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On June 9, 1909, twenty-two-year-old Alice Ramsey hitched up her skirts and climbed
behind the wheel of a Maxwell touring car. On Saturday, June 26, 2004, the Horseless
Carriage Club Of Southern California gave all the Ladies a chance to duplicate her feat. As
the 9am start approached, fully 50% of our drivers were of female gender! All “drivers”
were stylishly attired with long colorful feather boas to help distinguish them from their riding
“mechanics”. As the 10 cars began their voyage we had Dorothy Bristing, Jean Burns, Lisa
Hughes, Nancy Stewart and Vicki Trepanier all behind the wheel of their Horseless
Carriages and Barbara Hosterman driving her own “one armed man” Dr. Gerry in her Z.
Janis Jones also drove modern with our friend from the Nile, “Skeeter” as navigator.
Unfortunately, our first difficulty occurred just before the start as the Arnolds overestimated
the size of the driveway at our starting point and bent the front spindle on their EMF. We all
left, as Rick said they were not far from home and they would be fine. The tour proceeded
through Arcadia, into Chapman Woods back into Monrovia before arriving at our first coffee
stop. All was well for most of the participants except for Bill and Marilyn Balduff (less guide
dogs) who seem to have missed the first turn off of Huntington Drive and proceeded to tour
on their own throughout Pasadena, more on them later. The remainder of the group had a
leisurely coffee and doughnut stop at the Danish Naver Club. Frank’s father Tom had
arrived early set up the refreshments around the clubhouse for everyone to enjoy and
serious coffee to wake them up. The clubs current President gave us a brief history and
tour. Many of our members who live in the area remarked that they never knew about this
little oasis even though they have walked by it many times. As we departed the Naver Club
we discovered we had an addition to our group, the Bucks and their Tourist They had
been there at the start to see us off and then had rearranged their schedule, rushed home,
cranked up the car and met us at the coffee stop, we were now back to 10 cars!
Now back to Bill and Marilyn’s excellent adventure. After realizing their predicament, they
examined the tour directions and decided to head directly to the lunch stop at the
Arboretum. There they met up with the Arnolds, remember they had a little problem at the
start. After a few cordial greetings the Balduffs offered them their back seat in exchange for
a little San Gabriel Valley navigational help. All worked out very well and by the time the
main group reached our second stop at E. Waldo Wards Jam Factory the Balduff/Arnold
entourage was already there! Jeff Ward who is a Grandson of E. Waldo Ward gave us a
marvelous guided tour of the plant and the grounds. Many of the drivers proceeded to
purchase armfuls of the tasty goodies After everyone wandered around the 2.5 acres and
savored all the wonderful products, time was running short for our lunch reservations. A
quick executive decision was made and just like that we lost 12 miles of touring, just so we
could eat! (Is this a car club or what?)
We all gathered at the private back gate of the L.A. Arboretum, after a few minutes of panic,
Dorothy finally got the secret code right and we were allowed in. This gave us private and
secure parking for our cars while we all could eat and relax. After a short walk, 36 survivors
arrived at the Peacock Café where a generous and tasty spread awaited. The warm sun,
the abundant and noisy peacocks and just wonderful surroundings made the lunch a
superb experience. When we were all about to settle down for a nap, we were herded off
“en mas” to our cars. This was so the locked gate could be opened and then a short jaunt
to Santa Anita Park and our trailers.
Another Ladies Driving Tour is now “in the books” and by and by everything went very well
with only a bent spindle as the lone misfortune! (Not done by a female driver!) So all you
“Women” who missed out on this year’s experience, start practicing, you have 12 months
before our next adventure.
And for those who missed out, tasty bits available at www.WaldoWard.com
2004 LADIES DRIVING TOUR
