Friday at the Q

Friday we cruised to VA BBQ in Fredericksburg, VA and the weekly cruise hosted by Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club.  The weather was superb and the cars came out!

There was a very clean red ’86 Mercury Capri….like a Fox Mustang….an unusual piece that was done nicely.  I don’t remember seeing the cool yellow ’67 GTO before or Bill’s brown/white ’57 Chevy hardtop.  A gleaming black ’24 Model T was present and at the other end was a new red Mustang 427R.

The Princess and Debbie were solving the problems of the world while Ron, Bill, Fred and I discussed politics and other weighty things.  I was engrossed in conversation and didn’t notice the sun was going down and before I got mobilized to take pictures a few cars escaped the lot….but there were still about 45 cars in attendance.  The Princess was given the VA BBQ Manager’s choice trophy….so she is happy because it’s all shiny and purple….   

We cruised home and got ready for Saturday and the road cruise….but it rained most of Saturday and part of Sunday….so the Friday cruise was the extent of our adventures for the weekend.

Mothers Day in Fredericksburg, VA

Our Friday and Saturday adventures were rained out and it looked like Sunday might be the same.  But the cold front moved through about 4 AM so by 7 AM everything was drying out just fine except for some puddles on the roads that gave us a chance to check out the steering in the truck!  It was like playing a video game screeching from lane to lane avoiding the puddles….glad no one with blue lights was following.

We met Jim & Linda, Fred & Debie and Dan & Ramona at Bob Evans in N. Stafford, VA for breakfast then cruised to Fredericksburg, VA to attend the Fredericksburg Street Rods, 23rd Annual Rod Run at Walker Grant MS.  We like to attend this show for many reasons….one of which is where the proceeds go from this show.  The Special Needs program at Walker Grant MS is the beneficiary of the day’s proceeds.

Another reason we attend this show is the volume and quality of the cars in attendance.  This year there were 134 cars including the club’s cars.  The club cars are not in the competition but they do add to the eye candy available….which is a good thing.  This year’s attendees included some hot rodders from Maryland with some very nice examples of the craft.  In fact the red ’59 Chevy won best of show and the black ’37 Chevy was picked for an award too.  The variety of entrants varied from trailered ‘show’ cars, traditional flat black hot rods, smooth customs, original muscle cars, tuners, daily driven hot rods and one off pieces of art that happen to have four wheels!  Everything!  And the managing club, Fredericksburg Street Rods, ensures that the event unfolds in a logical way with the certainty of an atomic clock!  They provided all the Moms with a nice flower corsage when they registered….they have a tune hyster, Music to Go by Lyn Grayson, that keeps everything rolling….they have adult games like the creeper crawl that adds to the enjoyment of the day too.  Food was provided by “Tar Heel Pig Pickers BBQ” which was way above the norm for ‘car show’ food….and the ice cream truck was doing its best to keep Dan from whining.   Debie, Ron and the Princess were sitting in the shade developing their repertoire of personal sign language?  You have to ask them…. 

The award ceremony is unique for local shows….the winners are called and they have to drive their car to the front where they are recognized by the club individually and awarded their trophy(s) in front of all the participants.  The operative word is….drive the car!  About half way through the ceremony, Ed’s very nice black ’55 Chebby drove into the award area.  It was driven by a friend of Ed’s since he is recuperating from multiple injuries and couldn’t drive his own car.  Do you really get that messed up working on those Chevys?  The driver shut off the car, got out and received the trophy, got back in and tried to light the fire but proceeded to flood the motor.  Yes the car had been sitting all day, it was cold, the pollen count was off the charts high, the wind was blowing, it was the third quarter of the moon and we were experiencing neap tide, the driver didn’t know the idiosyncrasies of the start procedure….blah blah blah….it still wouldn’t start!  So it was ignominiously pushed out of the winners circle, banished to the netherworld….bummer.  And the hoots about Chevys were merciless….the Princess started to get prickly about everyone picking on Chevys.  Then later in the ceremony another Chevy had some difficulty starting and the Princess went wild….  She said that we should have kept our Fords….or maybe even buy a….Mopar!  I tried to reason with her like we don’t win anything anyway so it will never be a problem, didn’t work!  Arrggg….you have no idea….  The club truly provides the opportunity to have a great day at a car show and they did it again this year.


Be sure to check out the photos....light up the site, click 'slideshow' and enjoy;  http://www.flickr.com/photos/53063560@N05/sets/72157633482446938/

Inconvienient Cooling….or Our Friend Al lied….

As you may know my Doctor and I have been beating my case of shingles on the left side of my head, into submission….I think it’s mostly behind me now….I only have a slight head tick, my left ear is hanging down to my shoulder and my tongue is blue.  The Doctor says that by the time Haley’s comet goes by again all that stuff should be gone….  Just kidding, I’m good to go thanks to modern pharmaceuticals and benevolent nursing.   The only other thing I would say about that is….get the shot!

Friday evening we ventured out to visit VA BBQ in Fredericksburg, VA but the air temps were in the 60’s and dropping.  As soon as the sun started setting, just a little, the temps took a dive.  Since that is my target time to take pictures, right at dusk, I didn’t get to take any before we packed up and left.

Saturday was about the same….we cruised to Family Diner in Fredericksburg, VA for dinner and the cruise managed by Virginia Stockers.  We were a group of three vehicles and two more came in.  But by the time we finished dinner and set up to enjoy the evening the sun started to set and the temps with it!  We left around 7:30 and cruised home….no pictures of that either!

Sunday Fred & Debie and the Princess & I gathered at the WAWA in N. Stafford, VA to launch towards Manassas, VA and the 32^nd Annual Bull Run Street Rods, Rod Run.  The Burger King restaurant hosts the event with the Bull Run Street Rodders managing it in their usual style….class!  This is like many old established events….the clubs know what to do, when to do it and what it’s supposed to look like when it’s finished….they did not disappoint. 

When we arrived at the event we met Lou & Arlene and we all drove into the show lot so we could park together.  The only complication for me was that since I was recovering from my illness I needed to stay in the shade as much as I could….so we needed to erect a canopy.  The Prince William County Fire Department made it real clear that there WOULD be a 20’ fire lane between all rows of cars.  And they actually visited the event during the day to ensure their threats were taken seriously and would be followed up on if the lanes were encroached….so….we actually took up 1 ½ vehicle spaces.  We were the only ones that used a canopy and I know a few of the club members were a little….miffed about it.  I don’t know if they didn’t want to confront me because they knew I was getting over an illness and needed the shade or they were intimidated by a 70 year old fat guy, waving his arms around and wearing purple tennis shoes….you decide?  But their obvious angst subsided when a Harley showed up, it just fit behind us in the shortened space….cool!  Problem solved!  At 8:30 it was still cold and when we sat….under the canopy….in the shade….it was colder.  Everyone put on their hoodies or jackets and even then most of us were shivering till about noon.  So this is how global warming is going to work out?

This show attracts mostly pre 1975 vehicles and this year proved the point again.  It is advertised for ALL vehicles but the newer vehicles seem to stay away.  I think there were just a couple vehicles newer than 1975 like the very nice black Challenger.  I personally like to see all cars so I’m good either way.  This show also brings out cars that are seldom seen as well as a good representation of the different car clubs in the area.  I think there were 120 cars in the show lot plus about 20 more in the restaurant parking lot and 6 car clubs represented.

There were many notable cars like Ron’s red ’60 Chevy and Richard’s blue/white ’60 Chevy.  The yellow ’55 Chevy was neat as a pin and Sam’s gold ’49 Merc lead sled just reeks of Kool.  I seldom agree with what is chosen as ‘best of show’ but this time the red ’71 Torino with the Shotgun motor was just perfect and very deserving of the award in my opinion.  There were many other vehicles at that level of perfection but the “WOW” factor just was there with that car.  And with that motor I think the “Force” was with it too!

We folded up camp and cruised home….another day in our life, riding around giving people something to wave at while we enjoy this hobby!

 

Check out the pictures at; http://www.flickr.com/photos/53063560@N05/sets/72157633432466082/

 

 

Hiatus

I have contracted a severe case of shingles....I am about through with the worst part and have a couple weeks left to recover....I will start posting again soon, check back in a couple weeks.
chuck

Here we go again!

Friday we cruised to VA BBQ in Fredericksburg, VA again….it will be our “default” location on Friday evenings…..maybe.  As I have said before there is about 30-40 core people that attend almost every week….but there is always something special at the Q.

The first attraction was a trailered “Mater” tow truck!  It’s used for advertising by a local towing company….it’s way cool and kicked off the evening in a grand way.  The weather was as perfect as you could ask for and the people kept coming out.  The yellow ’33 Plymouth with the Hemi was different and the beautiful black ’35 Ford coupe with flathead power was perfect.  The two tone green ’50 Chevy coupe with the 6 cyl and period speed equipment….just too gnarly.  The local bad boys car club brought their ’59 Ford with the ‘special’ paint….you decide?  Hoppy’s yellow hoodless ’56 Ford, Stuart’s immaculate blue Cobra, the blue/silver ’64 Pontiac GP and more.  But my favorite was the yellow Dodge, mid 60’s A100 Super Bee….with 440 power and very large Mickey’s….and a sound to match the visual attitude!  What a variety for the nights cruise….ya gotta be there every Friday….or you just might miss something neat!

Our grandson and his wife visited us….he was on crutches, a chain saw accident….don’t ask….  The Princess and Ron were practicing their sign language but about 9PM she started to whine about, it’s cold, it’s dark, it’s getting late, we have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow, we have to get up early tomorrow, she needs her rest….there is so much Princess stuff she has to do….you have no idea.  So we started to head out on our cruise home when a few immature people decided to peel out of the parking lot….this is unfortunate as it will rightly draw the attention of the local PD.  This is a dangerous practice and it’s the wrong thing to do to the owner of the business and the car club….it can be the thing that will shut down the cruise.  About 10 min after the peelers left, one of Fredericksburg’s finest cruised in….it doesn’t take much.  Non-car people think we are knuckle dragging Neanderthals anyway….we don’t need to prove them right! 

Saturday we cruised, 2 miles, to the 7^th Annual Skills USA show at North Stafford High School in Stafford, VA.  This show is the season kick off for our area and is usually attended by most of the local cruisers.  It was held a later this year so the weather would be a little warmer….it worked!  The day was a chamber of commerce post card day….just perfect.  I had hoped the later start would help the diminishing yearly attendance numbers…it didn’t….there were only 108 cars that I took a picture of….and I take all the cars.

Of the 113 cars, 20 were Ford Mustangs and the mix from under 1972 of 55 and over 1972 of 58 was a good balance of age groups.  I liked George’s ’29 Willys and Gary’s ’31 Chevy coupe but my favorite was the red ’64 Chevy C10 pickup….very nice and tidy….we might have called it “Boss” or “Far Out” or ‘Grooooovy”….dig?

There were representatives from the Stafford Sheriff’s department with a very large, flat black, intimidating vehicle….I don’t think they chase speeders with that.  The soap box racers were there to share their vehicles and answer questions about their hobby.  There was a food vendor and a jail.  Bob was arrested for having a car that was too short, his ’33 Chevy flat tracker.  I quizzed him to make sure he understood the error of his way and would try to mend his ways in the future….I had a Deputy acknowledge his plea so I bailed him out…..I hope he doesn’t run away…..grin

Around 3PM the announcer from Herlong Associates called the participants to the front to begin the award ceremony.  This event is considered one of the ‘must attend’ events partly because of the awards.  Most of the special awards are hand crafted to fit the specialty of the award.  There was some confusion during the ceremony because some of the awards were not done!  Which meant people came up to receive their award and didn’t get anything!  The kids from the Skills program that were doing the presenting were embarrassed but soldiered on….I guess that taught them to adapt?  Except for the announcing, the majority of the show is administered by students….it’s a really good thing.  It’s one of the reasons we support the event. 

But….I hate this….but at the end of the event some immature folks decided it would be ok to do burn outs in the parking lot among the show cars….that was stupid.  A couple years ago they did that at the top road where there were no cars or milling spectators present….but Saturday some decided to run through the active parking lot….that kind of behavior should not be tolerated.  I had a car that would turn the biggest Mickey’s you can buy with ease….but not at shows, parking lots or places where people are.  Like the night before at VA BBQ, I hope this isn’t a portent of things to come this year.

Saturday after the show some of us cruised to the Family Diner in Fredericksburg, VA.  There is a weekly cruise hosted by the restaurant and managed by Virginia Stockers Car Club.  We didn’t know it but the cruise didn’t begin till next week!  Bummer….  There were a couple other hot rodders that didn’t get the massage either and that had gathered in the lot too….oh well….next week is the opener for the cruise. 

We stayed and had dinner at the diner….the food is always good and when you are with friends it can’t get any better.  Fred ordered a hamburger that the chef brought out on a fork lift….I mean it was so big there was a machete through the thing from top to bottom, holding it together….like some sandwiches have the fancy toothpicks through them.  I mean this thing would feed a Boy Scout Troop…but Fred just sat and watched them put it in front of him….his eyes got bigger….I think he started to drool.  Then it was like a Tasmanian devil….  Elbows and blurred hands moved to the tempo of the growling coming from the fog of what Fred was doing to the hamburger!  I think it was about 15 pounds of cow flesh that was once on what was now a smoldering empty plate!  I was going to call 911 to have an ambulance waiting outside….but….Fred….finished it….burp.  Then….his partner in crime started ordering us to Carl’s for ice cream….and Fred went too.  I had to go home and take my industrial strength anti-acid pills just because I witnessed this gastronomical extravaganza….what is seen cannot be unseen.  So….we staggered back home to recuperate enough to go on a cruise the next day!

Sunday everyone else was busy or working on their car so the Princess and I cruised south about 52 miles to Lake Anna for lunch at Ally’s then another 31 miles to downtown Culpeper, VA to cruise Main St. then another 40 miles home.  We had a great day on the Virginia highways giving people something to wave at while the Princess and I enjoyed each other’s company.  I love this hobby.

On the road again....and again....

Friday evening at the Q, in Fredericksburg, VA is always fun and an opportunity to meet new ‘car people’.  Friday I met Gary with the ’31 ALL Chevy coupe.  Gary is not a new rodder but was new to this event…..and Gary needs to bring a chair, hee hee  We talked till my feet hurt….this was a “problem” that evening.  I could take a couple pics and then would get into a conversation with a friend….and stop….till my feet hurt then go again….repeat!  It’s all good.  So….if your vehicle isn’t in the album….I just didn’t get to it….that’s all!  Maybe next week….

There were some “young” hot rodders in the mix….driving their gen 4 Camaro’s and Trans Ams.  One of the Trans Am drivers is the son of the guy that had the turquoise T bucket at the 5N Diners years ago….cool deal.  We need to dialog with the young people about their cars, it’s what they like and can afford….and their Trans Am’s and Camaro’s are not too shabby of a ride!  We got to see Fred & Debie’s ’57 Dodge with the new paint….like Carl says “It’s all Mopar, two tone paint….what’s not to like?”  It was a nice warm evening….till the sun went down then the chill came back and most of us ran for warmer environs….like rats leaving a sinking ship!  Coach’s audience was vanishing right before his eyes as he was playing the tunes….bizarre.

Saturday we cruised 55 miles to Ashland, VA to check out the River City Diner….it is a meeting place and cruise for some of the “southern” folks.  It was OK….the food was very good but the service was marginal.  We left the diner and cruised a couple miles to O’Banks restaurant and the Memorial cruise for Ray Beach of Fre-Ray Sounds.  I spoke to Ray a couple times over the years and found him to be a friendly and helpful person….he will be sorely missed by the people that he lifted their spirits through the music he played and the friendship he extended.  At 5 PM everyone at the cruise started their engines and revved them up in remembrance of Ray.  I think the electric Prius near us drowned out my trucks exhaust noise!  I have to fix that someday.  The Princess says not to worry….she can tell when the motor is running because the radio antenna shakes….I feel better….not. 

The cruise was attended by about 40 cars….all very nice but I liked the Dk. Green ’37 Chevy sedan….very menacing. One of the neat things about the cruise was the welcoming behavior some of the people extended to us.  There was a blonde lady that visited us twice, once to welcome us to the cruise and once bidding us farewell and a safe trip home….then invited us back!  Another white haired gentleman talked with us like a long lost cousin….made us feel comfortable and relaxed.  We left about 7PM and cruised uneventfully home….a great day!

Sunday we met up with Jim & Linda and left Stafford for the day’s adventure.  Along the way we hooked up with Bob & Benda right outside of Midland and now we were three!  We like car shows and drive in cruises but we really like to drive the hot rod….so we are always in a discovery mode to see where we can explore next.  Fortunately we have always been this way so when we cruised all those years with the Harley we didn’t know we were forging routes that we would later use with the hot rod.

When we first moved to VA in 1973, Interstate 66 was incomplete to I-81; it just ended in Gainesville, VA.  We drove to Front Royal and Skyline Drive via Rt. 55 almost exclusively.  But when I-66 was completed it made running Rt. 55 very tedious.  So….Sunday we would run Rt. 55 from Marshall, VA to Front Royal, VA and end up at South Street Grill on Rt. 55…..a cruise that should be about 75 miles out.  Except for a couple spots of intersection indecision when my navigator was arguing with the GPS….it rolled very well.  And the countryside was magnificent.

South Street Grill is a neat little restaurant with a diner like attitude.  They always have been motorcycle and hot rod friendly and Sunday they did not disappoint.  From the tables & chairs, the floor and wall decorations to the napkin dispensers with pictures of hot rods that have visited….it’s all there.  And the food was really good too; Burgers, fries, salads, melts and the Princess had a to die for cherry coke that was larger than 16oz!  It’s not cloth table coverings and little finger up in the air while you eat/drink kind of place but rather nice old time food and atmosphere….comfortable and fun.

We told enough stories to and about each other that should last a while so we thanked the staff and mounted up for the return trip.  We would take a different route back that would be about 112 miles. Bob and Benda left us in Culpeper but we pressed on towards Fredericksburg.  The closer we got there the truck just started guiding on it’s own….right to Carl’s Ice Cream.   The Princess must visit Carl’s whenever we are within 50 miles of it….it’s then considered “on the way”….silly me.  Princess rules and maps are so confusing.

After running about 190 miles in the Virginia countryside with friends we decided to call it a day.  With our tummy’s full of ice cream we headed home again and all ended well!  I love this hobby.

 

 

Let the motors roar....

At last….the season begins!  After all the contentious winter weather it’s finally warm enough to start roaming around with our hot rods….

Friday the 29^th was the kick off day for the weekly cruise at Virginia Barbeque in Fredericksburg, VA.  The cruise is hosted by the Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club and has been a local ‘must do’ event for many years now.  There are usually 40-90 vehicles that cruise in and no doubt the cool weather kept the attendance to around 35 for the evening.  Coach was back doing the DJ deal and kept the cadence of the event moving in a fun direction.

Many of us have been keeping in touch by Facebook and email during the winter.  The ‘social, electronic’ method of communication is helpful but there is nothing like the old fashioned way to communicate….sadly it is a social skill that is slowly disappearing!   This outing was a time to press the flesh and re-establish an actual face to face connection with some of our ‘electronic’ friends that we were separated from during the winter.  We also began making some new friends….that is always cool.

There were no surprises in the vehicles that came out…..most were the usual suspects.  Bill & Debbie’s Model T race car is always a crowd pleaser and tonight there was constantly a gaggle of people around and in it!  Bill loves to share his car with anyone that will listen….he is a great ambassador for our hobby!  And there was a ’67 Ford long roof with a new look….very nice!

As soon as the sun and the temperature started dropping….it got cooler rapidly.  Since the Princess had been sitting in the truck for last 3 hours I decided it was time to pull the plug and cruise home….I love this hobby!

Saturday a few of us cruised to Manassas, VA the cruise at Burger King near the airport on Rt. 28.  The event is hosted by Bull Run Street Rods and is a year-round fixture in our corner of Virginia.  No music, no trophies….just a whole bunch of vehicle enthusiasts gathering to show off their rides and talk about car stuff!

It seems that the event draws a lot of late model vehicles….which is OK with me.  I like to look at a new Challenger, Camaro, Mustang or Vette too….cars is cars!  I can and do appreciate the labor of love that some guys/gals build and I would rather drive an older ride….but the new ones are so techie and cool that they deserve a look too.  It’s all good.

I liked the black Duster with the white stripes….it was about as perfect a Duster as I have ever seen!  Many of the regulars like Paul’s yellow ’32 coupe and Skip’s red ’37 coupe were there and I liked the silver Studebaker Pickup that cruised in….now there is something you don’t see very often.  Jim & Linda had a piece of art work done for their blue ’08 Vette….it’s the under hood blanket….it’s really cool!

We all had a late lunch at BK, something about hamburgers & hot rods that just makes sense.  Then we had some ice cream from the vendor in the parking lot while the ladies had something going on about sign language or something.  I would look at the Princess and say ‘huh’ and they would all break out laughing….what’s up with that?  And Debie has to talk to and pet all the dogs that people bring with them….but she found one that still didn’t like her, even after she fed him ice cream!  I’m glad the ladies had a fun time because when they are happy….we are happy….it’s amazing how that works!  Even though it was a beautiful day it was still too cool to set up the chairs and sit a spell so we walked around for an hour or so then cruised back to Stafford.   

 

A magnificent day cruising on the Virginia highways giving people something to wave at….A nice beginning to the season.