Social

Clearly enjoying themselves, Curtis Fong and Dave Hampton prepare to head to the buffet line. (Photo by C Kugler)What a gorgeous day it was; blue sky, sunshine and in the distance one small cloud that seemed to be leading us to our destination for the day. It could not have been a more perfect day for our drive to Big Springs Garden.

The trail master had sent an e-mail to all of the tour participants asking them to be at the trail head no later than 9:00 AM. Of course everyone complied and was there on time except the trail master (me). But, being the ladies and gentlemen that they were, the participants held the hoots, hollers, and raspberries to a bare minimum. I was grateful for that.

Debbie & Eric Aust enjoy the natural beauty of the terrace at Big Springs Gardens. (Photo by C Kugler)There were 14 cars in the parade that left McDonalds on Mt. Rose Highway sharply at 9:30. The participants included: Eric & Debra Aust, Tom & Rupa Brooks, Don & Deirdra Beusche, Rich Chew & Christine Beckstead, Douglas & Lois Crook,
Harley & Julie Davison, Jim & Carol Dolian, Curtis Fong, Paul & Nancy
Giannini, Dave Hampton, Craig & Mary Lou Kugler, Scott Walshaw & daughter Brooke and Cam Warren & Sue Kemper.

Following the short drive north on 395 we picked up Don & Dixie Baker at the south end of Red Rock Rd. They had driven 150 miles from Likely, CA (north of Reno) to participate in our event. They assured us that it was a short drive in their brand new 2010 997 Turbo. Don gave us a rundown of all of the latest bells and whistles. Needless to say it drew a lot of attention from our group and everyone agreed that it was a beauty.

Kat Weichert rides “shotgun” as Cindy Christensen and Betty Hollman enjoy the Pierce Arrow’s luxurious back seat. (Photo by D Aynesworth)On Saturday, July 24th, 35 PCA/SNR members braved the hot drive to Minden, NV to view the Minden Automotive Museum (MAM) and attend a country BBQ at the home of member Ned Bacon and his girlfriend, Kat Wiechert. Attendees were to be treated to a private, guided tour of the MAM, which consists of over 100 cars dating from 1910 to 1969.

Ned Bacon explains the fine points of one of the many cars in the Minden Automotive Museum to a large group of SNR members. (Photo by J Strom)As the entourage of SNR members arrived at the museum, they got the first hint of what was in store for them. Ned was standing in front of a beautiful 1914 Pierce Arrow that he was preparing for a tour around Nevada. That huge old car, surrounded by our sleek Porsches was quite a sight. Ned greeted every one and gave some background of the museum. The collection was started in 1954 by Ned's dad, Ted, when he purchased a 1912 Cadillac found in a ditch on a local ranch. The collection focuses mainly on American cars built between 1916 and 1924, a period of time when over 2000 companies were fighting for a piece of the new car market.

Catherine & Jeremy Reichenberg relax in the park while Dede Seward (back center) and Grandma Pat trade Porsche “war” stories. (Photo by C Kugler)July 4th is always a special day and this year, with it falling on Sunday in the middle of a three day weekend, it seemed like the annual Genoa “Pops in the Park” celebration was going to have some special musical fireworks, With the beautiful early summer weather you could not have asked for a better weekend to sit in the shade of the fine old trees at Mormon Station Park and listen to the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra play a variety of inspired music.

Ken Hollman looks on as John Strom instructs Ron and Lanette Petersen in the proper way top load a Nerf Gun for the Funkana. (Photo R Chew)Sierra Nevada Region recently celebrated another milestone in its illustrious history, 45 years as a PCA Region. As one of the older clubs in PCA, a special party was planned for Saturday, June 19th at the Washoe Flats Restaurant in Washoe Valley. A western theme was chosen and the large picnic/special events area well behind the restaurant become our ranch for the day. A group of twelve members arrived at 10 AM to get ready for the event. Hay bales were dropped off and arranged in semi-random fashion in front of the “stage”. The Funkana course took the most time as its devilishly serpentine course was marked and several diabolical stage stops were set up for the “special” cowboy events. More on that later. Satisfied with the morning’s work, the field hands retired to their personal bunk houses to prepare for the party.

Hard hat for hard heads! Our illustrious tour group is ready to dig for gold in the Midas mine. (Photo by C Kugler)Harry & Debbie Dell along with Doug Coffman, my friend who drove my green Cayman, coordinated the early morning "take-off" from the Starbucks in Sparks to the "landing" at the Global Coffee Shop in Winnemucca. The I-80 drive was brisk and the group arrived without incident. Since the mine tour would overlap our normal lunch time, sack lunches were distributed and the group was off again to the Golconda/Midas Mine stop-off . After a spirited drive to the end of the pavement, the tour of Newmont Midas Gold mine really started when the group parked their vehicles at the intersection north of the small town of Golconda, Nevada. There Rob & Rosa Whisenand were patiently waiting for our arrival. Rosa graciously gave each tour participant a commemorative gift bag donated by the various local mines.

Rich & Karen O’Larey, Dan & Jackie Aynesworth and Cam Warren & Su Kemper at the Trolley Car luncheon in Nevada City. (Photo by C Kugler)Perseverance finally paid off, at the last minute the weatherman relented, and the first Saturday in June dawned bright and sunny! After five month’s of mysterious behavior winter went away, and the PCA tour to the Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch was underway. Twelve shiny Porsches headed west from Reno via the prime residential area of Somerset, on through rural Verdi, and joined I-80 at Gold Ranch.

We tried to stay off Interstate 80 as much as possible and the construction area west of Reno had us concerned, but proved to be a quick 10-minute traverse on a Saturday morning. We then detoured through the residential area of Glenshire east of Truckee; around Donner Lake, up to the viewpoint above the west end of the lake via old US 40, continuing back down the river to the interstate via Rainbow Bend. It was a gorgeous day for motoring!

Rich O’Larey, Jan Snickars, Jackie Aynesworth and Nancy Giannini at the Tahoe Ridge Wine Bar. (Photo by C Kugler)After a great morning technical session and a light lunch, we assembled for a 1 PM departure from Gilson Autobody to see how our favorite machines were going to handle a drive rather than sitting in our garages !! Curtis Fong prepared an ambitious drive for us and we headed south toward Virginia City via the Geiger Grade. Ascending the winding mountain road, normal Saturday afternoon traffic prevented us from clearing all the cobwebs from our beauties but even at normal speed the “twisties” had a beneficial effect on man and machine. Upon reaching Virginia City, it was obvious something big was going on – motocross bikes everywhere. Only the Virginia City Grand Prix with about a 1000 riders!! We made our way slowly thru town – and over some nice dirt and rock sections for the racers – and cruised down towards Carson City on Alt 341 (think Ferrari Hill Climb). We got on Hwy 50 West, turned south on Deer Run Road and made our way through the back side of Carson City out to Hwy 395. At that point, Curtis knew we couldn’t do the planned Lake Tahoe loop and make our scheduled stop in Minden, so we went south again and took Jack’s Valley Road to Genoa.

Porsches on the prowl with Jim Hodos in the lead and the majestic snow-capped mountains beyond. (Photo by M L Kugler)On March 27th, our eastern Sierra foothills were blessed with one of the few beautifully clear days of the year to date. To take full advantage of the event, seven intrepid souls engaged in a Spring Cleaning and Impromptu Picnic Drive. As this was a non-SNR/PCA event, it was truly serendipitous that the cars involved were worthy representatives of The One and True Marquee from Stuttgart. Amazingly, Jack Calvert, Ron and Lanette Petersen, Mary Lou and Craig Kugler and even Ellen and Jim Hodos are all members of The Faithful.