Car meets anywhere can sometimes be tough to coordinate.
Getting people, places and times together is one thing, to get them coordinated
with peoples vehicles which are always in different states of tuning,
upgrades, repairs or outright restorations is another. To keep a meet
going for 10 years shows true dedication. With that said, we share with
you the Joe Pearlstein Memorial Bear Mountain Fall Foliage run.
Started in 1997 by MR2 and photography enthusiasts Joe and Roxanne Pearlstein
as a way to enjoy and share two of their passions, Joe and Roxanne in
their 1992 Crimson Red MKII NA along with 9 other enthusiasts got together
and developed a route through the amazingly scenic hills of New York States
Hudson Valley. A tradition was born. For years the first Saturday of November
was reserved for the cruise through some of the North East’s prettiest
fall foliage. Through the years new members joined old, new friends were
made and old friendships rekindled, a new generation of MR2’s (the
MRS) even joined the line up.
In 1998 Joe succumbed to complications from a weak heart and passed away.
Friends say that they learned of Joe’s death while at an auto-x,
and when they offered to return home, Roxy instead urged them to stay
and win for Joe. As friend and Auto-X’er Jeff Fazio would attest,
this request was granted. As for MR2’s Fazio stated, “Joe
was steadfast in his love of the MKII NA - unmodified. He just loved how
it came from the factory and felt like the turbo was just too much.”
In his memory the run continues to this day bearing his name as a memorial.
Few things have changed since that first meet in 1997. The run is still
made during the peak of fall foliage in November, new friendships are
still sown, old ones still rekindled… And maybe more so in these
uncertain times we live in, it makes us realize that in all of us we can
still share one mans love of nature, photography and automobiles.
This year’s meet was exceptional. With 45 MR2’s spanning every
generation and almost every year, and a perfectly painted canvas of orange
yellow and red trees as our backdrop who could ask for more. An initial
meet was planned for 08:15am in the lot of the Mahwah Sheraton Hotel.
From there we made quick time getting into the climbing hills of Ringwood’s
famed Skyline drive. For those who just woke up or pulled into town from
as far away as Illinois we regrouped at a McDonalds for Coffee and quick
breakfast. Soon we were back on the road, winding our way through some
of Mother Natures most beautifully painted scenery with only the ferocious
thrumming of 45 Toyota engines providing the soundtrack.
A show and shine at Ringwood Manor State Park was sponsored by XVracing.com
complete with voting ballots, and vehicle identification cards! After
browsing the cars it was time to pick favorites for categories that included:
Best Stock, Best Show or Best Go car for all three generations. After
ballots were cast, we were off again, this time to explore the twisty
roads lining the Monksville reservoir up to Greenwood Lake NY. After a
spirited ride through the Mountain pass in Warwick NY and Sterling Forest
we entered Harriman State Park. At 46,613 acres (186.4 km), Harriman State
Park is one of the largest state parks in New York and even though the
roads through the park were cut in 1913, driving them today you’d
swear the engineer was a motor sports fan himself. This is a great ride
that delivers endless sweeping turns, exciting switchbacks and wild twisties
all while riding over rolling hills in lush forests near pristine lakes.
After exiting 7 Lakes Drive we entered Bear Mountain State Park.
Split into two groups to allow full enjoyment of the park roads, we then
ascended Perkins Memorial Drive. A sinuous and steep two lane road which
leads to a Tower 1,305 feet above the Hudson River Valley. The tower,
built to serve as a weather station and fire lookout until the early 1950’s
now serves as a vantage point for visitors looking for exquisite photographic
opportunities. With its 360-degree panorama, the Perkins Memorial Tower
offers spectacular views of the Hudson River, the Bear Mountain Bridge,
U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Storm King, and Fort Montgomery.
Four states are visible (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania),
as well as the New York City skyline. After taking photos and answering
questions from many admiring bystanders we were on the road again. After
a short run up the scenic valley roads, we stopped for lunch outside the
U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After lunch XVRacing.com tallied
the votes from the days show and shine event and presented trophies and
gifts from MR2 supporting vendors.
At this point most enthusiasts would have had their fill of spirited driving
for a weekend, but for this group some of the days most exciting twisties
still lay ahead of this group. For the uninitiated, Storm King Highway,
although short at 10.81 mi. (17.4 km), offers a stretch of high-speed
roadway that is reminiscent of the Dolomites road in Italy. With long
smooth descents, sharp switchbacks overlooking the Hudson River, and gentle
sweepers opposed by forest and Steep granite walls on either side this
section felt like it was made for our nimble MR2’s.
After another re-group, we all took a leisurely ride to enjoy a group
dinner at a local Bar-B-Q restaurant near the hotel.
A great time was had by all, and with a toast to Joe Pearlstein, we look
forward to meeting again next year.
Joe Pearlman was a former president of the national heart transplant society.
He had had at least 2 transplants, if you would like to make a donation
in his name please visit
www.ishlt.org
