Rogue Valley Street Rods

Seems we were destined to attend this annual indoor event even tho’ we didn’t register. Our friend
Ray Dalke planned to be there until his trailer was not available and his car became in-operable.
He and I made temporary arrangements to use my trailer, then added my truck and finally he asked
if I could take our car in his place. Due to some work planned on our ’40 conv., I offered to take
our ’46 Ford conv. if they’d accept our driver, they did, so loaded and wheeled up there Friday morn.
It was a tough trip, rain turned into heavy rain, some snow and slow going due to lots of traffic. We
bolstered our vitality with a great breakfast at Heaven On Earth café and arrived at the fairgrounds
just before 1pm. Met up with some of the Stray Angels and Umpqua Flatheads (the host clubs), were
greeted by many of their members as we registered and then directed to a great space.
Our set-up is fairly easy and we took our time as many of the fellows came by to chat, thank us for
coming and talk about the car. Three other RVSR members were also setting up, Butch & Kathy Steele
with their ’34 Desoto, Steve & Linda Olsrud with their ’67 Ford and Ron & Kristine DeVries with their
’35 Plymouth sedan. (continue reading…)

Winter Rod & Speed Show, Jan. 23rd, 2010

After a cold and rainy couple of months, we thought about a short trip to the coast for a relaxing weekend of planning spring flings, dining and lazing too.
We nixed that after the weather threats of heavy rains, winds and snows .
A flyer came for a show at the Linn County Arena where a group were raising money for a teenager needing medical expenses assistance. A 1 day all indoor event for rods, customs, antiques, muscle’s, bikes, racers and vendors was a good alternate and we’ve never shown here before. Sent in our registration.
We called Rich Bailey to inquire if space was still open to find we were still invited but may be in a 2nd building due to the great response to the show. So we made reservations and planned for the trip. Just before leaving, Rich called as they had moved all the racers, trucks and some large vendors to the 2nd building and we would now be in the main arena. I called our friends, John & JoAnn Marvel to come and bring their beautiful Center Door 1919 T. (continue reading…)

‘Elvis Is Alive’ and living in Phoenix, OR. Earlier in the week, while canvassing sponsors for the 2010 Rod & Custom Show, I stopped in at Debby’s Diner in Phoenix, one of our regular supporters to RVSR. Debby offered me an invite next Friday to a special dinner party with an Elvis impersonator as entertainment.

Both of us Elvis fans, often attending shows featuring the Canadian ‘Elvis’Champion Steve Elliot, Charlotte and I thought it would be a swell evening for our Friday Nite Dinner crowd. Debby confirmed 20 seats for us and we began calling the members, twice we had to enlarge our numbers.

Friday morning’s paper included a 2 page article with colored photos
of local boy, Clint Ingbretson advertising another performance to celebrate ‘The King’s’ 75th birthday so we knew we were in for a treat. By 5:30, the diner was packed as ‘Elvis’ arrived in an ‘Aloha In Hawaii’ replica jumpsuit Elvis had made for that show. With a boom-box for background music, he began belting out our favorite lyrics in a rich baritone voice that very closely resembles the King, complete with all the gyrations he was famous for.
(continue reading…)

Two years ago, a couple of long time friends from the coast, Jack Barnett and Bo Work took over a cruise-in at this old mid-BC town.
The roads there are a great drive on good roads about 250 miles north of the Blaine, WA. customs. We were invited in ’08 but couldn’t attend and promised we’d be at the next meet.

With the ’46 all ready and the Boler loaded, we were set to leave at 8am, but because of a little breeze, went to put the top up, to keep peace in the family, me, Char, 2 pups and a cat!!! No matter what I did, it stayed down.

I told her to bundle up cause we were going topless!!! We left home at 9am and met a dozen others from the BCHRA at the Sardis, Hwy 1 interchange. It was a sunny morning, little traffic as we headed east to the Hope exit. More cruisers joined us as everyone gassed up and all turned north.

About 20 rods and customs now, paraded up the Fraser Canyon Hwy that follows the
Fraser River between the CPR and CNR railway routes. The scenery is spectacular, the mountain sides are ablaze with eastern morning color, several pullouts allow other traffic to pass and us so we stay together. As we go north, the temp goes up but we are quite comfy in the drop-top. The only dissenter was Patsy (the cat) who did not like the rising altitude and the open air.
(continue reading…)

After a hearty breakfast at Shari’s in Central Point, OR., cruise organizers, Bunny & Charlotte, Bill & Nancy, made sure all the Cruisers had signed in. It was a brisk but pleasant morning which promised to get better later in the day.

At 11am, we drove west through old town, Central Point to Hwy 99, and 3 blocks north parked at our 1st stop, the Rogue Creamery. This shop is renowned for high quality dairy products made right on the premises since 1935. They have won many awards for their unique cheeses and dairy delights.

Half our group were treated to samples of their wares, told of their methods of manufacture and offered products at sale prices. The 2nd half were next door at the Lillie Belle Chocolate Factory where they were treated to all sorts of specialty chocolates made with creams, caramels, Truffles, Bon Bons, fruits and even their latest, bacon…a taste sensation. The 2 groups then swapped sides so all could enjoy both the tours.
(continue reading…)