A Nice Long Sunday Drive

When you want something done right, leave it to the pros. That’s what we did for this month’s run. Curt and Darlena had originally planned an even longer route, but that idea had to be revised when the Idyllwild to Banning Panoramic Highway was put out of commission by a huge landslide. Somehow they still found about 100 miles of curves and straightaways and, to top it all off, they ended up with lunch right in their own community so, for once, they did not have the longest ride home.

It was a lovely day for a long drive in the countryside, enough sun but not too much heat. We had 25 cars and about 45 folks at the meeting place. It was basically the usual suspects with the addition of a new couple, Jack and Donna Price, in their silver convertible with the red interior. Norm Craig and Ronette Garduno came with both their cars and their usual friends. Lana Jenkin brought her daughter, Kimberley, and Dave Hellman brought his daughter, Dana. George and Carole Nix, who we don’t see often enough, were also with us and so were Ray and Judy McIntosh, recently back from their trip to Portugal and Spain.

Our revised route went east on 79 and then onto Sage and Cactus Valley through the farms and nurseries. We took Domenigoni Parkway past the Water Museum and north on Winchester, with a rest stop at Winchester Farms. From there we wove west through Perris and over to the 15 North to exit at Lake where the Superbloom caused so much chaos. The route then went up Temescal Canyon on both sides of the freeway until we turned on Cajalco, to go all the way back east to the 215 North.

Our destination was Woody’s Brewhouse in Moreno Valley where we shared the restaurant with several other large parties. We could pick from the menu of salads and sandwiches and hamburgers or the buffet, so everyone could find exactly what they wanted. After much food and conversation, everyone thanked Curt and Darlena for a great Sunday on the road and headed in whatever direction they had to go.

Pics from Murray Gruber