Downtown North Wilkesboro, North Carolina hosted the Wilkes Cruisers and their immaculately restored cars on the most beautiful day of the season. Sunny, warm, Carolina blue skies…a slice of heaven. So I took Gretel for her first car show!
For the record, I have been around people with a love of antique cars and their restoration–my nephew Johnathan Call for one–my entire life.
But make no mistake. I didn’t inherit the gene for identifying a Dodge from a Ford. My apologies right off the bat.
So if I mention a make or model, it is precisely because the owner told me what it was and I wrote it down. Such as this 1955 Ford Roadster. The owner said only 3 were made, so I guess this one is truly special. 
What is terrific about a car show though, is the lack of necessity for knowing this information. 
Their owners are happy to talk about them. They have been a labor of love, a source of enjoyment.
And while Gretel and I were out and about, I took the opportunity to really look at my town and its gorgeous mountainous surroundings.
The Art Gallery, 
the Public Library 
where I had my reading for Acquisition, 
the Post Office 
where I work–up on the hill with the flag waving proudly, my favorite
coffee shop–Talia–the 
Liberty Theater still operating as it did when I was a child, Branciforte’s Italian Restaurant, 
Town Hall,
Brame Drugs–proudly announcing that it is a Dispensary, Restaurant & Pub, (I can’t begin to count the number of meals I’ve eaten there in my lifetime.) 
The sudden spark of heat is starting to wilt early spring flowers, but the flowering trees and shrubs are just getting started.
And Gretel is getting all of the attention. Such a beauty, this one. And letting everyone pet her from the youngest attendee, to the lovely skater girl.
I even ran into an old school friend, Mark Wood. He probably single-handedly saved my entire last gathering of a reunion from a flaming death as he put out the fire I accidentally started from dipping streamers into a candle flame. Oops. Officially his title is Reverend Mark Wood/Fireman Wood. Apparently I am going to end up needing his services one way or the other. *laughing*
Perhaps that close call helped him decide to purchase this gem–a 1968 Camaro. (He told me what it was!) Looking good!
While we milled about, music cranked up. The streets, barricaded from traffic, filled with people out and about enjoying the day. Tents were set up for food sellers.
I actually was treated to my favorite local specialty–barbecued chicken! Oh yes, thank you Broadway Fire Department. 
It was their first of the season and boy was it good. And special thanks to Jason Hart for making sure we got ours. Yay!
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What a day you had! I love vintage cars but I’m with you. I can’t recognize one from the other. But they look so cool. Nice!
And their owners really love the attention and the opportunity to share them with onlookers. It was the perfect day too, Monica. Thanks.
Looks like a great way to spend a lovely day. There used to be a little restaurant at the corner shopping center, and every Saturday night, “the” cars showed up. The restaurant closed and now the cars must meet somewhere else. Now it’s more likely to be the little modern-era cars with all the funny sounding exhausts and colorful accessory lights underneath, etc. that show up there.
It’s a bit like stepping back in time, isn’t it? Too bad about that restaurant. Just walking along the street I was reminded of how special it had been to go to ‘town’ and spend the day shopping and eating. Nice memories.
Love all the cars but my favorite was the photo of Gretel with her tongue hanging out 🙂 What a fun day!! MJ
We think alike, MJ. It’s my favorite too. And she was so good! I think she thought the party was for her!
What a gorgeous day to enjoy the car show…love that Carolina blue sky, Renee. Your town is lovely. I may need to take a road trip one of these days…I love the small town feel. Gretel is beautiful. 🙂
Yes, Jill, we should get together sometime because we don’t live that far apart. And the day was perfect for the event–just beautiful. Gretel behaved like a champ and thanks you for the compliment. She’s spoiled rotten!
What a pretty town! Those ’67, ’68 and ’69 Camaro’s are my all time favorites! Looked like fun
Great to see you back, Dianna. Yes, the Camaros are fab, but I’m digging that Roadster!
Damn those are some classic cars!
And they were spotless and shiny! Fun day!
What a beautiful day for a car show ….. and a wonderful collection of classic cars! … Thanks for the tour of your town, the now I’m craving barbecued chicken! … Is this town where you grew up or where you live now?
This is my forever town. Except for some time spent on campus, I’ve lived here since birth. The south just settles in your bones, I think. And you just can’t beat our barbecue!
I love that you brought your dog along. 🙂 Beautiful cars too though!
Thank you. Having g Gretel along was an added benefit, for sure!
Fun!
Yes, thanks Jay!