Of all the shows and events I attend year in, year out, there are but a few that I anticipate as highly as one: Paso Robles, or more appropriately, West Coast Kustoms' Cruisin' Nationals. The reasoning is quite simple, really, but let me explain, as I'm sure many of you might share the same sentiments about a particular event as well.
Basically, I've been attending Paso for longer than I've been employed as a magazine editor; so roughly since 1991. I've watched the event grow enormously, but more importantly, I've witnessed the "presence" change over the years-today, many of the younger attendees weren't even licensed to drive when I cut my teeth in Paso. That's both good and bad, but I won't waste time digressing on the negative aspects.
What's kept me coming back year after year is, strangely enough, the people, not just the vehicles. In a way, Paso's sort of like an annual reunion, a place I get to see and hang out with good friends who, if not for the show, I'd probably rarely have the chance to be with. And because of that, I made the executive decision that this year, I'd be off the clock-for once, I was going to be an actual participant and enjoy myself! And let me tell you, I'm going to have a really hard time gettin' back in the swing of actually working an event, that's for sure.
Nevertheless, I knew that somehow, some way, I'd have to get my hands on photos from this year's show. Well, as fate would have it, a guy who's always come to my rescue when I needed it, Marc Gewertz, was kind enough to stand in for me and provide the necessary images. Thanks, Marc! Hopefully you all will enjoy his photos half as much as I enjoyed my much-needed time off.
While it's not a truck-specific event per se, WCK's Cruisin' Nats attracts a huge amount of pickups each and every year. For more information on past and future shows, check out www.westcoastcruise.com.
 Though not totally completed...  Though not totally completed yet, Jack Sorenson's '50 Chevy five-window is definitely going to be a standout custom with a beautifully done fade paint job, Astro Supremes on "dual" pinner whitewalls, and numerous unique touches like the Buick headlights and modified Caddy bumper. |  They don't call it the Cruisin'...  They don't call it the Cruisin' Nationals for nuthin'. Friday night, Paso's main drag, Spring Street, is cordoned off exclusively for registered participants to, well, cruise! |  Personally, I'm not a big...  Personally, I'm not a big fan of 5 mph (or slower) cruising-but that's probably because of my bad luck streak with overheating engines! However, the cruise down Spring can be a lot of fun. In the past, it was great to watch from the old A&W drive-in-unfortunately, they tore that down earlier this year. |