Woodies in the Valley

A wagon train of Santa Cruz Woodies folks headed to Woodies in the Valley on March 15th for a couple of days celebrating with our woodie ohana in Visalia.  Wayne and Mary Jane Yada and their crew, once again, were gracious hosts to us all!  SCW members who made the journey to the valley included: Arlene and Joe Solis, Dorma and Rowland Baker, Don and Cathy Iglesias, Mickey and JoAnn Christiason, Rita and Richard Skillman, Toni Wilkerson, and Doug and Linda Yugo.

The Friday night event at A&W Root Beer Drive-In was a step back in time and an opportunity to reminisce of days hanging out in our cars. 

Saturday morning was time to “Show and Shine” and 63 woodies were gleaming in the beautiful 70-degree weather.  The show coincided with the St. Patrick’s Parade downtown and many of the woodies hopped into the parade route.  

Saturday night was my favorite event as we headed to Golden West High School, where the Central Valley Woodie Club set up a giant drive-in movie screen and we relaxed in our cars, lawn chairs and blankets to watch the classic movie “Grease” with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The weather got a little chilly as the night progressed and Doug Yugo won the prize for trying to keep warm by wrapping himself like a mummy in multiple coats and blankets. 

Sunday morning, we headed to the ‘farewell breakfast” at the Blains’ house; we had time to wander and drool over the epic car collection housed on their property. 

The beautiful scenery, the warm weather combined with the warmth and welcoming spirit of the Yadas and the Central Valley Woodie Club members, made this event memorable for us all.