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The Hudson Valley logo is the property of The Hudson Valley Model A Restorers Club Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited. No part may be copied or reprinted without the written consent of the owner. Artwork by Joe Valentine |
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With Joe Valentine |
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2010 Summer Tour July 18
We left the Newburgh Mall with summertime temperatures already on the rise in the low 80s and on their way to the 90s. Six Model As and 3 modern cars joined us for this Summer Tour: Bruce & Jan Gertzkis (‘29 Touring), Tim O’Brien (‘28 Touring), John Fare (’30 Roadster), Ken Pick (’30 Tudor), Ernie Martin with his brother, Herman and friend “Skid” Skidmore (‘30 Sport Coupe), Russ & Gail Gillespie (modern), Al & Pat Berry (modern), Randy & Judy Faurot (modern), and Joe & Judy Valentine (‘30 Coupe). We headed toward the Village of Walden via 17K and Browns Road, then into Wallkill on DuBois. Following a short break, we traveled north past the Wallkill River and Sand Hill Road with spectacular views of the southern part of the Shawangunk Range. It was east after that through a labyrinth of back roads that wound up in Plattekill and New Unionville Road. Turing north onto Lewis Lane (almost like Superman’s girlfriend), we headed onto South Street and Tuckers Corners Road, and then turned east on 44/55. This is apple country and the many orchards we passed were abundant with fruit. It was 1647 when Governor Peter Stuyvesant planted the first apple tree in New York City and by the 1700s, Hudson Valley apples were being shipped to the City on the Hudson River. Interestingly, New York ranks 2nd in national apple production with Western New York being our top growers, Hudson Valley second, and the Upper Lake Champlain area third. Oh, the tour: We then zigzagged westerly over Crescent, Hurds, Jenkinstown, Phillies Bridge, and into Gardiner from the north, then west toward Tuthill Town. As we approached the “Gunks”, their beauty and majesty became more and more apparent. Soon, the summer haze seemed to vanish and the rock outcroppings were looming as though they were put there yesterday. I guess in the grand scheme of things, they were put there yesterday (only 270 million years ago, give or take). But today, they existed just for us. Keeping an eye on these exceptional sights, we turned north again onto Albany Post Road, and eventually found ourselves on Guilford – a real country road that ended at the Mountain Brauhaus Restaurant. Most of us had a good German-themed lunch and we parted ways individually heading in various directions to pursue the day. Except for a forgotten order at the restaurant, it was a very good ride. Joe Valentine
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