CASCADE COUGAR CLUB
CAR D'ALENE
June 12,13 ,2009
Couer d'Alene, Idaho
Event Report
by Jeff Bingaman
Our road trip began with four CCC families meeting in
Federal Way including Lonnie Sparhawk and his friend Denise in a 1962
Thunderbird; Jeff, Carol & Noel Bingaman in a 1960 Dodge Phoenix; Karl
& LaDonna Gehlhaar in a 1934 Ford Tudor Sedan and Scott Ferguson with
Heather Whitaker who were without a car due to a last minute mechanical
problem. We proceeded to North Bend
where we met up with Jim and Elaine Pinkerton and their 1932 Ford 3 window
Coupe.
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| (Gehlhaar’s 32 Ford and Sparhawk’s 62 Thunderbird on I-90)We made the 325 mile trip to Coeur d’Alene without issue and
in time to relax for a few hours before the Friday night cruise. We were joined by CCC Member Mike Warner who
lives in Spokane. He drove his 1973 Ford
Bronco as his two Cougars are still under Hospice care. |
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| (L-R Heather Whitaker, Scott
Ferguson, Jim Pinkerton, Lonnie Sparhawk, Karl Gehlhaar and Jeff
Bingaman-hiding behind the hood of his Dodge)
The cruise attracted a
reported 1800 cars which is quite a site around the streets of this quaint
resort town. There were cars of all
different types from stock to outrageous including just two Cougars-a 1972
hardtop and a 1968 XR7. It didn’t help
that the seven families attending from the CCC had no Cougars with them. We all were wearing Cougar gear which was
confusing to some folks who didn’t see many Cougars. Next year, we need to get a contingent of
Cougars over there. There were about 20
Corvairs and if a niche car like that can have 20 in attendance, I’m quite sure
we can muster 10. Anyway, the cruise was
a blast and after taking a lap around the 2 mile course, we parked and watched
the rest of the cars go around. There
were thousands of spectators lining the streets which made for a great event. |
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| (Bingaman’s 1960 Dodge behind
a 1969 Mach 1)
Saturday morning we were up
at dawn to get a good spot on Sherman Ave. Our four cars parked side by side and enjoyed lots of questions and
compliments from both spectators and participants alike. We also ran into CCC Members Rick and Karen
Morehouse and their 1968 Chevy Pickup.
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It was a hot and sunny day in
Coeur d’Alene so it was a good thing there was a big mobile shade tree that
show organizers arranged for. Unfortunately, one man got impaled in his quest
for shade.
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| After the show, the 12 of us
went to the Wolf Lodge for a wonderful steak dinner and some rocky mountain
oysters which only a few of those in
attendance were brave enough to eat.
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| ( L-R Karl Gehlhaar, Scott
Ferguson, LaDonna Gehlhaar, Heather Whitaker, Elaine Pinkerton, Lonnie
Sparhawk)
The ride home was also
uneventful which is good condsidering that none of the three classics that were
driven over had ever been on a 650 mile road trip before. It rained as we were leaving the hotel but
stopped about 20 miles down the road in Spokane. We had a great time and hope more of you will
join us next year.
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