Back in the Burg for the Fourth

The Fourth of July in Fredericksburg, Virginia means attending the American Heritage Festival in downtown on Sophia St.  This event usually has over 9000 spectators milling through the many and varied vendors.  There is a 5K race in the morning and a parade then the end of the day’s adventures culminates with a primo fireworks display in the park by the river.  This is always a great day in Historic Fredericksburg, VA.  And they also have a car display….

We began attending the “car” part of the American Heritage Festival in 2006.  That year it was a sprawling show all along Sophia St and the little side streets that included the parking lot across from the parking garage.  In 2007 and all the years after that, the show was limited to the parking lot across from the parking garage.  In 2008 the organizer of the Heritage Festival contacted Brent, who was the contact person of Stafford Classics Car Club, about managing an event in the parking lot on the Fourth.  Since I was a member of the club at that time, I volunteered to manage the event in 2008.  Other club members; Dan, Andrew, Brent and Tony assisted me in the planning and execution of the event.  The theme was the evolution of automobiles in America, beginning with Dom’s 1919 Model T up to Stuart’s ’06 GT-40.  We had a great diversity to show the spectators.  We also secured a sponsor, VA Paving, so we could give all the participants that brought out their special vehicle something to take home them as a thank you for spending the day with us while they shared their vehicle with the spectators.  We also showcased the race car of Ray & Terry that ran as a supporter of Wounded Warrior Project.  We wanted the event to do something for someone else….not just the cars in the display.  Our little group did the same thing in 2009 except the theme was the American Pick Up; all vehicles were trucks from a 1923 model T to a 2008 Dodge Ram.  The spectators loved it and the Wounded Warrior Project race car once again raised the awareness quotient substantially for Veterans concerns.

There is an old established show in Culpeper, VA on the Fourth of July too.  We had wanted to attend it and some of our friends kept encouraging us to go and see.  So in 2010 we decided to give it a go.  We liked it so much we kept going in 2011 and 2012….it was a good show, see my other blog for the reports I made on it.

At a meeting in mid January this year our group, Cruisin For Heroes, decided we needed to explore attending the Fredericksburg event as part of our marketing strategy to showcase our current charity, Fisher House.  We began contacting Brent in mid January to ask if we could bring a small group of cars to his event in the Burg.  He was glad to have us back and I committed to bring 15 vehicles to his party.  One of the 15 would be the Fisher House racecar of Ray & Terry so we could again raise awareness for a Veteran’s cause.  We started making contacts in February for the event participants and had most of our lineup done by May.

At 6AM on the Fourth of July our little band of vehicles left the Stafford WAWA and cruised to Fredericksburg, VA.  We started arriving in the parking lot around 6:30 and the other participants started rolling in soon after.  By 8AM the lot was almost full and we began to set up for a hot and steamy day.  The Fourth always seems to be a very hot day….at the event in ’07 one of the club members was exhibiting early signs of heat stroke and we had to help him cool down quickly.  That same year the paramedics had to rescue a spectator from heat related stress.  So it’s usually hot at this venue and this year did not break the trend!

The event is a display, not a show.  There is no competition or stress about winning anything….we just stay near our rides and talk to the spectators as they roam through the display.  The purpose of the display is to provide the spectators with something else interesting to see while they visit the Festival and a person to talk to about each vehicle.  This is sometimes kinda tough because it’s natural for the participants to bunch up to socialize, which makes an intimidating situation for the spectators to ask questions.  So those of us who can, stay by our vehicles….often alone all day.  Stuart is a great example of that dedication to our mission….he parked himself behind his blue Cobra all day….all day!  He was up out of his chair talking to people most of the day, not much rest in the heat….but that’s how Stuart does it.  And Ray & Terry were interacting with people all day around their race car….putting kids in it for pictures and answering questions…..but that’s what they do.  Most of the participants were accessible for questions, that’s what the day is for.

This year I began to understand the impact we can have on people at an event like this.  Since I wasn’t “running” anything I took the time to watch the different interactions between spectators and participants.  Darryl told us of a man in a wheelchair that was being pushed by his son and he was giving the vehicles a cursory look until he came to Frank’s ’39 Chevy sedan.  He started pointing to the car and talking to his son….he got up out of the wheelchair and examined the car closer while talking to his son.  The car had struck a memory that he wanted to replay for a while….the man seemed energized and walked the rest of the display while he inspected the remaining vehicles!  I watched while a little girl shyly walked to our Fisher House donation barrel so she could deposit some money her dad had given her….as she left she glanced over her shoulder and gave me a quick little smile!  She probably didn’t understand about Fisher House but she knew she had done something good….she will remember that.  And so many Veterans stopped by to tell their story and so many people wanted to know what Fisher House was?  The first most asked question is; ‘what year is it?’ followed by; ‘I had one of those when I was a kid’ or ‘I always wanted one of those when I was a kid’.  Always interesting, always fun.  So….the day was a cathartic experience for me….all of us in our “car” community get recognition about our rides at shows and cruises….but for this deal we give back.  This is about the spectators, not us.

I was on my feet half of the day talking or taking pictures in the thermonuclear heat…..I think it was about 472 degrees!  But while I was sitting under the Cruisin For Heroes canopy, cooling off and talking with Fred and Denny, I was attacked from behind by a strange woman. She started rubbing my head and whispering in my ear….she was obviously delusional….maybe the heat.  Then she strolled across the shade and attacked Denny, fondling his chest and asking him if he had any money?  I was about ready to call the local mental hospital and tell them where their escaped patient was when the ladies in the canopy behind us, Debie, Arlene and the Princess, started to roar laughing.  They were hooting and hollering….laughing and pointing at us.  They had put that gullible woman up to that….they are so mean!  You know what they say about paybacks….grin

 Around 3:30 we started to break camp and leave for cooler climes.   A couple of us stopped by Family Diner and talked about what happened that day….we all had a lot to think about….but we did have a great day in the Berg.

 

 

Play Ball....

Friday the eminent threat of rain kept us home and the weatherguessers were forecasting massive rain for Saturday too.  So when I got up early Saturday to see what they were pontificating for the days rainfall I was shocked that they were downgrading the storms to 40% probability.  That would still be iffy since we were going to go an hour from home and I really didn’t want to run in the rain that far.  But….the Princess had been confined inside the house far too long to let a little rain keep us from making a drive south to the show.

So Fred and the Princess & I began our 37 mile cruise to Milford, VA and the Kanagroo Express, ‘These Colors Don’t Run’ show.  This was the first attempt of this group to put on a show and it went pretty well.  The venue was on grass, the restrooms were great with the Ladies using the inside permanent facilities and us guys using the porta potties….that worked out well.  I hate it when I’m inside a porta potties and some shrill loud lady is banging on the door yelling “Pregnant Lady, hurry up”  They had a lineup of vendors and the host business, Southern Truck & Custom, had their shop open for us to check out.  Coach was playing his outstanding inventory of music while interjecting some trivia contests to keep the day moving.  They had food but it was a little below what “car show” food usually is….ok but….  The day was just a tad warm but the gentle breeze kept us from leaking too much body fluid out….

Unfortunately there were a couple other shows the same day, one within 19 miles of this one.  This is something that is avoidable if the show planers would consult the websites on the net where shows are listed and respect the date when someone else already has a show planned.  The planner of the show in Milford listed their show early enough that the other planner could have adjusted their show….but they didn’t.  So….everyone loses!  The show we attended had 42 cars; the one in Fredericksburg had a few more than that and the one a little further north had about 30 cars.  So everyone’s attendance was lower than it could have been and the show planners did not make as much money for their charities as they could have….it’s a recipe for a lose-lose scenario and it is easily avoidable.

Of the 42 cars in attendance my favorite was the silver & orange ’55 Chevy big block….it was just neat as a pin and done minimally.  I also like the yellow & white Nash Metropolitan; we have seen that car at other shows over the years.  The Virginia Stockers and Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club came with a few of their members to support the show.  Both clubs are very active in local events.

The award ceremony was interesting in that because of the low attendance most people went home with a trophy, even the Princess!  The Princess also answered a trivia question correctly and won a left handed softball mitt….think about that.  The Princess, who doesn’t know a thing about softball and would never do anything as strenuous as softball, now has a mitt.   To offer a little insight into what I am going to endure….when the ceremony was over she came hobbling back across the field to the truck, holding up the mitt, yelling “Gentlemen Start Your Engines”.  I shook my head and told her I think she means “Play Ball”…..she says it doesn’t matter, it’s the same thing….I’m doomed.  After the awards were given out we cruised to Family Diner in Fredericksburg for dinner and to attend the weekly cruise that was going on there.  Debie met us there and had called ahead to Debra to make sure they were serving the Seafood Salad!  The Princess gets so whiney if she can’t have what she wants….Debie & Debra know!  A few more cars cam in so we stayed till around 7PM then cruised home….a long day….a good day. 

 

Be sure to check out all the pictures at; http://www.flickr.com/photos/53063560@N05/sets/72157634396661647/

 

Kodak Cruise

Friday, Tony & Janice joined the Princess and me on our cruise to Ashland, VA and the weekly Chick-fil-a cruise.  This cruise keeps getting bigger each time we visit, this Friday there were over 130 cars in the dedicated lot and some in adjoining lots.  We arrived a little early and unintentionally took the DJ’s spot….won’t do that again!  FreRay Sounds always plays the music for this cruise and a welcome bonus is that they have a great play list to listen to.

It was the first time Tony & Janice had visited the cruise and I think they enjoyed the volume and quality of the vehicles.  Chick-fil-a gives all the drivers a discount on their food, which is a nice perk since we had cruised 62 miles to get there from home.  I was enjoying the fellowship and the time slipped away from me before I started taking pictures.  That seems to be happening to me more lately….I have to think about how to spend my time at the events.

I really liked the red/cream ’52 Chevy woodie from Hawaii….the visor and other custom touches made the car stand out for me.  I also liked the way loud black, open wheel ’32 Ford Sedan Delivery with the blown BBC….and zoomies.  Zoomies always make the car for me….grin!  We left around 8PM as we had a 1 ½ hour cruise back to Stafford, VA….the night was cool…..it was a very nice cruise home.

Saturday the Princess and I met Bill & Linda, Fred & Debie, Dan & Ramona and Jim & Linda at the WAWA in Stafford, VA and launched on our first ‘Kodak Cruise’.

I am always soliciting new places to cruise and earlier this year, someone had mentioned a Calendar Cruise where we go to scenic places and take pictures of our cars and use them for a calendar.  I thought about the concept and liked it!  But our cruise would be to scenic places but the pictures could be used for anything, including a calendar.   Lucky for us Virginia has many scenic places to visit and we experienced most of them while we were riding the Harley.  Unluckily for us it was going to be difficult choosing where to go but I eventually decided on Skyline Drive.  It is a Nationally known drive that many have used to experience our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  http://www.visitskylinedrive.org/Home.aspx  Now our mountains are not like the Rockies out west, the highest elevation on the Drive is only 3680 feet….but the beauty they share is just as breathtaking as driving Yellowstone. 

We left Stafford and cruised 56 miles to Rediviva, VA and our pit stop.  After filling the tanks and emptying the bladders we were joined by Nick, Bill & Linda’s Grandson, for our adventure of the day.  I wanted to make sure everyone had full tanks because fuel on Skyline Drive would be scarce and pricey.  We all saddled up and cruised 11 miles to the Thornton Gap Entrance Station to Skyline Drive.  The youngsters (under 62) had to pay $15 to go on the drive for 6 days….us old folks got to pay $10 for a lifetime National Park pass….what a deal!

We took the south route and within a few minutes we came to our first of many ‘turn outs’ on the Drive.  These turn outs are made for Kodak moments….if the weather is nice, the views are magnificent.  We had Chamber of Commerce postcard weather….blue skies, white puffy clouds, moderate temperature of high 70’s and just a little breeze….it couldn’t get any better!  You need to check out the photos I took to get a flavor of what we did for the next 3 hours or so….it was fun.

On one of the stops there was a large pile of rocks….which are meant to be climbed on and have your picture taken….right.  Someone said watch out for snakes but the Princess said they were going to be making a lot of girl noises so that would scare the snakes away….I didn’t want to tell her that snakes don’t have ears…..that would open up a whole other place that I didn’t want to go.  In one of Fred’s videos he took of them climbing around you can hear the Princess in the background saying….”Look, look at these big rocks in the wall, they have shinny stuff in them, I want a rock with shinny stuff”….it really doesn’t take much.  I was waiting for something like ‘what do you mean I can’t take any rocks, we have a truck’.   Lucky for me something else shinny caught her attention and the rocks were forgotten….usually if I can outlast her for a couple minutes the focus changes….grin

We cruised and stopped for pictures for the next 33 miles till we came to Swift Run Gap Entrance where we left the Drive.  We traveled East on Rt. 33 for 15 miles to Ruckersville and the Blue Ridge Café for our late lunch.  After we ate we decided to attend the weekly cruise at the BK in Manassas, VA….it was on the way home….kinda.

So we cruised 65 miles to the BK and arrived about 4:30 to a parking lot that was about ½ full already!  This is an active cruise and some people cruise in, stay for a while, then cruise somewhere else.  So it’s impossible to accurately determine how many vehicles visit on any given evening.  My guess is that about 200-230 every week.  This Saturday must have been Hot Tub night….the big rowdy motor, big tire people brought their rides in for us to view….some very nice cars.  The white Barracuda and the red Nova were two of the many examples….as was Tom’s maroon Camaro.  This is a video I took of them arriving;  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBS3RclOp1Y&feature=c4-overview&list=UU5dBPYR_fVjKQxNVckvpRpg    I had the opportunity to put a real live person with another one of my “Electronic” friends on Facebook, I met Jim and his very nice red Dodge.  Jim told me of a Mustang that was at the cruise and that I needed to make sure to see it.  It was a blue 66 Shelby Mustang GT convertible.  The car’s owner, Rich, is the original owner and it is one of 16 cars made like that!  The only things that are new on the car are the battery, tires and carburetor and 7000 miles!  WOW….

Most of our group ate some ice cream then it had been a very long day so we cruised 35 miles home.  At home the Princess and I had to get the day’s bugs and dirt off the truck so we could attend the PWC, Good Ol Days event the next day.  We work in the show so we do not enter our truck but we like to park it with the club cars and a bug splattered dirty truck just won’t do….grin   But….it rained Sunday morning till about 11 am….so we didn’t get to take the truck out again anyway!  So it rests….waiting for next weekend’s adventures.

 

River Madness....

Friday evening found us at our default cruise location, VA BBQ in Fredericksburg, VA.  We consider this our “home” Friday cruise….we attend other cruises on Friday but always come back to the “Q” on most Fridays.  The weather was picture perfect and about 50 vehicles came out.
 

I am on Facebook more than I should be, maintaining our ‘No Class Cruisers’ page; https://www.facebook.com/groups/331539540273153/.  And in the process I ‘meet’ new people that share our passion for special cars.  The cruises and events we attend allow us to put a live person with the electronic being we have been communicating with….  The ‘electronic people’ are a whole other deal….read the book; ‘Alone Together’ by Sherry Turkle….we are ‘there’!  Anyway a few weeks ago I met Bill and his very cool brown ’57 Chevy and Friday I got to meet his friend Jo-Ann.  I have also been ‘talking’ to a yellow Camaro owner, Kandy, and Friday we got to meet her too….neat deal!

We were treated to Hoppy’s over the top red/white ’55 Ford glass top, Crown Vic…..this car has to have every available factory option for a 1955 Ford!  And….and….Hoppy brought his matching red/white ’55 Ford golf cart….just too cool!  Mark’s drop dead gorgeous orange ’73 Camaro looks like the paint is at least 18 feet deep….I think he knows something about paint…..grin.  The thing that made me laugh was the juxtaposition of the super low, suede black, 30’s traditional hot rod sedan that was parked on the handicapped spot….just makes me giggle every time I look at the picture.  Then there was the vehicle that was at the top of the “I don’t think so” list….the Boss Hog that is powered by the 502 BBC with Nitrous….I don’t even want to think about twisting the tail of that scoot.  Soon after I completed taking all my pictures we saddled up and cruised home….

Saturday six vehicles launched from the WAWA at 7AM and cruised 20 miles to Fredericksburg where we picked up Bill and his Valiant.  We all cruised the remaining 45 miles to Tappahannock, VA and the 11^th Annual RivahFest.

We had attended this event two years ago and enjoyed the day there.  But it is scheduled the same weekend as the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, KY….since we cannot attend both events every year, we alternate and this year Tappahannock won!  The event is sponsored by the Tappahannock-Essex Chamber of Commerce and is a “typical” town supported event.  There were over 70 vendor booths with crafts and antiques for every taste.  And food vendors fit for a Princess….she says that her favorite, the crab cake sandwiches, must be getting popular because the waiting line was about 60 miles long….she had to discover some new munchies….so she found a hamburger….at a nautical riverside event that specializes in seafood….a hamburger?  I also found crab racing, drag racing style, which was fun.  It must have been an ‘old’ guy that made the sign for the crab racing; it was a front engine car, not a modern rear engine one….interesting.

And of course there was a car show, what’s not to like?  About 125 vehicles attended the deal and varied from original antiques, muscle cars, off road vehicles, a tractor, a fire truck, a few snarling pro streets and a whole bunch of hot rods!  I liked the way kool orange ’56 Merc, the green with real flames ’33 Ford coupe, the cream/champagne ’70 Chrysler 300 Hurst and Kirk’s always intimidating orange/purple ’67 Chevy PU.  Wyatt brought his silver (what else?) DeLorean to wow the crowd.  He sets it up like it’s from “Back To The Future" complete with a stuffed Einstein and the flux capacitor.  It is always a crowd pleaser.  There was even a yellow ’72 AMC Gremlin, we seldom see them at events.  Maybe there is a reason for that?  There was a nice dark green ’69 Camaro with the cross ram intake….I could never get those carbs to run right!  The most unusual vehicle was the black ’06 Holden UTE….you have to check it out!

Since we arrived early we got some primo parking spots….most of us.  We were under some trees that lined the grass field and would be in the shade till about 3pm, which was when we were going to be leaving.  When we came in Dan & Ramona was the last of our convoy and had to park in the sun.  Wyatt knows that the Princess and Ramona like to talk during the day so he gave up his parking spot, in the shade, to Dan.  Dan reciprocated by erecting his canopy for Wyatt and Dennis so they would have some shade too.  After the switch Wyatt realized he was parked about 20 feet from a generator that was running continually and producing about 6 million decibels of ear bleeding mind numbing noise for 6 hours….I think he lost his voice from yelling answers to questions about his car over the generator noise all day.   The Princess asked why Wyatt didn’t turn on his flux capacitor and make the noise stop?….you have no idea.  And Wyatt traveled about 120 miles from Annapolis, MD to the event….I think we ‘owe’ Wyatt.

We also got to meet a young aspiring artist by the name of Jackson.  He is 13 years old and does pencil drawings of cars that are really good….he just kneels down on the ground and draws!  No special easel of other equipment….just a pencil, some paper and talent!

About 3PM the sun started to get on the Princesses parts so she began the whining to leave….so we all packed up and cruised home.  Some of us visited the weekly cruise at Family Diner when we got to Fredericksburg and visited with some other hot rodders there.  We found out that Bill won best of show at RivahFest with his red ’51 Ford panel…..a good end to a great day playing with our hot rods and enjoying old friends and meeting new ones.  I love this hobby.

Rembering Heroes....

Friday we were dealing with the remnants of hurricane Andrea so we kept the truck in the garage.  Then we received a notice that the show we were going to attend on Sunday had been cancelled….because of the hurricane.  That event is on a grass field and unless your vehicle had a 30” lift kit it probably would not make it from one end to the other when it's wet.  So this weekend’s adventures would hang on the event planned for Saturday.

Saturday the Princess and I met Tony & Janice and Bill & Teri at the 7/11 in Stafford, VA  and cruised to Dulles Airport to participate in the Honor Flight welcoming party.  We met Lou & Arlene at the airport as they come from a different direction.  Honor Flight provides transport, free of charge, to WWII veterans so they can visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.  We participated last year in one welcoming ceremony and it was very emotional at the same time making us so glad we are part of this experiment called the U.S.A.  Check out the website and see if you can participate sometime….you will not regret it.  http://www.honorflight.org/

So….most of ‘our’ group of Veterans came from Wisconsin and I’m sure D.C. is a culture shock for them anyway.  The Veterans are not told of the welcoming party awaiting them on the other side of the terminal doors when they arrive from their trip.  Saturday there were about 300 people waving flags, holding up ‘Thank You’ signs hooting and hollering.  There was a group of Civil Air Patrol Cadets that stood at attention and saluted all the incoming Veterans.  Most of the welcoming group offered a hand of friendship and thanks to all the Veterans as they moved through the crush of people.  Some got hugs and embraces from the welcoming group and all were honored in any way we could.   All the Veterans had a ‘handler’ that stayed with them all the time from beginning of the originating flight to the Memorials in D.C then back to their home airport.  Some of the Veterans were in wheel chairs but about half walked on their own.  There were many poignant moments of interaction with these examples of the Greatest Generation.  Small children would wade into the procession and thank the Veterans….women hugged and whispered in their ear as they thanked them.  The applause was relentless for almost 1 ½ hours.  There were three lady Veterans in this group, last year there was only one!  Remember these very special groups of people are in their late 80’s and 90’s! 

They all finally made it to their awaiting busses to be transported to D.C.  As they were loading a small boy dressed in a Sailor suit, up on top of a Jersey wall with a sign saying “Thank You” was waving to them.  His Mom said that she had been bringing him to the welcome event since he was 5 months old….so he could thank the ‘Special People’.  When they were safely aboard the five busses, their motorcycle escort, made up of younger Veterans, led them downtown to Washington D. C. and a day of exploring “Their Memorial”.

One of the Veterans, a double Purple Heart recipient, was fighting cancer and the thought of coming to D.C. to visit “His” memorial from a grateful Nation was keeping him going the last year or so.  On the way to the originating airport in Wisconsin he fell asleep and answered his last call to Duty….  His remains will be brought to Arlington National Cemetery on the next Honor Flight from his area….  These Heroes will soon not be among us anymore and the fabric of what makes us Americans will be less because of their departure.

I cannot adequately convey the emotion of this exchange with the Veterans so please visit the two links below and see for yourself.  One is video the other has stills of the event….  If you want to experience this blessing just contact http://www.honorflight.org/  and see how you can help….you won’t be sorry.  Just do it soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fm4ze4Bei4

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53063560@N05/sets/72157634009287273/

 

 

Over the mountians....

Friday night we cruised to VA BBQ in Fredericksburg, VA to hang out with some of our friends and meet some new ones….the new ones never showed up! Grin

JV brought his T-Bucket out for the first time this year and Ron got his ’28 Dodge back on the road for the second time.  Ron had changed his Dodge from a Molet to a Mopar over the winter….out with the SBC and in with a 360 Magnum!  Nice….  Another nice Chevy AD Pickup, this time a ’52, cruised in and a very cool grey VW coupe….I hope I see this one again, I need to get some details about it.  I had seen the red/white International crew cab before….but it’s still too nice to ignore.  Too soon the fun was over for us and we all cruised uneventfully home up Rt.1.

Saturday, Jim & Linda – red ’13 Vette, Fred & Debie – red/white ‘57 Dodge and the Princess & I in our black ’49 Chebby PU gathered at the WAWA in Stafford, VA and began our 98 mile lunch cruise to New Market, VA.  We cruised through Warrenton, Sperryville then over the first mountain, under Skyline Drive….then down the mountain near Luray Caverns at the Liberty gas station for our scheduled pit stop.  We then continued over the second mountain to New Market, VA and the Southern Kitchen restaurant on Rt. 11.

We had dined at this restaurant a few years ago during a 3 day car show and remembered the food to be excellent.  We were not disappointed on Saturday….the food was terrific, priced reasonably and the service was quick and attentive.   What more could you ask for a meal on the road?  After we all consumed too much food we wobbled into our rides and embarked on the return leg of our cruise.  Back over two mountains then pausing in Culpeper for the last scheduled pit stop.  After that we cruised on to Fredericksburg, VA and the Family Diner’s weekly cruise. 

This cruise is in danger of running dry for lack of participation….the club that was managing it is not showing up.  So….if something doesn’t happen soon it will fade away….which is a shame.  It’s a great location plus the host business, Family Diner, is enthusiastically supporting the cruise.  The owners want this cruise to succeed to the point that they give cruisers a 10% discount on their food and have a free drawing for a $20 diner card and a T-shirt.  It will never be a large cruise but it’s very comfortable and friendly.  We arrived a little early from our road cruise and set up our camp under a tree to begin discussing how the day was unfolding.  After a few minutes, Debora and a waitress from the Diner, walked over with large styrofoam glasses of ice & water for all present!  Like I said, they want the cruise to work! 

As soon as Dan & Ramona caught up with us we all had dinner at the diner!  Fred didn’t have his half-a-cow hamburger this time!  Most of us were going to eat “light & right”?  My stomach was still trying to digest the Ruben I had 6 hours earlier so I wasn’t too interested in pigging out.  Shrimp and crab salad on toasted sourdough was going to be my daily contribution to clean living/eating.  The sourdough bread neutralizes all the congealed animal fat in the 14 ½ pounds of French fries that I ordered with the rabbit food salad.  As long as you eat the food with your little finger up in the air most of the calories don’t count….I read that on Al Gore’s amazing internet, it has to be true….

We all waddled back to our car camp and finished the evening….then cruised home to end another weekend driving around the Virginia countryside enjoying some of what God has given us to be stewards of and to enjoy….I love this hobby!

 

 

Thank You.....

Friday we cruised to Ashland, VA and the weekly Chick-fil-a cruise.  This is usually a 53 mile trip but because of the Memorial Day weekend traffic we chose to go around I-95 so we traveled about 67 miles instead!  The cruise didn’t have as many cars as usual, no doubt the cold weather caused many to think twice about venturing out….in fact right before the sun set we left too…..it was just too cold to sit in lawn chairs outside!

About 45 different vehicles showed up and as usual varied from new to very old hot rods.  I think the newest was Jim & Linda’s new red Vette and the oldest was the black/silver ’29 Ford coupe.  My favorite of the night was the black ’49 Dodge….with the “I like Ike” sticker on the back!  When I walked up to it I noticed two adults near it, looking kinda proud so as I pointed to the ’49, I asked….is it yours?  The both said no, but pointed to a young man nearby that couldn’t be over 17 as the owner.  As he came to the car he said yes he was the owner!  I asked if he rebuilt the car and he shared that many people had helped him get it to its present condition.  The parents shared with me that they offered to help him put together any kind of car he wanted….and he chose the ’49 Dodge!  I was so happy to see someone so young actually choose to play with old cars….there might just be hope for our hobby’s future!

The Princess ate her dinner and started whining about how cold it was and how far we were from home….and it was getting dark and it was cold….so we packed up and made our way home.  It was, after all, getting colder….grin

Saturday we wanted to cruise to Manassas, VA and the cruise at the Burger King near the airport.  This cruise is a year around weekly deal and managed by Bull Run Street Rods.  This is a very fluid cruise in that about ¼ of the cruisers just stay for an hour or so then leave and more come to take their place.  I waited too long to begin my walk around taking pictures and some of the cars I wanted to shoot had left but the lot was always full.  In fact we had to park up on a berm overlooking the lot….which was a cool place anyway and which we may use the next time.  My favorite car of the evening was the yellow ’32 Ford 5w with Mickey’s so large they almost met in the middle, blown SBC and had fun written all over it!  I really miss my RedRat and love to see these evil little cars on the road.  After the Princess ate she came back out and started complaining about the cold (I see a pattern here) but then they visited the ice cream vendor in the corner of the lot!?  But finally the whining was incessant….I thought we may be treated to a hands on the hips, foot stomping evil eyed look about how cold she was….so we all broke camp and cruised home….I think Milo was ready to go to.

Sunday we cruised about 45 miles to the Salem VFD a little north of Culpeper, VA.  This was a show that we had attended in the past but it hadn’t been put on for the last couple years.  This year Tony organized it with help from local friends and attracted over 120 cars to spend a gorgeous day in rural Virginia enjoying friends and hot rods.  The weather was Chamber of Commerce perfect and DJ Ron shared some of his vast music collection with us while we were serenaded by millions of Cicada’s!  Yes their sound is almost deafening, it is in the background incessantly.  It is the 17 year Cicada hatch….or Brood II as some are calling it.  They are everywhere and will only get worse for the next couple of weeks.  The sound is like a Road Runner horn that is stuck on….all day….  And when you pick up one of the little buggers they growl at you!  They can’t hurt you but they are still intimidating nonetheless with their little bulging red eyes and mindless flying into anything in their flight path.

DJ Ron received a few more hand signals from the ladies….you have to ask him….I can’t keep up with this!  Ron also offered a prayer for our Troops currently in service and for those that have gone before.  We need to pause daily and remember those that protect us….our Military and our First Responders….even with the near tyrannical government we are enduring now….we still are a blessed Country and should daily thank those that are fighting the good fight in our stead.

Tony has been involved in managing many events in these parts of Virginia and his expertise showed again on Sunday.  The event ran without a hitch as we have come to expect with his leadership.  The food was prepared by the VFD staff and was GREAT, far above normal car show fare.

The entrants varied from the usual local suspects to a red Fox Mustang that ran 16 hrs straight from Florida!  There were 4 of the Chevy AD trucks like ours….a lot at one show.  The red & white Betty Boop VW was wowing people and the ’70 Ford telephone truck was just too nostalgic.  And the red ’59 Caddy that was two zip codes long was the best example of the fins and chrome era that some of us grew up in.  The blue/black ’37 Chevy PU was very stately and unassuming….till he stepped on the loud pedal!  And Mr. Breeden was rubbing on his green ’68 Pontiac all day….I don’t think any dust or pollen ever spent more than a millisecond on his ride!  It’s always a welcomed addition to any show.  I liked the black/red striped ’35 Chevy sedan with too much motor (did I day that?) that growled coming in and leaped as he left the event, I think he was hooking up real good!  Stuart brought out his pristine blue, 427 FE powered Cobra….he also leaned on it a little when he left the event….I’m sure his foot just slipped….I know Stuart wouldn’t intentionally allow his tires to make all that noise….grin  This is another of the ‘must attend’ events you have to try next year if you’re in the area….you won’t be disappointed.  Since the weather was so perfect the cruise home was just a bonus to the day….I love this hobby.

Sunday the Princess and I just wanted to be by ourselves to reflect on the holiday and what it means to us.  We cruised in the old Chevy truck to Winchester, VA for lunch and enjoyed each other’s company while we took in the grandeur that God has blessed us with….while we remembered those that have sacrificed for us.  God bless and keep our Military Veterans.