Willys America 7/10/04

The 4th annual Willys Caravan to the Willys America Open House took place on 7/10/04. It was another well orchestrated caravan led by Jim Russell.  The weather was perfect and the Willys were plentiful.  We used the hand held "family" type radios again this year for in transit orchestration.

The caravan begins in the South Bay Area (Millbrae) and makes its first stop at a vista point just North of the Golden Gate Bridge.  I joined the caravan, along with several other participants, at the official Willys Caravan rest stop #2 (Mc Donalds in Petaluma, CA).  The Petaluma stop is at the McDonalds on Lakeville Road near Hwy 101.

Fortunately, this year I was able to drive my truck to the event.  The past year has been one heck of fuel injection learning experience.  I finally got the bugs worked out and even tested my truck's towing capability with the new EFI by dragging along Jim's 2A.  Another benefit to bringing my truck this year is it allowed me to meet several of you folks that browse this site.  Many of you recognize me by my truck.  Without the truck, I probably wouldn't have met all of you great folks.

My Caravan journey began bright and early on Saturday morning.  The pics below were taken when I arrived in Fairfield to pick up my friend Jim and his 2A.

 

The first group of pics you see below were taken in Petaluma just before we hit the road for Cazadero.

 

The next few pics were taken as we were cruising 101 North.  I didn't have a co-pilot to take pics because Jim unhooked his 2A and drove the rest of the way to Cazadero.  I had to practice my picture taking skills while driving.  Kids, don't try this at home.

 

Here we are exiting 101 North onto 116 West.  Willys as far as the eye can see.  It's a wonderful sight, isn't it?

 

Here we are safe and sane at Willys America.  Paul served lunch again this year (free if you're a registered participant) with local live music.  I didn't think that this event could get any better but this year was even better than the last.  Thanks to everyone that made it possible.