Event Report

the Hyland Hillclimb? That was the designation for our relatively impromptu motor tour on Sunday, October 21st, in which we combined two popular driving events from our club’s illustrious past into one: A romp up Mount Wachusett in Westminster, MA, to take in the view and the foliage, and a drive to Hyland Orchard in Sturbridge, MA, to take in some cider, etc.

Two weeks after Il Giro Del Monadnock, even deeper into autumn, we were delighted to discover that the weather on the day we chose was equally nice! It was a simply beautiful day and all of the tops were down. Ten Alfas met mid-morning at the bottom of Wachusett Mountain, including some new members: Giorgio Kradjian in his ‘75 Giulia Super 1300, and Larry and Michelle LoPresti in their ’78 Spider. Welcome—hope to see you again soon!

We then caravanned to the peak to take in the panoramas. The fall colors were in all their glory and provided the perfect backdrop for our ride. Near the top, we pulled off for a scenic overlook, and were joined there by two more delayed Alfas—and a TR4A***. So thirteen mostly-Italian sports cars formed our group for the nonce.

It was pleasantly mild at the summit, and the air was so clear that we could easily see all the way to Boston on the horizon. After we took in our fill of the vista, we descended the mountain for a journey to Hyland Orchard. Gene Durso had set up the route and identified some very fine Alfa roads for us to follow. After a gratifying drive of a little over an hour, we arrived at the Orchard around noon. Gene had also arranged with the Hyland owners for our own parking area, and we were lined up along the road near where all the action was, and where the other visitors could admire our lovely machines. At least one other Alfa joined us at the Orchard.

Having arrived before the crowds, we were able to commandeer a couple of picnic tables under the pavilion for our own, where we nibbled our bratwurst and sipped our beverages. (There was some sort of "Oktoberfest" event going on, but that was well after our club event officially ended.) Some of us picked some apples and purchased the various wares available, including some outrageously flavorful mustards and hot sauces. Hyland is a neat place—a working orchard and (yes) brewery, where you can get some lunch, let the kids ride in tractor-pulled carts around the fields, listen to some live music under a big pavilion, and enjoy the country air. Very laid-back!

We all hung around for a while before heading off in our various directions, many of us taking the long way home, such was the magnificence of the climate this day. Thanks, Gene, for putting it together! This man, bless his heart, made the trek to Hyland about a dozen times during the months of diligent planning he put in on our behalf. Yes, I’m sure it was on our behalf, and didn’t have anything to do with the Hyland Double Bock they serve there……

*** My Giulietta, alas, suffered a breakdown on the way back from the Monadnock tour that required a ride on a flatbed and, while we were waiting for the truck, a congenial couple in a red TR4A went by, turned around, and stopped to offer assistance. We chatted for a half hour or so before we said our goodbyes. So it was quite a kick when the same couple showed up to meet us on Mount Wachusett!

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	Our Alfas lined up at the starting point, the base of Mount Wachusett
	The driver’s meeting, where Gene handed out directions for the drive down to Sturbridge once we left the mountain
	No oncoming traffic on the one-way loop up to the top
	Rod Burdick’s Giulia and John Basel’s Giulietta in the foreground, at a scenic overlook near the peak
	The Alfas of Dave Pratt, Kevin Murphy, and Gene Durso (L-R), co-conspirators on the event (Gene did the real work)
	Giorgio Kradjian’s Giulia Super and Steve & Diana Thomas’s ‘69 roundtail Spider poised to resume the ascent
	Our Alfas in perfect alignment (well, sort of) at the overlook stop
	Even old Alfa radios get great reception up here
	Giulia, Giulietta, ducktail, and kammtail on their way down from the summit
	Tom & Liane Brooks in their ‘86 Spider near the front of the pack during the drive down to Sturbridge
	Here’s the entourage rounding a curve as we near our destination
	A baker’s dozen - twelve Alfas and a Triumph lined up in our private parking area at Hyland Orchard
	Dave Pratt scolds John Paradiso for showing up late and missing the caravan up Mount Wachusett
	A heartwarming autumn scene - sunshine, corn stalks, chrysanthemums, pumpkins, and Alfa Romeos
	The pair of tables we hijacked in order to sample the food and beverages that the Orchard proffered