SECOND ANNUAL PALM DESERT RUN
Like last year 22 cars signed up for the run, however this year five of the cars were nonmembers interested in joining COCSD. We were also extended an invitation by Nick Iorio to see his pet camel at his home in Poway. Leah wasn’t feeling well and had to cancel. Then another nonmember shows up looking for something to do, found our run on the website and took Leah’s place at the lunch. He too is interested in joining COCSD. Two members who did not sign up on the website also showed (they did not stay for lunch but wanted to join for part of the run). 
In addition to a great turnout, this group of drivers knew how to drive in a run. We drove the entire 240 miles as a group, with only mild separation due to slow traffic. That made for a remarkably successful journey. We left promptly at 8:45, arrived at the restaurant at 11:45 on schedule and returned to Ramona around 3.
The Omni Rancho las Palmas was again the best in serving us lunch. They had a customized menu with salads, sandwiches, and burgers to select from and one price fits all including soft drinks, tax, and tip. We were seated outdoors on a patio overlooking the eighteenth green of their golf course.
One of our guests had a battery problem at the start and Dale was able to get him started, however after the lunch his battery did not cooperate, and he had to call AAA. Howard stayed around to help him. Our guest did make it back to San Diego about the time the rest of us made it to Ramona and Howard was able to rejoin us at our restroom stop in Salton Sea City.
Another of our guests is 94-year-old Andy. In addition to his 06 Z51, he owns a Boxster and a Camaro. Andy told me he wanted to be one of the lead cars as he was afraid if he were not, he would get lost. There was no chance of him being left behind, he flat kept up with us all the way.
After lunch we changed run leader to Tony Pergola and off to the open roads and Salton Sea City. We did not stop for date shakes as the pandemic closed that venue. We drove to State 22 and headed across no man’s land to the back side of Borrego Springs. We traversed up Montezuma Valley Road, 3000 feet in about 10 miles, with no other vehicles in the way and we flew up it. Gail and I were sweep and the view of those 20 plus Corvettes together going up that twisty road was a beautiful sight.
The run ended in Ramona at Cheers where about a third of the cars stopped for refreshments and rehashing the days adventure, and a good day it turned out to be.