Team Blog

 Although our time in Reno was great, we were excited to hit the road again and enjoy some more Maxwell adventures.  After all, the last leg of the journey was ahead of us and we had one more state line to cross.  Babbs had been living in the National Automobile Museum during our stay and the group gathered in the parking lot to get ready for the day. 

Several cars were joining us for the morning to guide us to the state line.  We were also fortunate to have KK Lewis riding in the backseat this morning.  KK had some incredible stories to share with us as well as fun historical facts about many of the places we were going to drive through.  We got a later start than we were hoping for but the sun was shining and the temperatures were in our favor so once Babbs was up and running we were anxious to hit the road.

Ned Bacor (ned, I couldn't read my writing, I hope I spelled that right) , Cindy Ainsworth, Kat Weichert, and Al Abrahamson in a 1915 Model T

 After a fond farewell to our friends at the museum, we pulled out of the parking lot and started settling in for the drive.  Unfortunately, 30 feet away from the museum parking lot, the brakes started making a horrible noise and I immediately pulled over.  We hadn’t gotten far so Tim was right there to take a look.  Seems that in prepartion for the mountain passes he had tightened up the brakes a little too much.  After a bit of fiddlying we were on our way sans noise and brakes secure. 

Red and Laurie Ladner in their 1914 Oakland

 We were officially on the road again!  Through historic downtown Carson City (the smallest state capitol in the country) we cruised on hwy. 395 – past the capitol building and on to connect with hwy. 50.  Just before we started to climb up to the top of Spooner Summit, Christie’s friend Brian caught up to us and started to leap frog us.  It was so fun to see Brian taking pictures and cheering us on!

Don and Lil Ritchey, and Sally Barnett in their 1911 Maxwell

 The initial climb wasn’t as steep as we were lead to believe which was a relief.  At the summit, KK left us and we got our first glimpses of beautiful Lake Tahoe!  I knew the lake was big – but wow what a sight!  The water was a green blue and incredibly gorgeous!  We were back in the mountains and both Christie and I were excited beyond belief.  This is our kind of country – we felt right at home.

Wilhelm and Hans aka the Spyker (1907) team

 We had quite an entourage as we cruised by Glenbrook (hello Charlotte & Dennis!) and through a cool rock walled tunnel down toward the lake.  Our first stop of the day at Zephyr Cove brought more people who were patiently awaiting our arrival, pictures, coffee and a quick break to enjoy the beach.  Christie and I could have easily enjoyed the day at the beach but the California state line was calling our name so off we went. 

Emily and Bengt at Zepher Cove

                   Wilhelm and Hans at Zephyer Cove on Lake Tahoe

We cruised through Tahoe Village and Stateline – the final few casinos and crowds of people we might see for awhile.  What an amazingly beautiful area and the lack of vehicle traffic was a welcome surprise.  The California state line was quite unambiquitos – a small sign posted to a stop light.  Nonetheless, Christie and I outstretched our arms and vied to be the first into the state.  A wave of relief and accomplishment flooded over me all at the same time.  I was tired and elated but also sad that this simple road sign marked a significant turning point in our journey.

Attempting to time our driving with Emily’s work schedule has been a constant challenge the entire trip – especially when we are anticipating zones of no cell phone reception.  This afternoon posed such a problem for the team however with the late start to the day and lunch time approaching South Lake Tahoe was a welcome rest stop.   We enjoyed Pizza with the gang from Reno and were sad to bid them farewell as we ventured into the Toiyobe and Eldorado National Forests.  Had we known what was ahead I would have completley understood at the time why everyone was turning around to return to Reno!

Emily and Kaisa - Happy 5 month Birthday, Kaisa!

 Amazing but a challenge- I was speechless at the beauty of the drive this afternoon.  Undeniably one of the most scenic roads of the entire trip – although challenging in a 100 year old car – I wouldn’t hesitate to drive it again.  My right big toe started to ache from pushing the gas pedal down as we made run after run at the climbs.  My favorite saying of the day “ We’re making a run for it!”  coasting down the grade and hopefully picking up enough speed to glide up the next hill.  Luther Pass in the El Dorado National Forest was especially fun to glide down in neutral!

Hans, Wilhelm, and Barb

 After experiencing quite a harrowing drive down Rabbit Ear’s Pass in Colorado, Christie and I both thought the tough mountain passes were behind us and there wasn’t anything Babbs couldn’t handle.  However, Babbs had not yet seen Carson Pass.  Steep switchbacks seemed to come out of nowhere and Babbs slowed in 2nd gear to a near standstill.  Knowing that we really had no 1st gear I became nervous that we weren’t going to make it.  Not a lot of shoulder on the side of the road also made me nervous that we might slow to a complete standstill and have nowhere to pull over.  Nothing worse than stopping on a grade with no 1st gear to get yourself going again!

Dorine and Bill Ramsden in their 1910 Model T touring car

 Well I resorted to 1st gear twice – simply to see if we could give Babbs a little push and momentum to make it to the top.  Not a good sound at all and the gear was barely there so as soon as we got a little bit of speed up I quickly moved into 2nd.  That worked nicely for a short while until I realized there was no way we would make it to the summit without first gear all the way.  The first turn out I saw I pulled over.  Less than a 1/2 mile from the top, Christie jumped out and I got towed to the top by a support SUV.  Moving a little faster than normal, I had the best seat in the house!

The afternoon only got better as we proceeded to join the Morman’s Emigrant Trail.  Quite honestly the best driving of the whole trip.  All of the factors fell into line and the driving was perfect and oh so fun!  Christie and I sang songs through the woods and the rolling hills of the high alpine areas of Kirkwood, Woods & Caples Lake.  The bugs up high seemed to disapate again and our teeth, lips and cheeks were especially happy for the break. 

I was sad to end an unbeliveable afternoon’s drive when we stopped for gas approximately 20 miles from our final destination of Rancho Cordova, CA.  There was much discussion about which way to proceed from the gas station to the hotel.  Take the shorter route via the highway or remain on the predetermined route via Green Valley Road?  The decision was a no brainer for Christie and me.  The afternoon had been so peaceful and fun that why would we choose to ruin it by jumping on the highway?  We had embraced the pace and wanted to keep on going – not to mention remain safe and sane at the same time. 

A long but significant day ended around 7:30pm when we finally reached our final destination.  Greeted by members of the Simonsma family outside Sacramento we couldn’t have asked for a better reception!  Two state capitols in one day and family to welcome us – now that makes for one FANTASTIC (as Claus and Jan might say) day!

5 months today? Well it seems Kaisa is now old enough and is getting ready to drive!