There was also the annual drive to Kansas City on Labor Day Weekend, which involved similar events. As always, we had winners at both events, and learned once again that much of the fun is in getting there. We also learned that there is an advantage to having a club hospitality suite, a place to sit down, cool off and have a cool beverage to help counteract the heat and humidity that are a part of this event.
There were several long drives that occurred this summer. Some of us drove through Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Canada, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and back home. There is some talk of going to the Florida Keys in 2003. If you are interested, stay tuned.
The second long drive involved a tour to Minneapolis-Saint Paul for MG 2001. This event happens about once every 5 years, and contains virtually any type of MG one can imagine, including a few new ones which may be considered for import.
Still other members drove to Colorado for the Triumph Driver's Conclave. This run occurred after my busy season started, so I have not had the opportunity to learn how this trip went. (Hey people, how about a newsletter article?) Still, no news is good news.
There were several shorter drives as well. The drive to fish, to breakfast, and the poker run would qualify in those areas. We really are able to enjoy two of the better parts of the day on those runs. A pleasant early summer morning is a great time to tour‚top down‚to meet friends. The early evening, when the heat of the day has broken, also allows for a pleasant drive. It may be
because I am a farm boy, but a part of the fun for me is watching the change of the crops, and the growth of young wildlife.
There are also the short runs where someone decides to go see someone else, and takes the fun car. Or the spur of the moment lets drive to (insert name of small town restaurant/watering hole here) for a burger and a cola, or maybe even a slice of prime rib. Those spur of the moment trips are frequently among the best.
We learned, once again, that occasional accidents will happen. The fun of touring in an old British Roadster is not without risk. Happily, each bumper bender was minor, and each car motored on. With the possible exception of John O'Brien's encounter with a deer while driving his Bugeye, no driver was in danger.
The year 2001 has been a great year for driving. The weather was pleasant, and gasoline prices, while variable, did not require a second mortgage to fill the tank. But the winds of autumn have blown and the leaves have been sent scurrying across the back yard. Another driving season is about to come to an end. It would be great if some creative, well informed members could come up with new events traveling through new scenery with new recipes to sample and new antique stores to shop.
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