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Just 138 miles to go before it’s all over
By John | September 29, 2009
Again, my apologies to all of you for yet more delays in updating this site. I know many of you visit here daily to see the latest developments – but Liz and I have both become the victims of so much generous American hospitality. For my part, the fatigue has now really ‘kicked in’ and it’s been quite an effort to get the laptop fired up for the daily email replies, downloading pix, naming them for ease of access – and then getting everything posted.
Sorry.
We haven’t moved all that much further south since the last update. We now find ourselves spending two very relaxing nights at the home of Jean and Tony Prock in Pacific Grove near Monterey, where we have been most touchingly welcomed and are very comfortable. Tomorrow is the final trip down to the FINISH LINE at San Luis Obispo and it will be with a very heavy heart when we do eventually cross it.
But enough of personal feelings of regret. What have we been up to?
TRIUMPH TRAVELERS SPORTS CAR CLUB made us most welcome on leaving Corte Madera and after the hand-off (near to San Quentin ‘nick’) we undertook a 70 odd mile drive around San Francisco and district. First port of call was the Golden Gate Bridge where the sea-fog had created a most impressive cushion in which the bridge itself and its supporting pylons emerged proudly from the water below and made for an impressive morning picture.
Then it was down into the city itself with an opportunity to do some cruising along Fisherman’s Wharf, down the ‘crookedest street’ and up some impressive climbs to reach it!
“uncle jack’s” clutch began to smell a bit ‘toasty’ by the time we’d done the last hill start – and then it was time for the brakes to emit a similar aroma as we did the descent! More driving out through parkland but the traffic was very heavy, it was hot – and for the very first time in this epic drive, the temperature gauge hit the red sector! That caused me more than just a nudging worry. “uj” is not my car and I could foresee a “so near yet so far” scenario emerging with a blown head gasket (or even two?) because we’d stayed too long in slow moving traffic. Well, we managed to get going at the last minute and with an increase in ram air going through the radiator and the electric fan and heater doing all they could to keep things cooler – we made it! But it was a nasty few moments.
A very comfortable two nights were spent at Penny and Tristram Herman’s home with visits to the Blackhawk Museum and another to a local Veteran’s Hospital where the club had already pre-arranged an informal ‘Show ‘n Shine’ for the benefit of the Veterans themselves. Liz and I spoke at some length to several ‘Vets’ and were greatly humbled by their very generous comments and thanks for the Drive supporting PTSD therapy and care. In the pic below, all those who came to see us are featured – together with many other TTSCC members who took part.
There’s a lot I could add about that visit, though this is neither the appropriate time or place to insert those thoughts. However, you’ll find them recorded at length in “Turn Left at the Pacific” - the book that’ll come out of this drive. If you want to put your name on the list to reserve a copy – or any of the other related publications, click on the Memorabilia and Regalia button on the sidebar of this website!
Yesterday saw us moving on to Pacific Grove via a most scenic drive out of Los Gatos and which took in a brief but most enjoyable visit to Bruce Cenepa’s museum, showroom and workshops. If you’re ever looking for a spotless and sterile location for brain surgery, I can recommend the Cenepa Service Department! I’ve seen many impressive vehicle service and repair facilities in my career but the Cenepa version beats them all!
Today has been spent trying to do a little winding down before the last few miles to the end of the road. We spent a fascinating two hours in the Pacific Grove Aquarium this afternoon and rounded this off with a memorable drive (as passengers) along 17 Mile Drive to Pebble Beach. A delightful meal with our hosts, together with Susan and Glenn Merrell, now sees us back at the ranch and packing bags again in readiness for a not-too-early start in the morning for SLO.
Thank you everyone in the San Francisco Bay area for all your hospitality over the last four days. We’ve lots of photos to take home and even more video footage as well!
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