By Greg Blake
 

     Deer Park was a timely escape from the heat for this over-sized  Volvo owner from Orange County (that is this owner is over-sized not the Volvo). Do  you know that I have actually had people ask me if I get into my 1800E or do I just put it on and go? Some people are so amusing. I tell them that the secret is Vaseline. Lots of Vaseline.

     I missed last year's event so I'm afraid I can't make a comparison, but I think the turn out was pretty fair. Goran counted heads and it seems there were fourteen participants, but less than that in Volvos. I was one of the later arrivals and when I pulled in I noticed there were  vehicles other thatn Volvos present. I discounted this to the fact that Deer Park is a public place and we would not be the only ones there.

     After I had a chance to say "hello" to everyone, I wandered [to] one of these non-Volvo modes of transportation, a Jaguar, to take a look.  After all, we see lots of Volvos, but not too many other makes. This would be a nice opportunity to check out this "foreign" car.

     The hood was open and Goran was there with a young man that I didn't recognize. I thought it must be this young man's car. Then, much to my surprise I overheard the young man asking Goran about the car. I knew Goran was knowledgeable about many makes and models of cars, but could it be?

     In my moment of confusion I boldly asked Goran, "Is this yours?" He bowed his head in a way that some may have interpreted as embarrassment and nodded yes. Sadder still he informed me that his Volvo was broken. This too was hard to accept. I have come to believe that Volvos, for the most part, are cars that are about to break down, but don't. Just when you think you've seen it all. . .

     Then I realized that Jeff Perry was there without his ride as well. Almost in a panic, I said, "You too, Jeff?" In Latin that would be "Et tu, Jeff?" Not to worry. Jeff is getting his car ready for the east coast meet. Although apparently not today. I think Jeff spent most of his time in a lawn chair reading and old Road and Track magazine that Bob Workman brought (see evidence included).

     Bob, his brother Jim and I spent some time together wandering around the grounds and museums. That is until Jim got a call from a new woman in his life and was gone until the battery on his cell phone quit. Bob and I agreed that the museums were interesting, but it was sad to see so many great cars outside, exposed to the elements and decaying in front of our eyes. It could be a great auction if the owners ever decided to let some of  them go to loving owners.

     Others in attendance (my apologies in advance for no doubt leaving someone out and destroying some of the names.) were: Ed and Betty Huston, Randy Blum, Gabor (see interesting picture of your 122), Mark Jankowski and Diane, Bob Skoog, Rob Amato and Divon Erikson.

     For those of you that weren't there. . . you missed a very pleasant afternoon because you know people who attended were even better than the cars.

Hope to see you next time.

Greg Blake *

    * A quick note on movies with Volvos: In Father's Day with Robin Williams and Billy Crystal you will find a 122. In the Rainmaker with Danny Devito and Matt Damon, if you look carefully, you will see an 1800 parked behind Mat Damon's Volvo. [You will see an 1800 ES in Jaws -jp]