With cooler weather just around the corner, everyone is looking forward to topless activities, car shows and drives...but first we have to get through September! 

9/11 - The month kicks off with a Hawaiian House Party and Pot Luck on September 11th at John and Lynn's house.  They are providing teriaki meat and chicken sticks and all the stuff you need to eat with - you need to bring is a dish to share and your drink of choice.  If you bought any of the GM Roadster wine, it's time to uncork a bottle so bring it along.  It's a dual celebration as Chef Martin will be back in town and J & L's house remodel will be complete.  Check the RSVP for time and location. 

Either East Enders on September 12 or Kappa Koffee on the 15th are "must do" meetings for the folks who are planning on making the Navajo Weekend trip.  For everyone else, it is just a good time.  East Enders is at Stella's Coffee House in Gilbert and they are opening their doors on Sunday just for the club.  The location for Kappa Koffee isn't set yet so keep checking the RSVP for additional information.  

9/17-19 - The Navajo Weekend Run departs at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 17 from the Cracker Barrel on Dobson and the 202 in Mesa.  Some folks are meeting the group in Holbrook where we will spend the first night. Saturday, the group will stop at the historic Hubbell Trading Post for their semi-annual art auction before heading to Window Rock and our first group photo. The weather should be great for a top down run up the east side of the AZ/NM boarder for spectacular scenery and multiple photo ops.  We will take some time to stop at two Canyon de Chelly overlooks before arriving at the Holiday Inn in Chinle for dinner and a well-deserved break from the long drive.  Sunday morning, Navajo guides will take the group into Canyon de Chelly for a morning tour of one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in North America. After lunch, it will be a fast ride back home, arriving about 6:00 PM.  

We are hoping to arrange bowling party for the end of September at the newest downtown Phoenix attraction opening the end of August - Lucky Strike Lanes.  Lucky Strike Lanes is a glamorous bowling alley-lounge hybrid. Its 18 other locations spun off the original in Hollywood. Keep checking the RSVPs for more details but we are aiming for the last weekend of the month. 

That's all for September.  October and November events are already appearing on the home page and it's never too early to sign up.  Remember, Tombstone in November will feature the usual main street car show, Phil's infamous BBQ and, for the first time, a Saturday afternoon ride into Arizona's budding wine country.  

Monsoon Madness in August

08/08 (Sun) - East Enders Coffee is at the Paradise Bakery inside the Chandler Fashion Mall in the Food Court so that we can stay out of the heat and have plenty of room to hang together.  East Enders starts at 9:00 and the mall doesn't open that early so we should find plenty of parking and lots of tables.  For those who haven't see the Cruise/Diaz new thriller, Knight and Day, some of the group is going to the early show at the nearby Harkins Theater.  

08/14 (Sat) - Lunch and Boating at Canyon Lake is in order after a beautiful ride into the foothills surrounding the valley.  Meet the group at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant just south of the 202 at Dobson at 10:00 AM in order to be at the Canyon Lake Restaurant in the marina area by 11:00 for lunch. After lunch, Cheryl and Bob (plus anyone else with a boat) will provide lake tours and water fun.  Contact Cheryl (see the RSVP) if you have a boat that you can bring to the lake. 

08/17 (Tues) - August's Dinner will be at the amazing White Chocolate Grill in north Scottsdale. If you have never been there, the name can be deceiving...their menu is fantastic, the bar is well-stocked and, of course, the desserts are awesome!  Join the group at 6:30 at 7000 E Mayo Blvd.  

08/29 (Sun) - F1 Go-Cart Racing is the way we race today - due to multiple issues at the track with our now-collectible cars!  Join the fast and furious crowd at 11:00 to test your racing skills.  Adult kart drivers must be at least 16 years of age with a valid driver's license.  Junior drivers must be at least 10 years of age... All drivers must be at least 54" tall and ready to race with closed toe shoes.  (No sandals folks!  The track is located at 317 South 48th Street in Phoenix.  

That's it for August, folks...after all, we can barely move in this heat.  But, Fall is coming and Northern and Southern Arizona beckon. Here is the advanced scoop on our weekend adventures...

09/17-19 (Fri-Sun) - Navajo Nation Weekend is an opportunity for the club to celebrate the diversity that Arizona offers - both in geography and culture - and to  experience a phenomenal ride through breathtakingly beautiful country while experiencing a side of our state that we never see in the Phoenix area.  You will want to take Friday afternoon off to make the drive up to Holbrook Friday night.  Meet the group at Cracker Barrel at Loop 202, Exit 10 by 1:30 for a firm departure at 2:00 P.M.!  After spending the night in Holbrook and dining together at the Butterfield Stage Company, we will head to Hubbell Trading Post to experience their semi-annual Native American Artists Auction, followed by a photo op with our cars at the Window Rock, and a breathtaking ride to Chinle and our stay at the Holliday Inn.  (Make your reservation NOW!  See the RSVP for details). Sunday morning, we will board high clearance vehicles to tour Canyon de Chelly with a required Navajo guide and see close up petrogyphs, cliff dwellings, and other evidences of Arizona's pre-history beginnings. We will return to the valley after lunch in Chinle and be home by dark.  If you want to participate in this amazing ride, you must book your hotel in Chinle by Sept. 5.  Sky-Sol owners from New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado are invited to attend!

11/12-11/14 (Fri-Sun) - The 5th Annual Tombstone Weekend promises to live up to the standards of past years.  The Trailrider Inn is fully reserved with last year's participants but there are plenty of rooms at other Tombstone establishments.  Check out the RSVP for suggestions if you are not already booked.  In addition to the usual car show on the main street and the BBQ at the Trailrider, we have Friday dinner plans, Poker/Mexican Train competitions, and a beautiful ride and tour of some of the best nearby Elgin wineries!  For those who can stay awake...a ghost tour of Tombstone is possible. This is regional event that always draws participants from all over the Southwest.  Too much fun and a must-do for Phoenix members.  Sign up now.  

We began our day by having lunch at Claim Jumpers where a group gathered under cloudy skies.  It had rained earlier and continued to threaten rain.  A great day to be going indoors to venture through the new aquarium located at the Arizona Mills Mall.  With our reservations in hand, we collected up the members and families that had not joined us for lunch.  Our wait was minimal while the other line extended out the door, down the walkway, and around the outside of the aquarium onto the sidewalk.  Thanks to Rich for getting us the group rate and fast track into the aquarium.

The aquarium had a variety of tide pools, tanks with manta rays, jellyfish, starfish, seahorses and on and on.  There were great places for people to "poke their heads into the fish tank".  It was delightful watching the children (young and grown alike) checking everything out.  We all enjoyed "walking through" the fish tank with the sharks and fish swimming over our heads and under our feet.  We took our time and discovered new kinds of lobsters, coral, and shrimp.  We stayed dry while it rained outside.  All too soon, our tour came to an end and we were headed in different directions.  Till we meet again...Happy Trails.

The day was heavy with humidity as we gathered to begin our ride to California.  Oh no, RAIN...but as with any day in Arizona we began driving and soon left the raindrops behind.  A long ride to get to the Angeles Crest highway, but well worth the wait.  We pulled over and dropped the tops on the cars as the light clouds overhead let the sun shine down on us.  We found a beautiful pull out for a photo op and were soon on our way enjoying the twisy ride to find NewComb's Ranch Inn for lunch.  Soon we had finished our lunch and were once again on our way toward Lompoc to hook up with friends we had not seen since last summer.  An exciting ride through Los Angeles during rush hour could not dampen our spirits as we finally found our way to the hotel.  We checked in and headed right over to La Botte (a delightful Italian restaurant) to have supper.  Dinner was filled with laughter, good conversation, and friendly faces.  Before we knew it, the day was over and we were back at the hotel saying our good nights and getting ready for the next day.  Hmmmmmm  will I go to the beach or to Solvang and the wineries???  

07/04 (Sun) - This month's events kick off with a 4th of July Dive In and Potluck.  Bring your swimsuit and favorite dish to go with the burgers provided by Bob and Gail.  The festivities start at 5:00 PM and end after the fireworks.  Their address is 1077 E. Carob Drive Chandler, AZ 85286.

07/11 (Sun) - East Enders "It's just coffee" is at the ever popular P.Croissant on the NW corner of Elliott and Rural in Tempe.  Arrive by 9:00 AM so we can stand around and admire our cars before it gets too hot. Details for the CA Coastal Run will be handed out. 

07/13 (Tues) Kappa Koffee will also provide CA Coastal Run details...you need to attend one coffee or the other. KK is at Lola's at 4700 N. Central and begins at 6:30 PM.  

07/15-07/19 (Thurs-Sun) California Coastal Run starts off from Phoenix on Thursday at 7:00 AM but to get final details, come to either East Enders or Kappa Koffee. 

07/31 (Sat)  Sea You There: Visit the newest Arizona attraction - SEA LIFE Arizona at the Arizona Mills Mall - and enjoy this undersea world phenomenon, the company of fellow club members and a good meal all at the same time.  We will meet for lunch (at a place yet to be decided) at 12:00 noon to finish in plenty of time to make our SEA LIFE tour at 2:00 p.m.  Normal admission to the attraction is $17.50 for adults but our very special cost is only $9.00 per person if 20 of us attend!  Be sure to sign up fast as we are limited to those 20 tickets. 

Advanced Notice for August and September

08/14 (Sat) - Canyon Lake Boating and Lunch:  Calling all boat owners in the Club. The heat of the summer calls for water sports and activities so we are heading out to Canyon Lake.  The goal is to recruit several boat owners to bring their craft to the lake and for other, underpriviledged club members to enjoy their largesse.  Meet at 10:00 AM at the Cracker Barrel 202 and Dobson.

08/17 (Tues) - August Dinner: Come prepared to be amazed at the White Chocolate Grill.  Located in Scottsdale about a mile north of Kierland Commons, the restaurant offers a wide range of foods - from salads, sandwiches, full dinners and, of course, amazing desserts. The ambience is plush, the bar is well stocked, and the prices are pretty good (for Scottsdale).  Join the group by 6:30 for a Monday evening infusion of "Let's drive somewhere and eat something" philosophy.

09/17-19 (Fri-Sun) - Navajo Weekend Drive:  Plan for an afternoon departure for a quick weekend packed with unique experiences.  Visit the historic Hubbell Trading Post for their semi-annual art auction, dine on Navajo tacos in Chinle, and experience the amazing Canyon de Chelly on a truck tour with a Navajo guide. 

The weekend was about as good as it gets for top down cruising.  We had a nice leisurely drive from the valley through Wickenburg, where we stopped for some Mexican food, and then on to Kingman.  We arrived early so we decided to drive part of Sunday's route to see what it was like.  Near the beginning of some nice twisties, we stopped at a restored '20's filling station in Cool Springs.  The manager was very nice and like to talk.  From there we continued on to the summit, enjoyed the view, and then returned to Kingman.

Many of you have seen and tried them, they are now bottled and ready for you! We only did a small first run so they will be sold first come first serve...

This very easy drinking white wine was crafted by the Phoenix Chapter Events Committee. The Gewürztraminer is an aromatic wine grape variety that performs best in cooler climates. It is sometimes referred to colloquially as Gewürz, and in French it is written Gewurztraminer. 

$20per bottle

 Click the lable to purchase yours today!