A little after 8AM seven Model Ts and one Model A left Rancho
Shopping center for destination unknown. David Allen, Carl Brown,
Bill Bratt with Milt Cavalli, Bob Edwards, Mark Edwards, Meneelys,
and Walkers in T's, Bob Beaman in the A. Directions and maps
were handed out with the maps being in sealed envelopes. Maps
could only be used if one was lost. Envelopes would be checked
at our final destination and any opened envelope would exclude
that person from the raffle at the end of the tour. Fortunately
nobody got lost so this empty threat never had to be used. Off
we went to our first stop at Denny's in Milpitas where we picked
up Dan Gulko with his Dad in a T, Troed Johnson, his Daughter
and Dan's Wife in a Chevy Touring and the Morella's in a modern
car. With my Speedster out of commission I was doing tour leader
duty as passenger with Bob Edwards driving his T Touring. As
we leave the Denny's parking lot this is where the Mystery tour
and the Abel, Abbott and Costello tour merged. You would think
the person who set the route would know which way to go. Apparently
sitting so high up in a stock T as opposed to being so low in
my Speedster had somehow clouded my thought process, lack of
oxygen I suspect. So as we leave the Denny's parking lot we
were supposed to go down to Abel St and make a left. What I see
directly ahead of me is a sign for Abbott St. Abbott, Abel they
both begin with an A right? At the next light we make a U turn
back to Abbott. If I had bothered to take out my direction sheet
I would have realized my error. Onwards and upwards on Abbott
St we go, passing many garage sales much to Bob's dismay but
also passing scenery and streets I don't recognize. It is a nice
day, the sun is out and we are in a Model T but I am realizing
we are not where we are supposed to be. Have I pulled out my
direction sheet yet? Of course not. We eventually come to a "T"
intersection and to the left a major street with a sign saying
Abel St. I finally pull out my direction sheet and understand
my error. We get onto Abel St and I used the direction sheet
instead of my memory the rest of the tour. As we head up Mission
Blvd Bob is in the need of a rest room. At the McDonalds at Mission
and 680 we pull in but Bob misses the entrance and turns into
the exit with all the rest of the tour behind him. The exit is
a one lane with diagonal parking on one side and we are going
the wrong way. Somehow we have timed it so that we do not meet
anybody coming the other way. Parking is scarce but we all manage.
After this unscheduled stop we continue up Mission Blvd to the
Niles District, through downtown Niles ending up at the Quarry
Lakes Park a couple of miles north of Niles. The park is a long
abandoned Quarry that the Park district turned the pits into
huge lakes with lots of picnic areas. With the heavy rains the
day before turning our original reserved area into a muddy mess,
we were upgraded to a premier spot with first class amenities.
Ron and Barbara McKenzie were already there setting up for the
BBQ, Croquet games. There was also Horseshoes and Lawn darts
available. Master Grill Chefs Ron and Mark Edwards served up
hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings. It turned out it
was Pat Meneely's 29th birthday so the apple pie for dessert
became a birthday pie along with ice cream. After dessert the
raffle was held with many wonderful prizes. Snyder's had donated
a manifold cooker, Mary Beaman two bottles of wine, The Pez Museum
Pez dispensers, Talbot's Toyland a Kite. We would also like to
thank Ed and Karen for the ice cream, East Bay Regional Parks
for the fine facility and all the club members that participated
in the tour.
Gary Bausch
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