"...and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Robert Frost
That famous line, by poet Robert Frost seems so fitting, as I've always found myself intrigued by doing something that others would rather not.

Planning to go to this years 2002 Fest West in San Luis Obispo made me think a bit. A friend of mine from the Midwest was going to be visiting for the event, and it would be his first time in California as well. Plus, I hadn't driven down the great Highway One since I had moved to California over two years ago. On previous trips to and from San Luis Obispo, a quaint city on California's Central Coast that I'd move to in a heartbeat, I had always taken the quick route via the Interstates like most everybody else.

Ben Tongsai and Vince Strazzabosco.

This time, I decided, it would be different, and we'd take the scenic coastal route, relax a little bit and try to see some scenery, sample a bit of the local flavor, and just enjoy the drive.

Mother Nature did her best to spoil our plans. When we left my apartment in Pacifica, just south of San Francisco, it was raining. Yep, raining in California in August. Not only was it raining, but it was chilly and cold, too. Definitely, it made it hard for me to explain just why I moved out here to the left coast. No cold winter has always been my weak answer, though I have to admit, I've often had some serious thoughts about moving back to the Midwest or even Florida.

But we hit the road on time, despite the fog and rain. The scenery, as always, was just too much to ignore, as seen through our midwestern eyes and the coastal fog. We enjoyed our trip down, talking about the various landmarks and local history, and time passed quickly. We found ourselves in Monterey by lunchtime, and a quick trip to Cannery Row showed us that tourism is alive and well. Sadly, the Cannery Row of literary fame has been replaced by the typical touristy traps one finds from Seattle to Key West.

Jack Fahuna talks to Dean Watanabe of Double 02 salvage.

We had a quick lunch, then we were back on the road. The weather began to clear up, and eventually we found California sunshine of the bright kind instead of the wet kind. Driving through Big Sur was a fond memory of mine from my trip up the coast, and it was enjoyable to relax and remember that we were on vacation. Even though I've lived in California for a while now, it always feels like I'm on vacation. Call me a stranger in a strange land, I guess.

Arriving in San Luis Obispo, we headed to our hotel, the aptly named Vagabond Inn, to relax a little while before dinner and wonder where my brother Nick was. I was shocked to find the room rate thirty dollars higher than it had been last year in October. The apologetic clerk behind the counter explained that August was prime tourist time for the area, whereas October was not nearly as busy. Makes me wish that the next event is planned to avoid the tourist season.

Kelly Wollenberg and Lisa (02 Princess) Hong.

For dinner, we went to a local restaurant in downtown San Luis called the Blue Sky Cafe (or was it the Blue Hair Bar?) to meet up with a group of 2002 loyalists. Meeting for dinner was JP Collins' idea, and it was a terrific time, as we had about fifteen people in our group, making it one of the highlights of the weekend.

We retired to our hotel rather early, talking about 2002s and still wondering where my errant brother was and hoping that we wouldn't be rushing out in the middle of the night to do an emergency rescue. We had just fallen asleep when we heard a 2002 outside, and yep, it was my brother, just up from Los Angeles. Once we got him settled in, it was time to get some much-needed sleep.

What's the diff? Some of the offerings to be had at the swap meet.

The next morning dawned bright and early, as so many car event mornings do. We drove over to the park and promptly parked on the grass and hustled over to the beginnings of the swap meet, eager to score bargains that we really didn't need. The fun part was talking with the usual cast of characters in the West Coast 2002 community, from my old buddy and former Wisconsin Cheesehead Jack Fahuna (Jack sold me my first 2002, a '74 tii, and we're still friends), to other well-known names such as Carl "Crush it" Nelson of CNPR and Leif Anderberg of 2002 AD, the spiritual father of 2002 clubbing in California.

We also met up with other people newer to the group, like Amy Hooper from Orange County, my old Oktoberfest pal and model car guy Troy Olsen, Milton from Texas, the '02 Princess; Lisa Hong, Roundel Staffer Kelly Wollenberg, Ben Miller of CSi, Gary Smith with his neat collection of used parts all separated and ready for us to dig through, the Bay Area '02 group, and, and and.....go look at the pictures....

Before we knew it, it was time for the drive to dinner! As is usually the case, my friend had himself buried under a 2002 hood until the last, last minute, curing a 2002 of the Weber Blues (what happens when ignorant people who masquerade as mechanics try to tune sidedraft Webers).

The drive was the best part of the event, taking a group of about forty cars on a winding trip through the countryside and farmlands around San Luis and eventually ending up along the coast in foggy Morro Bay to split up and find a restaurant to settle into.

Stuffed with seafood and tired from a long and busy day, we decided to take the fast and easy way back to my place, and made it home in just over three hours with our ears ringing from the noise of sidedraft carburetors and a high differential gearing.