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Avenue of the Giants Weekend Run - Sat. March 23, 2024

Saturday will be a very full day of cruising from Novato up through the Avenue of the Giants and ending at Eel River Brewing in Fortuna. Sun...

Mt. Hamilton Run for Absent Friends 2017

Date Change: April 1, 2017

Safety First! 


Due to the heavy rains and road washouts the Bay Area has experienced over the last few weeks, we are moving this run to APRIL 1, 2017.

The date change will give time for hillsides to stabilize, road crews to clear roads of any debris and most importantly for us to have a safer journey.


** This is MEMBERS ONLY event **

This is NorCal MINIs annual run to remember loved ones who have passed. This charity run benefits the American Cancer Society and the Valley Humane Society. For each $5 donated to either or both charities you will receive 1 drawing ticket for several items we will have to give away during lunch.

Donate to your charity of choice or both of them today!

For each $5 donated to either or both charities you will receive 1 drawing ticket for several items we will have to give away during lunch**. (This will include the bag seen below!)

** No need to be present to win, but you do need to be a 2017 NorCal MINI member.

If you haven't joined or renewed for 2017 yet, do it today!!!!  http://norcalminis.com/

CHARITIES:
American Cancer Society
https://www.crowdrise.com/norcal-minis-run-fo…/…/norcalminis

Valley Humane Society
http://donate.valleyhumane.org/…/3713-norcal-minis-run-to-m…

THANKS MINI of Marin for our drawing items.




Run Details:
Meeting time: 10 AM
Departure time: 10:30

Meeting Location: 
TBD


IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Be cautious on Mt. Hamilton Road. The drive is scenic, but the road is narrow in some areas and also has many sharp curves. Fill up BEFORE meeting in the morning. There are no gasoline or automotive services at Mt. Hamilton or anywhere along the road outside of San Jose. Food services are limited at the observatory. Light snacks, coffee, and refreshments will be available for purchase at Lick Observatory.

Directions to Lick Observatory:
TBD

We should arrive to the observatory between 11:30 & 12:15 depending on the number of cars making the run and other bike/car traffic encountered on our way up.

The observatory opens at noon with a free talk​ for us.​ ​

As soon as the talk is over, we're back on the road for another 30-40 minute drive to have lunch at The Junction Bar & Grill.

Directions from Lick Observatory to The Junction Bar & Grill:
https://goo.gl/maps/pRBT5tuuTwB2

From The Junction we head down Mines Road to Livermore. From Livermore
you're on your own to make your way home.

Directions from the The Junction to the Telsa Road & Mines Road intersection in Livermore:
https://goo.gl/maps/SLp4YEi9gXu

Please RSVP to your email invitation so that we have a count for how many cars to expect at Mt. Hamilton and lunch.

If you haven't renewed your membership, please do so before this run. This is a *MEMBERS ONLY event.

Join or Renew today!
http://norcalminis.com/

RIP Albert Eugene Gordon (1930-2017)

Albert Eugene Gordon

Al was a long time member and many of you may remember him and may want to participate in his life celebration.

Long time NorCal MINIs member and motorer Albert Eugene Gordon, of San Carlos, born July 27, 1930, died Feb. 11, 2017, with his family by his side.

He was 86.

Al grew up in San Francisco, where he attended Polytechnic High School. It was there that he met his wife, Dorothy, of nearly 65 years. Al was proud to be a U.S. Marine, serving in the Korean War. His Shasta Lake home was his “heaven on earth.”

He is survived by his two daughters, Cheryl (Gary) Barrango and Diane (Tony) Demattei as well as his four grandchildren: Janelle, Ryan, Kristin (Staci) and Kaitlin and great-grandson Vincent.

“Of great importance and comfort to Al as well as his family, is our love and gratitude to the two most incredible caretakers life could send our way, Robert and Emeline, who will be a part of our family forever.”

At Al’s request for a “going-away party” his family will host a Celebration of Life Saturday, Feb. 25. For details please email his family at CelebrateAlGordon@gmail.com with your name and association with Al and/or his family for details and location of the celebration.

Bodega Bay Run - January 29, 2017

After having to reschedule this event from January 22nd to the 29th, the sun finally came out and the rain stop.  The run to Bodega Bay was on!!!!

We met up at Starbucks at 127 San Marin Road in Novato.  I was amazed at the number of cars and people we had at the morning driver's meeting.  Thirty-two cars!

Photos by: Phil Rotheram

It's always great to see one our fur babies and kids with us.

Photo by: Phil Rotheram

From Starbucks we headed towards Novato Blvd. then turned right on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road, followed by a left onto Hicks Valley Road, then left onto Marshall Petaluma Road to complete our fun little twisty drive towards Marshall, California. Once in Marshall, we turn North on Hwy 1 headed towards Bodega Bay.

Here we are all lined up before making the left turn at Valley Ford Road in Tomales, CA to keep on Hwy 1.

Photo by: Phil Rotheram

Once we all got past a couple bicyclists, it was clear for all the MINIs to stay together.


Photo by: Phil Rotheram

One last turn to the right for the side trip along Bay Hill Road which brings you into a great view above Bodega Bay.  Bay Hill road is where the scenes of Tippi Hedren driving her Aston Martin into Bodega Bay were filmed for "The Birds". 


Photo by: Phil Rotheram
Joining us for lunch at The Tides Wharf
Restaurant & Bar was ...


Thank you to Phil Rotheram for all of the great photos shared on this post.

Thanks everyone who joined us for the day.  There were quite a few of our new members who joined us.  Hank Miller, great job on the caboose job!
Photo by: Phil Rotheram
Photo by: Phil Rotheram