The Portland , OR - MAFCA Nationals
Article by: Richard Parrish - July 2004

July 7th, 9AM at the Citadel in Los Angeles found Jim & Jo Nichols in their “slant” town sedan, Tom Endy & Lynn in “Miss Vicky” towing the new Mullins trailer and Jeanne, me, Grand kids Elise and Keith in my 28 Tudor, also towing a Mullins, eager to leave for the Pacific Northwest. Glenn & Sharon Johnson, Greg & Fran Earhart and John & Dorothy Knox were the ones in air-conditioned comfort trailering their Model A's. Doris & Drain Marshall in their 31 Town sedan joined up with us in Castaic and we headed up Hwy 5 with courage and fortitude. We stopped at Harris Ranch in Coalinga for lunch and the weather got hotter. The only entertainment was the occasional sign, “peaches”, “almonds”, “pistachio” on the passing groves. Santa Nella was a welcome sight and the evening party concluded day one.

The scenery started changing on day 2 with more “civilization,” a little cooler and some rolling hills and oaks. By the time we reached Lake Shasta the road started intensifying along with the heat. Just in time, we reached Dunsmuir, our stop for tonight. The scenery was nice, the breeze cool and the traditional evening party concluded day two. We retired to our individual “caboose” which literally means, “cabin”.

Breakfast in Weed and the waitress said it was worth it to live in Weed just to hear all the comments. Today the road got “steep”. The hill on the CA/OR border is a real challenge. Long, steep and hot. We had one steep pass after another for over a hundred miles and Cottage Grove , Oregon became our refuge for night 3. Larry & Gerry McKinney caught up with us today in their modern. They were driving their A, the day before yesterday and became the logical heir to the hard luck trophy in Stockton . Tonight, it's early to bed because tomorrow is the “big day”.

Portland is within our grasp today. First, we have breakfast at the McDonalds. Larry and Jill McDonald served us a sumptuous home cooked brunch in their beautiful new home in Eugene . The neighborhood is wooded, and hilly and 5 deer wandered through their yard to check us out. After the feast Larry & Jill hopped in their 29 Town Sedan and toured the remaining distance to Portland with us.

Sunday is the first day of the convention. We register, picked up goody bags and looked for old friends. Drain and I headed for the hill climb. It has become a very popular part of national meets. My 28 Tudor and Drains 31 Town sedan represented Orange Co in the far north. This was Drain's first hill climb and he is already talking about “faster” next time. It's addicting. It's also sobering to have Ron Kelly; from Texas , beat you up the hill by 2 seconds in his AA modified truck.

Throughout the meet we pursued our individual interests, touring waterfalls, the Spruce Goose, Mount Hood and bits and pieces of Washington . Doris competed in the Hubley derby, Bob & Patty Ferazzi entered fashion judging, Glenn and Greg entered car judging and Larry McDonald was committed to working at the hill climb and the repair tent as a member of the McKinsy A's, a host club. Ted & Helen Loeffler were there with their “ Oregon ” A and their “ Oregon ” club. Dale & Kathie McCall flew in, visited their kids and grand kids and toured with us for a while. Dan & Linda Caldon were vendors with their “Hello Central” products. We crossed paths often with Doc & Darlene Ingweson and old time OC members Paul & Carolyn Lindburg.

Friday, the OC banner was hung with pride from a chandelier right in the middle of the hall for the award banquet. We were served outstanding meals of either prime rib or salmon. Greg won a 1st place and a mark of excellence for his 30 roadster and Glenn won a 1st place and mark of excellance for his 29 “woody”. I won a Snyder head, a 1st in my class in the hill climb and we were photographed for the 40-year pins we received in Bakersfield . What a thrill! Bob & Patti Ferrazi won the Marshall Veta Lewis couples reproduction category for their outstanding era clothing which Patti made herself.

There was a great presentation for the ‘05 Pikes Peak meet and the ‘06 National meet is in Massachusetts . I'm planning on driving to both. Will you join us?

Saturday departures found all of us heading different directions. Jill & Larry went home to Eugene . Glenn & Sharon, Tom & Lynn went to Victoria Island with the travel club. John & Dorothy went the same place with the Santa Anita A's. Ted & Helen returned to their Oregon Ranch in Azalea. The Marshalls and the Parrish's returned to OC by way of the Oregon and CA coast. Outstanding scenery was the norm. It was cool and after a long drive, Gold Beach , OR became our 1st stop.

Trees of Mystery with Paul Bunyan and Babe, Samoa cook house in Eureka, a drive through the “Chandler tree” and a tortuously twisty drive from Hwy 101 to 1 ending in Fort Bragg for the Parrish second night. Doris & Drain remained on hwy 5 and stayed the night in Ukiah. Day 3 started foggy and cool. Highway 126 led through a most primeval redwood forest, which blocked out the sun. Dark and cool finally changing to vineyards in Calistoga back on Hwy 101. In no time at all we were ready for lunch in Rhonert Park and the crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge . I got some nice pictures then drove right through the center of San Francisco past Pac Bell stadium in Candlestick Park , San Jose and Salinas . King City was far enough for one day.

Day 4, the hardest, was a long hard drive home. 7AM departure and the engine was missing badly. After 20 miles on 3 cylinders, the plugs, fouled by excess Marvel Mystery Oil, finally cleaned out and the weather got hotter. This is much prettier country than hwy 5. It held our interest past San Luis Obispo , Santa Maria , Buellton, Santa Barbara and Oxnard . After a long climb, we were greeted by 100-degree plus heat and traffic in the Simi Valley and all the way home. Orange County never looked better as we arrived home at 3:30 ending another great tour.

Remember ‘05 Pikes Peak, ‘06 Massachusetts .

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