COTV MARCH MYSTERY LUNCH RUN 2014

Pics Page One

Pics Page Two

Mystery Lunch Run

March 30, 2014


Clearly everyone was eager to do a Mystery Lunch Run this month as we had 85 people sign up
and 40 cars with assorted combinations of drivers with or without passengers actually show up at
Kohl's at 9:30 am (or before, for the really eager!) The weather while we chatted before leaving
was changeable with both sun and clouds, but was certainly pleasant enough not to put a damper
on our enthusiasm. Our fearless leaders for this run were Al and Vickie Hackworth, who
advertised it as a nice back roads run, and it certainly lived up to the billing. Very often, as Alma
Boers said at lunch, we can figure out where we are going part way through the run, but this time
we were all pretty much in the dark. Vickie provided nicely decorated scrolls with the instructions
(of course, not to be opened unless lost from the group.) Al did the drivers' meeting, offered loaner
walkie­talkies and introduced any guests, including one with a week old C­7.

We left the parking lot about 10am and wound our way through Redhawk and on to Pechanga
Parkway, where we regrouped for the first time. Al and Vickie knew that a group of 40 cars would
have a hard time making it through stop signs and lights so made room for lots of “re groupings”.
The group continued south through Pala and onto CA 76, with some drivers now thinking that
maybe we were heading to one of a variety of familiar spots. However, we turned on Cole Grade
Road, not familiar to many. We then headed through Valley Center and on to San Pasqual Valley
Road for our potty stop at the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park, where there is a small
museum, open only on Saturday and Sunday from 10­4. This was definitely uncharted territory for
most of the group and the ranger was pleased to see such a large group on his normally quiet
Sunday, so was happy to talk about the place and the Battle.

After the rest stop, we moved back onto San Pasqual Valley Road, which was a feat in itself, with
a major traffic jam in the parking lot and on the access road. Those who had originally been in the
front group ended up in the rear group and vice versa, as Al and Vickie had to go out the entrance
in order to get up to the front. We followed a series of little known roads through dairy land,
vineyards, etc. At one point a child's voice asked us to stop using “their” channel on the radio, but
Vickie politely told her we were just passing through. Our route took us to the outskirts and then
finally to the center of Poway. We ended up in a city parking lot next to Old Poway Park, the home
of the Poway­Midland Railroad. Our lunch destination was the Hamburger Factory, a surprisingly
large restaurant for those who had never been there. Glenn Crowther said the North County Vettes
had used it as a meeting place for some time and Ken Kauffman advised everyone to try their
dessert, the world's smallest sundae.

The menu was varied enough for meat­eaters and vegetarians
alike. Doug Glenore and Rob Weber voted the Mac and Cheese an 8 on a scale of 1­10, with all
the correct qualities. This has been an ongoing project for them for several years and has spanned
the country. After stuffing ourselves (no dinner necessary tonight, folks!) the group left the
restaurant in ones, twos or groups to follow a much simpler route back to their homes.
Thanks Al and Vickie for a wonderful day in the country!