I left Glendale at 7:40 thinking that would be plenty of time to join the rest of the crowd at Mel’s Diner in Santa Monica. I planned to take the 134/101 west to the 405 and then south to the I-10, hoping to avoid any backups caused by the I-10 Gire. Worst traffic ever! I pulled into the parking lot at Mels at 8:55. Just enough time to stretch my legs before Phil pulled out at 9:00 on the dot. Our group consisted of Phil, Chuck Lakowski, Terry Morgan, Dave and Jackie Deamer, Tom Biss and Kathy Templeton, Mike Biss and Anna Johansson, and myself.
We merged onto the 10 Fwy right before the tunnel and were then headed north on Hwy 1 to Topanga Canyon Blvd. We proceeded north to Old Topanga Canyon Road made the left turn and then continued through the “fun” section of twists, turns, and tight curves until we reached Mulholland Hwy. Another left turn had us heading west passing Las Virgenes Rd and continuing on to Mulholland Hwy until we reached the Old Place in Cornell for a rest stop.
Back in the cars, we traveled a short distance to Troutdale Dr, made a right turn and headed for Kanan Rd. At Kanan Rd we turned left and continued back to Mulholland Hwy. A right turn onto Mulholland Hwy and a long run to Hwy 23 (Decker Cyn/Westlake Blvd). This part of the run consisted of a lot of downhill curves, sharp cutbacks and blind curves. When the road became less dangerous, we turned left onto E.
Potrero Rd and continued through some interesting landscapes, horse ranches and farms as the road name changed to W. Potrero Rd.
This continued to Reino Rd where we turned right followed by a left onto Lynn Rd. After a distance the road changes back to W. Potrero Rd and some serious downhill curves and canyon dropoffs. We finally passed Cal State Channel Islands campus (once the State Mental Hospital) and turned south on Hueneme Rd. At Las Posas Rd we turned right heading north to Pleasant Valley Rd; and this is when the clouds opened and we were pelted with cold, stinging rain. A left turn at Pleasant Valley, a short distance and then a right into Camarillo Airport. After parking, putting up tops or tonneaus, we adjourned to the Waypoint Café for Tri-Tip sandwiches or salads. Joining us for lunch were semi-locals, Bill Hoyt and Charlie Hart.
After a delicious lunch the group was discussing the return trip. Terry Morgan didn’t have a top and wanted the most direct route back to Costa Mesa. Tim was heading back to Glendale, so the two of them gassed up and jumped on the 101 Fwy headed east. At the 405 Terry peeled off going south to Orange County, and Tim continued to Glendale.
Mike and Anna, Tom and Kathy, the Deamers, Chuck and I (Phil) left the Airport and headed Southwest on Las Posas Rd. to catch Hwy. 1 South and headed for Deer Creek Canyon. At this point rain hit us at different intensities, but going up into the mountains away from the coast gave us spectacular views, and at the same time we ran at a safer pace due to the wetness on the canyon roads. We navigated the Deer Creek Canyon down to Yerba Buena Canyon, heading to the coast again and drove to the Trancas Canyon Vintage Grocers on PCH for a pit stop and of course a sweet treat and Coffee. We had a nice rest and then headed to Point Dume for a great photo op. As we headed towards our last leg of the trip home, the rain became more persistent. But, since we were driving in a spirited, brisk manner we didn't get too wet, until we hit the miserable 405 South snail pace traffic. Then we got a lot wetter.
The only thing good about the rain, is that when I arrived at my shop, I was able to wash the spoke wheels and air blowdry them along with the upholstery and the car. I will say it was a Jolly Good Trip!! Thanks to our great group for such a nice Girst Turkey/Tri Tip Day in the Canyons.
Cheers, Ciao