PAST EVENTS 2008
March
Angeles Crest Lunch Run

Words by Jim Crandall
Pictures by Ron Simon

 

It was a somewhat misty day in La Canada/ Flintridge when we pulled out of the Conrad's Restaurant parking lot on our search for snow. We had waited the usual forty five minutes beyond the published starting time for latecomers but finally resigned ourselves to the fact that only six members were going to show. Pity. It was to be one of the more memorable Sunday drives I have had the pleasure of attending in recent TCMG history.

 

Out of the mist and into the fog we went, TCs driven by Gene Olson and Joe Douglas and Mini Coopers coddling the Crandalls and Simons in cozy comfort. For half an hour we meandered along as a tight little caravan paying close attention to the tail lights ahead. Then, at approximately 4000' we emerged into bright sunshine which stayed with us to the end of the plowed road and back down to Newcomb Ranch where we had lunch in the company of hip café racers and die-hard Harley drivers, each in their own exclusive cluster.

 

At the Mount Waterman ski area we found plenty of snow. More than enough to please skiers and boarders alike as well as a bus load of city kids with their make-shift sleds. Our own little band hiked up an ice covered trail for at least fifty feet, posed for a picture, then returned to the asphalt before someone broke a hip.

 

Back in the relative safety of the parking lot, Jim hurled a ceremonial snow ball while the others engineered a mini snow person with pine needles for hair, twigs for arms, nickels for eyes and a piece of frozen chewing gum (yuck) for a grinning mouth. Impersonating a Lalique hood ornament, the creature looked great on Gene's bonnet for a brief moment but bailed as soon as the ride began.

 

Everyone agreed that this cool, crisp, twisty, turny, pine-scented run through our local mountains had the makings of a near perfect TCMG outing. It was even suggested (by me) that with a few more cars and some adventurous souls who don't mind a bit of wet, it might even become one of our traditional Spring events.