Ned Luce

The annual tribute to candy collection/distribution via the “Trunk and Treat” celebration on Halloween was an unofficial record-breaking success in the parking lot adjacent to Port Ludlow’s center. 

There were masks on swarms of kids filling various baskets and bags as they gathered the annual harvest of dental visit inducing treats provided by masked and costumed locals emptying their trunks. 

Let it be also known that many of the trunks were filled with healthy options that were more dentist friendly. Also let it be known that at least one staff member from the Port Ludlow Dentist clinic was passing out treats. 

Oh yes, the success was facilitated by one of the sunniest October weekends in Port Ludlow history. 

BJ, aka Minnie Mouse, was there with Sharon Draper, Fran Gross, Bev Smith, Karen Best, and thirty more folks passing out the treats. State Trooper Allie Gruszewski and a colleague were in great form with two K9 vehicles and their canines. The Port Ludlow Fire Department was very well represented along with a severely wounded dummy in their well-equipped truck. My uneducated and conservative guess is about 11,000 costumed kids.

Last Saturday we took advantage of the weather and motored down to Griot Motors in Tacoma for a tour of their car restoration services and storage facility. The two-hour tour was conducted by owner Phillip Griot describing each stage of the restoration process. There were several cars in the facility and Phillip talked at length about each one from the Aquamarine Blue 1994 Porsche Carrera RS, (one of 42 that exist), to the Jeep CJ he was restoring. He was not sure why he was doing the Jeep except that it belonged to his father who is his biggest customer and probably an investor in his business. In any case he provided incredible detail on each Mercedes Benz, Ferrari, Corvette, VW, etc. currently in the shop. 

We then migrated to the building next door where approximately 60 cars were being stored for customers, Phillip’s father Richard, or himself. 

The variety of automobiles was exceptional with examples from the 1950s alongside more recent models. I was struck by the tubular air conditioning unit hanging on the outside of the window of an early ‘50s car. If you have a car you want protected from the elements for the winter I suggest you give them a call. I believe you can store up to five cars for $225/month each. More than five cars will get you a discount! 

We then went up the street to Griot’s Garage, started in 1988 by Richard Griot who reconfirmed his interest in cars by buying a mid-’90s Porsche 911 with the money he made in his first profitable year. His apparently very successful company makes and sells “car care” products at the unique retail store, over the phone and via the internet. The building also houses about 20 of Richard’s or his friends’ cars ranging from a couple of Dale Earnhardt NASCAR veterans to cars from Formula 1 to a couple of McLarens, all with wonderful historical references.

After a nice lunch with Port Ludlow’s Bob Pistay and Port Townsend’s Bill Corrigan it was time to head home. About the time we hit Bremerton BJ suggested we take the long and scenic route around the bottom of the Hood Canal. 

It was a beautiful day offering up the opportunity to catch views of the snow-capped Olympics and the colorful trees on the hills. 

We turned west for 20 miles and then pitted at Alderbrook. Hey, older and inquiring minds want to know where to, um, go. 

Then it was on to Hoodsport to buy beer and whiskey for gifting. The route from Hoodsport to Port Ludlow delivered all kinds of delightful driving through the “twisties” of 101 and the scenery of the Hood Canal, including the not-so-scenic 400-pound hogs on Center Road north of 104.  

We got “boostered” last week. 

The vaccine booster shot reminded me of the polio pioneers of 1954 who were about 10 years old. Their message then was that the polio vaccine was a little scary. But they then all rolled up their sleeves and put an end to polio in this country, not just for themselves but for all of humanity. Wouldn’t it be great if all of us had the care for others that these 10-year-olds demonstrated. Love a curmudgeon and have a great week. 

(Ned Luce keeps his eyes on the road and his hands on the wheel. A retired IBM executive and Port Ludlow resident, he can be reached at ned@ptleader.com.)