Story based on Dave Ferro’s itinerary, photos and editing by Mark Wing

Dave Ferro hosted the Tn’Vittles brunch/tour for Saturday, May 12th. Dave planned for a brunch in Los Lunas, NM to be followed by a short tour to the Mid Valley Air Park (to see a car collection), a visit to Tomé Hill (to see the site and large sculpture), and a brief stop at the Isleta Pueblo and its historic San Augustine Church.

Many Tin Lizzie club members met at 10:00AM at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque’s South Valley (near the Rio Grande).  Model T’s included Dave Ferro’s 1918 Model T depot hack, Larry Azevedo driving his 1925 white speedster, Luke Berglund driving Larry’s 1926 speedster (Larry’s first car that he built over 50 years ago), and Paul and Marilyn Duncan driving their 1920 touring car (a Model T purchased by Marilyn’s father in the 1950’s).  Other club members followed the Model T’s in modern cars.  A scenic and leisurely drive to Los Lunas was made taking the original route of the Camino Real and Pre-1937 US 66. We arrived in the Village of Los Lunas around 11:00AM for the meal at Teofilo’s Restaurante – well known for its New Mexican cuisine.  Teofilo’s is located at 144 Main Street (NM 6), NW, across from the historic Luna Mansion.  The building dates from 1913 and is the former residence of Dr. W.F. Wittwer, Los Lunas’ first physician.

Joining us at Teofilo’s were more Tin Lizzie club members (some of whom live nearby) and three more Model T’s including Jeff Richards in his 1926 roadster, Vern and Pat Willan in their 1926 touring car, and Vernon Armstrong with his 1923 coupe.  We enjoyed a tasty brunch in a reserved area of the historical restaurant.

After brunch, we drove to the Los Lunas Mid Valley Air Park to see the Vince Lardner car collection.  We were warmly greeted by Vince’s son David and his wife Barbara.  In addition to two planes in the almost 5,000 sq ft hangar, the Lardner car collection has astounding range –  from a 1909 Overland to a DeLorean!  Included in the collection were 3 Model T’s – a 1914 C cab flower delivery truck, a 1925 coupe (with original upholstery), and a 1926 depot hack.  We had a wonderful time looking over the eclectic collection.  Thank you to the Lardner family for generously sharing their outstanding collection with our club!

Departing the Mid Valley Air Park, we crossed the Rio Grande, driving the short distance to El Cerro de Tomé (Tomé Hill), a significant geological formation, landmark and cultural site on the Camino Real.  We stopped near the Puerta del Sol Sculpture, which is located in a small park at the base of the hill. This large sculpture, by renowned artist Armando Alvarez, honors the history of El Camino Real travelers and frames a unique perspective of the trail still used by religious pilgrims and recreational hikers alike.  The site has a rich history of petroglyph-filled hillsides, dating from 3,000 BC to the 17th century.

On the drive back to Albuquerque, we passed through the historic agricultural communities of Valencia, Peralta and Bosque Farms on NM 47.  We made a brief detour through Isleta Pueblo on the historical route which took east-west travelers through the Plaza and past the 18th century San Augustine Church.  While at the plaza, Dave gave tour participants Indian bread that he had acquired the previous day!  Dave had gotten permission from the Isleta Pueblo Tribal Government for us to park our cars in front of the church for photographs.  After a full and satisfying day, we headed back home.

Dave’s meticulous planning for this event included filling a pot hole on a ditch bank road (a hole deep enough to cause Model T wheel damage) and picking up trash at the Tomé Hill park site – all to ensure that his fellow club members would have a enjoyable tour day!  Thank you Dave for going above and beyond the call of duty and hosting and organizing this brunch/tour outing!