On the Road Again

Mid-month, just before my 68th birthday, Mary-Ann and I loaded up the BMW and headed for the central California coastal city of Morro Bay. This is an annual trek that we take with my two oldest (long-term) friends, Jim Roberts and Dan Haggerty, and their wives, Janet and Elaine. The Northern and Southern California chapters of the Oldsmobile Club of America have a joint event at this time each year. We usually arrive on Friday, attend the car show and awards dinner on Saturday, and leave for home on Sunday. This year the Roberts stayed home because one of their dogs is unable to travel due to age. But we soldiered on anyway because this year Dan is the President of the Northern California Chapter.



We have been doing this as couples now for about five years, but I first started going with Jim and Dan almost twenty years ago. Dan has a 1949 Olds 88 with a super modified Mondello race engine. Back in 1958, while still in high school, Dan owned a similar, but much tamer, car. Back in the late 70's Jim, retired former owner of a collision (autobody repair) company, remodeled a 1956 Oldsmobile 88. Dan then acquired and modified the 1949. They then started going to local car events, such as the "Beach Street Revival" in Santa Cruz and the "Graffitti Night" event in Modesto. I began joining them in 1989.

On our first evening in town we try to have dinner at a top line restaurant. We dined this year at the Windows on the Water restaurant in the heart of Morro Bay. Next year I think we'll try the Papillon Bistro in Los Osos.

During the morning and afternoon we fellows stroll around the grounds of the Morro Bay Inn admiring the pristine visages and modifications of the classic automobiles. We drink our coffee (decaf) or beer (lite) and reminisce about the old days when those cars were new and we were young. The highlight of our day is a gourmet picnic on the terrace balcony overlooking Morro Bay. Jim and I usually take turns planning the menu and collecting the treats. This year it was my turn, even though the feast was attended only by Dan and I. The ladies, as is their custom, took off for the day on a shopping trip. This time they hit Cambria, East and West, and San Louis Obispo (SLO).

Ordinarily the Oldsmobiles are the only marque on display. However, this year, the Packard Club of California also chose the Inn at Morro Bay as a meeting place. While they did not have a "car show" per se, they were on display and were magnificent. Two things stand out about those cars. First, is how BIG they are, especially when compared to something like a Honda civic. Second, is the stunning craftsmanship that went into their manufacture. That craftsmanship used to be a hallmark of the American worker. Will we ever see its like again?

Well, I would share more, but what happens in Morro Bay, stays in Morro Bay!