Carmel-By-The-Sea Concour on the Avenue ...at Night

A few weeks ago during Monterey Car Week, I had the honor of being the official photographer for the "Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue." That being said, all my event shots are going to Doug Freedman the creator of the show. However, here are some other shots of the Concours on the Avenue window displays, which also compete for awards. In addition to Carmel being a car town, it also has a long history as an art community, so the window displays are along the same line. You'll notice they're taken at night, something a little different. OK, OK..., it was after a few beers and some great Calamari for dinner at a local pub.  Enjoy, time for me to go re-charge batteries...

Carmel Car Week at night with Concours on the Avenue. Image © "Along For The Ride"

Through The Looking Box... Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The mere act of making your way around a race track, camera hanging from your shoulder, seems to make sweet-spots appear like volunteers at each corner. Peering through the viewfinder at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion this year was the center of my universe as I pushed the shutter button on the looking box.

These shots are of fellow blog followers as they wheeled their rides around the track, as well as a few random pics. Enjoy.

The year of the Shelby Cobra at Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Image © "Along For The Ride"

A Daydream Can Drag You Back...

Taking a break between the Carmel Concours and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion finds me laptopping from a bench above the rocky outcroppings in Pacific Grove, Monterey. The surf and seaweed climbs and descends in white rivulets from blackened barnacle encrusted rocks. Farther out, two otters are sharing otter smack-talk which only they could get. Time seems endless...and the thought of the dog-days of summer creep in. It takes me back to the sound of the metal tray as it snaps onto the door, and the smell of burgers and fries only sweetens the smiles and laughter to the good vibes from the radio. Yep..., those were good summer days at the drive-in.

PS. Maybe it's time to do it again, forget the politics of the day...talk about cars...that sweetness is still there.

Image © Life archives.

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Tough Guys...

  Some time ago, while hanging with buddies at a Good Guys Show, I got to talking with a fellow named David Coyote. David went on to tell me about the short stories he writes, one thing lead to another and I asked him to send me one for the blog.

The Red Alfa
By David Coyote

     “How much?” Damon wiped his oily hands on shop coveralls.
     “They’re asking fifteen hundred quid,” Andrew answered, looking around for a place to stuff-out his smoke. He’ll have me scrubbing the floor if I put it out under-foot.
     Damon shrugged. What’ll I do? I need another transmission. His had locked up during the final lap at Spa. He’d watched a first place in class win wash away in the grey late afternoon rain. Along with that loss went fifty thousand pounds of sponsorship money.

Fiesta De La Carrera Mexicanas

Sometimes there's no cute word or clever phrase to sum up what an event is about, other than, "It's a good thing." If you're heading to "Monterey Car Week"....this is one event you may want to try on. Called "Fiesta De La Carrera Mexicanas," it's a gathering of  La Carrera cars and drivers at the ultimate car hangout, the "Baja Cantina" in Carmel Valley. The sixth annual, a benefit with all proceeds going to help support the Mexican nurse, Lupita Hernandez, who lost both her legs at the hip when a Carrera car went off the road and pinned her up against an ambulance. Check out the poster for more info.

For more info. email Bill Hemmer or Gerie Bledsoe.

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Ghost City Hill Climb ... Jerome Arizona

The scream of engines echoed off the gray-brown weathered wooden structures and steadfast brick veterans of the past. The early miners and towns-people of this hillside place that called it home would have been party to the same vistas, but not the angry machines. This was the "Ghost City Hill Climb" organized by the Four Cylinder Club of America, Phoenix Chapter, during the years 1959 to 1964.

Map of the "Ghost City Hill Climb" in Jerome. Notice the corners named, "Murphy's Leap" and "Morgan's Roll."