May 17 - 22, 2008. 12 Ts, 5 As, 1 Lincoln, 1 Marmon, and
3 modern cars participated in our Yosemite tour. 2 Ts dropped
out along the way, 1 A was lost to a sideswipe and everyone else
made it home under their own power, although there were a few
parking lot repairs.
The first two days driving to Yosemite saw a spell of unseasonably
hot weather, temperatures soaring above 100 degrees. From San
Jose to Mariposa was a test of the drivers, we had a lot of red
faces pulling into Mariposa and a few steam clouds. From Mariposa
to Yosemite was a test of the cars, there’s nothing like
pulling a steep hot grade in low band for us non-Ruckstell types.
The two days in the park were idyllic, blue sky-balmy, scenic
wonders in every direction, the waterfalls were at their finest,
the vegetation fresh and green, crowds not too bad, lots of hiking
and exploring, lunches and dinners at the Ahwanee. Curry Village
is a good place to stay, even if it is a little funky. There
was even a nighttime drive up to Glacier Point by a few intrepid
souls.
The weather completely changed for the return trip. We left Yosemite
by the south gate and it was rather chilly all the way to Oakhurst.
From there to Santa Nella, it was really WINDY, with a direct
crosswind from the right all the way across the valley. I don’t
know what the peak gusts were but several folks in open cars
nearly lost their glasses and we finished the day with 3 ripped
tops. The final day of our journey saw us summit Pacheco Pass
in continuing windy conditions and return to the Santa Clara
Valley where we were greeted by a towering column of smoke rising
over the coastal range. I think everyone was home by about 2
o’clock, patted the T on the hood, closed the garage door,
and had a beer. Good tour!!!! GREAT BIG THANKS to Gary Bausch
for setting it all up!!!
Bob Meneely
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