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View Full Version : Cruise to the Woods (Iowa) - always first weekend in October



TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:14 AM
Thought I'd give a quick shout out to those in the midwest that may want to hit next year's "Cruise to the Woods" event here in Iowa... I went this past weekend and had a good time. It's not strictly a pro-touring event, it's also not a strict "old timey" event, it's also not a strict anything event ... I pulled in a modified '69 camaro and I was behind a stock appearing Gen3 corvette, in front of a beautiful '65 Sport Fury and next to a air bagged chopped "rat rod" sleeper pushing 600hp

They setup the "cruise" by having suggested routes from 10 different edges of the state lines to converge in the center of the state in a "spoke/hub" type configuration... everyone piles into the downtown of small town Iowa that literally triples the town's population. The town is estimated to have about 700 residents, and the last 5 years they averaged at least 1200 cars participating in the cruise. The volunteer fire department and others in town volunteer to route traffic and pack everyone 5 wide on the main north/south road through town, with spill over into adjacent side roads. Local businesses and volunteers bring out the folding tables and sell coffee, cookies, water, etc. and everyone just enjoys the fall morning weather walking around checking out each others cars. At 10:30AM the field siren (aka severe weather siren, noon whistle) goes off to advise everyone to return to their car and make the "cruise" together to a larger town north of Stratford up in Fort Dodge. Fort Dodge hosts the traditional "car show" venue that is the destination for the cruise with everyone parking in green space (grass area with trees) and can enter the car show if they like (hang tag with your number for voting, etc.)

The route from Stratford to Fort Dodge is 2 lane highway with slow rolls through small towns where locals sit in lawn chairs, wave, give you thumbs up and frequent kids (some times adults) yell out the "rev it up" or "light 'em up" requests.

I didn't take a ton of pics, as only had my smart phone with me, but I'll post a few... I just enjoy seeing new hell cats next to '69 camaro, blown chargers behind Z06 corvette, a GT-R behind a '70 Chevelle, etc.

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Website for more information
http://www.wccruisers.com/index.html

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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:21 AM
I enjoyed an early morning 2.5hr drive over to the meeting point in Stratford ... yeah I logged a little over 300miles for the day with the "to/from" legs ... but isn't that part of the point of our builds? ... how do you know you have a "pro-touring" ride if you don't at least "tour" for 300miles in the same day.

I was also personally motivated to get a feel for what that kind of same day mileage in the '69 would feel like with my aspiration to hit at least part (if not all) of the 2017 Hot Rod Power Tour.

I was apparently one of the later arrivals at 9:30AM as I was in the spill over side roads (my ride in the front left foreground)

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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:25 AM
Some pics of the wide array of cars packed into small town Iowa ... blown chargers and hellcats and GT-R's ... oh my!

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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:27 AM
A nice '65 sport Fury that was a couple cars behind me on the side road... they just don't make cars with these lines any more. Why the unfolded envelope shape gas filler panel... I dunno, b/c it looks cool with the rest of the lines of the car, nuff said.

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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:34 AM
Rolling out of town... this was one of my favorite pics of the day

Someone out here will correct me and/or add proper years... but roughly in order behind my '69 (yes, with the Gen2 style side mirrors for those with discerning eye) a late model silver colored GTO was tucked up behind me, followed by a purple AMC, 70's vette, 60's mustang, and a Plymouth

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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:37 AM
Unfortunately the leaves aren't quite changing yet, so "fall colors" not yet in effect... but the field corn is dry and ready for harvest

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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:43 AM
I didn't stay very long at the show, snapped a few pics, collected my event poster but didn't bother with hanging my "voting tag" ... had another 3hrs to get back home and 70 degree cruising weather with windows down and radio up was my final leg for the day.

67 Cougar pic for my dad (or as he calls it "that maintenance queen I owned for awhile")

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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:44 AM
An aero mopar... just b/c you don't see too many of these in Iowa

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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:46 AM
Well it is Iowa, second only to Texas I think in our love of trucks...
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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:47 AM
Because I knew my daughter would get a chuckle ... teensy indeed

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TomsResto
10-05-2016, 05:55 AM
Finding my '69 in sea of mixed "whatever you find cool" to head back home ... dark green Hudson, body dress kit mustang, Buicks, an Elco, yeah a late 70's half ton Silverado, whatever trips your trigger
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