There were nine replies advising intent to come on the Run, but then there were four Regrets for various reasons so it looked as if it might be a bit of a meager five-car Run. Notwithstanding, on the day a shady spot was found in the UFV Chilliwack Parking Lot # 7 for the 10:15am meet-up and two more cars turned up. Given the forecast for 32deg at Hope and 28deg at Manning Park Lodge, and the overall distance and time, Michael, as Runs Coordinator, asked if perhaps a shorter Run to say Chilliwack Lake or Green Point might be considered. The majority opinion was that since Manning Park was what people had come along for, let’s do it. So, at 10:30am, the seven cars set off accordingly. Getting to Fairfield Island went without any problems apart from a couple of separations at traffic lights, but at the pull-in at the Fairfield Scouts Hall for a re-group, we’d lost one car…. After a wait of several minutes, and since no car came, the Run was continued. As ever, the route through Fairfield Island gave onto pleasant vistas of farmland and the mountains. Having crossed the Agassiz bridge, it was round onto Route 7. The traffic was minimal and, at 90kph, we slowly overhauled an east-going freight train. The pit-stop by 11:50am at the Dairy Queen in Hope enabled a leg-stretch. Michael had a thermometer and 31deg was noted. The missing car had yet to appear when we set off at 12:12pm. There was minimal traffic and various uphill gradients and turns made for an interesting drive and, for some, the need to drop out of overdrive and swap cogs now and then. We arrived at Manning Park by 1:05pm with the thermometer registering 29deg along with a gentle breeze. We easily found a shady area with a picnic table and several Adirondak chairs, so, with brought-along camping chairs, there was seating for one and all. The missing car arrived and joined the parked line-up and the lunch. It transpired that a turning had been missed…. Two chipmunks were noted to be keeping a look-out for any tidbits that might be lying around. Ivan Antak’s grandson Isaac went to see one, but it skittered away in good time.  Everybody said they were glad we’d come on the planned Run and as usual, people made their own way home. Isaac had come along with his mother Megan with Ivan in the family 4×4, so when it came time to leave, Michael offered the 9-year old a ride along with the camera to take pictures on the way. Being mostly down-hill and without much traffic it was an easy drive to Hope where Isaac re-joined his family for their journey home. Upon review, Isaac had taken some good photos. Megan had also taken some at several locations and duly forwarded them.

Michael Hamilton-Clark
Runs Coordinator                                                                    

Photos by Michael Hamilton Clark
along with Isaac and Megan Antak                            

A Note From Isaac Antak:

On Wednesday, August 16, my grandpa invited me to go on a car run. My mom decided to come, too. My grandpa has a TR6 but we wouldn’t all be able to fit in it so we took the family car instead. First, we went to Chilliwack to meet all the other cars that were going to drive with us that day. We wanted to leave at the same time so we looked like a fancy parade of cars. The other cars that came were: 2 MGBs, a Triumph stag car, a Reliant Scimitar sports car, and a Mini Cooper. We made a pit stop at the Dairy Queen in Hope. I went to get an ice cream treat with my mom while all the other car guys decided where we were going to drive to next. When I came out, I heard them say we were going up the mountain to Manning Park. It was a nice drive up. I liked looking at the tops of the trees on the mountains. I may have dozed off for a few minutes. Then, we stopped at Manning Park to eat a picnic lunch. I saw 2 marmots hiding in their holes. Every now and again they’d pop their heads out. Mr. Michael was in charge of the car run. He asked me if I wanted a ride in his car. It was an orange MGB. He said I could also take pictures of the mountains and other scenery. I felt the cool breeze in my hair as we drove back to Hope. It was exciting to take pictures. Some people have asked me which car I think is better-my grandpa’s TR6 or Mr. Michael’s MGB? Here is my answer: both cars are awesome when you are going for a ride in them!