From The Presidents Desk

President’s letter October 2009

What a fun weekend, Monterey and Cherries Jubilee Motor Sport festival. Great times with great FRIENDS and nice cars. We started out by arriving at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca campgrounds, a nice shady spot for our 33 ft. RV Once we got the RV set – up we headed to the Monterey wharf to check – in. We had dinner at Black Bear Diner and then returned to Laguna Seca Campgrounds.

Friday we hooked up with John & Sally O’Toole, Rick Pickering and Myron and Karen Moreno and headed out of the parking lot thru the tunnel toward Lovers Point for the first card and a free sample of Chowder. A quick photo of all four cars and then its pedal to the metal to the next stop. South on HWY 1 to the crossroads shopping center in Carmel. More free sample, this time Chocolate chip cookies. And yes another card. A quick splash and go of gas and were off to the third stop out in Carmel Valley. But before we got to that stop, how about a quick lunch break at the Baja Cantina. A few Enchiladas a few brews and a very slow waiter and we were kind of short on time to get to two more three more stops. Once back on the road after our lengthy lunch break it was time to put the hammer down and make up some time. Continuing on our Carmel Valley route for about 3 mile to the Chevron station for the third card. Topping off the gas for the final two legs of the run. Out of the Gas station back tracking to the Leavera Grade and short cut Hwy 68. The summit is at about 1200 ft. and a great view of Salinas Valley. With a quick ride down to the bottom to hwy 68 We turn right onto 68 and it’s Cannon Ball time east on 68 towards Salinas to the Fourth stop at Wild Thing’s Animal Reserve.

What a great place, you have to see it to believe it. Out in the middle of the richest aquaculture land in the world is a chunk of land that houses retired circus animals. They have Elephants, Lions, and Zebras, you name it, it’s there. You can also stay there in cabin tents; you need to check this place out. OK back to the driving, out of the Wild Things Parking lot back to Hwy 68 headed west toward Monterey Hyatt. We needed to be there by 3:30 it was 3:00 and we needed to make up a lot of time. So we get to the stop light to turn left into the Hyatt and I see two old cars pulling out of the parking lot and I said to Jennifer I’ll bet these guys were working at the tent where we needed to get our Fifth card. It was 3:50 and we pulled up to the tent and the only things left were two cold waters sitting on the table under the tent. .......

The O’Toole’s and Rick Pickering waited for Leslie to join up with the group, she had to work. When we got back they let us pick the card we missed from the last stop (Very nice of them). Well after all that driving you would think we would be pretty tired and I was, but we parked in the parking lot set up for the Alvarado St. Shine & Cruise in Downtown Monterey. We all walked up one side and down the other side of Alvarado St. It was still a little early and when we spotted the Brit, time for a cold one. Next was a great dinner @ the Fish Hopper on Cannery Row. At a table right on the glass to watch the waves and sea life. WHAT a great dinner wonderful food, and that was just for Friday night.

There were two more days of driving and walking and just plain fun with GREAT friends. Monterey is fast becoming the motor events city to visit. You definitely can’t beat the views and the weather. And the food is to die for. Oh, yea if you were wondering about our Poker hand, 1 pair of 2s. Oh, well I didn’t go to Monterey to gamble anyways. I hope in the future more of you can attend Cherry’s Jubilee... you can make it a 1 day event.

Respectfully submitted Steve Chapman – President VMOA