The Studebaker Ranch is located at 17480 Auction Yard Road, Cottonwood, CA 96022. It is at the Hooker Creek exit off I-5, 9 miles north of Red Bluff or 20 miles south of Redding.
Here on the "ranch" more goes on than just Studebakers - but that encompases a large percent our our preoccupation. The place is a thriving workplace that makes no money but causes alot of money to be spent. We're obviously not ecconomic majors, but I think that is the way of retirement.
The weather people said it might rain but when we got up in the morning it was just cold. That’s when I scraped the idea of taking the hot rod - it was just to cold. Plan two was to take a closed car like the Studebaker Avanti.
It turned out to be a very nice day with the sun shining and a very nice breeze.
We both took pictures of all the cars and then rested after all that walking to see the cars, local displays, the cooks and the crafters.
Before long it was lunch time and of course it this was the chili cook off. Can you guess what we had? Chili and B-Bar-Q ribs. Then it would have been nice to take a nap in our sunny spot. Norma brings projects to do while she sits by the car and talks to people. This time she was re-writing our address book, the 20 year old pages were falling out and many friends and relatives had passed away. Around 2 pm they started the raffle and as usual… you can’t win every time. All and all it was a good day - with participants leaving at 3 o’clock.
Oct. 28, 2011
Norma’s Lunch with her girl friends
Usually, once a month, 5 gals get together and catch up on what one-another have been doing.
They were at a restaurant that has only been open a month or so - Tortuga Bay Café in Redding. Good menu selection, a little bit pricy, but very tasty! Service was a little slow, but figured they were still learning what they needed to do.
They look forward to their November get-together and another culinary adventure. Each month a different one picks the restaurant - it takes weeks to figure out what day they all have clear (usually a Friday or Saturday). Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
October 8, 2011
Valley Christian Center Car Show
One of our favorite car shows is held in the fall in south Redding - This was their 3rd (our second), and the weather was iffy at the onset - but turned out to be a perfect day.
They have so much going on and day long events they include any and every one who is at the show to participate in (most of which is free to the public as well as show participants). The music was especially nice. The car participation as about the same as last year (80+), and this year Dick took 2nd Place with his ‘24 Hotrod. I drove our ‘63 p.u. truck and towed our Camper Trailer - a first for me (at age 65).
We will be back again next year!
Sept. 10, 2011 was a nationwide event -
Drive Your Studebaker Day
We loaded our ‘63 Champ truck for a weekend get away. At 8 a.m. we met members of the Karl Staple Chapter t the nut Tree Shopping Complex in Vacaville, where we joined 7 more Studebaker vehicles to caravan to Napa for another stop to rendezvous with 5 more vehicles and their owners/drivers and passengers, then continuing on to Sonoma, where our final stop was “Studebaker’s”, a bakery which specializes in cheesecake. They had a chili lunch available plus the hard choice of which flavor and what size cheesecake to have for dessert.
The weather was beautiful and even quite warm by afternoon.
We had prepared for an overnight trip but I wasn’t feeling well. I had a very sore neck and a bad headache. Dick did a great job with smooth driving, but we decided it best to sleep in our own bed.
We visited with many longtime friends and even had an invitation to spend the evening and night with club friends living in the Sonoma area.
Ironically, we had both been thinking to ourselves during the ride home how well the truck was performing… it was a good thing we didn’t extend the trip s when we pulled into our drive to stop and open our gate - the clutch in the truck broke with a loud bang! We would have had a much harder time either fixing it away from home or getting it towed home to work on it. Within the next several days Dick had all the repairs completed and then some.
We reached the Pacific Coast before dark and headed south on US-101. It was getting late so we started looking for lodging. The area seemed overly busy for a Sunday night, but we found a nich motel in New Port. After a good nights sleep, and an opportunity to "sleep-in" so started with coffee and danish served by the motel. We got our things together and loaded the car. Our first stop was acrossd the street to Fred Meyer's, where we purchased a new camera. Our current digital camera was having problems and we didn't want to loose any of our "shots".
There were so many places to stop and snoop, but we kept our stops to quality time with each other. We enjoyed our light house visits, even talking to people who knew mutual friends in northern California area. It's such a small world.
Our second night was spend in Bandon, with a great waterfront/beach and delicious sea food. We won't mention the price of gas, but it seems that when we needed fuel, there were no cheap stations.
We came to the 299 Highway cutoff just after dinner and we weren't going anyfurther south, sdo we decided to come on hoime. As we headed east - even through the mountains, the temperature increased. Our whole time in Oregon was t-shirt weather (why did we pack coats???). As we drove up our drive, it was dark and we were tired. We fell into OUR bed! It's good to be home (even if just for a little while) - that story to come.
We take a short drive north to McMinnville in the Yamhill Vally to the Evergreen Aviation Museum- now home to Howard Hughes wat project, the "Spruce Goose". That was an alklk day affair, with three enormous buildings filled with interesting memorabelia. This area is also an up and coming wine producing region - complete with all the support shopping,lodging and Festivals. Dick struck up a conversation with one of the docents and we ended up at his house and met his wife. We were their guests for dinner.
After dinner we headed west (into the sunset) to the beach.
1948 Dodge Truck
Most of you know me as a Studebaker guy but this one didn’t. I got a phone call from a fellow saying I have a 1948 Dodge 1½ ton flat bed truck for sale. It didn’t sound to good for me but he insisted that I look at it. I told him I would and take a few photos of it and show it to the truck club I belong to. I had to go that way any how so took some pictures. After seeing the truck I changed my mind about showing the pictures to the club after he told me what he was asking. After knowing the price I told him I would be after it the next day. I didn’t have a trailer large enough to haul it (It was on nonop) so I asked a friend to do so. It has 6 new tires, muffler, coil and looks like a new or rebuilt carburator. It started and sounded really good. No brakes I don’t know where the brake fluid went but I added fluid and now I have brakes. I think it was a good find. What the heck am I doing with a
Dodge.
Oct. 29, 2011
Crawdads & BarBQ
We spent a whole day away from home (in Anderson & Cottonwood), doing two new things.
We were invited to a crawdad feast at a friends place of business - a welding shop. They put things away and cleaned up the shop.
About 30 people showed up for a noon sit down to crawdads boiled in a large pot with an abundance of great spices, served with melted butter or a secret recipe horseradish sauce with garlic French bread, salads and bean/rice casserole. Desserts closed out the meal. We munched on chips, dips and fresh fruit for starters.
We knew many of the other guests from car or other clubs we belong to. Had some long conversations with folks who, like us, had come from the Bay Area and had those kind of things in common.
We left with full bellies
. Then headed to the First Annual Cottonwood Pig Out; a Rib and Chili Cook off, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Our friend and Chiropractor, Daren Oiler, was one of the rib cooking participants. He has built an impressive oven and yes… his ribs were very good - took 3rd place (out of 8 participants.).
Here we also hooked up with friends we hadn’t seen or visited with for awhile.
At the Pig Out they had various activities for the little ones, and most came in costume - some were sooooo cute!
This wonderful day was then followed by the best nights sleep I’ve had in days. I hate those nights I can’t fall asleep for hours and/or wake up very early - while Dick slumbers effortlessly, at the drop of a hat, anywhere, anytime!
Looking forward to more adventures as the year comes to a close. Starting to make plans for Thanksgiving, and Christmas always brings parties and celebrations. The lighted Christmas Parade is one of Dick’s favorites.
October 15, 2011
ATHS Orland Truck Show
This yearly Antique Truck Historical Society show fell much on my shoulders.
The June show in Fall River Mills we didn’t attend or work as we went to many points in and around Missouri, celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary - so they made up for it by letting me do so much more work at this show.
I was busy all weekend (Fri. afternoon to Sunday noon), so it went pretty fast. I was wiped out by the time I got into my chair with my feet up that afternoon. It took several days to recuperate. Next year I will do less. The folks who actually host the show will be retired next year and able to be in full swing.
Dick did a lot of visiting and said there were a large number of different/unique trucks there this year, which made for a more exciting show. Talk to him if you want more details from a “guy” perspective.
Turtle Bay with The Grandkids.
Oct. 1, 2011
The first weekend of the month - Dick’s grand daughter Janelle brought her two daughters; Jenna & Julia for a day trip to Turtle Bay in Redding. Dick’s daughter Jackie had planned to also be with us but fell and sprained her ankle - so a day of walking was not to be.
We stopped at AJ’s for something to eat before our day at the park. Dick ordered the Paul Bunyon Burger (that we ate on for three meals afterward).
We were at the Discovery center where most of the animals are, for several hours and then about another hour at the Museum, until it closed at 4 o’clock. It was still light so we walked to the river and the Sundial Bridge. By the time we got back to the car dusk was approaching.
We drove to the Redding Airport for a Chinese dinner a very traditional upscale restaurant, on the second level above the terminal - overlooking the run-ways. This establishment is reminiscent of old San Francisco China Town dining. The waitresses were great with the girls and their “Shirley Temples” and the food was unique and tasty.
We all closed our eyes about 10 p.m. (later the “kids” got up for a mid-night snack. Your always hungry after you eat Chinese.)
Dick & I woke them about 8 Sunday morning spending that day making pearl jewelry, painting silk scarves and going for a ride in grandpa‘s 1924 open hotrod for lunch at Sonic Burger.
It was hard to say good-bye and we didn’t want it to end! Now we have many great and priceless photographs.
It was a fun birthday party but it was time to head for home. After the party started winding down Norma and I went back to our Hotel because we knew it was going to be an early rise for the morning commute. We were up at 4:30am and on the road at 5am the freeways were pretty calm and we made good time.
We were thinking we would stop on the way home at the Mefford Airport in Tulare Ca. on Highway 99. We had seen it on the California Gold show and thought it would be nice to see. It had a couple of vintage planes out side but being Sunday there wasn’t any activity there. So we took a few photos and preceded to the Exeter Landing strip. Now that’s a story by it self. My uncles Paul and Chuck Jr. started this landing strip back in the 1940s. Chuck had just gotten out of the Air Force and Paul had acres of grape vineyards. The airstrip was built and the start of a new business was formed. Chuck started a flying school and he owned several planes along with others that parked there planes there.
We stopped and again being Sunday no one was around. Again we took photos.
We had planed to over night but because it was Sunday we finished early and headed home, The trip was relaxing you see Norma was driving and I slept most of the way.
We loved the trip but it sure is nice to get into your own bed.
We were early for registration, and they were not set up yet as there were traffic delays south bound from Seattle on I-5. My brother, Dave arrived around 5 pm, caught in north bound traffic.
WVAG is always a full weekend for me with classes, concerts, jamming and visiting. The weeather was perfect. The music sublime! We were given several surprises during the weekend - but the biggest and best was Saturday night in the middle of the concert, our long time friends Mimi & Steve were married. The audience was stunned, then thrilled! Cake and sparkeling bubblies were served that evening and the music went on into the night. Sunday we re-capped the weekend with the guest instructors, visited over lunch and said our good-byes.
We traveled to southern California to attend Chucks memorial Service. With the helpof our GPS system we arrived early and found where we needed to be. Our hotel was close by, making traffic confrontions minimal.
We were joined by a large group of our family and his close friends. The service was fitting. The minster was also the soloist, accompanying himself with a guitar. Military personnal presented his widow Shirley with a flag and the honor guard gave a 21 gun salute. Becauseof his prestigious military career, there was also a fly over of a P-51 restored fighter plane, which is the plane he was associated with during WWII.
The family hosted a luncheon aferward at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort at Newport Beach. There many had the opportunity to make comments and tell stories. Before everyone left photos were taken of the family groups and friends.
We drove home afterward, arriving aftr dark
We went to bed New Years Eve with no electricity and woke up to snow. Everything was white well almost everything. That was pretty exciting for us. I measured about 8:00am and it was 1-3/8 inch's on the van. Thats as deep as it's been since we lived here. I went out and took pictures even before I had coffee and thought I would freeze.
Here's hoping everyone will have a healthy and a prosprer New Year with a lot of fun and put a Studebaker in your life. Happy New Year
On Saturday, April 7, 2012 we had a sunny day - a little cold in the morning, but it warmed up nicely.
This was our first car show of the year. We arrived about an hour late and there was only 5 or 6 cars, all Corvettes, except one other and myself in our 1963 Studebaker Avanti. Before the show was half over there were about 50 cars of all size, kind, color and shape. This show benefitted the Wings of Angels.
We met new friends as well as a bunch of old friends.
The entrance fee of $10 was donated to the charity, but also encluded oiur lunch of a Tri-Tip sandwich and a drink (valued at $11.). When we arrived I was served a large cup of coffee and coffee cake. Fatboy's also gave us freee ice cream. The raffle consisted of about 24 gift baskets and a 50/50 raffle (of $165.) all the proceeds going to charity.
Too many pretty cars for me to just pick one. Look at the pictures and you will understand. Our long time friend Mike Burskin won 2nd place with his vintage Camaro.
Tehama District Fair 2011 @ 65 Years Old
What a whirl-wind week for the both off us! Last year I didn’t participate, as I didn’t get the entry forms in on time. A senior moment caused me to miss the deadline by one day - may as well have been a month or even year. This year I submitted the forms well in advance of the due date.
Sunday prior to fair opening 9/18/2011, I (Norma) delivered to the fair all my entries that were not perishable: photography, fine arts, creative writing, scrap booking, collections, fiber and sewing, canned goods, toys/dolls and heirloom display, etc.
Then Wednesday - Dick delivered his Studebaker truck and helped the other club members set up the Antique Truck Historical Society/No. CA Chapter’s static display of a variety of makes, models and years of trucks. They have a booth for the entire duration of the fair from 8a - 10p, Thurs. - Sun.
Club members take turns being there to talk with fair-goers.
Wednesday is also the day I am required to present items I have produced that are of a perishable nature - the first trip was baked goods and the second load was plants. It took about two hours to set up all the plant displays. For the food I have been baking since Monday, and Tuesday was a 10 hour day in the kitchen! This was another grueling day. I am now exhausted and my feet are aching. I can hardly walk!!!
I’m glad these long, hard days are over.
First thing Thursday at the opening of the buildings, with lists in hand, I set out to see if I had received any awards for my fair entries. I had not pre-judged myself as to how I might have done. I jotted down notes of ribbons won or if I had garnered no credit at all. The last item I checked out was my photo and it had done quite well. It as entered in a special class for photos taken at last years fair. It was hard to find as they had put it in a prominent place, where I had not thought to look.
This year was the first of daily contests at the Home Arts Building. So I entered every daily contest so had more cooking to do - each day. Thursday’s category was: “Out-of-the-Box”, a cake made from a mix, but with a twist ~ turn it into a creative delight. Friday’s the criteria was cup cakes (and here was an opportunity to capitalize on exploiting this years fair theme: “Country Sunshine”. I did not think that through! Saturday’s category was unusual, as Home Arts Division does not usually promote the meat cooking side of homemaking. BarBQ and Sunday - candy: Truffles. Each day brought some different contestants and different judging panel personnel (volunteers). The cutest was a group of guys (3) judging the meats..
Thursday was the cake: there were 3 entries, 6 judges and I took a 2nd. Friday was Bar B Q: there were three entries, (2 beef and 1 pork) and I took 3rd. The guys said they were hungry for beef - but one of the BarBQ pros said my spare ribs could have easily placed in a larger scale rib “cook-off” contest. And encouraged me (if I wanted to cook at least 50 pounds of meat - which is a requirement for those contests) to try that. Sunday there were two entries and two judges and I took 2nd place. Dick commented that there might be something going on. Except for the Barb, the 1st place winner was the same person and the 2nd place winner was the same person - me! All the judges, however, were different each day. The judges only worked one day - and it was pointed out (in casual conversation afterward), that the judges do come biased, in that if they have a flavor they particularly do not like, it will affect the impartiality. One case in point; one of the judges did not like peanut-butter, so that threw off the balance of the critiquing. This was their first year and admit they have some “Bugs” to work out. Their presentation and serving left much to be desired, in that it was hap hazard and sanitation was an after thought (no rubber gloves, way to clean up, etc.) Even after the first day they failed to pick up on that.
Dick has put in long days at the Truck club booth and didn’t feel well during the fair.
First thing Monday a.m. we headed back to the fair grounds to bring vehicles home, and to pick up my non-perishable items, plants, serving plates, home arts items and to clean up the exhibits I had made - and to collect my “ribbons“ and award check(s), for a total winnings of $225.00..
This is a calculation of how I did, award wise. There are stories behind many of the entries. Let’s talk sometime. Out of 72 entries submitted (this is done about one month in advance, so the fair has a rough idea of what the fair participation will be - I know what is complete at that time, projects I hope I can finish in time, guess what will be blooming, and then pull everything together in time) - I actually submitted 54 items to be judged. Took awards for 24 of them (13 Firsts, 5 Seconds, 5 Third, one Honorable Mention) and one of the 1st was also a “Best of Show“ ~ the photograph of mother and I on the Ferris Wheel at last years fair.
Mother looked forward every year to attending the fair, joining me to see all the exhibits (she walked many miles) and checked to see if I had received any ribbons. The climax of her fair experience was always to ride the Ferris Wheel. Sometimes we did it in the day time and sometimes when it was dark. In 2010 I was able, with the help of Zippy the Clown from Swan Brothers Circus, to get an excellent photo of her high in the sky, at sunset, overlooking the fair grounds. This was her last Fair and last Ferris Wheel ride. Seven months later she found new heights.
Saturday morning, the alarm went off at 5 am, and we were out the door at 6. We accomplished an early start to the Labor Day Car Show at Mt. Shasta city. We generally go up on a Friday to attend the BarBQ and cruise around town but this year we had other plans. When we left Cottonwood it was pretty warm, but as we climbed higher in elevation it got cooler. Cool enough to close the wing windows on the Avanti and us without a coat.
We arrived in town on the main street about 7:20 am and they parked us. It was a little chilly at first but then the sun came over Mt. Shasta and started warming us up and that was a good thing. Before the day was over it was in the mid to high 80’s. It was good we parked on the west side of the street and it was shady all day for us.
There were a lot of nice cars to see, and visited with old friends and new. I must have walked 20 miles or at least it felt like 20 to this old man. Norma walked too - in and out of the stores, her favorite is a little house that is an antique shop. She always finds something worth having. We had hamburgers at the old train station - yum!
I was the only Studebaker there and last year I took my Studebaker pickup and vintage camp trailer. This year there was a 47 Chevy P.U. and a 1957 Devil camp trailer - nice. They were painted to match and the interior of the trailer was all new.
About 2:45 they started giving out awards. I knew I wouldn’t receive one because there were vehicles a lot nicer than mine, so we left. Most of the drive was good but as we got closer to Redding it gat hotter and by the time we arrived home it had reached 3 digits and I was glad to be home. The house was cool.
Since we had time to kill before Gwen’s birthday party we thought we would go over to the beach and look around. It was easy getting there just follow your nose and whala your there. We saw pretty sites and met most interesting people. We wound up in San Pedro looking at ships and shipyards. We entered a school of art such as pottery making, dancing, painting and yard art. We spent some time there. We visited a light house which just happened to be open once a month that was great. After all the looking and site seeing we thought we better start back. Well I got lost going on this freeway and that, but with the help of a good navigator we got back in time for the party. But we did get some good pictures.
I had never met Gwen Grove but knew her son Scott Grove. We were at my uncle Chucks Memorial in July of 2011 when Scott mention his mother was about to celebrate her 100th birthday. I thought that was pretty exciting. One doesn’t reach the age of 100 very often. Scott asked if we could attend her birthday and never being to a 100th birthday party before I said of course.
Norma and I arrived in Torrance, CA the day before the party August 12, just to get the feel of the town and the surroundings. We phoned from the hotel to let Scott and his wife Norma know that we just blew into town. Little did we know that it was Scotts birthday. They were celebrating that evening just down the street from where we were staying, at the home of Jamey (nee Grove) and Tom McElroy‘s home. Well we put poor Scott in a spot and he was forced to ask us over to celebrate his aging. It wasn’t just a celebration but a big party. There was Music, Singing, dancing, food, cake and booze.
I did get a chance to meet the birthday girl Gwen for the first time. She was there and having a great time. We left when things calmed down - we were tired from the 11 hour drive.
After much needed rest, Scott called to invite us to join them for breakfast at the hotel. Good food and some nice visiting with them and some other family who were at the same hotel. The next day we had until 4:30 pm that after noon to get to the party for Gwen so we took in the sights but that’s another story.
We arrived at the Bon Appetit restaurant which closed at 3:00 pm to the public, and opened the banquet room for Gwen and her guest. It was a large banquet room that had room for almost 100. I counted 88 people there and the room was filled. We munched on hors Dourves and had an open bar that suited every one. Gwen was having a good time meeting everyone that was greeting her on her 100 birthday. In talking to her she said I don’t remember some of these people and I’m hard of hearing but I agree and say yes and their happy. At dinner, we helped ourselves to the buffet, The food was great. After dinner we were graced with song, music and skits by the children and grandchildren of the guest of honor. It was fun being around the young people, they were so talented and made me feel good.
The party was coming to a close and some revelers gathered for more merry ment. We needed our rest to face the drive home. We started early the next morning (5 am - Sun.) to beat the traffic and some of the heat. Thanks Scott, Gwen and family for including us in the fabulous celebration.
NorCal Logging Conference
Redding, CA
Feb. 10 - 12, 2011
The American Truck Historical Society of Northern California was asked to display a few of their trucks for the Logging Conference Show. You couldn’t have asked for better weather for an outside show.
Frank Muse from our club headed up the event and he did a great job.
The three day event had static displays, old and new equipment/trucks, vendor booths and demonstration of heavy equipment and truck driving expertise.
ATHS brought many trucks with a good representation of sizes and brands.
It was a great free show for the public and those who’s living depends on the wide variety of things featured there that weekend.
It started off being a pretty nice day. I drove the Model-T arriving early that morning. Norma joined me later in the Studebaker pick-up, but didn’t stay long as mother was not having a good day. Had a good car show. We both walked around to the various booths, visiting with our local friends and made some new best friends. Ate lots of good and not so good chili. This was our local Red Bluff Chili cook off and kick-off of one of the rodeo type events at the fair grounds. There was plenty of cooks to serve you. There were vendors of all sorts. All in all it was a good day - until it was time to leave. My car wouldn’t start - the battery was dead. I thought I would have to hike home. But Dave Bickford with his Cad. Powered 1953 Pontiac gave me a jump start. I made it home. Then bought a new battery.