Merry Christmas....All Y'all....

Saturday morning around 10 AM people started to gather at Chili’s Restaurant in N. Stafford, VA to participate in the 3^rd Annual “Santa’s Helpers Toy Run”.  Dan began planning for this year’s run during last year’s event!  He is a quiet but persistent planner.  People came from all around Virginia representing many different car clubs as well as other interested individuals.  The owners divergent vehicle interests were also well represented….from old school hot rods to new muscle cars and everything in between.  It’s about our mutual love for all things with wheels!

At 11:30 Mr. & Mrs. Santa arrived at Chili’s to mingle with the cruisers….no doubt to finalize his naughty & nice list!  Derek, the Chili’s manager, opened his store early for us and made sure everyone in his store helped us have a great beginning to our day.  Four of Stafford’s finest came to escort us to our final destination, the National Museum of the Marine Corps near Quantico, VA.  At 12:30 the Deputies marshaled us to the parking lot of Aquia Town Center then escorted the group up Highway 1 to the museum.  The cruise north was only about 7 ½ miles but some cruisers had come from as far away as Orange, VA….about 55 miles south!  On the way north we picked up another ten or so cars from Fredericksburg that were waiting on the side of the road and when we got to the museum the contingent from Prince William Cruisers in Alexandria were already parked!  WOW….the final “special” vehicle count was 77 and another 10 daily drivers were among us too.  A good turnout me thinks! 

I shot a video of the arrival at the museum and the day was picture perfect but the sun was not my friend when taking the video….I’ll get better next year….I keep saying that!  Everyone began unloading toys from their vehicles and heading inside the museum.  I think the Marines working the Toys For Tots area were not prepared for the sheer volume of toys we brought!  They were shuttling them out to the waiting 30’ truck to be taken to the distribution point later in the day.  A lot of happy kids would be the recipients of the good will of a lot of hot rodders that day….it’s what we do.  Ron and Tony led some impromptu Christmas Carol singing that added to the festivities and Mr. & Mrs. Santa were holding court for all the kids that wanted to see them.  Some of the cruisers had never visited the museum so they took advantage of this opportunity to understand some of the history of The United States Marine Corps and how they contribute to the fabric of what is America.  This museum is a must see deal anytime of the year….you have to put it on your bucket list!

I stayed outside with the vehicles to make sure all of the visitors treated them with respect….they did!  I also answered many questions some had about the vehicles.  I took pictures of all the vehicles that attended, please visit them below.

This was our last “official” event of the year so we now go into planning mode for next year.  Our group, Cruisin For Heroes, will be planning more cruises for 2013 so watch out for them on http://www.capitalcruisin.com/shows.html and http://www.carclubcouncil.com/cal.html .  We have these events to do some good for the charities we support but we also do them to have fun and put a happy face on our hobby for everyone we see during the year.  I also have some “winter projects” to perform on the truck….it was fairly reliable during the year, I’ll see if I can improve on that over the winter!

Please have a Merry Christmas and a pleasant New Year….we’ll be watching for you next year….we are saving a place for you to join us on our adventures!

Chuck & Linda Shotwell

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXo4GOBYxo8&list=UU5dBPYR_fVjKQxNVckvpRpg&index=3

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd2wbPd6Y2U&list=UU5dBPYR_fVjKQxNVckvpRpg&index=2

Over the River and Through the Woods Run 2012

OK….all the visiting munchkins have left our hovel….and we have eaten enough food in the last two days to feed a small village….what to do….what to do.  Oh yeah, it’s time for the fourth annual Over The River And Through The Woods Run!

The Princess and I begin planning the next years run the day of the last one….it’s a process.  Very complicated, confusing and secret….kinda like figuring out where our taxes go each year?  This year we wanted to utilize parts of last year’s route because many had commented favorably about it.  We wanted to use the same restaurant to end the event for the same reason.   Craig, the owner of Butcher Block Buffet in Stephens City, VA, had taken care of us very well last year so we wanted to return this year.  So all we had to do was find somewhere “car people” would like to visit near the Winchester, VA area.  I think we were lucky to find a good destination again this year in Vintage Motorcar Company, LLC.  After some preliminary communications we spoke with the owner Paul Rose, who after consulting with his staff agreed to host our cruise on November 24, 2012.  His business is normally closed on Saturday so to host our event he would have to make special arrangements to accommodate our schedule….Thanks Paul!

Some of us left Stafford, VA at 7:30 and cruised to the starting point, Burger King in Manassas, VA.  It was cold.  We left at 9AM with 19 cars and headed to Inwood, WV.  It would be an 85 mile trip on the Interstates but we took all back roads and the mileage was only 74 miles!  When we cruised through Haymarket, VA we picked up 3 more cruisers and now we were 22 cars.  Then in Marshall, VA we picked up 4 more cars and we were 26.  We made a pit stop at JJ Corner Store near Berryville, VA for fuel and stretching where we picked up 4 more cars and cruised to Inwood with 30 cars.  So in the group we had Ron from Richmond and two Mopar guys from Charlottesville and hot rodders from other parts of Virginia....It was very cool cruising and also a bit colder too.

Tony tried to make his part of the trip a little longer but finally made it to the restoration shop with the rest of us, I think those Mopar guys should come with a GPS….grin  Paul, his son and some of his staff made us welcome to his business and took the time to walk us through their incredible shop.  It always amazes me when we visit a shop like Vintage Motorcar Company of the detail of the restorations.  The takedown of the cars is in itself a task.  But they have to catalog and tag all the parts and determine what level of restoration needs to be done to each part.  The little parts that must be rebuilt or replaced and sometime built from scratch are often overlooked by car owners.   We usually just see the paint & bodywork or the interior or the engine….but so much more is involved with a quality restoration.  After spending a few minutes with Paul it was obvious that Paul & Co. knew what they were doing.  The depth of work and high bar of achievement they attain is nothing short of astounding.  As Paul says ‘he doesn’t build cars to be judged second….it’s the best or nothing!”   Paul took his time explaining to us about the detailed workings of his shop and how he reaches the level of quality that his shop represents.  He was very low key but authoritative….like a professor.  He asked for questions and would have had an engaged audience for hours.  But we needed to move on so at 2PM Paul ended his presentation.  We all thanked him and began wakening our cold beasts to motor down the road.  We don’t usually endorse the places we visit but Vintage Motorcar Company, LLC will be an exception.  If you have need of a quality restoration no matter how extensive or simple it is….you need to call Paul and go see him.  You will not be disappointed.

Did I mention it was cold….?  I have been bragging all summer about how cool the truck runs and I cleaned a mass of debris from the front of the radiator last week while repairing the leaking trans cooler.  It was blocking about ¼ of the radiator surface….so now it runs cooler.  But….Saturday the engine temp would not get to 100 degrees!  So the heater was blowing lukewarm air at best, like my heat pump at home.  This should be an easy fix….always something!

We arrived at Butcher Block Buffet around 2:30 and promptly began to chow down!  Craig had sequestered part of the back room for us and the grazing began.  The food at Butcher Block is what I call comfort food….not your little finger in the air type of cuisine but genuine country cooking.  I like this kind of food and everyone that commented to me about the food agreed.  That’s why we came back again!  Craig also arranged with the folks at the adjacent Comfort Inn to allow us to park our hot rods in their lot so they would not be subjected to door slams and zipper dragging….Thanks for that Craig

About 3:30 we said our good buys and began our cruise home, and it was getting colder.  Along the way home Sally took some photographs of us driving our cars, that is always a neat thing. 

One of the couples that usually accompany us on our adventures was celebrating their 50^th Wedding anniversary and could not be with us Saturday.  But….we were invited to their anniversary party that evening so we cruised directly to Aquia Harbor, VA and the Country Club located in the community.  We met Jim & Linda, Lou & Arlene, Fred & Debie and Dan & Ramona at the Country Club then we all wished Ron & Jean well and helped them celebrate this milestone….something the Princess and I will do in a couple years too!   

This was a great end to the day….we motored home and discovered we had driven about 210 miles for the day….in the cold….I hear that the weather will be a little colder tomorrow and snow on Monday!

You can check out the pictures below....I took the first set, Sally Shifflett took the second and Carmen Billings took the last set....enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wK5REkaYFI&list=UU5dBPYR_fVjKQxNVckvpRpg&index=1&feature=plcp

A very special time....

Monday we cruised to Massaponax, VA and the Golden Corral restaurant.  They were having a Veterans Day special where they honored Veterans with a free meal!  Sue and Coach with Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club organized a small group of special cars to come out and be on display for the Veterans to enjoy. 

At one point there were about 250 people waiting in line to go into the restaurant….unbelievable!  I think is so great for businesses to honor the ones that serve & protect us….most of them do their Duty then they fade into society and no one knows their contribution to who we are as a Country. 

Most of us stood by our vehicles to answer questions the Veterans had but the Princess went inside to personally thank all the Veterans she could.  She told me of one 83 year old lady Veteran that she talked to and was amazed how “spry” she was!  She does this every day we go somewhere….if someone is wearing a hat or jacket that indicates they are a Veteran or they have that “special” look of an active duty person, she will thank them for their service or welcome them home or some kind of recognition.  It’s really cool to watch her work!  I think it’s one of the reasons why God has allowed us to live this long….to thank others for helping to keep us safe.

We stayed about 3 hours then cruised back to N. Stafford….a neat deal….if you ever get an opportunity to thank our Veterans you need to count it as a very positive thing.

I put some pictures up at; http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/331539540273153/

 

The end of the season is near....

Sunday the Princess and I cruised 16 miles to Fredericksburg, VA and the Car Hop Days Car Show at Family Diner.  This show is managed by Virginia Stockers Car Club and it was held to commemorate the first year anniversary of the Family Diner opening with the current owners, Monk & Debra.  Four of our friends came out for lunch with their daily drivers.  Debie had recently won a free lunch so she was cashing it in….but Fred still had to pay…..and pay….and pay.  Some ladies are so high maintenance, not unlike the Princess….hehehehe.

We frequent this diner anyway because of the superb service and the quality of the food….so a car show or cruise there is a bonus for us.  The venue is a little scattered and small for many more than 60 cars and there were 50 registered on Sunday!  Most of the vehicles were drivers and cars we see locally.  Coach’s graphically intense silver ’98 Camaro and Garland’s killer, lifted mulch hauling Toyota pickup are always a welcome addition to any show.  My favorite was the traditional black ’31 Ford Vicky.  The car has been on the road for only a few months and is a work in progress….like most hot rods.

It really is getting too late in the year to sit in chairs outside all day!  The Princesses lips were turning a little blue and since Halloween was over I knew she had to be getting cold….so we were glad the show ended around 4PM.  We cruised home with the din of the heater motor overpowering the exhaust sounds….I really have to fix that this winter!  I have to make the truck growl….it now sounds like a stock ’52 Buick….not a hot rod!

Our next adventure happens on November 24, 2012...the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  We make our 4th annual 'Over The River And Through The Woods Run'.  This should be another fun run.  Then the Toys For Tots run on December 15th will end the "normal" season for us.

 

 

Autumnal Consequence

Saturday morning at 7AM, Fred and the Princess & I left the WAWA in N. Stafford, VA to cruise 37 miles to Bowling Green, VA and their 23^rd annual Harvest Festival.  Along the way we were joined by JV and his T-Bucket….that is a cool ride….on a couple different levels!  When we pulled up next to JV in the gas station, I rolled down my window while he was saying something to me….I told him “just a second, I have to turn down my heater, it’s making too much noise and I can’t hear you”….I don’t think he was happy with that!  He shot me a look that I thought would set me on fire!  Those guys that drive hot rods with no doors are so touchy.  So we had an uneventful cruise to Bowling Green through the awakening countryside.  It’s so neat to see the fog wafting up from the ground on these nippy mornings.  And the falling leaves giving us a kaleidoscope of color while you think….is that a leaf or a branch or maybe a large seed pod falling on us?  The gentle contact of the leaves on the cruising hot rod answers the question.  Autumn is one of the reasons we stayed in VA years ago instead of going back to CA.  It is a truly remarkable time of year while God reminds us of His handiwork.

When we arrived in Bowling Green we were parked on the street like we prefer and then set up for an intense day.  This event has over 10K spectators that walk past the cars during the day and we look forward to interacting with many of them, it is something the Princess and I enjoy doing.  I usually begin taking my pictures around noon after all the cars are settled in.  This year the crush of the spectators was massive to the point that I couldn’t get any clear shots of the cars when I started my photo cruise.  And at the same time I started feeling a little woozy, it might have been the 43 pound jalapeno burrito I had for breakfast that was reminding me who was really in control here….maybe not.  So after trying unsuccessfully to take a clear picture of the magnificent sea foam green ’59 Caddy next to us for 10 min I decided to sit this event out!  That was only about the 3^rd or 4^th time in 8 years I have attended an event and not photographed it!  I will have to rethink how I photograph this event or perhaps go somewhere else next year.  The restroom facilities at the event are horrible.  There are way too few porta potties and they are not maintained during the day….with 10K + people milling around it is just not enough. 

We left the event around 3:30 and cruised home….I just wanted the day to end, the burrito and squid poppers were residing at opposite ends of my body while they tried to escape….!  Come on Ice Cream….!

Tomorrow would be another intense day making a birthday delivery to PA and seeing the little people.

A Day at the Airport....

Saturday we launched at 5:15 from Stafford, VA and cruised 48 miles to Brandy Station, VA and Culpeper Regional Airport to be part of their 13^th Annual AirFest.  Our group, Cruisin For Heroes, has provided a vehicle display for the event since 2008.  Each year is a little more special than the previous so we were all excited for the day to unfold.

Dan, Dom, the Princes and I arrived before sunup and began to organize the lot.  Something was in the middle of the lot but we couldn’t be sure of exactly what it was.  It turned out to be a very large Military tent that was erected in the center of where we were going to be maneuvering trucks pulling long race car trailers.  We didn’t know if it was inhabited or not so we quietly walked around the big olive drab canvas tent looking for some kind of opening and when Dom found one and shined his flashlight inside he said it was empty!  Hmmmmm We would wait and see who claimed it since we were supposed to have the complete lot for vehicle display.  Always something to challenge us, grin.  So Dan and I decided how to bring the trailered vehicles in and park them so they would have reasonably easy egress after the event.  Ya have to be flexible. 

After last year’s event the airport manager, Tanya W., had asked us to have more vehicles….so….we invited about 40 people for this year.  A couple had cancelled two weeks ago and last week another 3 had either cancelled or said to count them as iffy.  On Friday another two cancelled so on the day of the event we really didn’t know how many people would show up!  This year Tanya had set a porta potty close to us for our use but most of the spectators coming in would use it before entering the air show!  Something to think about next year! 

Ron was leading the second group from Stafford that left at 6:30 so they started arriving around 7:30 and the lot began filling up….whew!  At the end of setting the vehicles out in their parking spots we had 29 vehicles to share with the expected 7 thousand people that would attend AirFest 2012.  This is the first year we invited a lot of vehicles that required trailers as we wanted to continue to vary our display.  All the vehicles were well received but I think Bob’s blue race car and Glenn’s group with the three pulling tractors generated the most interest. 

The reason we put this event on is to raise awareness and money for our charity, Fisher House; http://www.fisherhouse.org/ and this year we raised $276 from individual donations on site.  We are working to make this much better next year.

The air show was as usual superb….Tanya and her group assembles a great flying program and the vendors make the day go quickly too.  Art Nalls and his Harrier is a crowd stopper….and he did two programs this year!  You have to put this event on your calendar next year….you won’t be disappointed.  Please take some time to check out the YouTube clip and the still pictures….it was an amazing day. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp6pxumCE_s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3_JYYIscTk

 

 

Small Town Day

Friday we cruised to Family Diner in Fredericksburg, VA for dinner then on to VA BBQ and the weekly cruise.  Most of the other cruisers were regulars with one exception, the maroon 30 Ford sedan.  This car was recently completed by its owner and is something to behold….a cool ride indeed.  The evenings are getting colder so the cruises are getting shorter….we left around 8PM.

Saturday, Fred & Debie and the Princess & I cruised 62 miles to Montross, VA and the annual Fall Festival and car show.  This is the first time we have attended this event and it worked out to be a fun day.  I don’t browse the “crafts” much so the car show was it for me.  The show was well attended for the venue….with quite a few cars from Colonial Beach Cruisers and the four from Stafford in attendance.  Yeah four, Denny showed up around 9AM and Ron overslept (he is newly retired so that’s ok) and didn’t arrive till around 10AM!  It’s refreshing to know Ron has been reading the “Retired Guys Handbook”….on page 43 we are to respond to questions like….”And just what do you do now?”  response>  Not much of anything and I usually don’t start that till Noon!  I think he will assimilate just fine….now Lou on the other hand is still struggling with that concept….hang in there Lou!

By the time everyone was in place there were 43 vehicles….which is a good showing for a small show.  I really liked the maroon ’60 Pontiac Tri-Power, 4 Spd.  That car was a real mean street machine back in the day.  Few people would expect a big heavy Tin Indian run like they did!  I also liked the black ’57 Chevy post with the 283, 2 4bbl….another fine representative from days gone by.  I think the center of the show was the blue ’70 VW with the trick paint and the many custom modifications.  The sound system would vibrate the ground and the engine sounded like it had been cleverly massaged too.  

But….the show ended at noon and at 2PM the parade began.  Now I have never been to a small town parade like this….it was something you might read about in an old ‘Life’ magazine.  I actually thought about that while we watched the parade from our chairs on the top of the berm in the show lot.  There were marching bands representing communities around Montross as well as Fire & Rescue squads across the area.  In fact we could hear the Fire trucks coming about a ¼ mile away and they were loud then.  But when they passed in front of us they were cranking out about a million decibels of ear bleeding sound!  My ears rang the rest of the day.  I have a lot of experience with that, years ago when I was a competitive pistol shooter few people used ear protection.  After the first few shots my ears would go mostly deaf and would ring the rest of the day….it’s how we did it!  That and loud engine noise is probably why I have to say “huh” a lot now….ya think?  They had floats and walking groups for various community organizations.  When the American Legion passed by with the colors most people didn’t stand up and show respect for our flag….that was sad.  The old people did but the young ones kept talking…. 

Since Debie was one of the crafty vendors we were going to wait till her day was done to leave….but around 3:30 the rain clouds started rolling in so the event coordinators were allowing the vendors to call it a day early.

The cruise back was uneventful and dry after we were about 20 miles from Montross….  Another day driving around the countryside of Virginia giving people something to wave at….I love this hobby.