From the top/left to right: Bob and Donna Kroener, Dave and Sheila Richter, Don and Jan McKinney, Vicki and Daryl McClellan, Rob and Pam Mattson, Barry and Lois Ruggles, Sharon and Dick Botkin, Joe Bernolfo, Marjorie Shannon.

Friday morning, 7:00 a.m., 8 cars and 16 Corvette enthusiasts gathered at Denny's Restaurant on Shea Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ. After breakfast we saddled up and started our caravan on it's way to Albuquerque, NM.

Starting out on AZ/87 Beeline Highway to Payson, AZ. (61.8 miles)

From Payson we picked up AZ-260 which takes you to Heber/Overgaard area on the Mogollon Rim.

(53.8 miles)

We next took a left onto AZ-277, 6.8 miles to AZ-377/Dry Lake Road.

Left on AZ-377 for 33.9 miles to AZ-77 where we again turned left and continued on 2.3 miles into Holbrook, AZ where we made our first gas stop.

From Holbrook we got on I-40 and headed East 218 miles to Albuquerque, NM.

We stopped for lunch at Crackerbarrel Restaurant in Gallup, NM. Those that had not needed gas in Holbrook filled up in Gallup. We arrived at the Comfort Inn in Albuquerque at approx. 4:30. A quick check-in, unpack, freshen-up and we were off to have dinner at the home of Lori and Larry Jordan.

It's Party Time!!!!

We took over both sides of the street and quickly turned their neighborhood into a Corvette parking lot!

Every garage should have two Corvette's, especially if you can have two as nice as the two parked in Larry and Lori's garage. This is Lori's 2001 mag red Vert totally decked out with an air brushed eagle on the hood.

I know, I said two Vettes in the garage but unfortunately I got so carried away taking pictures of Lori's car that I forgot to get pictures of Larry's 2003 50th Anniversary Edition vert. Sorry Larry!!! Especially since I drive a 50th Anniversary myself.

We had a great meal (Thanks Lori and Larry) and had time to chat with a lot of people with a common interest! Then it was time to get some rest for the day that was to follow.

Save the wave!

From the top/left to right:

Phil & Janet Ellison, Marty Zimberoff, Jon & Marsha Schuetz, Tom & Honey Sailley, Larry & Lori Jordan, Ken & Justina Anderson, Mike & Kathy Mansur, Dave Seely, John & Millie Cox, Dezz DesJardins & Rose Duffman, David & Helga Judd, Marty Zimberoff & Friend, Ed & Kathy Choate, Rick Voccio, Dick Youngdale & (AZ Group) Majorie Shannon.

 

Day two began with a short trip to meet up with the rest of the New Mexico group that would be taking the trip to Madrid and Santa Fe. There would be twentyfour Corvettes in all.

After some socializing and a few photos we were on our way to Santa Fe via backroads that would take us through the artist community of Madrid.

On to Santa Fe!

 

In Santa Fe we stop for lunch at the well known Tomasito's Restaurant. The restaurant provided us with our own parking area where we left our babies to rest while we had lunch and then spent the next 5 hours taking in the sights and shops of Santa Fe.

It's Party Time Again!!!!

At around 5 pm we once again lined up to head out to the Luis and Lisa DeBonoPaula home in Albuquerque for another fabulous meal and conversation that would certainly stimulate world peace! Many thanks Luis and Lisa!

 

Sunday morning and time to prepare for the trip home. When I went out to start loading up the Vette I looked across the parking lot to see a really beautiful 63 split window (my dream car) sitting on a trailer. Had to check this out! The proud owner, Fred Martinez, was gracious enough to share the whole story of how he had come to acquire this beauty just a few weeks ago. Fred was not able to join us but he brought it down for us to see. What a find! Thanks and congratulations, Fred!

Group breakfast at The Village Inn Restaurant and then it is time to start the journey back to AZ.

The trip home would start of on I-40 heading west. We would exit I-40 at Grants, NM picking up 53/61 which would take us through Zuni Pueblo. Next picking up 191 south to St. Johns and our last fill-up before going on to Snowflake, getting on 277 down to 260 in Heber/Overgaard.

Twenty miles south of Heber the AZ Group stopped at Christopher Creek for lunch and a rest. Sat under the tall trees in the cool afternoon air on the back patio of the restaurant. It was hard to get going again knowing what temperatures would be awaiting us in Phoenix but, it was time to go.

Last Pit Stop! What is that we smell? Smells like smoke!

Indeed it was smoke coming from a controlled burn that did not appear to be very well controlled. We would have to stop on the Beeline Highway for a short time as the flames were burning right up to the road. The flames were tearing up the hillsides being driven by the wind. I still have the smell of smoke in my car.

One by one cars dropped off of the caravan as we got back into the area. As we neared home it was down to two and then it was down to one!

We had a great time, got to put 1066 new miles on the Vette @ an average of 28.4 miles to the gallon. Great people, great car! I'm ready to do it again!!!

Thanks to Bob for putting this together and to his wife Donna for her support in the effort. Thanks again to Lori, Larry, Lisa and Luis for inviting us into your homes and the fabulous meals they provided.

Graphic by Barry Ruggles

Photos by Bob Kroener and Don McKinney

I have not intentionally left anyone out. If you see any errors or would like to provide a photo please contact:

Don McKinney - drmckinney@cox.net

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