We started Monday in Paso Robles at the Oxford Suites Inn where 56 of us enjoyed beautiful accommodations, free wine, hors d’oeuvres, and live entertainment from 2 of our members – Cyndi Krill on the accordion and John Hulstead on the trumpet.
Tuesday morning, 23 A’s and 3 modern cars began grouping up to travel the back roads to Monterey. There were a few wrong left turns and/or right turn plus a couple of hic-ups along the way but we all arrived in time for the pizza, beer and wine party at the Sea Breeze Inn. The Monterey chapter, Gramp A’s, helped put on our parking lot party. It was wonderful to see everyone mixing and meeting new friends. After the beautiful sunset, the fire pit was the place to be.
After a good night sleep, if you woke up early, you were greeted with the local deer roaming the parking lot and all over Pacific Grove. Wednesday was free day to explore the peninsula. Some went down Laurelas Grade into Carmel Valley for lunch at The Baja Grill. Lots of auto memorabilia and great Mexican food. Others cruised the 17 Mile Drive at Pebble Beach while some stayed at the Inn and tinkered with their cars and just hung out. About 20 of us met up at Stix’s Restaurant at Spanish Bay Inn for drinks and a bite to eat while we waited for the bagpiper to appear over the hill at the 18th hole. Walking the course and playing, he advises the duffers that it’s time to finish up. He stands on the hill and plays about 4 songs, then walks off. We continued to savor the beauty of our surroundings and the warmth of the fire as the sun slowly sank into the ocean behind us.
Thursday was a very busy day. 23 of us boarded the Star of Monterey for 2 hours of whale watching. About 4 miles out we spotted the first of about 10 whales. They put on quite a show by breaching, showing off their tale, and sending water spouts 20 feet in the air. When you see whales, you often have the entertaining sea lions playing nearby.
The other half of the group paid a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They enjoyed many species of fish, the majestic jelly fish and of course the playful otters.
At 5pm we met at the Masonic Lodge for our dinner. Most people dressed in their finest era apparel and looked perfect in our Speakeasy Lounge. If you knew the password to get inside, drinks, pool playing and conversation was happening.
Across the hall from the Speakeasy was the “restaurant”. Dinner was catered by a local chef, Kona Jerry, and served at 6pm.
After dinner and a some much deserved thank you’s, Phil Kneeland called our CCRG President, Brad Richter, to the front and proceeded to give him a roasting. Everyone had many laughs at Brad’s expense but he took it like a man.
With our belly’s full and the night still young, it’s one last meet at the fire pit. While we were toasting our new friendships and sharing our experiences on the tour, some of the men were fixing Tommy & Yvette Nelson’s car. Exactly how many men does it take for a wiring problem – the answer is 12.
Friday was travel home day. Today our gang did have 2 tow truck issues with 2 of the
3 LA drivers. One tow from Monterey to LA while the other car made it Paso Robles before the hook came for a tow back to LA. But other than that.. a good time was had by all. Like the bumper sticker says, “I’m touring around spending my children’s inheritance.”
