Salem VFD Culpeper, VA 5-29-2016

Sunday a few of us were going to converge on the Salem VFD in Culpeper, VA for the annual fundraiser.  Tony of Tony’s Body Shop manages the event and it is always a well attended deal with nice rides.  The weatherguessers were saying that hurricane Bonnie would pay us a visit in the form of a lot of rain on Sunday.  Some said it would arrive around Noon….others said it would arrive later in the day but before dark.  So we go…..

We arrived a little early so we could pretty much pick our parking spot….and we would need to save one for Fred & Debie.  After the four of us set up camp we ventured inside the fire house where the firefighters were serving breakfast!  What a concept!

The day was unfolding normally and I struck out to document the participants with my trusty Sony H9.  I purchased the Sony in 2007 at the advice of a professional photographer friend.  I have captured over 60,000 images so far and have been very pleased with the results.  Lately the shutter button has been malfunctioning and while doing repair research I found that it is a common problem with the whole “H” series of Sony.  It’s one of the few parts that can be readily found on the net.  I purchased one and will see if I can become a camera repairman next week….  But today I started photographing the reflection of our farm truck in the hubcap of Fred’s ’57 Dodge….I like to try artsy fartsy shots occasionally.  The rest of my day would be trying to tweak the polarizer filter to put the reflections where I want on the vehicles and working with the sun….and waiting for people to move on so I can get a clear shot of the ride.  I was about half way through the field when I heard the announcer say they were going to end the show early because of ominous returns on the weather radar, coming directly towards us!  Bonnie was going to make an appearance today.  I walked a little faster and shortened my photo composition time so I could capture all the vehicles….whew.  When I reached our camp, Fred and the girls had taken down the canopy and were in the process of putting the chairs away too. 

Tony quickly ran through the award program and let us out around 1:30….instead of 3PM or later!  We all left and ran for home going in and out of very minor spritzing on the truck before we were in the garage!  A welcome end to a very busy weekend….

 

Bruster's Culpeper Cruise 5-28-2016

Saturday was the second time we held our monthly cruise at Bruster’s in Culpeper, VA….and I think it’s catching on!  We had 55 cruisers visit for the hot evening….  The guest DJ, DJ Craig of CNT DJ Services, played awesome background music for 5 hours! 

Once again the Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club made the 35 mile trip to support the cruise with their presence AND Kim, Crystal and Denise volunteered to run the 50/50 and captured $134 in the process.  The eventual winner donated back their half of the money so all of it goes to The Fisher House Foundation!  I think Mark’s pet rubber snake caused more than a little….confusion….in the FC&MCC camp.  We really appreciate the assistance of the FC&MCC as they help us grow this cruise.

Andrew invited the Virginia Camaro club to check us out and a bunch of them took him up on the invite!  There was a great mix of cruisers from hot rods to muscle cars…. 

Around 7:30 Melissa, one of the owners of Bruster’s, selected the very cool blue ’72 Chevy Pickup as the Bruster’s Manager’s Choice for May….a very gnarly local ride.  The crowd dispersed shortly after the award ceremony and the Princess & I cruised home and reflected on how the day unfolded.  Lou & Arlene also had a nice cruise home in their red ’53 Ford….until….they remembered they came in two cars….getting older is….special….grinning…. 

 

 

VA BBQ 5-27-2016

Friday we cruised to Fredericksburg, VA and the weekly cruise to VA BBQ, run by FC&MCC.  We set up by the big blue donation box in the parking lot….it seems to be a good way to have a neat little area between cars to gather and talk.  The lot began to fill up around 5PM when it began to cool off a little….just a couple weeks ago we were complaining about the cold weather….not it’s hot!  We had no spring….it went from winter straight into summer, welcome to Virginia!

We had about 50 cars visit the Q including a vintage Land Rover, the kind I remember in old movies about Africa.  Paul drove Anita’s black/red 1935 Chevy more door….and Bob brought his red/white ’55 Chevy that has been freshened up….quite a bit….like new paint and all the trim looks better than new!....check it out next time.  The white/purple ’70 Duster was just right and Dave’s too green ’37 Chevy Sedan sat in the corner and glowed all night!  As usual the visitors were varied….that’s what makes this a very cool cruise, like Mrs. Gump said, you never know what you’re goanna get….

The two awards were given out, the 50/50 was called and everyone left for points unknown….except Bob & Nancy and the Princess & I….we visited Freddy’s Restaurant again….a neat end to the day.

 

VA BBQ 5-20-2016

I think it has rained in Virginia for 400 days straight….some of our neighbor’s lawns look like the Serengeti during the monsoons, I expect reports of lions lurking in the grass any day now.  Friday it finally cleared up and the weather was perfect!  A visit to VA BBQ in Fredericksburg, VA was in order….we dusted the farm truck off and headed south.

We got there a little early to make sure we got the parking spot we wanted.  A few months ago a “Better World” clothing and shoe donation box showed up in the parking lot.  It takes up just enough space to make the rest of the parking spot pretty much useless unless you drive a bike or Crosley.  The bikes like to park close to the building and I haven’t seen a Crosley at the Q for a few years now….so we like to park in the spot next to the collection box and use the space the box is in for our people gathering.  That way we don’t have to fight with the ants for space on the grass.  We parked on one side of the box and Fred parked on the other side, effectively ensuring enough space for 10-12 cruisers to sit in a loose circle, in an ant free area while the evening unfolded.  We like to gather on the opposite side of the parking lot from the DJ….we like the music but we like to share the time in conversation too.  The music play list was just about perfect….the DJ nailed it.

The host club, Fredericksburg Classic & Muscle Car Club, runs a 50/50 to provide funds for their charity program for needy families in December….I think the total for the night was almost $300!  The club members are kept busy with the music, 50/50, parking and networking.  Kim keeps Rick busy most of the evening welcoming visitors and rubbing on their red Chevy truck with the yellow flames….hehehehe

About 60 vehicles visited during the evening and the rides varied from a pro street ’63 Dodge with Elephant power to a little blue ’62 VW weezer and most everything in between.  Darryl ventured out and was scaring the Mustangs & Camaro’s with his Plum Crazy ’16 Challenger Hellcat….that is one intimidating machine.  JV & CJ stayed a while in their T-Bucket and a young gentleman added his yellow Ford Focus to the mix, he even put a “TAXI” sign on the roof later….  Bill & Debbie brought their ’61 Metro out after it’s winter hibernation, it is unquestionably a hippy car.  Ricky & Diane joined us with their red ’29 Ford Sedan….he built his Ford from a barn find and did all the work himself, check it out sometime.  Besides the ’63 Pro Street Dodge, my favorite of the evening was the very dark blue ’31 Ford Roadster….just perfect.

It was getting just a little chilly when the club gave out the managers choice and club choice trophy so a few of us packed up and decided to visit Freddy’s Restaurant for a late dinner….  After our gastronomical adventure we all cruised home in different directions….a cool ending to a great day with cars & friends….I love this hobby….

 

 

Va BBQ 5-13-2016

The rain has been a problem for that last few weeks but Friday  Rick made the rain stop soon enough so we cruised to the VA BBQ in Fredericksburg, VA and the weekly cruise managed by Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club.  It was a perfect afternoon to be out enjoying friends & cars.

Darryl brought his new purple Hellcat out, it really is one very cool machine.  Jo-Ann was chauffeured to the cruise in her recently acquired, two toned 1949 Chevy Pickup.  It is one of the nicest Chevy AD’s around.  About 35 cruisers brought out their special rides to the Q….

Friday night was awesome….Saturday’s activities would be rained out for us…..maybe next week.