Silicon Valley Model A Restorers Club

The Santa Cruz Hub Tour is over and what a whirl wind tour with the “A’s”.  20 cars registered 18 Model “A’s” and 2 Modern.  A total of 37 people registered for the event both MARC & MAFCA members.  Not bad for a new club two years as of September 1, 2010 and our first club tour.  We thank all who helped to put on this event and make the time enjoyable for all.  The Delta A’s, the Rut’s, Cammack/Peterson, and Simpson’s worked together to put on the social hour each night that we met, and they did a fantastic job.  The GRAMPA A’s breakfast put on by Eric/Pat Hitchcock & Elaine/Cliff Dutra was wonderful; the founder’s of their club Len & Evelyn Rhoades, and Elaine Dutra gave a wonderful speech thanking all of us for visiting and enjoying their city and surrounding areas.  We have had several e-mails thanking us for a wonderful time during the complete tour. 

• Welcome kick off BBQ Dinner at DeLaveaga Park was very good. Everyone got to know each other and spend time visiting. Welcome gifts to all were handed out. 
• Tuesday, Nick’s Restaurant with tour leader Pat Lovejoy was very good.  We stopped during the tour to visit the beach and read or hear about the area. Visiting Pigeon Point Light House we read about the history.  Nick’s Buffet was great we filled their Banquet room and enjoyed.  We had a photo opportunity with the A’s and their owners.  Stopping at a peak allowed everyone to view the valley floor from San Francisco to the Bay Area it was a little hazy but we all had a good look.  It was cool coming back from this tour but a wonderful day. 
• Wednesday was Salinas/Soledad Day traveling through the Salinas Valley our tour leader Bill Rose gave us a lot of information about the agriculture in the area.  Our guests were eager to hear on their CB’s and ask questions about his commentary.  Running board lunch from Mo’s Deli was enjoyed at Mission La Soledad.  Touring the Mission was great there is so much history.  This Mission displays exact replicas of all 21 Mission buildings in California.  Elk Horn Slough our next stop taught us how the flow of water and land has changed the eco system in the slough.  Dinner at DeLaveaga Park allowed us all to cool off and relax from the day.
• Thursday Monterey Day tour leader Lauren Alley we enjoyed the GRAMPA A’s hospitality and visit.  The tables had a collection of old jakes many types and sizes as our center pieces on the tables. The day was warm no fog, rare for Monterey.  We met up with 12 GRAMPA A members and they brought 3 A’s. We all sang Happy Birthday to Cliff  Dutra & Evelyn Rhoades.   After our breakfast some split up to enjoy different things. Some stopped in to visit the Monterey Mission; and a large group went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  We split and walked on a self guided tour; we also took a ride through Carmel, and stopped for a visit to the Carmel Mission. Dinner was on our own but everyone met at Phil’s in Moss Landing for an outstanding dinner, we filled several large tables and had a great time. 
• Friday was a big day with our tour leader Bill Alley.  He took us to the Ag Center and Roger’s home for a tour at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.  This was a big hit the guys and the gals enjoyed both.  Then off to Steinbeck museum we split in two groups for an informative tour.  Our last stop for the day was San Juan Bautista for a Mission and town visit.  It was very hot and we were melting. We all enjoyed getting back to Delaveaga Park for dinner and to relax from our very hot day.

·        Saturday was our short day leader Bill Rose took us through the Santa Cruz Mountains through the redwoods to Roaring Camp Railroad.  All the “A’s” were parked on the lawn, Roaring Camp announced we were there and visitors could view the “A’s” and take pictures.  We had our own train car for the Model A folks and traveled to Bear Mountain.  This is an original steam engine traveling the same route as it did many years ago.  This was relaxing winding through the trees and seeing the steam rise to the sky.  Lunch in the park under the trees helped to keep us cool while the day’s temperature hit over the 100 mark.  The last stop was Mission Santa Cruz, that’s right we saw four Missions this trip.  Then dinner at Delaveaga Park for ending ceremonies.

This was truly a wonderful trip.  The gifts and license plates were a hit; everyone enjoyed taking home remembrances from their Northern California Hub Tour event.   If you were unable to attend we encourage you to make the next one, we were told Hub Tours are the best for Model “A” travel. 

Your Co-Hub Tour Chair’s:      Bill Rose, Lauren & Bill Alley/SVMARC