Fall Foliage Tour - Oct 4, 2009
Submitted by: Henry Frye
Thanks again to Bob and Linda for putting together a really nice drive yesterday.
The tour took in some beautiful roads in the first two sections, then as Bob reported last week, a change of venue
for our last stop was made for us to attend the benefit for Art Baker. While Linda warned the route they plotted
was not thoroughly LBC tested, it turned out to be just fine.
We started out in Sturbridge, and poked and prodded our way through the countryside ending up at an apple orchard that was in full swing of the season. We had to park in the back 40, as the main parking lot was full. As I walked back to the cars, I saw a guy just about jumping up and down with excitement as he stroked the back end of the cars. He asked me if I owned the cars, I pointed at our Stag and indicated that one, and he starts gushing about how he can't believe all these Triumphs arrived at his orchard. Finally he shows his hand as to why he is so excited, he says he has been working on a Spitfire in the barn for the last couple years. I patiently wait for the inevitable "Do you want to see it?"
The door opens to reveal a nice squaretail Spitfire on jackstands, and the owner has done some nice work getting it
pretty far along. He is having issues finding parts, and our crew gives him several leads on where to find what he needs,
and Stan gets him the info on the club.
His father is so pleased with our providing enthusiasm for his son he reappears
with a dolly loaded with cases of apple cider, and announces every car goes home with a gallon!
I hope to see a future tech session in that barn, as I am sure we can provide the help to get this one back on the road...
Once back on the road we meandered about until stopping for lunch at Howard's Drive In. I saw lots of people enjoying
the legendary fried delights, but I got a really funny look from the kid behind the counter when I ordered a grilled chicken
sandwich and declined the fries! From there a few of us peeled off, but the rest were off to Woonsocket where we enjoyed
a good pasta dinner and the various raffles, auctions and the 50/50 at the benefit dinner for member Art Baker.
Helen and I enjoyed ourselves as we clocked another 250 miles on the Stag. While 2009 is not going to go down as a great year for leaf peeping, our route did find some really nice colors in a few places.
Excellent job Bob and Linda!
Note: There are more photos from this event in our Photo Gallery.