Sunday Trip: Golf n’ Stuff and Dinner at Chapala
2019.09.08 – Ventura, CA
Late on a warm Sunday morning, we gathered in the shade of the Walmart parking lot trees, where we met for a little social time before heading off to Ventura for our miniature golf adventure.
We cruised down Highway 126, into the only slightly cooler weather along the coast, where we were welcomed with plenty of easily accessible parking at the Ventura Golf n’ Stuff amusement park.
After checking-in with the staff, we met our golf pro, and were promptly fitted with our club and individually colored golf balls that would be ours for the rest of the day – providing we could find them. Then, dividing into teams of mixed doubles, we headed off to the first carpet covered tee box.
Because the groups quickly stretched out along the links, it was difficult to keep track of how everyone was doing. But hearing the crowd murmurs ahead of us, followed by the energetic, but restrained applause of the spectators, it was evident that some of the teams were doing quite well.
Although, I can attest to the fact that the afternoon was certainly a lot of fun, it was clear early-on that our approach to the holes was proving somewhat troublesome. Even after a bomber off the first tee where we all seemed destined for Augusta, the windmill obstacle swept away any hopes for a career in the pint-sized PGA.
Undaunted, we followed the teams of T-Mac and Woodings through the course where our team experienced a couple of back-to-back super-bogeys on the second six that put us way behind, adding more time to the ever-increasing obstacles. On the bright side, we only encountered one water trap, and that turned out to be at the snack bar where they charged $5 a bottle!
Anyway, with a few birdies being left by the gulls along the handrails, and a few wayward drives on the mineshaft-dog-leg, our eight-teen over final round sealed our fate from ever receiving a coveted green jacket.
However, the talk around the clubhouse was that Tom Tomlinson had topped the leaderboard, and was last seen running around waving his golf towel in the air, and high-fiving with the spectators, although this could not be confirmed.
Regrouping back at the cars, we headed down the 126 again to meet in Santa Paula, this time at the Chapala Mexican Restaurant for a well-deserved dinner. Here, the private backroom provided a warm, but private sanctuary to enjoy cold drinks and cocktails while we had plenty of time to share extraordinary tales of fairway fables.
But the chatter soon subsided as everyone turned their attention to the appetizingly colorful dishes of tortillas, tamales, and tapas that proved to be a great ending to another terrific SCVCC event!
The trip up was great, and as usual it required some experienced coordination between Mark Ware in the lead car and the tail gunners, Tom and Elke Couples, to keep everyone in formation as we made our way through some coastal traffic along the Ventura and Santa Barbara stretch of the 101. But once we cleared the traffic it was time to set the cruise control and enjoy the ride.
The museum, for those that have never there, is an amazing private petroliana collection of gas pumps, signs, and racing related memorabilia, much of it from the central California region. It is also home the Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame.
The museum was gracious enough to let us park inside, where we spent the next couple of hours getting a private tour by our hostess, Misty, the daughter of the owners, Mark and Vicki Mendenhall. She was not only very knowledgeable about the collections on display, but she shared many family memories related to growing up around the museum that was originally started by her grandfather, a Buellton gas station owner, and himself a land speed record holder.
After our visit to the museum, we took the short drive to Morrell’s Farm Fresh Dining where twenty-seven of us descended on the restaurant for brunch. Parking had been pre-arranged in front of the restaurant, and our tables were ready and waiting.
The relaxed brunch was excellent and offered a wide range of menu choices from traditional breakfast items to locally selected specialties – either way, we could not go wrong.
After brunch some of the group headed off to the casino to try their luck, which I understand went well, while others went shopping in Solvang, and a few of us caravanned home along the Chumash route through Ojai, bringing a close to another great run.
The caravan extended far behind in my rearview mirror as we headed west toward our destination in Ojai and really looked great. The only downside was the driver of a dirty black pickup yelling undiscernible complaints at me at the light in Piru. You can’t please everyone I suppose, and experienced road captains can handle it.
All of those unending February rain events paid many dividends with the fresh green that was evident along the entire route. Even with the several storms, the roadway was clear of debris and the curves on CA 150 were delightful in our worthy Corvettes.
Once in Ojai, we took over the city lot on the east side of “downtown” and took a 3-block hike to Farmers Market for a look-see for items of interest. Being a little early in the season, the strawberries were bright red, but tasteless. I passed on them and opted for the terrific blackberry pie which is my usual purchase and “Boss Lady” found some great olive oil to use in her home cooking. You will have to ask the rest of the 44 attendees what they bought.
Then, it was off to lunch at the nearby Sea-Fresh restaurant. The name might suggest it would be at the Ventura Pier, but there were plenty of other choices on their extensive menu. The spot was new to most of us, but it is now another place I may visit again on another trip to Ojai. Overall, the staff did a good job taking care of a party of 44 in my opinion.
Following lunch, your board members took the opportunity of all being together to discuss an urgent matter of interest concerning our monthly meeting location. The discussion will continue at our next general meeting and I encourage all to attend with your input.
Some say we are a drive and eat club, but I say no. It’s about the driving, the caravan, the beauty of our surroundings, the camaraderie, and maybe some food too! My vote is “yes”, we had a great day. Thanks to our Activities Committee and especially Karen Jewett for the planning and a final thanks to Al Aird for performing tail gunner duties.
January 27th gave us a gloriously beautiful morning with jackets only optional wear. As I pulled into the Chuy’s lot, well early of the start time, I found over a dozen Corvettes already assembled with nearly that many arriving soon thereafter. The SCVCC was eager to hit the road for parts unknown. Was it “drive to eat” or “eat after the drive”? I say the latter, with everyone ready to roll.
The headcount totaled 42, with 22 Corvettes, as Donna Webster briefed us on our route, but not giving a clue about our destination. We followed our instructions and the four taillights in front and drove south on I-5 and then transitioned to I-210 into Pasadena, then east on the 210 until we exited at Myrtle to turn north. The route was familiar and many of us figured Jake’s Roadhouse in Monrovia was where we were going.
Jake’s is a great destination, famous for their lemon raspberry pancakes, but also specializing in barbecue foods and sandwiches along with a friendly staff and never-ending buckets of peanuts.
Jake’s was new to many of our group , but for those of us who have eaten there before it was a treat. Living in Awesometown, Monrovia has an old-town flavor we don’t often experience. Our early arrival afforded us plenty of seating for a leisurely time together and as we completed our breakfast time, the confirmation about Jake’s being a great choice was seen in the waiting room and outside with scores of people waiting to be seated.
We have lots to do right here in the area without having to pay Sacramento those crazy taxes any more than we have to. After all, we live in Los Angeles County’s third largest community and have plenty of roads to travel and along the way, plenty of places to EAT. 
So, I and 40 others were all in agreement on August 26th. Our Activities had a local caravan and destination planned. 
None of us knew the details but were all willing to forego an evening of summer re-runs to put the tops down on our Corvettes for a Cruise Night through our own backyard.
We still had Walmart as our gathering place, and gather we did. Corvette after Corvette rolled in at the appointed time.
Then, onward we all rolled, taking over Newhall Ranch Parkway and then an unbroken file outbound on Bouquet Canyon Road.
Something definitely was up, as we were told to turn LEFT on Newhall Ranch Road as we exited instead of the usual outbound right. Being good caravanners, we followed instructions and the Corvette ahead, eastbound, giving our community a great parade of Corvettes to enjoy early on Sunday morning.
We reached Bouquet Canyon and proceeded right to Cinema Drive for another right and then into the lot of Mama’s Table at 23340 Cinema Drive. Our hosts at Mama’s were waiting as we descended on the location and filled the place, with big appetites from our 3.6-mile drive.
Some of us waited a while to be served, but some were generally pleased at how quickly their orders came. Ask the Websters, they will tell you why they choose Mama’s Table over a particular restaurant in Weatherford, Oklahoma.
There was an added bonus as we waited and visited and ate. The Indianapolis 500 was televised on the nearby widescreen! We witnessed Chevrolet’s latest Corvette set the pace for this year’s race. The new 2019 Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful Corvette to ever set the race’s pace, and it’s the most powerful pace car to ever run at Indy with its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 sending 755 hp to the rear wheels.