Going South....

Friday we were going to Fredericksburg, VA and the weekly cruise at VA BBQ but we took an extra day to come back from our Fla. visit with friends and were really tired.  And we hadn’t cleaned the truck up from our cruise the Sunday before….in the rain.  So we stayed home to recuperate.  But Saturday after we cleaned up the truck we were ready to do some cruisin.

The Princess & I drove 58 miles from Stafford to Orange to visit the monthly cruise-in at the BK on Rt. 15.  This cruise-in is declining a little but still attracts over 80 cars every month.  This was a 200+ deal at one time.  Since we were a little early we chose a new place to park….away from the cigar smoking we had to endure the last time we attended.  As soon as we were parked David rolled in with his ’92 Fox Mustang and we had a “group”!  Later Andrew would join our little gathering.  A lot of very nice rides attended but I liked the blue ‘48 much modified Buick….did I just say I liked a Buick, must be the cold weather approaching….grin  The car was lowered and smoothed with many body mods….it just looked right.  I also liked the silvery blue ’48 Chevy PU….it was also a nice build.  I took a picture of a Peterbilt tractor that had a custom paint job that was a little different.  As I was strolling through the cars taking pictures the truck started to leave.  I stepped back and was watching him when I heard the unmistakable scrubbing sounds that tires make when they are rolling on a road surface!  I looked to my left where the sound was coming from and saw the truck’s oversized trailer heading for me as he negotiated his turn!  I jumped back (don’t know how I did that?) and narrowly missed being smushed into the asphalt.  I am ready to go but really don’t want to meet such a ignominious end as being run over by a semi trailer in a parking lot!  I really need to keep my situational awareness peaked better when I’m walking around.

While the Princess was sitting and talking with the spectators around our truck a small group walked near the truck.  It was a middle aged couple assisting a very elderly white haired lady as they walked among the cars.  The lady was 101 years old!  As they approached the truck the older lady reached out to touch the truck, the young lady said “Don’t touch it”.  The Princess saw/heard the exchange and exclaimed “It’s OK….she is welcome to touch our truck”!  Then the little lady extended her hand and ran her weathered fingers over the pinstriping on the front fender and smiled.  You could tell she was also watching some old memories playing out in her head….just too cool.  That’s the part we like best about sharing our hot rods with people….it almost always stimulates some kind of positive memory for them.

The shadows were becoming longer by the minute signaling that it was time we began making our way home.  We said our goodbyes and cruised home….making more memories along the way.

A few weeks ago Fred had suggested we attend an event that was 109 miles away in Dinwiddie, VA on Sunday.  It was the Mega Mopar Action Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park.  It was a Mopar event, I drive a Chevy!  Fred assured me that since Sunday was “Mopar against the world”????....I would be OK.  Since a lot of my misspent youth was done at one of the drag strips in SoCal I thought it would be fun to watch the racing but enter a Chevy in a ‘car show’ at a Mopar event sounded like a non starter to me. 

The Princess didn’t want to be the only girl in our group so she called Debie and convinced her to come along with Fred?  Remember these women people are the same ones that have to visit the restroom in groups too….so I guess it’s a herding thing?  We were to meet Bill, another cruiser and Mopar guy at the onramp of Rt. 17….but a VA Trooper had other ideas and made Bill “move along”.  So we joined up with Bill at the Rest Stop on I-95.  Soon after that we met Fred & Debie at the Thornburg Dairy Queen interchange where Fred took over leading our group and continued our cruise to Dinwiddie.  I-95 is an interesting road most if it is well maintained and a pleasure to travel on, but some of it is horrible.  That’s all I’m going to say about that.  It’s a long way to Dinwiddie….trust me. 

When we turned into the Motorsports Park I was greeted with a large, “No Weapons” sign.  So….using the TSA guidelines I would have to leave behind my pocket knife, fingernail clippers, bottled water and any other item of self defense I might have brought with me or go home.   Fred negotiated with the money taker at the gate then told me it would be OK as long as I left anything in the truck!  OK….  That sucks but I didn’t want to lose the day or disappoint our friends that have made the trek with us just because of a wrongheaded rule.  Being a ‘rule follower’ is difficult sometimes. 

I didn’t really want to compete in the show with Mopars….it was ‘their’ deal after all.  But when we had parked in the spectator lot the show announcer guy came bounding over to us and said we were welcome to be in the show!  We moseyed over to the show grid and took up temporary residence….I had a Mopar on both sides and in back of me!  Hmmmmmm   After a short while we decided to go watch some racing in the grandstands. 

This facility is very nice with permanent restrooms and snack bar.  I have not visited many drag strips since moving to the right coast in ’73 so my recollection of drag racing is from Lions, Irwindale, Fontana and O.C.I.R., with O.C.I.R. (The County) being the most modern of the lot.  I remember the first time I visited The County and being very impressed with the concrete bleachers with the permanent restrooms, snack bar and tower that was state of the art.  The Motorsports Park is every bit as accommodating as The County was.  I’m not a real fan of handicapped racing….I think that’s one thing that killed ‘class’ racing.  Like the Gas and Altered classes that fell victim of ‘bracket’ racing.  Oh well….it is what it is.   The racing was fun but not too many ‘hot’ cars....just one BB/FC and one Weezer.   The Princess & Debie were choosing cars they liked sometimes by the color of the car then cheering them on!  It’s what drag racing is supposed to be for the spectators.  Us guys were always mumbling things like; reaction time, too much bite, lifting, valve float….I think the girls have more fun!

After a while we heard the announcer call for all the ‘show’ cars owners to begin congregating at the announcer canopy.  The show car field consisted of 19 cars, so when the ‘top 20’ awards were given out no one went home empty handed.  They divided the show field into ‘Old School’ and ‘New School’ vehicles for the ‘specialty awards’.  I think that was a good way to try to level the age disparity of the cars.  The Princess won the ‘Best Interior’, old school, award but as she was leaving the award table with it, she was called back.  The announcer guy had made a mistake?  The Princess reluctantly gave the award back….very reluctantly.  I could see the wood peeling off the plaque from her fingernail scratches as he removed it from her clutches.  Then the announcer said that she had won the ‘Best Paint’, old school, award instead.  Whew, there will be peace and happiness in the Shotwell hovel next week!  Bill won ‘Best Interior’, old school, with his Valiant.  Bill muttered something to the Princess about her trying to steal ‘his’ best interior award as he walked by her, it was just too funny!

After the award ceremony we went back to the grandstands to watch the racing.  This time we took umbrellas to protect us from the relentless thermonuclear rays the sun was sending out.  After an hour or so we noticed Debie was getting a little red around the gills.  I asked if she was OK….she responded “yes”.  But her demeanor and appearance told me otherwise.  She was still drinking water and sweating but she needed to get in a different environment, soon.  We all retreated to our rides and began our ride north and home.  It was a fun day and the facility was top notch….just too many Mopars…..grin

 

Life after rain....

Friday we cruised to the Dairy Queen in Fredericksburg, VA to attend the weekly cruise.  Tonight was to be “special”.  Nick had convinced some of the big tire car guys to attend the cruise and if they showed it would indeed get real noisy!  The Princess & I rolled in early so we could dine at the DQ.  This is not little finger in the air dinning but just good old solid American food….it always pleases.  Some other cruisers started arriving and coming in to eat with us….too cool.  When we went back outside the lot was half full and the music was cranked up. 

As the sun’s shadows were getting very long the background din was interrupted by the growling and snarling of something….something that would not be ignored!  The Pro Street cars were rumbling into the lot!  Five of the gnarliest street machines around jockeyed for proper parking among the other rides.   They moved back and forth guiding the beasts precisely where the drivers wanted them….it is a kind of dance all hot rodders do as we park but the big tire cars defiantly dance with a different tune!  Before they safetied them down the crowds began to gather….and they soon were inundated with people!  Those kind of cars are what is at the heart of hot rods for me and evidently a lot of other people too!

But….there were other cars too!  Bill’s Model T Racer draws a pretty respectable crowd too and Bob’s ’33 Ford with the supercharged flathead harkens to our roots.  JV’s T-Bucket is like it's right from a 60’s hot rod magazine cover!  I think that’s why many like the hot rod culture; it brings back memories of a happier time….maybe?  When we had to leave the big tire cars were still in the lot….but it was time for us old folks to be home.  We found out later that some of Fredericksburg’s finest closed down the road by the Dairy Queen and allowed the Pro Streets to exit, quickly and noisily to their waiting trailers….grin  I probably missed the video of the year by leaving early….  I did get to shoot some artsy fartsy pictures anyway….fun.

Saturday we left the start point in Opal, VA and began our 120 mile odyssey to Wardensville, WV and the monthly cruise at the Quarter Mile Diner.  While we waited in Opal it began to rain….not just a shower….but real rain!  Oh well….we had stayed home too many times this year because of rain and we were driving a “road” car that is ugly underneath and doesn’t mind road spray too much….so we shook our fist at the rain and Fred & Debie and the Princess & I left on time for the mountains.  In Sperryville Bob & Benda and Butch joined us for the day.  After we crossed one mountain in the rain we made a pit stop in Luray for fuel and bladder control.  We then proceeded over the next mountain by a very lesser traveled road.  Rt. 675 winds through the woods on a narrow country road….no side lines, no center lines and in some places no guard rails!  It is fun but does demand the drivers attention all the way!  We dropped into Edinburg, VA then continuing on Rt. 675 we climbed into West Virginia and rode the ridge of the last mountain that paralleled the WV-VA border.  The road was full of switchbacks and inclines, up and down!  The countryside is almost pristine in places….just beautiful.  Somewhere before we got into WV the rain stopped and by the time we arrived in Wardensville it was dry!

Our four dirty rides parked in the lot of the Diner and before we stepped away from them the host of the cruise, Scott, was upon us….smiling and shaking our hands welcoming us to his little corner of heaven.  I met Scott on Facebook.  I have so many “friends” on Facebook but I have never met half of them in person.  Scott invited us to his cruise early in the year but it rained the first time we were scheduled to visit but it worked out just fine this time.  The Diner is owned by a genuine gearhead that has tasteful auto memorabilia throughout the inside of the Diner.  There is also a garage next door with more automobile memorabilia around it….it was a very cool place to take pictures.  And the food!  The menu is auto centric with selections like El Camino salad, Rag Top Po’Boy, Malibu Tenders and it goes on.  I had a Nitro Burger.  It was very tasty but I thought it might put a little pop in my step….no luck!  I guess I’m ready for a rebuild….grin  After we finished we said our goodbyes and cruised on Rt. 55 to the Mother Road, Rt. 66.  Yes we have part of it in Virginia!  We cruised another 75 miles home to end the marvelous adventure.  You have to come out and play with us sometime.  All that road spray will wash off and you don’t want to miss another opportunity to make some memories….or….you can stay home and watch TV….choices

Blue skys and blue crabs....

Friday we had reservations to stay overnight in Harrisonburg, VA so we could attend the CrossWalk Adventures Fall Cruise-in.  The weatherguessers were forecasting 50%+ chance of rain, with heavier in the late afternoon.  We didn’t want to sit in the rain and didn’t think many others would come out in bad weather either….so we cancelled the motel and decided to stay close to home.  I didn’t rain in Harrisonburg!  They had blue skies and more cars than they had at their cruise-in, in the Spring!  I don’t know how to deal with this….  Meteorologists have so much expensive cosmic equipment, years of data to consult and I’m sure they make more than minimum wage but they just can’t get a 24 hour forecast right.  I guess it’s not a new phenomenon because I remember my Dad telling me the weatherguessers would seldom get the forecasts correct when he would fly his Mustang on fighter sweeps or bomber escort missions over Japan in 1945….but this is 2014!!  We have been kept away from too many really good events this year because of forecasted bad weather that didn’t materialize. 

So….Friday we visited Fredericksburg, VA and the weekly Cruise-in at the Dairy Queen.  It was so very hot that we lingered inside the DQ after we ate just to soak in the A/C for a little while longer.  By the time we did venture outside there were about 40 vehicles parked and more kept arriving all the time.  The Princess told me that was because of the heat….?  It was a little cooler after the sun went behind the trees so she could be right.  Princesses are so sensitive about things like that.  While we sat by the truck, I was engaged in conversation and let my “golden hour” of optimum photography time slip away.  For various reasons, I do not like to take flash pictures after dark so the result was I didn’t “take” all the vehicles by the time we left.  Oh well….  As usual we had a great time and will visit again the next Friday because Nick says the big tire cars will make an appearance….if it doesn’t rain….pfffttftt  I have wipers and real tires….hehehehehe

I had done some maintenance on the truck recently and wanted to put a few local miles on it to ensure I did it correctly, so we decided to cruise somewhere on Sunday.  Dan & Ramona suggested we revisit Tim’s at Lake Anna, VA for seafood.  It sounded like a good idea to the Princess so we polled some of our regular cruisers and we set up a 4 car cruise to the lake.  It’s challenging to put together a cruise when the participants are geographically scattered all over VA….but we did!  We had to drive a few extra miles to include everyone….but it WAS a cruise ya know!  Dan & Ramona and the Princess & I left Stafford, cruised to Spotsylvania and were joined by Fred & Debie.  Then we cruise together to Tim’s restaurant where Lou & Arlene were waiting for us.

Lou intercepted me as we ambled in from the parking lot and asked if we wanted to dine inside or out?  Since I had already made reservations for inside I was confused (something that is happening with more regularity lately).  I should have remembered those lessons from the sensitivity training classes about actually listening when someone is talking to me….think about what they are saying, not just waiting for the noise to stop so I can talk again.  In my past professional life I was very good at that but in retirement I don’t use all those interpersonal habits that served me so well for 40 years.  So….I acknowledged Lou but didn’t really think about what he was asking.  We are both hearing challenged and when we get in large groups the background buzz almost renders us deaf.  Inside Tim’s the big screen TV’s were blaring the first ‘real’ Redskins game….the normal background buzz was ratcheted up about a gazillion decibels…..just short of ear bleeding.  Most of the time I could see people’s mouths move but couldn’t understand if they were asking me to pass the Grey Poupon or trying to tell me that my hair was on fire!  We got through it….but it’s a task.  After about a half hour into the meal I remembered Lou asking inside or out?  Now I know why….

Most of you may not know that the Princess likes to eat blue point crabs.  She will devour as many as you put in front of her.  And we found out Debie will do the same thing!  But Lou & Arlene do not eat crabs….what’s up with that?  I thought it was in the Virginia Residency Agreement that you HAD to like to eat crabs?  Lou’s expressions went from wonderment to disgust to amazement….and back & fourth a few times….it was fun to watch him as he watched Debie & the Princess devour enough crabs to sink a small boat!  Because of the aforementioned noise level and Lou’s Italian body language it was like watching a Mime describe sausage factory.  It really was a fun two (2) hours dining at Tim’s.  The food was a little salty but great which matched the very attentive service.  I recommend this eatery whenever you are near Lake Anna….and you can get to it by water too!

When we were all full from the great food or tired from watching the Princess eat, we waddled out to our rides and discussed the next leg of the day’s cruise.  Fred & Debie left for home but the rest of us decided to cruise to Culpeper and see if Bruster’s Ice Cream was still there….it was!  This is one of the nicest Bruster’s we have ever visited.  It’s close to Rt. 29 and the parking lot is very spacious….which complements the staff that is always helpful and quick.  We always try to visit this place whenever we are within…oh….1500 miles of it!  It was going to be dark soon so we said our goodbyes and cruised 36 miles home to Stafford.  What a day….you really have to drive those hot rods to realize how much fun they are.

Be Prepared....

Friday the Princess & I took our hot rod and cruised to Culpeper, VA.  We had some loose ends to tie up at the Culpeper Regional Airport for our event in October and we met Lou & Arlene near the airport.  Lou & I do most of the grunt work for this event since he lives in Culpeper and I like airplanes….that we both are retired helps too!  The meeting went well with Tanya & Tony and I do believe this year’s event will be the best yet! 

The Commemorative Air Force is flying a restored B-17G around the Country; it’s called “Sentimental Journey”.  It is a beautiful representation of the type of bomber that took the war to Germany & Japan in WWII.  The love and attention they lavish on it is just mind boggling.  The airplane was at the Culpeper airport all week!  When we concluded our meeting with Tanya, the airport manager, she asked if we wanted to take our classic cars out on the ramp and take some pictures with the B-17 before we left?  Well….uh….Lou & I looked at each other and blabbered in unison “oh yeah, that would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something like that”….YUP!  We carefully motored out on the ramp and over by the glistening old bomber being careful not to run over any people admiring the airplane too.  We parked and took some of the most memorable pictures with our hot rods we may ever get.  What a deal….  After that photo shoot nothing could go wrong the rest of the day!

We floated away from the airport and headed to our next stop, Battlefield Ford and our meeting with the owner Gary.  We needed to tie down more loose ends with our AirFest sponsor. We met with Gary and had the fastest meeting I have ever had but also one of the most productive in memory.  We are set with the sponsor….on to the award company. 

Ed’s Trophy & Engraving has been making our awards for this event since we began six years ago.  Our event is not a competitive event, no trophies thank you very much.  But we do appreciate everyone that takes their time to come spend the day with us at the airport, sharing their vehicle and talking to the thousands of spectators that roam through our vehicle display on the way into the airshow.  So we present everyone that participates with a token of our appreciation….something to help them remember the day.  Our group, Cruisin For Heroes, puts on the event to raise awareness that hopefully will translate into donations for our charity, Fisher House Foundation.

After our meeting with Ed we cruised to Glory Days and an early dinner out on their patio….  The afternoon was pleasantly comfortable but we really wanted to be able to watch our hot rods while we ate….those of you that drive your hot rod will know what I mean.

After eating too many fish & chips we wobbled over to the weekly cruise at Arby’s.  This is a casual gathering of local hot rodders that just enjoy each other’s company and want to get together every week, even in the winter!  It’s in a very nice venue and will support about 25-30 cars, which makes it very cozy and friendly.  The food is good and indoor restrooms are always a plus.  There were less than 10 cars Friday, no doubt due to the Holiday weekend.  We may help promote this cruise next year, I really like it and it takes about the same amount of time to cruise 40 miles to Culpeper as it does the 18 miles to Fredericksburg!  Yes, traffic around here near I-95 or Rt. 1 is horrific on Friday evening….all year around.  And with the current construction it won’t get any better for a couple years!

 

The only drawback about this cruise is the close proximity of shopping for the ladies.  The Princess and Arlene should not be allowed to go shopping together….and when Benda goes with them the shopping bag count can go way up!  I think it must be like a competition….to see how much stuff they can buy….it’s a sickness I think?  Its times like these I’m sorry we drive a truck….like the Post Office, ‘If it fits, it ships’.  I may be able to keep the Princess near the truck if I hang up a chrome wind chime or something else shinny but Lou & Bob are on their own with their ladies!

We said our goodbyes around 8:30 and cruised to Bruster’s Ice Cream in Culpeper.  I think Lou’s GPS is hard wired with the Bruster’s address….we can’t leave the area till we stop there!  After Ice cream we had an uneventful cruise home….in the cool of the evening….windows down….smelling the smells of late summer.

Saturday we decided to cruise to Manassas, VA and the weekly cruise at the BK near the airport.  We met Dan & Ramona on the way out of Stafford and made the rest of the 30 mile cruise without incident.  When we arrived in the lot Dan found two parking spaces near the ice cream stand….coincidence?  I think not!  Dan’s most favorite food in the world is ice cream….never get between him and ice cream….it could get ugly!  The attendance was a little down; no doubt from the holiday weekend, but some fat tire cars came out anyway.  I always like to see/hear/feel those rides….it really is a visceral thing with those cars.  About 8AM we decided to call it a day and almost had another uneventful cruise home.  That is until Dan blew his deer whistle!  I think there is something on his ’55 that makes a noise that deer like, it attracts them.  This time he was able to stop before hitting one even though one was standing in the road….looking at Dan….like he was saying “come on big boy, is that all ya got?.  The Princess and I were laughing so hard I was having trouble seeing because of the tears….too much fun I guess.  You had to be there….maybe next time you will?

Mid Summer Thunder Cruise 2014

Friday evening just a few hearty souls ventured out with their hot rods….the weatherguessers were forecasting rain that never materialized.  There were about 20 vehicles but one that caught my eye was Pete’s new red ’88 IROC Camaro convertible with every option known to man.  It also has a very interesting interior.  There was also my favorite red ’59 Pontiac convertible from the Southern environs.  Then a late 80’s, yellow Buick GN (?) with a 455 motor….very interesting with the portholes on the front fenders.  Since none of the regular ladies came out, the Princess didn’t have any compatible conversationalists….so we went home around 8:30!  I know….Kim and us guys don’t count….it’s a Princess thing!

Saturday we watched it rain!

Sunday we left the WAWA at 8AM and cruised 27 miles to Opal, VA and the start point for the Mid Summer Thunder Cruise.  This would be the first one of this cruise for our group, Cruisin For Heroes, and we wanted it to be special.  We have been planning this since February and Sunday we would see how it would be received.  I almost rescheduled it because a show that I really like, Colonial Beach Nostalgia Drags, scheduled their rain date the same as our cruise.  I had a real struggle with this but in the end, my friend, Fred, said….don’t we do what we say we’re going to do?  “Light bulb”….YUP….we do!  So on with our cruise.

There were 12 cars at the meet up in Opal but Dan had to go home with his sick Chebby.  Then we picked up 3 more cruisers about 6 miles from the start when we turned onto Rt. 211….and lost the Studebaker when he turned off for home.  So I’m really struggling with this new math but I think we had either 13 or 4729 vehicles in our caravan, assaulting the roads on our 65 mile cruise to the Meems Bottom Covered Bridge near Mt. Jackson, VA.

The Meems Bottom Covered Bridge spans the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and is the longest covered bridge in Virginia at 204 feet.  It has been reconstructed four times from floods or fire since it was built in 1867.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, it is a special deal.  The Princess and I discovered it in the 90’s one day while we were cruising the Virginia countryside on our Harley and last winter we decided to share it with some of our hot rod friends.  This year we wanted to attend fewer shows but go on more over the road cruises.  Since few other people plan cruises around here, we decided that if we wanted to go on more cruises….we would have to also be the planners of them!  This is the 5^th cruise we have planned and executed this year and have 5 more this year!  Next year we will be planning more if the interest is there.

The day was dreary and just a tad warm till we got over the first mountain….then it got more comfortable.  We had low hanging dark clouds that were taunting us all day but our wipers stayed in their hiding place!  Yes….I have my wiper arms & blades removed and stowed under my seat.  It seems that when the Princess is taking pictures out the windshield, on a sunny day, the reflection from the wiper arms is like a thermonuclear explosion….right there on my hood!  And the Princess does not like to look into the bright light.  The whine meter starts climbing….hmmm.

After our first pit stop near Luray we proceeded over the next mountain to Rt. 11 then turned north toward Mr. Jackson.  You really have to know this deal is there or you can drive right past the little sign that directs motorists to the bridge.  The long access road has mature trees along the path and a manicured buffered sod area between the 6’ high corn fields on both sides of the road.  The road is an active; VDOT maintained access road to homes and businesses on the other side of the bridge.  The Princess and I parked the truck on the side of the road then got out and began photographing the event.  Driving the hot rods is a visceral deal for us but reporting on it is a visual thing so please check out the pictures.  The Princess takes all the ‘on the road’ pictures so no old people were hurt in their truck as they documented the cruise.  All the cars drove through the bridge then turned around and came back through it.  Many of us took photographs of the cars as they exited the bridge….it’s part of what we came for!  Everyone wandered around the bridge and under the bridge….it’s a neat place to explore.  Rich was having a little trouble with his orange ’69 Dodge Daytona (minor) but had many many helpers offering advice and help.  It was not a disabling problem and the car was ready to go when we decided to move on to lunch. 

We cruised about 7 miles to the other side of New Market, VA and the Southern Kitchen restaurant.  We have used this eatery as a destination a few times in the past and have always been pleased with the food and service.  When we arrived we were about an hour and half early.  There were lines of people outside waiting to get in.  I knew our people would not like to wait so I squeezed (yeah little ‘ol me) in to the lady taking names for the wait list.  When I said we have 22 people she asked if we were the “car” people!  I stammered yes!  She said come on in we have your tables waiting!  WOW So the only inconvenience we had to suffer was the looks from the people that didn’t call ahead….note to self, ALWAYS CALL AHEAD!  We all settled in for another great meal at Southern Kitchen….did I say it is on Rt. 11 in New Market, VA and they are open 7 days a week?  I don’t know how they did it but they served all of our group within 5 minutes of each other….that in itself is amazing.  Usually when a large group orders off a menu some of the people are done eating before some even get their food.  There is plenty of parking and easy access….this place rocks!

After lunch some of the group visited a car show going on near New Market, some had to go somewhere else and some headed home.  Our little group of about 7 cars made our way back over two mountains again but when we reached Sperryville we took Rt. 522 to Culpeper.  It gave us a different look for the trip home and also provided an ice cream stop!  Our truck cannot pass an ice cream establishment if we are closer than….oh say….200 miles from one!  We have to stop!  So in Culpeper there is a Bruster’s Ice Cream store very close to Rt. 29, which is the route we will take going back to Stafford.  By the time we arrived at Bruster’s there were just three of us….the rest had peeled off and taken a different route home….no ice cream that way….just sayin.

We had a great day cruising about 200 total miles on some of the picturesque Virginia byways, enjoying old friends and making some new ones while driving our hot rod….I love this hobby.

The road or the lawn mower.....hmmmmm

Friday we settled in at VA BBQ for the weekly cruise managed by Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club.  A lot of the usual suspects rolled in along with a few new rides too.  The deep wine ’39 Chevy was perfect….it didn’t stand out till you started checking it closely.  So much attention to detail, it was just amazing.  And the orange ’37 Ford that I walked by thinking it was Special Ed’s orange ’39….they look similar with a quick glance.  I have to talk to the owner next time!  There were about 45 cars at the cruise….a nice night.  Our little cluster of friends kept talking through the awards, the 50/50 and almost all the cars leaving before we noticed we were nearly the last ones in the lot!  The weather was perfect, the company was engaging….they say ‘time fly’s when you are having fun’.  I can’t think of a more pleasant way to spend a few hours with friends and hot rods.  The Princess & I cruised home remarking what a cool hobby this is….

Saturday we launched from Stafford, VA on our 67 mile cruise to Gordonsville, VA and the Barbeque Exchange Restaurant.  Ever since our friend Bill told us about this place, we try to visit it as often as we can.   Denny & Betty left the WAWA with us and Dan & Ramona joined in on the way out of Stafford.  When we cruised past Culpeper, Fred & Debie joined with us in our quest for food.  This is always a lazy, non confrontational cruise through the rolling hills of the Virginia Countryside.  The Princess takes pictures along the way to try to give you a flavor of its grandeur….but you need to go with us sometime to absorb the full impact of what God has put here for us to enjoy. 

Cruising along is fun….until….we reach Gordonsville….and the circle of death.  In order to proceed through Gordonsville VDOT decided to install a traffic circle, or round-about!  I think these medieval devices are just a clever way for the government to subliminally train us to be more aggressive drivers.  One has only two choices once you get to the queue of the circle of death.  You can wait till someone in the whirling dervish of vehicles lets you enter the fray….but most of the time your driver’s license will expire before that happens.  Or….you can just aggressively push into the melee and hope you hit something smaller than you as you merge with the crush of metal mayhem.  Once in the swirl you have to keep uncomfortably close to the person in front of you lest any other driver dare merge in front of you.  All the while you have to keep track of where your exit is located so you can jump off the mind numbing marry-go-round without getting trapped.  This part of the exercise is very important because if you wimp out you will be sentenced to a life of driving around in circles.  This is when I usually think about that old Kingston Trio song….the one about the MTA.

So we all make it through the circle of death and into Gordonsville proper.  It’s a quaint old town with architecture from the 1800’s.  Its name came from the original postmaster, Nathaniel Gordon, who purchased the land in 1787 from a cousin of President James Madison.  He opened the post office in 1813 and the town’s name was changed from ‘Newville’ to Gordonsville at that time.  Gordonsville is also a hub of three major highways and has a railroad running through it too.  It was and is an important crossroad town for commerce as well as travelers.

The wheels keep turning....

 

Friday we had planned to visit the cruise in Louisa, VA….about 60 miles one way….but about two hours before we were to leave our friend Fred called me to say the cruise had been cancelled!  So I emailed and Facebooked everyone I knew so they wouldn’t go either….whew!  I don’t think we will schedule a return trip to that cruise.

So now we are mentally fired up to go somewhere with the hot rod….so since the next day would be a long road trip we decided to stay close to home.  We hadn’t visited the Fredericksburg DQ for a while so that would be on the agenda tonight!  About 22 miles later we cruised into the empty lot….way early.  That was ok because we could eat at the DQ….they have ice cream ya know….   I picked out the parking spot I wanted for an artsy photo shot later then we stumbled into the eatery to consume massive amounts of triglyceride laden comfort food.  While we were eating the crowd started filling up the lot and by the time we returned to the truck and started to set up our camp there were over 30 cars sitting….and by the time we left later in the evening there were over 60 vehicles that had rumbled to the DQ! 

This cruise attracts all kinds of interests in vehicles….from antique, hot rod, motorcycles, new classics, trucks, rat rods, traditional old school hot rods….pretty much everything.  Jeannette & Sue, the cruise managers, play cool hot rod music, give out some trophies, sell cruise T-shirts and run auctions and 50/50s for local needy families….they both work very hard to make the cruise experience a pleasant one for all and I think it shows.  The cruise is more transient than most.  By that I mean more people come in for a little while then leave to cruise somewhere else while other people come in to take their place.  Also one of the access by customers to the Dairy Queen drives through part of the cruise lot which adds some ‘busyness’ to the mix….everyone plays nice though and it’s all good.  Around 8:30 we decided to cruise home….tomorrow would be a very long day.

Saturday we would attend an event we have been planning on since last winter.  Dave & Raymond from Valley Mustangs Unlimited out of Harrisonburg, VA told me that they wanted to donate the proceeds from their 20^th Annual All Ford Powered Show to Fisher House Foundation through our group, Cruisin For Heroes…..wow!    They wanted us there to accept the donation and share about what Fisher House Foundation does for our Veterans.  One of our group members drives a red ’53 Ford Sunliner….so he decided to enter his ride too.  This is the same club that donated $1000 last year to Fisher House Foundation through our group.  It is curious that a club so far away from us understands the importance of supporting our Veterans through Fisher House but local clubs not so much….oh well. 

Lou & Arlene and the Princess & I were stressing for a week about the weather for this show date.  A week prior the weatherguessers were prognosticating massive amounts of rain for Saturday….flooding, tornados, hurricanes, sea water rising, apocalyptic end of the world stuff….typical for weatherguessers in our part of the world.  Lou & I kept close watch on four different weather sites and the Friday before made the decision, based on the aforementioned weather sites, that we would take our daily drivers because the forecast was 60% rain and rising!  Ok….we’re set.  After the Princess & I got home from the Friday cruise at DQ I checked the weather sites….the rain % was down to 20% or below!  I tried to call Lou but you know how early those retired guys go to bed so at 11PM I left him the message that we would take the hot rods tomorrow.  Early Saturday morning we connected by phone and got our trip underway.  We met Lou near Culpeper, VA on the way to Harrisonburg, VA.  Since the trip would be 105 miles for us we made a pit stop at the Sheets on Rt. 20 & Rt. 230….whew.  The route to Harrisonburg is one of the most pleasant rides we do….it is so typical of the rolling Virginia countryside….the ride is worth the effort in itself.

We rolled into the show about 10:30 and the fun began!  It was an all Ford show….we drive a Chebby truck….I see confrontation written all over this scenario.  So since I write a blog, take pictures and am published on HotRodHotLine I consider myself as a “Press” guy.  I made up a cool “PRESS” sign just in case there was trouble.  I pay the entry fee to support the charity but clearly didn’t have a horse in the race….  So, when the parking guy said “that’s not a Ford”, I announced to him, in my most authoritative voice, that I was a “Press” guy, see my sign?  He looked bewildered and asked his partner who shrugged his shoulders and grinned….  Then I bellowed “OK where do you want me to park?”  He shuffled me to another guy further into the lot….then one of the club members that know me said it’s ok….whew!  So since we were driving one of “Those” cars they put us way off in the corner….away from the real cars….grin  I felt like that kids story with the rabbit saying “whatever you do don’t send me to the briar patch”  Yeah, don’t make us park over in the corner, under a big shade tree, on the cool grass….no don’t send us there….chuckling….  The Princess quickly setup her chair and stuff to stake out this primo parking spot, giggling all the time!

This WAS a Ford show….it WAS put on by a Mustang club….it WAS hosted by a Ford dealership….so I would expect a few Mustangs would be present.  YUP….a lot of Lee Iacocca’s vision of what an American sporty car should be, were present.  I must confess that even though the Princess drives a red ’94 Mustang GT, that I bought her for our 30^th wedding anniversary, I don’t know a lot about the newer ones.  All the different engines, superchargers and other mods that they can make to their rides give me confidence that the performance spirit is alive and well.  I think there was an example of every Mustang at the event except for maybe a T5.  Of the 120 cars that were registered, 94 were Mustangs.  The rest were very nice examples of the Ford marque ….except for one bow tie that snuck in! 

The judging process is a points based system….a strict go-no go deal, very objective and not subjective.  It is the only way such a diverse group of entrants could be fairly compared and judged.  It is a tedious way to judge but in the end most of the participants should feel it was a fair process.  Lou had slaved for weeks to get his ’53 show ready….it really looked pristine to me….and he got a “gold” award….cool stuff.  I thought we would get the dumb butt award for bringing a Chevy to a Ford show….I guess the chrome on the engine blinded the judges so they couldn’t mark the ballot….oh well, next time….grin

The event had a few vendors that included a Triumph motorcycle display….still running after all these years….they began in 1902!  The food vendor, Still Porkin, served up their restaurant quality fare….it really was that good.  The dealership provided restrooms were a welcome feature of the show as was the large amount of door prizes.  Not normal door prizes either….some really nice stuff! The club made another significant donation to Fisher House Foundation and on behalf of the Fisher House Foundation and Cruisin For Heroes; we sincerely thank them for their continued support of our Veterans.

 The club runs the event like a German railroad….everything happens when it should and how it should.  They all work together to make the participants experience a very positive one.  Something the participants will remember….and come back again next year!  What a concept!  If you drive a blue oval you need to put this event on your calendar for next year….you will not be disappointed.  If you don’t drive a blue oval….you have a year to fix that! 

After the awards were given out we said our thank yous to the club members and cruised to Ciro’s Italian Eatery near Elkton, VA.  Lou & Arlene and the Princess & I have visited this restaurant before and always try to stop in when we are in the neighborhood.  The food is superb, the wait staff is impeccable and we get to dine on the veranda overlooking the beautiful Virginia countryside.   Too soon the day was ending as we cruised 85 miles back to Stafford.  What a day….I love this hobby.