PCA Southeast Michigan Region

From the Blog

P4-2017-11/12: RECAP: FALL COLOR TOUR – Story by Alain Baur. Photos by Alain Baur, Ulrich Gollwitzer, Gretus Hoogestraat

What a fantastic day for this year’s fall color tour. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, no doubt about it. All week long I was watching the weather forecast and it looked like rain for the entire weekend, but Sunday turned out to be the most agreeable day of October. We had plenty of sunshine and 75 degrees.

I was very happy to be able to drive my Boxster S with the top down to our meeting point in Auburn Hills around 12:30. There were already a couple of cars at ThyssenKrupp’s parking lot, but an hour later it was flooded with Porsches. I think there were a lot more cars and people than expected. I heard there were more than 75 cars. All of them were clean and ready to go for the last driving event of the year. Walking around and contemplating all those Porsches, I discovered that there were many new members that came for the first time. A couple of cars came from Ontario too. Quickly, there was a line at the registration where Walter and Sabrina Crump did an excellent job for the organization.

After mingling and checking out all those marvelous Porsches, it was finally driving time. We needed to see those beautiful tree colors.

At 2:30 p.m. our president Marc Molzon took the lead in the direction of Mueller’s Orchard, our stop for donuts and cider. Getting out of Auburn Hills was a little confusing. Some took the written directions and some got the google maps directions. Once we turned on to Clintonville Road, all went pretty smooth. We passed the beautiful village of Clarkston and soon were driving through foliage that was lit up with autumn color.

I love the road from Clarkston to Fenton. There are nice curves around, up, and down. Driving a Porsche on this road is so exciting, especially through this beautiful nature. Everyone started to show their driving skill and pushed a lot more on the right pedal. It is so tempting.

At Mueller’s Orchard, we had plenty of space reserved for our cars. We got to taste the apple cider and fresh, hot donuts. We took the time to take pictures and enjoy the company of great people. Again, the weather was exceptional.

Finally it was time to go to our last part of the ride down to Big Tommy’s Parthenon for dinner. Again, there was more beautiful scenery crossing Kensington, Milford, and finally Novi.

At Big Tommy’s, we were greeted and guided to the parking lot reserved for the club. There were fewer cars and people than when we departed, but we still managed to fill up half of the restaurant. I think the count was again around 75 people. We began with some refreshments and exchanging stories of the day. It is nice to see all of the members again, as we mostly see each other only at events like these. There was plenty of food. We began with a nice salad and then were served lamb, chicken, and beef with Greek specialties family style. They continued bringing food even after we asked them to stop. We ended dinner with coffee and a delicious rice pudding.

We left around the restaurant around 8:20 and enjoyed the drive back home, top down contemplating the stars.

Thanks to Walt and Sabrina and everyone involved in planning such a successful event!