Gra Nomad Wanderings

Sunday, May 18, 2014

CIVIC WAR RE-ENACTED

 Well some guys play in a cricket comp or tennis or footy comp. These blokes go to the re-enactments of the American Civil War. They're on just about every weekend in California as well as other states. We learnt quite a heap as we wandered round the Confederates' camp. This was at Mariposa, east of San Francisco.

 While you're there, you can buy shirts, jackets, boots etc. They camp out in tents just like the original blokes would have done.
 There were several battles a day and even a night battle. No "actors" were killed during the performances.

Abe Lincoln was there and even gave the Gettysberg address. Pretty neat. He was looking pretty good actually.
 I didn't know that females enlisted. Often they passed themselves off as blokes. Here are 2 young ladies who joined the battles.
This fella was explaining to some of the younger ones about canon fire etc. Quite interesting. 

Thursday, May 08, 2014

SEQUOIA and YOSEMITE

 Words can't really do justice to SEQUOIA and YOSEMITE National Parks in California. These giant trees are up to 3,000 years old! We had Hank from Visalia as our guide.


 That's our Dodge rental at the "foot." These 5 Sequoias were just unreal.

 Damn hard to photograph.

 Here are just 5 of my photos of Yosemite.


 Love this one. 

Sunday, May 04, 2014

THE ROAD UNCORKED

 What fun it was when Fay and I got "mixed up" with a bunch of folk from Southern California on an unrally.
Steve and Marianne invited us to join with the others - Triumph, Jensen, Jag, Alphas, Porsches, MB, BMW etc. Our black Dodge Challenger (rental) stood out but the other drivers were very understanding. 

 Not many Jensens around these days. This one was in good nick.

 The MB followed by one of the Alphas. Roads were windy, bit narrow and fun to drive. Reminded me of our local highways here in Australia.
 Even Fay - the World's Best Navigator - showed she can handle the behind-the-wheel action now and then.

 Here, the 2 Alphas and the Porsche rest in San Miguel till tomorrow.

 Doug's Porsche. A lovely addition to the gathering.
 What better colour for the Jag - British Racing Green.


 We checked out the Mission at San Miguel. In pretty good condition for its age.
 Talking about age, here's a 1907 Lancia. One of its most recent trips was New York to Alaska car rally in 2012. The owner - and his daughter - have racing in their blood.

 No car gathering would be complete without a Morgan to grace the line-up. A lovely finish on this one.
Thanks Steve and Marianne for including us. We had a heap of fun. The Road Uncorked 2014!