SCW Club Trip to Woodies at the Rock in Moro Bay

Hi Ho and away we went.  A large caravan of wooden cars, led by Joe and Janice Cosgrave, our fearless wagon masters, headed down the highway from the bay area.  The woodie caravan of 20 cars converged at In-N-Out Burger in Salinas and then headed south for a 3-hour ride to Cambria by the Sea.

Under sunny skies, the ride went smoothly with no breakdowns or traffic delays.  As always, Jim and Sue Vickery were at the head of the pack in their ’46 Ford, closely followed by Ed and Marilyn Bowman in their red ’55 wagon. Also, in the roller derby pack, jockeying for position, were Joe and Audrey Silva in their Washington Blue ’47, Carl and Margaret Biggs in their ’42 Merc, and Richard and Rita Skillman revving it up in their ’47 Merc.

There were new cars in the lineup, like Jim and Melinda Alves’ shiny new shoebox ’50 Ford with luxurious leather seats, air conditioning and power windows.  They were followed in a similar beautiful shoe box by Phil and Joann Iatomase.  Don and Cathy Iglesias cruised down the coast in their new ’46 Ford “Woodeena,” formerly owned by Doug and Linda Yugo, followed by long time club members Dave and Andi Welles in their pristine ’38 Ford.  Jerry and Lucy Stanley also joined the flock.   There was a great turn out of veteran Santa Cruz Woodies owners, including John and Rae Fleming in their classic white Packard, and Joe and Arlene Solis in their Morris.  Arlene is now our new Western Regional Director of the National Woodie Club. 

After a couple of stops along the way, we arrived at the Paso Robles Inn, where 25+ members enjoyed a sweet meal. We were greeted in Paso Robles by The National Woodie Club Director, Ron Dugger, and our National Woodie Club President, Wayne Yada, with his wife, M.J..  Lunch was followed by a visit to the Estrella Warbirds Museum.  There was a beautiful contrast with the vintage airplanes and our woodies on the landing strip.  Along with classic airplanes from WW2 and Vietnam, there was an opportunity to view a collection of rare cars, including a ’55 Mercedes Gullwing, valued at over $1 million. 

After the museum, the next stop was the Bluebird Hotel in Cambria for check-in and a gathering of the clan for appetizers and libations. Joining us in Cambria were our So-Cal brethren, Mickey and JoAnn Christiason, Jim Cocores and Robin, and Mick and Robin Carolan.  Sheldon Jones and Irene Felbinger showed up in their Morris and brought his signature cheesecake for dessert. 

The cars were covered for their evening snooze at the Bluebird until early the next morning when the whole crew began the thirty-minute ride down the gorgeous coast to Morro Rock.  There was a great turnout by the Santa Cruz and Central Coast Woodies and a packed parking lot full of shiny wagons.  The woodies were gleaming in the sun, especially Loren and Annette Steck’s ’41 Plymouth.  All parking spots at the Wavelength Surf Shop were taken with overflow onto the street.

The weather was perfect as many Woodie owners also enjoyed the antique and thrift shopping with many treasures purchased.  As always, Toni Wilkerson and Lynda Yugo led the hunt for antiques and collectibles, while Doug Yugo was assigned to carrying the items to the car.  Toni and Lynda got first dibs on quite a number of “one of a kind” items. We may see a few of them at the annual Santa Cruz Woodie Installation Dinner’s live/silent auctions on January 18, 2020 that celebrates our 26^th year as a club.

It was a non-stop weekend as we continued to the Ohana weekend party at Kathryn Benson’s home.  The Benson family and a few of the crew prepared an outstanding meal of barbequed meats and lasagnas with special Sicilian recipes from her friend, Christine Amato, who was visiting from Hawaii.  The special themed drink for the evening, enjoyed by all, was prepared by Mick and Robin Carolan, and rightfully named “Rocket Fuel.”  Bob and Connie Lopez arrived at the party in their knockout ’40 Ford and as always, our Troubadour, Bob, serenaded the crowd with song.

 Given the celebratory mood of the crowd and the aloha feeling that prevailed, a special recognition award was given to past National Woodie Club president, Bill Sampson.  Since his trademark pink shorts went missing at Woodies on the Wharf, the club thought it best to replace these fabled trunks.  Thanks to Marilyn and Ed Bowman, on one of the antiquing expeditions they found the perfect pair of shorts to acknowledge the dedicated work that Bill has done over the last few years for the National Woodie Club.  The shorts were admired by Bill’s loyal fan club.  Of course, Rosemary, his other half, was a good sport and had another glass of rocket fuel.  (See photo).

So, after a wonderful meal and dessert, members climbed into their wooden cars and made it back to the Bluebird Hotel.  And, of course, in the morning, with a record number of cars in attendance, we all headed homeward in different directions to clean and polish the old woodie for its next trip.  Rowland and Dorma’s ’49 Dodge, named Belchfire #1, crested the summit on Highway 46, without a mishap, as we all hit the happy trails.  

Don’t forget two great upcoming events! On December 7, 2019, its the Santa Cruz Holiday Parade which the club will be participating in, and on January 18, 2020, it is the Santa Cruz Woodies Club Installation Dinner.