On March 31st 2012, I competed in the Northern California Beard and Mustache Championships in Folsom California. It was fun.

Ready to Roll

On Friday afternoon, Sweety and I hopped in the Ghia for the drive north-east. The plan was to spend the evening with family in Auburn, visit a cidery, and then compete on Saturday.

The trip took us through the California Central Valley and we stopped at a roadside stand for some yummy snacks.

Upon arriving in Auburn, we took a drive over the Foresthill Bridge, the tallest bridge in California.

Cider

I really wanted to checkout the tasting room of the Fox Barrel Cidery in Colfax, but they were closed for renovations. Taking a quick trip to the local store, I picked up a bottle of Fox Barrel to sample.

mmmmm, that's good Rhubarb & Elderberry. Seriously, it was a damn good cider, but I would prefer something a bit drier. Next time.

Onward to Folsom!

Damn, that was a hairball drive.
If you haven't driven in an early 60s Volkswagen in the Northern California rains, I suggest you make sure your window seals aren't leaking like a sieve.

Note to Self: replace all of the seals on the Ghia this summer. Seriously, I need to use my shamwow to suck up the water on my dashboard.

In other news, the mirror was rock solid. Booyah!

Quest for a Scotch

When I compete, I like to have a scotch on the rocks while getting ready. So with arms intertwined, the ladyfriend and I walked about old town Folsom in search for a beverage. On the way we stopped for some nice Thai food.

At the local Circle-K, I picked up a little bottle of The Glenlivet. While in the store, I spotted a bag of mojito. Wow.

Dear world, if you are buying your mixed drink by the bag, there is a good chance that you approve of the Bond franchise selling out to Heineken.

The Contest

Donning my "California poppy orange tie and armed with a Johnnie Walker Red, I strutted my stuff on stage and finally managed to win myself a trophy: Second Place in Sideburns.

After receiving my trophy, I shared my scotch with my fellow competitors; a great group of people.

Note to self: In order to win, you need to drink your own scotch and not the judge's whiskey. Note taken.

All in all, I had a damn fine time, with some damn fine people. There where new faces and old, stories, styles, and scotch. Thanks http://www.moustacheandbeardsocialclub.com/, I had a great time.

Now the question is... where to go next?