Valentine's Day Road Trip

[Catbert]

Hello fellow car guys and gals,
VALENTINE'S DAY ROAD TRIP - LONG BEACH/PALOS VERDES
This is my first post with this group and a good one. It's been some time since I organized a road trip. I'm ready to get back into action for some road fun. This is open to all cars, so not dedicated to classics. I am now taking RSVPs for the following road trip:

   
• Valentine's Day Road Trip - Sunday, Feb. 14
• Meeting place: Starbucks 1788 E. Willow St., Signal Hill
• Time: 8:00 am (social hour)
• Depart: 9:00 am (sharp!)
• Group size: limited to first 25 RSVPs
• Distance: 57.5 miles
• Duration: 3 hours including (3) 20-minute stops
• Destination: Noble Bird, Long Beach Marina, for lunch

This road trip will begin in Signal Hill (Long Beach area) and proceed to Palos Verdes-- a chill kinda drive with a few stops for taking pics and socializing. It will end in Long Beach Marina for those who want to join a group lunch.
PS. If enough cars join in I will arrange a police escort will lead our car parade out of the Starbucks parking lot and onto the freeway. Can anyone say photo op?
Please email me with your RSVP or questions. Thanks! Steve    [email protected]  M 949.422.1341

[PCH VIPER]

Welcome to the Club Catbert !
We look forward to meeting you.

Looks like a fun cruise.   
Lance and Lori will be there.

[RandyT]

Sounds like fun! Randy & Diane are in.

[Catbert]

Awesome! There's room for many more. As promised, the weather is going to be spectacular on Sunday. What better way to spend your Valentine's morning than rumbling down the streets of Long Beach and Palos Verdes. You can PM me or simply show up. It's all good.


Starbucks at 1788 E. Willow Street, Signal Hill
Social hour: 8am-9am
Departure: 9am sharp

[ocmiteddy]

Julie and Ben will be there

[Catbert]

Dictionary definition of fun: Enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure.

What a fun road trip we all enjoyed. While only a small group of 5 cars, 4 of the 5 cars were Vipers. That was enough for me to feel a complete sense of enjoyment, amusement, and lighthearted pleasure!

My original road trip plan was to keep this open to all vehicles whether classics, performance cars, tuners, daily drivers, and yes-- Vipers. So, I posted it on multiple car group sites and expected a full house of 25 who would RSVP. My secret surprise was to have a police cruiser escort our group out of the Star Bucks parking lot in exchange for donating $125 in SB gift cards.

If talking about a Godzilla movie and perhaps other things, size matters. When it comes to having great fun, all you need is a few great people to share the experience. This is what we had. In attendance were Chris (Mustang GT 5.0), Lance & Lori, Randy & Diane, and Ben and Julie. All three Viper couples knew each other. Kudos to Ben and Julie who drove their 1994 Gen1 Viper all the way from San Diego.

Interestingly, of the four Vipers that comprised our five car group, four Viper generations were represented-- Gen1, Gen2, Gen3, and Gen5. Pretty cool.

A couple of interesting items. While our small group of cars didn't comprise a road trip caravan, I called the Signal Hill Police department nonetheless. I wanted to make my donation and at least get a parking lot photo opportunity with the cruiser. When I called I was transferred to the watch commander. I explained who I was, that I wanted to donate gift cards to the police department, and that I had organized a small assembly of cars for a road trip. In a complete monotone voice, the watch commander had one question, “Are they muscle cars?” With a big grin I said, “Sir, we have the epitome of muscle cars in attendance... Dodge Vipers!” He said an officer would be there in a few minutes. Too funny.

While we awaited for our police cruiser to arrive, Randy approached me and asked if I was open to modifying my planned route. He said that Lance and Lori lived in the Palos Verdes area and were remodeling their impressive house. Naturally, I agreed to deviating from plan which we did. To say their house is impressive is an understatement. Upon rumbling into the horseshoe driveway we were met with to-die-for views, beautiful Spanish décor, and a garage any car guy would give an organ for. Thanks Lance and Lori for sharing your beautiful home.

[Catbert]

More pics...

[Catbert]

Even more pics...