Ray’s Peninsula Mystery Tour by Jerry Brick

     “The weather sure couldn’t be any better”, was the phrase repeated several times as we gathered at the Father Serra rest stop on Highway 280 for Ray Menefee’s Mystery Tour. His carefully thought-out tour began with a table covered with jugs of coffee and delicious pastries. We had 20 cars and about 37 people, a great turnout and included early as well as later cars. The oldest cars were a ’40 Cad and a ’40 LaSalle, and all other decades were represented through the’90’s. We were also graced by the presence of one “Brand H” car, Walt and Margaret Mordenti’s beautiful 1953Hudson Hornet with the famous Twin Power. Some of the other attendees were: Mike Gonzales, Don Barnes, Jerry & Pat Brick, Jeff Nielsen, Sandy Carrion, Bev & Dorothy Ferreira, Lionel & Marilyn Mattos, Henry Hopkins & Richard Palmer, Bill Jones, Wallace Morella, Ed Gunther, Nick Rassushin, Larry & Joan Brennan, Doug Strickland, John Schmidt, Bob Hoffman, Larry & Joan Drees, Mike Leahy, Kim Halter, Tony Seeco, and Andrea Seydel.

     The tour ambled over Canada Road (with the oldest cars in the lead) through Woodside, up Kings Mountain Road to Skyline, then over the beautiful wooded byways down to the town of La Honda for lunch. I had expected more bicycle and motorcycle traffic along the way, but we had very little trouble and our caravan of 20 shiny cars pulled into the parking lot at 11:30.  The La Honda House Café provided a nice menu and a very relaxing patio atmosphere for us to enjoy our lunch. Afterwards we headed down La Honda Rd to the town of San Gregorio, then over Stage Road to Pescadero, then back up to La Honda Rd for the return trip. I’ve lived in the Peninsula for over 30 years, and have never been on Stage Road before.  It was a really pretty ride, with very little traffic and great views of the ocean as we wended our way past the ranches.

     As an added surprise after the tour, Pat and I invited all the folks back to our house for wine, cheese, snacks, and dessert. Pat served her special Earthquake Cake, which tastes much better than it looks, and about 20 people enjoyed a relaxing time kicking tires in our living room and on the deck. Thanks Ray, for a really well planned and enjoyable tour.