Sunday March 31, 1996

by Scott Harrison

     A Sunday morning, blue skies, warm air, an ice chest of culinary delights, an open road and a bunch of your friends in their shining Swedish sports cars! What else could you ask for? A desert covered with colorful blooming flowers maybe? Well you can't have everything! As good as it was, little did we know that the limited desert rainfall had also limited the amount of flowers out on the desert. So what!

     We don't need no stinking flowers to have a good time, and so we did! And what a day it was! The cars came from far and wide. They drove down from Los Angles and Fallbrook up from Jamul and San Diego and everywhere in between. It was a great showing of new and old, E's and ES's, husbands, wives and kids. After the initial group joined up at the usual meeting place at Denny's in Clairmont Mesa they met the Los Angeles and North County contingents at the North County Fair meeting spot. Introductions of new faces and cars led to planning the most scenic route and then to the exciting, colorful, buzzing little caravan heading off to the east.

     The choice for lead car couldn't have been better. A fire engine red, hot little firecracker of an 1800 owned by Jeff Perry. Nobody could complain about him being a slow poke leader. I was lucky to be able to hitch a ride with him, since my '71E is still in the garage undergoing it's revival from 7 years in somebody's driveway. I was surprised and excited when halfway out, he offered me the wheel and said go for it, have fun. I nervously accepted and thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of that quick revving little coupe.

     We made our customary stop at Dudley's Bakery where we encountered two different motorcycle caravans (Harley Davidsons & Hondas) and the San Diego Corvette Club. As we pulled into the lot we heard a Corvette owner's wife exclaim excitedly "Oh look honey it's the little Volvo Sports Car Club!" (?) (Are there big Volvo sports cars?)

     Some of us "had to" sample the fresh bread and Danish snacks of course and grab a fresh coffee before we hit the road again toward the desert. As we cruised through the beautiful green grass valley and past the historic Santa Ysabel mission I realized again why I enjoy this club. Everything that had happened this past week was behind us and we were all enjoying the moment with a common interest in a fun car and on our way to a mini weekend adventure. We were doing something that most people just read about, like you are now. If you weren't there you missed out again!

     The view coming down through the mountains and canyons as we approached Borrego Springs was breathtaking. We had to stop halfway down at the view point to take it all in (and cool our brakes). This is not a ride that you normally would want to take about 9 months out of the year unless you like imitating a french fry. But today it was Abbbsolootlee Maavaluss! Windows open, radio playing and the buzz of "S E ES" in your ears.

     We rounded up at Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs to imbibe and share the great selection of creative edibles prepared by everyone. The Park Ranger there confirmed our fears that the flowers had- taken an extended siesta this year and the wonderful underground desert museum was crowded with a dedication ceremony. So, what else could we do after lunch? Drive of course! After a great meal, some time laying in the sun and a few restoration stories, we decided to head back a different route. This time we'd go back through the desert, stop at Yaqui Indian Wells and up the mountain into the quaint old mining town of Julian.

     As we approached Yaqui Wells it was obvious the only access was a long bumpy dirt road into the site so we cancelled that stop and went up the windy (as in turns), woodsy road to Julian. OOPS! It's a beautiful warm Sunday afternoon and we're now in Julian. Big mistake! It's like Times Square on New Year's Eve! That didn't appeal to everyone, so they decided to keep on driving and enjoy the rest of the afternoon out on the road instead of looking for parking. The rest of us saw the opportunity to get to know each other more, pour down a couple of cool ones and talk Volvos or go window/antique shopping. So we sought out the Wrong Branch thirst quenching establishment and discussed disc brakes, overdrives, ignition systems and what our favorite micro brew was. Now I know why my wife calls me a Motorhead. Seems like an odd thing to do on a Sunday afternoon but I like it. So does pruning roses and that's what she likes. Should I start calling her a Rose Head? Well that's another story.

     After much conversation we decided it was time to head back to home base. We each went our separate ways looking forward to our next meeting and event together. The return trip to Escondido with Jeff was uneventful until Jeff decided to take a back-country very windy road from Ramona to I-15. You may know the route I'm referring to. I believe it's Highland Valley Road. As we turned off Hwy 67 he said he wanted to check how well his sway bars worked and wanted a more fun ride home. Then he said to make sure my seat belt was fastened tight. (Whaaat?!)

     Yes, his sway bar (only the front is hooked up right now) works great and yes, it was a fun ride home! I've never covered that length of road in such a short time. Thanks for the great ride Jeff.

     I feel lucky to have found a passion that I can share with some fun friends and do interesting, entertaining things with at the same time. We have a big mailing list and we'd like to see everyone on the list at our next event with their cars and significant others. The more the merrier. Join us won't you?