August 26th

WET is the word that best described today. Linda and I waited in our house to give the torrential rain time to let up a bit, the break came at about 2:30, so we made the dash to our Carport that we could now see for the first time in several hours. As we headed for Old Town the rain was still falling pretty heavily. You may ask, "What the hell are you headed out on a day that the weatherman forecasted an 80% chance of rain?" It is a simple answer, this is what we do on a Saturday Nite! Old Town has been holding this event for more than 16 years. Santa Clause and Old Man Time haven't even stopped this event. Only 2 Hurricanes back in '04 stopped this event and then not even entirely! So when I mention the number of the running of this event and the amount of times that Linda and I have ventured out. We just don't count those days! Anyway on the trip out, our 196th consecutive time, the skies to the West started to brighten up a bit. A few fluffy clouds floating  over Old Town could be seen as we maneuvered the Corvair on US192.

Upon our arrival the water was standing everywhere, the rain had just let up a few minutes before or arrival. Ron was down on the corner under the overhang rather than his usual post at the top, don't blame him a bit. Any port in a storm today. He had great news about his son, John's progress in his recovery from the horrific accident that he was involved in back on the 3rd. Mr. Bill and Miss Lisa were at the Cruise office as were Richard, Joe and Gary C. Richard told us that there were non cruisers parked down in Block 4 in our spots. We then decided that we would pull in to one of our "Old" spots at the bottom of Block 3 next to Ron and his Chevy Pickup, Bill was out in his '55 Chevy, there was an overhang there as well, I knew we were going to get more rain before the night was over. None of the entourage that we usually travel with were coming out tonight for various reasons so we didn't need to have any open spots next to us. It was quite nice for a while, we delivered some of the newsletters to the "Die Hards" up in the "Looney Bin" and next to John and the Double Nickel, Bob & Marge had the Red '49 Chevy Pickup out that he took on trade for the great Model T he had. After spotting Bill & Doris we headed back to the car, Mark stopped by for a chat, then it was time to head out for dinner. "Flippers" was the target. Jane took great care of us and they were unusually busy, guess people were just trying to dry out.

5:00 came, the gates re-opened, we watched the cars roll in, it was quite a line, the weather was sunny and warm by now. The sky was hanging heavy with more rain clouds, of course all were optimistic that they would go away. Craig of the "Dukes" was getting the patio at Fred Marion's ready for the performance tonight, Angel showed up, guess all that attend tonight get the 60 Minute man as a bonus performer. Tony & Marianne along with Bobby G. were headed up there as we headed back for Trophy Row. We noticed a few more cars parked in place. I ran the newsletter up to Mike Singer that was on duty at "Old Town Radio". Roger parked the '55 Chevy pickup next to us, he came out a little later than normal. Kathy C. was setting at the corner, Gary was manning the gate. Block 4 was never opened for Cruisers tonight. Jesse & Marie, still between Cruisers also stopped in for a bit. John & Angel, still shopping for a car sat with the bunch under this overhang. Tony and Marlene brought out Cletus, but ended up in block 1. Later they had a hard time finding us in our temporary location. The rest of the night was dampened by RAIN AND MORE RAIN. John B. rolled in just after 7:00 with the "Slick 51" he had been working on it all day. "Runs better than ever" he said.

It didn't take long to stage the 86 cars that were left for this the 844th running of this tradition that is The "Saturday Nite Cruise®". Right on time Mike Singer announced the Safety Announcements and the playing of the National Anthem. the cars made the turn by "Kids Town" on to the bricks of "Deac Hundley Blvd." It is still amazing to me after all these years and the "No Wake Zone" we were headed onto that the streets were still lined by hundreds of spectators. This is another reason We don't miss this event, the visitors to Central Florida expect to see this car cruise, Rain or Shine.

Thank You to all of those that braved the rain today, Old Town, the merchants of Old Town, the sponsors of the "Saturday Nite Cruise®", the very wet staff that kept us all safe and our fellow Cruisers that always make our day when we come out to Cruise.

Just one question for Cris, does it really require 3 lanes to take off? Whoops!

Tonight's Flag Winners

Tonight's random drawing winners that and received the coveted "Old Town Checkered Flag" along with $25 cash, A Case of Oil from NAPA and a drink from the Tropical Breeze.

844/196/12
 

All content and Photography, unless otherwise noted
©1950-2006 Stephen Lynn Butler All rights reserved
powered by


Hosted at YUIOP Internet Services
Kissimmee, Florida USA