By Phil Bostwick
Photos by Peter Walker, Meg Anderson, and Phil

Twenty-four Crusaders driving and riding in twelve cars participated in this year's Cape Crusade III. They were joined at lunch by AONE members Michael and Debra Leccese and their granddaughter, making a total of 27 SOBs (Souls On Board) who enjoyed a perfect fall weather weekend driving the back roads of old Cape Cod on Saturday, October 19, 2013. The participants and their cars were:

Peter Walker and Meg Anderson - 1977 Spider
Dave and Vivian Pratt - 1974 Spider
Dan and Debbie Donovan - 1988 Spider Veloce
Roger and Karen Carlson - 1959 Touring Spider 2000
Robert Rupp and Barbara Smith - 1984 Spider
Ted Keon and Paul Nosenberg - 1974 GTV 2000
Greg Stidsen - 1974 GTV 2000
Phil and Jean Ann Bostwick - 1972 GTV 2000
Frank, Karen and Axel Anigbo - 1969 GTV 1750
Doug and Jan Fields - 1971 Spider
Rick and Linda Lesniewicz - 1972 Guilia Super
Kevin and Diane Murphy - Lesser Car

Axel Anigbo, age circa 4 months, set a new club record by being the youngest AONE (future) member to participate in an AONE drive. He bravely clung to his car seat as proud new parents Frank and Karen drove in their GTV 1750 while handling milk bottles, diapers and pacifiers as well as road maps.

All hands met at the Dunkin' Donuts at Patriot Square in Dennis around 10 a.m. under sunny skies streaked with some white clouds and temperatures in the low 60s. After coffee, donuts and Car Talk, a drivers' meeting was held and Crusaders received their high-tech maps, purchased quarters for the Woods Hole parking meters, and were briefed on the day's mission. The Upper Cape was to be explored using back roads as much as possible. Posted speed limits were to be exceeded only by amounts acceptable to the local carabinieri. Contact with cyclists and pedestrians was to be avoided at all costs.

At 10:30 a.m. the Crusaders departed on the first leg of the drive, going up back roads to historic Route 6A where they turned west and proceeded through Dennis, Yarmouth and Yarmouth Port, viewing the lovely villages, churches, Captain's houses, early Cape homes and farm markets filled with pumpkins, corn stalks and other Halloween decorations. At Yarmouth Port they turned toward Cape Cod Bay to view Barnstable Harbor and the boats in the Millway Marina. The cars were parked for a photo op and comfort stop. The four GTVs were parked side-by-side to be photographed and admired by the otherwise top-down crowd.

Leg two took the Crusaders through Barnstable, then south to West Barnstable and Marstons Mills. A second stop was made at the Cape Cod Airport in Marstons Mills, a grass airfield dating to the early thirties. Local resident and tour guide wannabe, Rick Lesniewicz, informed the group of the origins of the airport, its past ownership and present operation. Unfortunately, the DC-3 that had previously been parked at the airport was not there, so the group photo of the Crusaders had to be taken in front of a Piper Cub. Disappointed.

Leg three saw the Crusaders motoring south toward Nantucket Sound and Osterville. The cars slowed and drove slowly through Cotuit, one of the loveliest villages on the Cape. They proceeded down Ocean View Avenue admiring the beautiful waterfront homes and parked at Loop Beach on Cotuit Bay. Photos and Car Talk were resumed in the fantastic fall weather. After completion of this last stop the Crusaders departed Cotuit for the last leg of the drive, heading west toward Falmouth. Some color change in the maples was noticeable in the back woods along the route to punctuate the green of the local cedars, pines and other indigenous trees.

After a brief run on Route 28 the Crusaders turned south toward Vineyard Sound. As they approached the water they were greeted with beautiful sights of the Sound, the beaches, Falmouth Harbor and the town beyond, all under sunny skies. Entering Falmouth the cars pulled over briefly to rid the Alfa group of trucks and other uninteresting vehicles. They then drove together slowly through historic downtown Falmouth, passing the village green and the local shops. On leaving Falmouth the cavalcade turned west toward Buzzards Bay and headed for Woods Hole.

Upon reaching Woods Hole the group again motored slowly through the town, ending at the parking area where those taking the ferry to the Vineyard park their cars. Everyone's quarters were deposited in the town meters before heading for lunch at the Fish Monger Café at 2:00 p.m. Tables reserved for the club members permitted plenty of discussion as the Crusaders enjoyed chowder, fried clams, lobster rolls and other local offerings.

Following lunch the skies were beginning to show a high overcast, but all involved agreed that the weather gods had smiled kindly upon the Crusaders this year and that the Cape had shown its fall colors, sights, houses, boats and beaches brilliantly for a most enjoyable event. [Thanks for leading such an enormously successful Crusade, Phil! — Ed.]

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