Contrasting weather marked PCA Chesapeake's two fall colors tours in 2019. A severe rainstorm decimated the turnout for the Oct. 27th “One-Lane-Bridge Tour,” while favorable conditions led to a well-attended Nov. 2nd “Horse & Wine Country Tour.”

The Oct. 27th event had been on its way to becoming our biggest 2019 tour, having attracted 74 registrants in 41 cars. But on the day of the tour, bad weather brought attendance way down to 10 participants in 6 cars. Of the 70 attendees expected to have lunch at Carrabba’s in Hunt Valley, only 5 made it. Fortunately, to its credit, the restaurant gamely took the disappointing turnout in stride.

The 9 PCA members who joined me in that ill-fated tour should be given the “Come Hell or High Water Award.” We drove not only in the rain, but through about 8 minutes of one of the most severe and blinding downpours most of us had ever experienced. However, by the time we reached Carrabba’s, the rain had stopped. And the sun came out as we were having lunch.

About two-thirds of the 58-mile drive we did that morning was identical to the delightful route designed by Bob R. for his May 18th “One-Lane-Bridge TSD Rally.” The rally passed through 6 one-lane bridges, while the tour went through 8. Despite the rain, the vivid fall colors did not disappoint and made the soggy drive worthwhile.

The following Saturday, we were luckier with the weather. It was partly sunny and dry. Of the 43 people in 23 cars who had signed up for our Nov. 2nd “Horse & Wine Country Fall Colors Tour,” 37 participants in 20 cars showed up. Two attendees came all the way from Pennsylvania to join the fun. I divided the cars into two groups of 10 each. Myrna and I led the first group, while James and Anna B. kindly agreed to lead the second group.

The route we followed that day was the same one we used for the Aug. 17th “Virginia Horse & Wine Country Tour.” The big difference was that we had fall colors to enjoy this time. What I had said in my Patter article about that August tour also applies to the Nov. 2nd tour. So, I will quote myself.

“The two-state and two-stage drive covered a total distance of 99 miles. The 55-mile Stage 1 started from the parking lot of Kecco’s Neapolitan Woodfire Kitchen in Reisterstown. It twisted, turned and sprinted through some of the loveliest parts of Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties, ending up at the parking lot of Safeway in Middletown. Each group had a 15-minute pit stop there.

“The 44-mile Stage 2 followed. It brought us south, through Maryland’s beautiful countryside, across the Potomac River, and into the scenic landscape of Virginia.

“From beginning to end, we passed areas that abounded with wineries and vineyards – at least eight in Maryland and four in Virginia. Three of the 12 were along our route, which also traversed a region that boasts many horse farms. Horse & Wine Country, indeed. And, thus, gorgeous. …

“Unlike nearly all of our tours, this one did not include a prearranged group lunch in one venue. As an experiment, I decided to let tour participants choose their own restaurants. With more than two dozen eateries, the small and charming town of Middleburg offered a good number and wide variety of choices. Before the tour, I had sent everyone a list of 15 [highly rated] restaurants …”

On Aug. 17th and Nov. 2nd, most tour participants chose to dine at the historic Red Fox Inn & Tavern, established in 1728. All gave the restaurant their thumbs-up.

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