November 2007 - Porsche Club of America – Northeast Region

Country Roads, Beaches & Vineyards
Copy By Win Perry, Photos By Kim Saal, Win Perry & John Bergen
It had been a gray and rainy week around Boston, and the
forecast for Saturday wasn’t altogether promising, but Bacchus
must have smiled on the Northeast Region, because he
sent us an absolutely glorious autumn day for NER’s fall tour —
a coastal drive through Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode
Island, including stops at two of this regions best wineries.
Our tour started at the lovely summer home of Kim and Janice
Saal, sited high over the Westport River with commanding
views and large lawns to park on. Once again, I learned what
early birds NER members are. Our meeting time was 10:30 am.
I had planned to arrive at 10:00 to set up the maps, directions
and sign-in sheets. With a small detour to pick up the obligatory
coffee and donuts, I rolled down the long gravel drive about
ten minutes late. There were already at least 15 cars on the
lawn! While we were setting up on Kim’s porch, the Porsches
kept rolling in — car after car, until the total exceeded sixty.
Now, I know that with the Red Sox in the middle of World Series
hopes I should be careful about distorting baseball metaphors,
but for me, the true Field of Dreams was that lawn in Westport!
With such a lovely setting, there was no need to rush off. The
sun was shining, and members took the opportunity to share
coffee and conversation with old and newly made friends.
Somewhat after 11:00, the motorcade started off. Our route
headed south along the Westport River heading for Horseneck
Beach and winding along the bays and shoreline until we
crossed over into Rhode Island. There we drove through the
countryside and the charming village of Little Compton. After
that, there was an optional jaunt down to Sakonnet Point. A
sailing regatta enhanced the usual scenic ocean views at the
Point; there were at least fifty boats out racing on the water.
Then it was off to Sakonnet Vineyards and our first tasting.
The size of our group really overwhelmed the hardworking
staff, but with a little patience, we all got to try half a dozen of
Sakonnet’s excellent wines. Lunch was another matter! We had
One of several winery stops along the tour
Car badges on a tour participant’s 356
Kim Saal took this panorama of the tour participants ready to depart
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N O R E A S T E R