Recap - Solvang Weekend Run - July 23 & 24, 2022
Your Host:
Eddie Vergara
Hallo! For our 2nd overnight run of the 2022 calendar, we all became a little bit more Danish as we headed down to the picturesque town of Solvang. A total of 10 cars joined us on a day that started with a little sprinkle but quickly became a perfect day for driving. I was the impromptu host for the run, standing in for Dave and Anne Sitter who couldn’t join us this day.
After pretending to be Simon for a little bit –welcoming drivers, cracking tongue-in-cheek jokes and such—we began our drive to our first stop in King City. Drivers enjoyed the open central California scenes and twisty bends from Hwy 25. We enjoyed what we could since, after this segment, it would follow a calm, paced drive on US101 towards San Luis Obispo.
After a quick bio brake and opportunity to re-hydrate, we hit the road again towards our next stop, good ol’ SLO. This is typically a gentle drive down US101 -- nothing but trucks and watching out for speed traps. However, drivers found themselves in a sudden precarious situation, with fortunately no negative consequences. A truck had decided, with no warning, to get in front of the group and quickly make a U-turn at a left-turn lane off of US101. Fortunately, the quick acting of our attentive drivers -- and the quick stopping performance of our awesome cars -- prevented what could have been a series of fender benders and the pouts and curses that they would ensue.
Shortly after that bit of excitement off of 101, we arrived at Santa Rosa Park in SLO. The drivers and rides required much needed fuel, so folks headed over to lunch at different places around our stopping point. Following our lunch break, some of us hung out by the park to witness some great sword fights from folks participating in a Renaissance Faire at the Park! After a quick review of our last leg of the drive, we motored on!
We zijn gearriveerd! By the late afternoon, we neared what was unmistakably the town of Solvang, with all of its unique architecture. We reached our stopping point for pictures and discuss what everyone’s plans were for the next day. Most of us agreed to have dinner together (imagine that! ) at Red Viking, where we delighted on some delicious Danish food.
After a well-deserved rest, we met at our previous day’s stop in order to meet up with our sister MINI club, the California MINI Club, driving north from the SoCal area. 60+ MINIs of all generations and colors joined our small NorCal group in our mission to overtake Solvang! Mission accomplished!
Following some introductions and mingling, we invited folks to join us on a small drive around Solvang that Gordon had planned for us this morning. This run hadn’t been pre-ran, so we warned all drivers that this would be a run for the adventurous-type only. Unfortunately, our drive ended relatively quick after we learned a major section of the planned drive was indeed closed. No matter … MINIs stick together. We pulled a U-turn, headed back to our starting point and gathered up for a picture showing that we can all coexist in good fun!
It was altogether a fantastic weekend, full of driving, fun, and friends, both old and new. I think we all agree it doesn’t get any better than this for a MINI Cooper driving enthusiast! Many thanks to Anne and Dave Sitter for planning this run!
Until next time, tot ziens!
Eddie Vergara