Today’s post is 1200 words, 25 photos, 1 videos and a 6-minute read. Enjoy!
Hi everyone,
Welcome to the fourth post in a series from my recent journey to Sacramento. This week I’ll take you to the Asian Pacific CultureFest and a fun afternoon at the California Automobile Museum, where Todd and I take rides in some old cars.
If you missed the first three articles, click on the following links: Sacramento Surprised Me, Sacramento-From Litter Patrol to Highway Patrol, and Sacramento-Where Gold Changed History.
Today was a free day. In other words, there were no planned Friendship Force activities, so the hosts and their guests were to make their own fun. My hosts, Todd and Leslie, tag-teamed during the day, Leslie in the morning, Todd in the afternoon. Here’s how the day went.
Asian Pacific CultureFest
After breakfast, Leslie and I stopped for coffee at Peet’s. Leslie is a regular customer; everyone knows her name, just like the TV show Cheers. The barista was making Leslie’s drink before we reached the counter. After our drinks were ready, we chatted with some of the regulars she knew, a nice, friendly start to the morning.
Our destination was District 56, a 56-acre community gathering place in the heart of Elk Grove. There’s a senior center, veterans hall, aquatic center, and nature preserve, making it a hub for events and activities for residents and visitors.
When we arrived, the parking lot was nearly filled with cars. Something was going on. We did find a spot and walked toward the event. It was the Asian Pacific CultureFest, celebrating, honoring, and raising awareness of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage and culture. There were many booths with various foods, arts, and crafts. On the performance stage was a youth drum corps entertaining the crowd.
After enjoying the festival, Leslie and I walked along one of the preserve paths before returning to their house. It was a very windy day. We arrived back home; I helped one of their neighbors move a large tree branch out of the road. Later that day, Todd and Leslie had a part of a tree fall into the street. Luckily, no one was parked there.
Todd was back from volunteering at a 5K/10K run in Davis. After lunch, Leslie was off to teach her class. Todd and I were on our own for the afternoon. Our destination was………
California Automobile Museum
Located along the Sacramento River, the California Automobile Museum features a collection of over 150 historic vehicles, ranging from classic cars and hot rods to motorcycles and early autos. History buffs and car enthusiasts alike will find this museum a fun and entertaining stop.
One of this museum’s features is that once a month on a Sunday afternoon, museumgoers can ride in one or more of six classic autos. It so happened this was the day. It’s a fun way to connect with automotive history.
After paying the museum entry fee, $12 for 2 (we had a discount coupon), Todd and I signed up to ride in one of the vehicles. My first choice was the 1943 Ford Military Jeep. This was a throwback to my time in the Army. While I never drove a Jeep, I did drive an Army ambulance filled with equipment for blood drives at military bases on Oahu, Hawaii.
The Jeep was built during World War II for mobility, reliability, and versatility on rough terrain. They were one of the many tools used to win the war. The open-air ride on a nice warm day was a fun experience. Ralph was our driver, and as we drove the route, he told us about this vehicle. Afterward, Todd and I took photos of each other behind the wheel. I’m embarrassed to admit that I found it difficult to get in and out of this vehicle.
There weren’t many people waiting, so Todd rode in the 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. I declined because there isn’t much of a back seat in this car! The Trans Am was a standout muscle car and icon of the late 1970s. It was featured in the Smokey and Bandit films, which made it even more popular for its speed, its status as a symbol of freedom, and its rebellious style. 
While I was waiting for Todd to come back from his ride, I checked out some of the other vehicles being offered for rides. The “Barbie Jeep,” a 1961 Willys Jeep Surry/Gala, was a popular ride, especially with the kids. I had a nice chat with the guy with a great beard about the 1938 Chevrolet Master Town Sedan. This is a 4-door twin to the coupe we would ride in later. Last is a MG roadster. Bruce Cook, one of my Army buddies, had an MG convertible. It was memorable for having a lousy carburetor that needed repair along the roadside. Fortunately, it was Hawaii; the weather was nice most days. All these cars took me down memory lane.
Next we rode in the 1938 Chevrolet Coupe. This car reminded me of my late father-in-law’s 1938 Oldsmobile Business Coupe that he restored and exhibited at car shows. Only this car had a roomy, comfortable back seat. Another pleasant ride with a knowledgeable driver.
I should mention that the volunteer drivers must complete training before being eligible to drive the cars. Drivers must learn about each car’s unique features, operating characteristics such as starting, handling, and driving these older autos, as well as a little of the history. The hands-on training takes months. To me, this sounds like a lot of fun. It is something I would do if I lived near Sacramento.
After all that fun, we entered the museum to look at the many exhibits and cars. 
I like these 1930s-era cars with their sleek looks and chrome and decorations. They are like works of art.
Todd and I had another photo taken in this 1910s-era Model T Touring car. This was a time when cars became affordable to most Americans. 
There was an exhibit on the famous Route 66, which began in Chicago and ended in Santa Monica, California, a distance of 2,448 miles. 
Route 66 was a vital pathway for families fleeing drought and economic hardship. Thousands made their way to California on this highway in search of jobs and a better life. It was a symbol of hope for many. If you’ve read John Steinbeck’s classic book The Grapes of Wrath or, more recently, Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds, both excellent historical novels of the struggles, tragedy, and striving for a better life during this difficult period in American history. 
It was another fun day that ended with dinner out with new friends at a nice pizza restaurant.
That’s it for this week. Join me next week for the last story in this series.
But before I go……
THE FIVE SENSES PLUS ONE
Saw – drummers at the cultural festival, geese, fallen branches, lots of old cars
Heard – geese honking at District 56, drums pounding, people talking, rattle from the Jeep, wind blowing, engines running
Touch – cars, doors, railings, door handles
Smell – musty cars, oil and grease, food cooking
Taste – nuts, crackers, cheese, blueberries, pizza
Learned – a lot about cars, history of some of the cars
Until next week, happy travels!
Tom
PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all who have plunked down your hard-earned dollars and read the book. TM