A Perfect 

Autumn Classic Day in 

San Juan Batista

Vol 8 No 4

Sunday, October 22,  2006 turned out to be one of the most beautiful autumn days on the coast. We didn't think that was going to be the case when we stepped out of bed at 7:00 in the morning. I looked out the front window and could hardly see across the street.

We spend some time digging around in the closet for warm cloths. " I need my scarf. Where are my warm gloves?  Do we have any of those hand warmers?" So it was into the car and out came the blanket to cover her legs. Make sure the windshield wipers work because this fog is really drippy.

It was off to El Estro park where we met up with the Ferlitos and  Dombrowskis. They were dressed to the hilt too for the trip north.

Off to highway 68, over to Salinas then over to Davis road, to San Juan Grade . By the time we got to the Laguna Seca golf course here came the sun but it was still pretty cool. The San Juan Grade road seemed rougher than the trip last year. But it is still a nice ride. I think we met only two cars the entire way over. This road is very good for the MG car. It twists, turns every spring, shock, nut and bolt. Everything on that car got a work out.

The Obbinks led the pack. Ken Dombrowski brought up the rear in his Miata. Jackie drove the MGA.

The organizers restructured the arrival times by make of car which was a big help so we didn't have to cue up in this long line with engines heating. Anyway, we got to the stop light which is at the edge of the freeway just before you cross over and enter San Juan. The Obbinks were first at the light with about 5 cars behind him. All of a sudden the ever so faithful MGTC stopped cold. No power of any kind. No key power, no starter power, not a spark could be had. There were too many cars behind to just stay there so the order was given and Judy got out and started to push, as did I. In the middle of the freeway, the light changed to red but we kept on pushing. 

On the other side we opened the hood and took a look at the battery cable. Our car is rigged with one of those disconnect gadgets so when it is just sitting in the garage you can disconnect the battery. Well, the cable on the ground side had come off. Obviously due to the bouncing road across the grade. Pushed it back on, started up and from then on everything was in order.

There were a lot of cars this year. Even the side streets were lined with them. The sun was really bearing down now and the temperature was rising fast. Off with the scarf, jacket, gloves and two layers of shirts. On with the sun screen and calls for more drinking water. The balance of the day was really hot.

Noon time arrived and we got our usual table at Jardines and all engaged in easy conversation. The Strands and O'Connors joined us as they had come up separately. We all know the story about 6 degrees of separation. The Strands and Obbinks began talking about this and that and as it turns out Bob Strand and Bruce Obbink were both stationed in Iwakuni, Japan at the same time in the early l960's. Strand was an officer in the Marine Corps and Bruce was a Navy pilot doing a deployment at the Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station. They probably were sitting at the same bar in the Officers Club if they only knew it. And then to make it even more interesting, Lynda Strand and Judy Obbink lived very near each other on the lagoon in Belvedere/Tiberon area in Marin County. What fun all that is!

Only two cars were entered. Hugo Ferlito has his impeccable MGA in the winners circle vying for Best of Show and Jackie Dombrowski had her MGA in the MGA class. More MGAs at this event that we had ever seen. No winners this year, but we shall all give it a try again next time.

The trip home was uneventful although there was a bad accident somewhere on Highway 101 so the traffic was down to a snails pace. Highway 156 was backed up from the 101 intersection to Castroville. Glad we were not going the other way.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, December 10, 2006. It is our Christmas party brunch. More will be coming later.