesday we arose to begin our drive thru the Redwoods. Unbelievable beauty once again.

Sorry this one is on its side, but it is a Redwood Tree called the Corkscrew for good reason.

Study this picture carefully. What do you see? Answer at the next meeting.

Yes there is still a redwood you can drive thru. We were the hit of th show with lots of the other folks taking our pictures. Above is Jim making his way thru and below of course is the prez Dave. Great fun

Ride from this point on is undescribable as we transitioned from the 101 over to Highway 1. It is not possible to take picture while holding on to the truck with white knuckles for 25 miles. Jim thought it was beautiful. Dave isn't talking. Resting for the night in Fort Bragg and hoping to get well past SF tomorrow. Debate at breakfast as to whether we stay on 1 or move back to 101. The quote of the day from Jim, " this having fun is a lot of work".

Your travelling club members. Jim, Judy, Dave and me

Travels Continue

TRAVELS CONTINUE
Well we are back on land after the week cruise to Alaska. Some photos below finish off the Model A convention then join us on the travels south. ETA Friday, August 20th.
Watch the Thousand Oaks Acorn for this photo taken durng the Grand Tour in Vancouver, BC. The field of A's behind us is only a small portion of the 3-400 gathered at the convention. All makes and models, 6 countries represented, USA, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and Norway.

Once again Jim is having more fun than he can imagine. He and Judy are dressed for the fashion tea. Judy and Carol have purchased books of patterns and the standards. Dave, the crazy fool bought a suit, tie and undies.

I think Jim was trying to get a "get out of jail card free" in case any problems occurred during the drive. These are the real deal Mounties. Not at all the same images my fantasies have been about.

This picture illustrates how we all feel by the last day of convention. No idea who these lades are. The closing banguet was a bit dull so no pictures of that event.

Sorry no pictures of the Alaskan cruise. Seen one tree seen them all and somewhat true for glaciers. We'll do a picture show at a club meeting in more detail.

On Saturday, August 14th we loaded back into cars and joined our Model A Times group to head to Ellensburg Washington, USA. The traffic thru customs at the border took 1 1/2 hours. ugh.

We took 99 south thru Washington and had mountain climbs of over 5000 ft but always long, slow ones. Sites along the way included Mount Rainier, Mt Hood and others, plus project car opportunities such as the ones above.

Sunday's drive was the same as Saturday except we entered Oregon. About 70 miles north of Bend, our destination for the night, Jim's car started vapor locking. Tried a few simple fixes then determined that the fuel pump would have to be replaced. Thanks Larry for sending one to us earlier and making this possible.

Of course the Model A Calvary arrived in force. Seriously, Model A Times owner John Lavoy does a great job of having parts, and providing the trouble truck. He sleeps later in the mornings then the rest of us and is the last truck out.

This is Judy Hamiilton exploring a side road while Jim and Dave debated the fix in the picture above. It turned out to be a road to nowhere.

Each evening the real fun begins. This is Dave and John Lavoy, Model A Times delivering the chilled Washington State beer and wine at the drivers meeting. John brings local beers and wines, so we have had Washington beer, Alaskan beer, and Oregon beer/wine.

Tomorrow we leave the group and travel over to the coast of Oregon to begin our journey down the 101. Hope the beer and wine continues. Some debate continues as to which route we will take.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog to find out.

Jim, Judy, Dave and their publicist Carol

Cars and Cannery

CANNERY AND CARSJ
Yes you can find cars anywhere. Yesterdays activities included a tour of a defunct cannery which last canned salmon in 1930 after a rock slide blocked there spawning river. A bunch of frustrated salmon died in the river. The cannery continued with herring and other fish until early 50's. Now they make their living with tourists.

This is a long blog - hope you enjoy.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery - 70 cans a minute wow
the ubiquitous Ford car - a 1934 truck of some kind
hey if you wanted detail you should ask the Prez

Speaking of the Prez, while sitting on the edge of the salmon box next to a new friend, Prez explored the salmon from the box behind him.

Please note his new friend's tee shirt can you read what it says.... it doesn't say Ford. I personally like th matching purse.

The prez prepared his salmon for dinner... not really

NOW ON TO THE CARS

Yesterday we travelled to see a private collection of over 100 cars. Jay Ralston was a car dealer who just kept some of the trade in cars over the years. He also bought many others.

Overview of one of the garages. sorry for the blur. Cars covered almost every American make and a few others.

This line of Fords started in the front with a 1929 and ended with a 1948 far in the back.

This one hasn't been restored. It is the Prez's dream car... Hope he wins the lottery!

Really we all really did have fun... Doesn't Jim look like he is having fun. The car is a beautiful 1948 Chrysler woodie

In addition to all the cars, the collection included many many music boxes, orchestrals, slot machines, which fascinated this young visitor . They all worked.

Royce may know what ths one is. It was lovely violin music with piano accompanient ?

Mr. Ralstoy making change to play the next machine. Jim seems more interested in this. The entry fees and donations are usedto support Alzheimer's care and research. Mr. Ralstoy's wife suffers from Alzheimer's and he tears up when he discusses it.

A fun day and more to come tomorrow.

I am off to dinner with the Prez and Hamiltons. I have found wonderful Chocolatinis in the hotel pub plus local brew beers. And someone tell Mr. Stones they also have lemon drop martinis. Or if you would be kind you could invite he and Diane over to view the blog.

Model A's Leave for Vancouver

July 24th at 8:30 in the morning - Conejo Model A folks gathered to wish the Hamiltons and Dave Freeman safe travels, much advice, and last minute inspections.

Proper signs proclaiming "Vancouver here we come from Thoousand Oaks, CA"
This bevy of beauties came to wish them well and offer Judy last minute pedicure advice.
You can't see the variety of toes. - Loverly

Richard offering the possibility of a double decker rack.

Dave Anderson checking out brakes or is it "Help I've fallen and I can't get up?"

The rear view of sage advice. Any more help and they may never leave.

THEY'RE OFF! oh and they are departing also.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN !!

ON THE WAY TO VANCOUVER
Jim, Judy and Dave saw many interesting sites along the way. Their second day stop was Healdsburg, CA which is famous for its wine country. No the picture below was not their hotel. Cars can bring lots of things besides good looking women. The picture above is the Ferrari winery.

Judy and Jim do a little tasitng

After a couple more days on the road stopping in Crescent City and Tillamook, OR they arrived to cross on the Ferry to Vancouver, B.C.

They were first in line on the ferry. Dave had pole position on one side

AND Jim held second spot on the other

Several Days on the road led Judy to comment that this wasn't the only boar {bore} she saw. When is Carol getting here?