Car Show Season

 Yep, 'tis the time for Car Shows. Big Ones. Not just the casual Cars 'n' Coffee stuff, "Real Ones." Big awards, music, food booths, booths selling Stuff (mostly car related). Not just in SoCal, but nation-wide. Several crop up each month. These are the all-day affairs, not just a couple of hours in the morning.  And all of 'em are Hot Rod/Muscle Car oriented. 

So, we have fun invading them with our funny little foreign cars. Lately, while the Blue Meanie heals, we've take the Yellow Submarine. And, yes, it gets lots of looks and attention by the public. Rarely any awards, and that's fine, we don't do it for that. Let's face it, Hot Rod/Muscle Car guys just DO NOT understand them. No worries. I have to say that, amid the ranks of Deuce Coups w/Small Block Chevy engines, Tri-5 Chevies, Chevelles, Camaros, Mustangs and GTOs, we do kinda stand out. 

Most people meander about, randomly looking at cars, pausing at some, but in a sea of sameness, not really examining. Bring a bright yellow DS Citroen Wagon, replete w/Yellow Submarine Dressup Stuff, and it's a different story. Which makes it fun for all. We get a kick out of the interest in our weird Froggy Car and people seem to get a real charge out of the oddity before them. If I had a dollar for every time I've explained the Citroen's suspension, brake button, one spoke steering wheel, and all the other goodies, I'd never pay to enter a show. I shift into "Lecture Mode" and give the dissertation over and over and people thank me for it! 

The tail lights w/the Eiffel Towers are the most photographed item, but the 3rd brake light and it's "story" comes second. Being odd is worth it. 

The BEST thing at the show? 101 year old ED ISKANDARIAN WAS THERE! SO GOOD TO SEE HE'S STILL GOING STRONG! 

So, here's some photos of the other intriguing cars that showed up in Johnny Carson Park in Burbank last Sunday: 

Yes, that's TWELVE cylinders AND carbs. It's a Jimmy GAS V-12 Truck motor! 

Nice little Opel Wagon! 

This was dragged out of a barn last week, got running and came to the show!!!! 

Ian Roussel's (the guy on Full Custom Garage!) Riviera. Gorgeous body work. Owner, frankly, should have left the hood closed. Inside was a grotty looking LS1. Shame on such a nice looking car. 

One for Tom Oldfield 

Bolbo? 

Why, look! We didn't have the only funny froggy car there! 

And one for Bruce Jones. His new Chopper. 

POPPIES, MY PRETTIES, POPPIES!

 One of the glories of spring in SoCal are the 2-4 week window we get for wild flowers. And what more revered posey than California's Official Flower, the Golden Poppy.

And of course, that means a Road Trip to see 'em! I'll make this simple and give you GPS via points to guide you off the freeways whenever possible. You should be able to set your Sat-Nav to the "California Poppy Reserve" as a destination, then, to get the most out of the drive, set as a "Via Point" the "Drinkwater Flats OHV." This will send you up the I-5 to CA126, and instead of going west, go east and up Francisquito Canyon Rd. 

This spot has the added interest as the sight of the 1928 St. Francis Dam disaster that flooded all the way to Santa Paula and Ventura. It ruined our water bearing pioneer, Mulholland. 

From there, via Muntz Rd. you'll snake over the hills to the Reserve. It's best to go on a week day as the place is packed on a weekend. By the look of things, you probably have at least a week to see the poppies in their glory. It's $4.50 ea for seniors. There's a visitor center and potties, benches from which to gaze, and trails to hike for those so inclined. Plan to get there mid-morning. Too early and the poppies haven't opened up yet and you miss the show.

Now, you COULD just go home, but, NOOOO. You're a Road Tripper! So (and I hope you packed a picnic lunch?) reset the GPS for Caliente or Bealville. Either will take you up past Willow Springs Raceway and to Tehachapi for some rail fanning. The original "Road Trippin'" book will give you ideas for where to spot choo-choos and yes, there is food in Tehachapi. I suggest a picnic in Caliente however. It's a wonderfully quiet spot. 

Now, to get home, there's a couple of options. The best is to (again refer to the book--wait, WHAT you haven't bought it yet? Sheesh! Go to www.mccarthypix.com and get one. It's all new and improved and updated!!) head back on Caliente-Bodfish Rd. to "Bena," thence to Bakersfield. For best results, turn RIGHT on Bena Rd.! 

You'll join up with CA58, then home via CA99 and over the Grapevine. OR, take either CA58 or CA166 to the Central Coast and US101. 

So, here's some photos to inspire you:

Site of the St. Francis Damn disaster.

Muntz Rd. 

Poppies! 

Not all beauty comes out of the ground! 

And of course, Trains!

Caliente for a picnic! 

Bena Rd. 

Oh, and remember 

DO NOT PICK THE POPPIES! IT IS ILLEGAL AND THE WICKED WITCH WILL SEND OUT HER FLYING MONKIES IF YOU DO!