Mystery Lunch Run

November 24, 2019

It was the closing chapter in 2019’s book of MLRs, authored by Skip Hipp. Somehow, our November run is always larger than we expect with its close proximity to Thanksgiving, although this year because Turkey Day is later in the year, it fell on the Sunday before instead of the Sunday after.

Anyhow, we had a sizeable crowd of 26 Corvettes plus the Buotes’ Hunni Bun car and 49 COTV members. Some of our singles teamed up (Bill Stedfield and Bob Smith, Skip and John Meyer, the Buotes and Willie Nagle.) Norm and Ronette brought along two familiar faces, Eric and Missy Johnson, who after giving us a trial run for about a year (according to Eric) finally bit the bullet and decided to join. Dave Hellman was accompanied by his other “plus one”, his daughter Dana.

Today’s route took us along some familiar but favorite curvy roads through the back of Temecula, then onto Domenigoni Parkway for a brief moment before entering the “Valley of the Mastodons/Diamond Valley Lake”. We passed the Visitor Center and Museum and headed up and then down to the launch ramp parking area for a “rest stop.” After we had rested for a while, we headed back on Domenigoni, through parts of Menifee and over the 215 freeway before turning into the shopping center and heading to BJ’s Brewhouse.

The restaurant had arranged large tables for us in the separate dining room area and provided a never-ending buffet of salad and 4-6 types of deep dish pizza, plus drinks with plenty of refills. As soon as folks filled their plates, new pizzas appeared. At the end of the meal, they provided carry-out boxes for COTV members to take home the remaining pizza. It was a win-win situation, both lunch and dinner in one.

Thanks Skip, for a lovely day of sun, great roads, food and comraderie to round out 2019’s MLR calendar. We still have Toys for Tots and the Holiday Party to come in December, so we look forward to seeing everyone again before the year comes to a close.

Mystery Lunch Run

October 27, 2019

Ann and Tom Lontz have taken ownership of the October MLR over the past few years and have even already signed up for 2020. We thank them for their string of past fun and food filled Sunday drives. This Sunday was another one to add to the list.

We had 31 cars RSVP, 4 who did not make it, but 3 new ones who came at the last moment, so it worked out pretty evenly. Among the participants were some new faces. Lana brought her friend Linda. They have been friends since their school days. Norm and Ronette brought a familiar face, Eric, and his co-driver. Don Sforzini brought Bonnie McDonald for a repeat MLR. Some of our newer members were in the group: Charity and Paul Birrell, Paul Saavedra and his daughter and Anthony and Carla Thomas. We also had new faces Scott Brunoehler and Amy Berling, more Canyon Lake folks.

Since Tom had experienced a recent medical issue, he and Ann did the check-in and then met us at the destination. They had made very seasonal instruction “packages”, in the shape of a pumpkin with the instructions as the stalk, so we all got a real souvenir of the fun day. Of course, Bruce Mofford wore his Batman outfit to remind us that Halloween is almost upon us.

John and Lynn served as leaders with the Webers bringing up the rear, not a new role for both couples. Since it was a relatively short run and the roads made for mid-range speed driving, no one got lost. We formed up at our usual spot along 79, then turned on Anza and did a kind of reverse trip from our usual, through the outskirts of Temecula, then along Sage and Wilson Valley Roads, to CA 371 (but not to Anza, etc.) instead heading along 79 again and finishing at the Warner Springs Golf Bar and Grill. On the way along 79 we saw a group of very old cars, driven by folks in original racing gear from the period of their cars. Both groups waved at each other. Some of them were at Warner Springs when we got there, as were a large motorcycle group. We just took over their parking places.

We have used this location as a rest stop on numerous occasions, but not as a lunch stop. We had tables out on the deck and realized that it was actually October, as it was cooler unless you were in the sun.

Since we had all pre-ordered our lunch from a list of 6 choices, the waitresses brought our orders out in groups: all the burgers first, then the club sandwiches, etc. As always, someone will be last, but it was generally pretty efficient.

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And Later, things got a little confused!

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Mystery Lunch Run

September 29, 2019

Ray and Judy’s September lunch run should have satisfied anyone who complained about too much freeway mileage or not enough scenic roads in any of this year’s past MLRs. It was both scenic and off the beaten track.

It was a cool morning to start with although the sun did grace the group as the day wore on. Our less- than-sure count of cars was about 35, not including a guest from Idaho who joined us at Kohl’s but was not able to do the run. Our estimated head count was 65-ish. Norm and Ronette brought along some guests as usual and Leo Biller brought Rosemary. She must like us since we have seen her for both breakfast and lunch in the last couple of weeks. We certainly like her. Lana brought along one of her friends as well. We are glad she is able to join us for these events. As always, we had some singles as well as the usual couples.

Ray and Judy led the way and Rob and Daryl brought up the rear, trying to make sure no one got left behind (although not always succesful in that task). Thank heavens for cell phones because the radios don’t work perfectly with a line of 35 cars, especially when the route has lots of turns and stop signs. The group wound their way through Temecula’s wine and horse country, along Sage Rd and Cactus Valley and into Hemet via Domenigoni and then Warren. Our potty stop was at Gosch Chevrolet, where the manager provided coffee and bathroom facilities. Then we continued on through the dairy farms and up onto Gilman Springs Road. Our instructions at the drivers’ meeting were that we would only be on a freeway for a VERY brief time and that was true – we were supposed to be on the 60 westbound for exactly one exit. Unfortunately, not everyone heard the VERY part of very brief and kept going, but we managed to use those darn cell phones and haul them back into line.

We headed up Redlands Blvd and San Timoteo Canyon Road and onto Oak Glen Road, then into Yucaipa, where we finally made our last u-turn into the parking lot for American Road Trip, a fun and casual restaurant with a menu providing choices for everyone’s appetite. Who knows how Ray and Judy found this place? We don’t! It was a great, and for some challenging, lunch run. We thank the McIntoshes for all their organization!

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Defy Physics

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