Sacramento touring

Ernie and I took advantage of nice spring weather a week ago to cruise the back roads and have lunch at Bert's, a 1950's retro-diner. Lots of stainless steel.

We want to get a couple of trips in bebore Memorial Day. Looking at the river levees maybe a road house somewhere. Might get up to Grass Valley to see Terry Knuckles.

OKay, I have to ask... What's with the air freshener tree hanging off the mirror? Do you grab it hand hold it under your nose when you pass a dairy?

angela

Yeah, and it looks like Michael has a "bathtub stopper" hanging from his RVM.
I get it. But, I wonder how many times a day he has to explain it.
That's almost like having a vanity license plate that's so clever nobody understands it.

That's an easy one for us, John. But what would you think of a BARBIE DOLL head hanging there. What's up with that?

You KNOW who you are!:)

Come on up, Michael! Got some sweet roads to show you.
Whats wrong with Barbie heads?

John, I never have to explain the "tub plug" - those who don't know, don't know to ask, those who do know wink.

I thought you might notice Ernie's "air conditioner."

Let's start an RVM string, think I will, wonder if anyone really has a Barbie head...Terry has the best so far. I wonder what Vince has...maybe not.

Wow. I look so young in that pic, Michael.

By the way, I still have my Knotts '05 Name Tag.

And there's nothing hanging off of any of my RVMs. It makes me faster.

Sacramento Folks,

Minor hijack here, I'm going to be relocating my Speedster to Reno in a few weeks. I drove over 80 last week in my Highlander and nearly rattled all of my fillings out. Not looking forward to doing 80 in the Speedster, what can you recommend? I was thinking of 99 to 50? Thanks...

Curt

Hi Curt; Its a little slower but ounce you get past Placerville its is a very senic drive. I don't know where the snow line is, probably around Strawberry. You will like Whitehall Canyon, twisty and it runs along the river. If you get a chance stop at St. Paulies and Have lunch. They bake thier own strudle and its great for desert. Its located in the Whitehall Canyon. Lake Tahoe to Kingsberry then to Carson City, up 395 and you are in Reno. Its one of my favorite drives. Lots of eye candy. I used to work at Fresh Pond and drove it daily for twelve years before I retired. Weekends the traffic is the pits, but durring the week it quite plesant. I hate 80 too. too many trucks and traffic. not tobad from about Nyack on. but the road surface is the pits. This is due to heavy loaded trucks and snow chains. It dosn't help the concrete road way one bit. It's like a washboard. Have fun. Then ther is always highway 88 to Marklyville hooking up in nevada to Reno, its even better. Lots of curves only two lanes, the high country. Ray

Hey Ray,

Thanks for the suggestion. You mentioned snow in your note, jeez, us So Cal types forget about that stuff. I do recall seeing some of that white stuff last week. We came home down 395 last week and didn't see any, maybe I ought to go that way. We'll have plenty of time to drive 50, once we retire in about a year. Thanks...

Do you guys get together for drives very often? We'll be just across the border, right above Boomtown.

Curt

Curt -

From your area I would recommend taking the 405 north to Hwy 14 (Palmdale/Lancaster) then hook up with Hwy 395 (to Mammoth/Reno). More of a straight shot and nicer road for most of the distance. Once you get above Bishop the scenery is pretty nice also (Sierras).

Have you thougth about one-way trailering Speedy behind your Highlander?

Jim,

My first inclination was to go that way, I drive that way a lot, going to Mammoth. I kinda like driving 99, reminds me of driving back and forth to Fresno State, my alma mater. I may go the Bishop route if it looks like snow over the Tahoe way. I thought about trailering, but since I'm trying to do this over a weekend, I'd like to fly home.

Hey, we're going to miss you guys and gals this weekend, we'll do the Paso get together next year, from Reno.

Curt

Curt...are you and Joann moving to Reno??? and will you guys be attending the May 5th event with us? Sure miss you both. ~Esther

Cory...In Hawaiian Ikaika means strong. ~Esther

"That's an easy one for us, John. But what would you think of a BARBIE DOLL head hanging there. What's up with that?"

Hmmm. I'm probably not the guy Bill's talking about, but here they are nonetheless.
I've had Barbie heads in my cars for as long as I can remember. The current two are specifically to remind me that this old girl's a dream who's survived two jealous exes.
They really trace their origins to my days as a lad in Hawaii (where the locals hung miniature warrior helmets adorned with straw and chicken feathers from their RVMs to proclaim their Island heritage).
My uncle and his cronies hung the All-American Barbie heads to proclaim their Mainland heritage ... I dunno.

Uh, the 'Warrior Helmet' looks like these:

http://www.aloha2go.com/catalog/ikaika.html

Esther,

Yes, we bought a house in Reno and will be retiring there by the end of the year. We are really going to miss the gang from So Cal, we had a lot of fun runs with the group. I will be driving the Speedster up to Reno on the 4th, so we will miss the run to Chino. I will be leaving for Atlanta this Sunday, so we'll miss Paso too. We'll stay in touch and meet up in Paso next year... Someone, try to keep an eye on Vince since I can't anymore.

Curt

Cory -

Back on Guam we don't have Ikaika (meaning strong), but we do have Eye Caca (meaning "I need to change my pants!").

Curt....fun Reno!!! I have alot of good memories of Reno. I donno who will be keeping an eye on Vince, you know he gets out of control sometimes, maybe Gerd can watch him....LOL ~Esther

Kurt, we will miss both you and Joann on our local runs here in So Cal. and I hope you enjoy Reno.. the biggest little town in the USA... I enjoyed your company and conversation on our events... You better make it back to Paso next year after you get settled in Reno or I'll get everyone to drive to Reno and park on your frontyard for the weekend!

Enjoy your time my friend.. You've earned it!


Speedster "D"

ESTHER ARE U JOKING
ME WATCH OUT AFTER VINCE
THATS LIKE ASKING AN ALCOHOLIC TO GUARD THE BOOZE