Deer Park Picnic -- Escondido, CA -- 

Sunday, July 27, 1997

By Scott Harrison

What can a car guy say when everything he'd like to do on a Sunday happens just as he wishes? A nice breakfast with friends, a scenic and fun drive through the most picturesque countryside and coastline in the USA and then a picnic, barbecue and car museum tour mixed in with a little wine tasting with the Volvinos of Volvo Sports America!

What a day! It Started with our hungry gathering at Coca's restaurant in Escondido early Sunday morning. By coincidence we were all able to line up our classic Swedish sweeties (including a sparkling 1900) in the front parking lot and gathered just a little attention from passersby. After some eggs, flapjacks and great hot coffee we headed out for a sightseeing road run compared to none. We turned west for the Del Dios Highway past Lake Hodges through the windy hills and woods of Rancho Santa Fe. It was a perfect road to test out your new tires, shocks, sway bars (and brakes). Then where the Surf Meets the Turf (Del Mar Race Track) we took a sharp right on Pacific Coast Highway (US # 1) and enjoyed the salty air of a nice long coastal ride up to Oceanside. The scenery was postcard perfect.

In Oceanside we turned back East down Highway 78, then went north on College Ave up to North River road and west again into Bonsall. Then a quick turn south on Camino Del Rey past the beautiful San Luis Re Downs race track and Country Club. It was a country road meant for a Sunday morning drive in a sports car with the windows rolled down. I was in the mood to keep on driving all day in this setting but there was more fun to be had down the road. After connecting with old Route 395 we traveled a short distance to finally arrive at Deer Park Winery and Car Museum where we joined more of our group.

It turned out to be one of our best gatherings of people, food and cars. Over 30 adults, kids and one dog joined us along with six 1800's, one 1800ES, one 142E, one P1900 and a number of other Volvos that parked away from our picnic area because we ran out of room. The members came from all over San Diego and Orange Counties. Although he is driving a hot little black RX-7 now instead of his Rad Green 1800 with the yellow stripe, it was nice to see Dave Palmquist again with his new lovely bride (down from the L.A. area). We had a few new faces join us and hope to see them again at our next event.

The barbecues were lit, beverages flowed, hoods were popped open, tires were kicked, children played and life was good. A grand tour of the museums was then led by the Grand Puba Russ Orrell and the pleasures of the day were enhanced by the sights of the unique collection of Convertibles in the Deer Park museums.

Everyone moved at their own pace and enjoyed the day in their own way. Some played, some snoozed (Bob Skoog) and some schmoozed. The road run that we took may be a pre-cursor to a future fun Road Rally for our club. If you have any ideas, join us at our next meeting and share them with us. This annual Deer Park Picnic was another success and is another fun event for us to look forward to next year!