Goodbye DJ Ron....Hello RV Ron

Friday afternoon Bill B. and the Princess & I left N. Stafford, VA at 2:30 to begin our 75 mile cruise to Ashland, VA and the weekly Chick-fil-a cruise.  We chose a longer route that took about 1:45 hours because Friday traffic on I-95 or Rt. 1 is so hateful and the ride in the countryside is a welcome change to the hustle & bustle of suburban life in N. Stafford.  This is the first time we attended this cruise in 2014….something has always “come up”….like rain.  I had repaired my coolant leak during the week (loose head bolt) and this would be a make or break test of my feeble attempt at wrenching….grin  Most of you know I was a Buick mechanic in the early/mid 60’s and did this kind of stuff every day plus I also worked on a race car for fun on the weekends!  But that was a lot of years ago….my body doesn’t like to twist and strain like it did then.  Sometimes it takes a day to recover from working on the truck but I still thank God for giving me the skill and knowledge to keep on using my tools.  When something works it is so cool to have done it yourself.  When it doesn’t work out so well….there’s always the Princess to blame!  Hehehehhe  So Friday would also be a test run, which for one thing means no music on the trip so I can listen to the motor and pay attention to what it is telling me.  That’s OK with the Princess….she likes to talk anyway….ya think?  So we had a great time all the way to the cruise while enjoying the flatlands of the Virginia Tidewater and listening to the truck growl down the road.

When we arrived at the cruise the lot was ½ full already!  Our “favorite” spot was taken so we had to park by an island….which the Princess was not thrilled with.  She rolled with the decision but said ‘whatever’ way too many times….it might be a special cruise tonight.  As soon as we settled in everyone headed to the restaurant for dinner and potty break.  The cruise provides a coupon for discounted food at Chick-fil-a….which is a great idea and no doubt helps draw some people to the event.  We were about 15 min early for the “official” start of the cruise food discount program to begin.  So….in my most intimidating, old guy that doesn’t give a hoot demeanor I asked the 19 year old waiting on us….”I know we’re early but I want the cruise in discount, what do you have to do to make that happen?”  He instructed me to see the gentleman behind me at the condiment table….as I turned around a silver haired gent was walking toward me with the coupons in his outstretched hands!  And Done!  I thanked him and turned around to order….so nice when the establishment “wants” you there.  The three of us ate and talked in the A/C for a while but then wandered back to the cruise lot and set up our chairs.  By then the lot was almost full!

FreRay Music provides the background sounds and announcements….they always do a good job keeping the natives happy.  The lot comfortably will hold about 110 cars.  The adjacent bank came over and announced that cars could park in their lot too tonight!  And some people were parking in the grocery store lot outside of the roped off area….I think there were about 140-150 cars that came through that night.  Most stayed but some cruised in, parked for a short while then cruised out only to have new people come in and take their spot….it was a crazy night!  This cruise is very comfortable and cozy and there is always someone that comes around to welcome you.  Small groups form and talk the night away….so very cool.  It’s a major commitment to the gasoline gods for us to make the trip to and back for this cruise but if you try it, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

We decided to head home around 8PM and took a more direct route on Rt. 1 till we got to Masaponax when we jumped on I-95 for the remaining 17 miles home….at 70-75 mph…..it would indeed be a good test for the truck!

Saturday I crawled under the truck and peeked under the hood to see if all the parts we left with on Friday were still attached and nothing was leaking on the garage floor….it was all good….whew  The Princess & I made our way to the WAWA start point and waited for whoever was going to run with us to the Brandy Station VFD show….a 33 mile jaunt.  We left promptly at 7AM with Bob in his orange Camaro, Bill & Jo-Ann in their brown ’57 Chevy, Denny in his Gatsby and the Princess & I in our old Chevy truck.  When we cruised through Bealeton we picked up Bill and his silver/black Valiant.  As we turned into the show entrance, Fred & Debie in their red/white ’57 Dodge and Lou & Arlene in their very red ’53 Ford Sunliner zipped in front of us….we were all there!  We began setting up camp at DJ Ron’s direction….let the fun begin!

We had attended this show a few years ago but have missed it the last two years because of rain and other commitments but we wanted to attend this year to say thanks to our friend, Ron Lacasse, for his 25 year stint as a DJ.  Ron DJ’s many of the shows we attend as well as other events….his commitment to this job have left him tied up most weekends.  He purchased a wondrous RV that is large enough to hide 38, 1964 Buick Electra 225’s inside and still have room for the RiverDancers to perform.  But because he was committed to DJaying most weekends he hasn’t been able to utilize it like he had envisioned when he retired.  And….he now has a partner to share his wanderlust with, in the charming Donna.  Ron & Donna act like two people that have know each other for much longer than the three months they have been seeing each other….  This could be the one Ron….don’t mess it up!  Chuckling….

Lou & Arlene had a scrumptious chocolate cake made for Ron just for the occasion.  The Princess and I made a collage of pictures I had taken of Ron DJaying from about 2006 to the present.  The Princess and I had as many people at the show that knew Ron, sign the back if the plaque.  AND the Princess made a pair of lounging bloomers for Ron.  He saw someone wearing a pair at another car show and remarked how comfortable they looked….for a trip to Wal-Mart!  So the Princess put her busy little fingers to work making Ron his very own, special pair of Wal-Mart loungers!  The Lucas’s had a plaque made for Ron that was Camaro intensive…..everyone also signed it for Ron.  The DQ group had a nice card that they all signed for Ron.  Another of Ron’s friends had a very cool trophy made to memorialize his retirement from DJaying.  A lot of emotion and fun….to say thanks to a very special friend.  His music will be missed but his presence on cruises and other events will make up for it.  If he & Donna are ever in town once he gets his land yacht motoring….we’ll see….

The event had 172 registered participants, the most ever for this deal.  There were some very nice representations of the hobby in Bill’s red ’37 Ford Slant back and Gary’s orange ’31 Chevy 5 window.  There were many other quality cars and a good mix of new and old.  The Fredericksburg Classic & Muscle Car Club won the club participation trophy.  And many other clubs were represented on the field.  The food was typical “car show” fare and the restroom facilities were porta potties.  They were clean and well stocked and even included a hand washing station in each of them!  The weather began cloudy and felt like rain but by midday the sun took over and it was a deep blue sky and puffy white cloud day, just perfect.  It began to get hot in the afternoon but it was still OK for the end of July.  The awards were given out at 3PM and shortly after we all motored uneventfully home.  Be sure to check out the pictures….it was a hoot!

      Thanks for the memories Ron….Thanks for the tunes….Thanks for being you!