So, we didn't do the planned big car show in Paso Robles over Memorial Day Weekend. When one's granddaughter turns 2, one has to set proper priorities! So, instead, we signed up for one in Old Town Orcutt.
Yes, Orcutt. Think of it as an eventual suburb of Santa Maria. Lovely little town, with a nicely redone Old Town area. This show was run by the Bent Axles Club. Nice guys and gals, well organized, and some 200 cars.
So, Constant Reader is asking, what does this have to do with good ol' St. Serendipity?
Well, given the distance, we weren't about to leave at 3AM to get to Orcutt in time to arrive when cars were allowed to roll in. So, we planned on staying the night up there. In Lompoc. Sure, why not? I've heard they have lovely cumquats there, and the bank is safe under the protection of Mahatma Cane-Jeeves. (If you don't get that reference, shame on you!)
So, we had a lovely ride in the cool morning air, the Yellow Submarine running well, had breakfast at Chad's (nee Sambo's) in Santa Barbara, then up to Bob's Well Bread in Los Olivos for a baugette for the next day's lunch at the car show.
Finally, a bit after 1pm, we rolled into Lompoc. As we neared our hotel (the very nice O'Cairns on Ocean Blvd--the main drag) we spotted a big flashing message board--"Ocean Blvd Closed 4-7pm for Cruise."
Oooh, sounds like some kind of big Car Thing. When we checked in, we asked at the desk and they weren't sure but would check for us. They actually DID and said, "Yeah it's a Car Thing."
OK, cool. After a nap, we headed out to see what was up. Streets were marked for eventual blocking off, but no sign of any of the usual parked cars waiting for things to get rolling. Hmmm. We'd passed some kind of hot rod garage and spotted some guys washing and polishing a '52 Ford Pick Up, so we stopped and asked.
"Sure, go up this street, then turn right, then go to the parking lot of the police department."
Seemd like an odd place, but hey, maybe it was the staging area? Finally we found it and discovered there was a $20 fee supporting the local high school. No worries. We DID have to sign a waiver and were told that NO BURNOUTS WERE ALLOWED! I sniggered at that. As if you could do a burnout in a DS! Just ask Chuck Foward about it!
We parked in line, paid, and waited. More cars showed up, and finally, the guy who seemed to be the leader, got in his nice '58 Chevy BelAir and headed out down Ocean Blvd.
OK, I thought, he's leading us to where we park. As we drove down the street, we noticed growing crowds of people waiting curbside, some with chairs. HUH?
We followed Chevy Guy for a mile, then he did a big U Turn and headed back up the street. Back near the PD, he hung another Uwie, and finally, the penny dropped. This wasn't a park and stand about "Cruise" this was an actual, city sanctioned, Friday night cruise up and down the main drag, just like they've tried to ban on Whittier Blvd or Colorado Blvd because of "gang activity" and "Evil Things Occurring."
What fun! Any car (but mostly hot rods, low-riders, and such) could cruise up and down for a few hours, people crowding the sidewalks, waving at kids, and generally haveing a good time. Some guys had their cutouts working for the Maximum Noise and a few got as close to burnouts as possible without commiting that Mortal Sin. People were having a great time.
In addition, there was a Farmer's Market up a side street, Folklorico Dancing, and Food Trucks. Marianne scored us a great BBQ Tri-Tip Sandwich (anywhere near Santa Maria, it's the Law that you have to eat at least ONE Tri-Tip) after we parked in front of the Cold Coast Brewery. We dragged out the bistro table and chairs, ate, and enjoyed the show. Musta been 50 cars (at least) parading up and down. One guy even had a small tractor towing a trailer and giving kids rides!
Afterwards, we took a few more laps and headed back to the motel, a beer (805, of course, another local ordinance), dessert and bed.
Up early, we headed to Orcutt, found the show, parked and had moring beverages and muffins (Cups and Crumbs--good stuff and NOT the usual GotBucks cup of bitterness).
The show was friendly and of course lots of questions about the Yellow Submarine. Several people came up to us and asked "Hey, didn't we see you in Lompoc last night?" Our fame spreads.
In fact, it's becoming a bit of a thing. One guy walks up and asks, "Didn't we meet a couple of years ago at Moss Motors in Goleta?" Another was quite excited. He'd texted pix of us to a friend in Palm Springs (no less) and got a text back "Hey, I know that car!"
All the usual attention from Beatles fans young and old (one kid asked his dad "weren't they some kind of band?"--Dad said, "Ask Grandma") and an enjoyable day out.
The drive was less pleasant. As the heat and hills rose, the Citroen ran hotter and hotter. Sigh. Finally organizing that Aluminium Radiator from the boys at Wizard Radiators in Buffalo. Same guys who did the one in the TR3. Should solve a few cooling ills.
All in all, a well spent, if tiring weekend.
