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Thursday, April 21st, started with
breakfast at The Chequered Flag Restaurant in Langford. Lunch was at the MGM Restaurant in Nanaimo,
followed by a short stop to check out The Concrete Jungle – a shop with a
varied selection of indoor and outdoor statuary, bird baths and fountains; and
other interesting carvings and decorations.
The group checked in at the Port Augusta Inn in Comox around 5:00 p.m.
and enjoyed a pleasant happy hour – sitting in the sun and socializing outside
by the cars. After dinner at the Island
Tides Restaurant and a short drive to Crown Isle Resort, the group was treated to
a tour of the Classic Car Museum in the resort; as well as coffee and delicious
desserts – compliments of Crown Isle.
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Friday, April 22nd, began with
complimentary breakfast at the hotel and a short drive to the ferry
terminal. Everyone boarded the 10:10
a.m. ferry for Powell River and enjoyed a very calm crossing. We were met in Powell River by some members
of the Powell River Chapter of the VCCC, who led us through town and out to
Lund, for lunch. A special parking area
had been reserved for the vintage cars, for the benefit of the townsfolk and
tourists. The Boardwalk Restaurant, overlooking
picturesque Lund Harbour, was the venue for a great lunch – attended by the
Victoria group and ten of the local members.
After touring Lund, the group made their way back to Powell River and
checked into the Town Centre Hotel.
After another sunny afternoon happy hour in the courtyard of the hotel,
the tour left to drive to The Shinglemill Pub & Bistro on the shore of
Powell Lake, which provided patrons with scenic views of the forested mountains
surrounding the gorgeous lake from the second floor restaurant. The Friday Night Special was Prime Rib –
which was savoured by several of our tour participants; and no one went away
hungry!! To finish off the evening, the
group drove over to The Flying Club at the Powell River Airport – for a Meet
& Greet gathering hosted by the Powell River Chapter. Thank you to local chapter member Jan
Gisborne for sharing her tasty homemade beverages!
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We awoke on Saturday, April 23rd, to another lovely sunny day.
Since some of the Powell River members traditionally meet at A & W
for breakfast and coffee on Saturdays, some of our tour participants
joined in. At 9:00 a.m., everyone met in the back parking lot of
the hotel, and off we went for a great day of touring.
Our first stop was Springtime Nursery. Dave and Jane were our
hosts for this stop – which included two garages, a busy nursery and
garden centre, peacocks and a rooster named Rod Stewart! The
garages were outstanding, both inside and out: one has a painting
on the garage door of a classic photo of fellows standing around the
front of a car with its hood up. The other has been decorated on
the outside to replicate an old-time village street with various
storefronts. There were lovely cars inside, as well as many other
collectible artifacts and memorabilia.
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Next stop was just a short drive up the road to Lee and Chris’
home. They have a wonderful large property and several
garages. Homemade muffins and cookies, and coffee, were available
to participants, as they viewed some beautifully restored cars and
other collectibles. After a pleasant stay, the group moved on to
Skeeter Jack’s, south of town, for lunch.
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Back on the road again, we visited the amazing woodworking shop and
home of Ted and Deb. The fellows were given a tour of the shop by
Ted, while Deb toured the ladies through their stunning and unique
home, which showcases much of Ted’s woodworking skills (furniture,
doors, mouldings, etc.)
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The next stop on the tour was at Stan and Jan’s home, called Hammer
Valley Ranch. McLaughlin Buicks live here, as well as a Corvette
and a Packard. They also have a lovely trout pond (which they
share with the bears and herons!) and bee hives too.
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The final garage tour stop was at Hugh’s place, to look at his T and
A’s, as well as some Meteors in various stages of restoration.
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Folks
returned to the hotel to refresh themselves in the cozy courtyard,
before heading off to the Curling Rink for a pot luck dinner, hosted by
the Powell River members. The banquet room had been brightly
decorated in an Easter theme by Brittany, the daughter of one of the
members. After dinner and a few speeches, guests went on their
way – with one lucky person at each table receiving a nice Easter plant
pot and flowers.
Up, up and away, bright and early, to get to the ferry terminal with
lots of time to spare. It started to rain just before we boarded
the ferry, and it stayed with us all the way home. Most folks had
waited and ate their breakfasts on the ferry. Paul had planned a
scenic route back down-Island, from the ferry terminal to Parksville,
using backroads where possible. Lunch was the final official
event of the tour and that took place at Boston Pizza, just south of
Parksville. Everyone dispersed at that point and made their own
way home.
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We
would like to thank all the VCCC Powell River Chapter members for their
warm welcome and generosity; and in particular, Dan & Bonnie
Robinson, Lee & Chris Koleszar and Stan & Jan Gisborne for all
their help and hospitality during our planning visit. Our
friends, Al & Irene Tuck were very helpful in planning the Comox
portion of the tour. Thanks also to the members of the VCCC
Victoria Chapter who continue to support this event. Our next
tour will be our 10th and we have been thinking about a really special
tour to celebrate that milestone. Stay tuned.
Respectfully submitted, Paul & Liz Taylor
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