Just a few days after the "Ground Hog Day Tornados" the cold front that
reeked the havoc to Central Florida while it made it's way in had taken
hold. The high temperature of just near 60 degrees, with out much
sunshine I might add, still Linda & I headed for Old Town. It wouldn't
be a Saturday if we didn't include this trip to our favorite little
"Town". I drove the Ranchero out Hwy 192 with no caravan today. Seems
like this Hot, Cold, Hot, Cold weather has delighted the Cold and Flu
season. Many Cruisers didn't care to spend the day out in the damp and
dreary. Ron met us at the Gate as usual, his smile always brightens up
the day a bit. A bit further down, Bratt was concerned that we had
enough layers of clothing for tonight's temperature drop while she
signed us in. We assured her that we did. We made our way onto "Trophy
Row" it was quite lonely looking, Gary & Cathy's Fairlane was in it's
usual spot, as were John & Roger with the Monte and the 'Vette. Linda
dropped the rope so that we might head for our spot down in Block 4.
Once we parked it seemed like we were going to be by ourselves. I took a
little stroll to see who was in place just after 2:00, Linda held down
the fort, besides she was just finishing up another knitting project.
"Big John" had his GT 350 in place by the Photo shop. Larry & Cris were
the only ones in the "Looney Bin" at the time so took advantage of the
situation and took some new photos of their '64 Mercury Comet. I
returned to Block 4 and was into deep "Falcon" topics with a spectator
from Georgia when Bill & Doris stopped to drop off the copy for last
night's report. Ralph & Shirley "Rolled By" and Cris came down to see
what Linda was knitting today. With out Tony the timer we almost missed
our 4:00 lunch time.
As we made our way up to "Flippers", and this is not
a paid advertisement, we just enjoy the establishment and the food, we
found many more of the "Die Hards" parked in their favorite places. Many
of the "Red Line Rodders" were parked together by John and his "Double
Nickel Express". No Alfresco for us tonight, we actually went inside to
eat. Jane actually had a little time for a chat before the "Early Crowd'
came in. Dave, Gary & Cathy stopped in as did Tony, Marianne, Russ and
wife along with Bobby G. As usual the food was great as was the
atmosphere and the service. We left as the Gate was reopening and made
our way back though the cars on "Trophy Row".
Once we were back in Block 4 Neil & Elaine joined us
in their '62 Austin Healy and Triumph TR4. They are headed back to the
UK on Thursday, then back here at the end of the month. Chuck stopped
down to see us, Cindy didn't come out tonight, they have sold their
place and will be headed for Tennessee some time late next month.
Shortly after that Bob came to block 4 in his Chevelle, with Nick and
Fran in the '32 5 Window coupe behind him. The rest of the night was
spent talking with fellow Cruisers and spectators alike. The
temperatures and the drizzling rain didn't seem to keep as many
spectators away as it did Cruisers.
Just after 8:00, Nikki, all bundled up after having
to leave the nice warm office, stopped by with the flag winners. Then at
8:15 this month's Sweetheart Cruisers, Chuck and Cindy in their
Corvette's were led by Richard to the staging area for the start of
this, the 867th running of this event. Mike Singer gave the safety
announcements over the sound system and "Old Town Radio" (89.5 FM on
property only), played the national anthem, then at 8:32 "Wolfman Jack"
proclaimed "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise". Richard gave the word from
the rollercoaster turn and the first of the 91 cars made the turn onto
the bricks of "Deac Hundly Blvd." to the crowd of cheering spectators.
After the Cruise, before the drawings, Peter, this
trips representative of the
National
Association of Street Clubs, from the UK gave out their annual, "At
the Saturday Nite Cruise" award to a local Cruiser tonight. It went to
Nick & Fran Cortese* and their '32 Ford 5 Window Coupe.
Thank you Old Town for letting us, the Cruisers of
these "Stars" that are our cars, be your guests this evening. Thank you
to the Old Town Merchants Association and the Sponsors of this event,
Welcome Back Valvoline. Thank you to Richard, Joe and the entire Cruise
Staff for keeping us all safe. Thank you to our fellow "Die Hards" for
making a cold wet day special.
On to the Flag Winners!
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