With the skies almost black to the West
our 4 regulars that head out from the "Top of the Hill" headed out for
the "World's Largest Weekly Car Cruise" as we do every week. Mike paid
particular attention to the order of arrival at our meeting site. That
past few weeks he had to turn back or something and we all were getting
the checkered flags and he wasn't. He was the first to arrive in the '64
Corvair convertible, then we were in our '61 Corvair Coupe. Steve Mc In
his '41 Willys and Tony & Sharon in "Lucy" their '69 Ranchero. We
arrived at the Gate in that order. Lightening was all around us, Gary C
greeted us with that grin that makes you wonder what he has been up to.
Bratt was at her "Registration" point, her brother was assisting her. We
made the turn by the Clock and made our way to "Trophy Row". Just after
we managed to park our cars in front of our favorite "overhang" behind
"Black Market Minerals" when the rain started to fall. There was a rumor
that there would also be a "British Invasion" of Amateur Radio
operators, tonight. Ian, G4ZPZ/W4, & Sue, 2E1SUE/W4 along with "Big
John", this one from the UK, G0PVR/W4 and his wife, Ann, M3SHX/W4 from
Manchester England would be stopping out. These are just a few that have
come in over the radio's, almost every week, that I carry around to get
the "Color" of this event. Graham, G4HFG, would talk with us a few times
during the day and night over the radio from Manchester as he does every
week. Bill & Doris would stop by just after the rain stopped for the
first time.
We all decided to head to "Flippers" a little earlier
today, the skies were getting darker once again. The car count was
pretty low and not too many spectators were out by 3:30. Mike & Kristen
would leave us for a little while, a family dinner by the Orlando
Airport would take them away from the group for a while. On the way up
to the top of Old Town we visited with the regulars that were already
parked. Joe & Kay, that brought the Camaro, Mark & Lois that were in the
'31 Ford Tudor, Bob in his GMC, Cris & Larry in their Flamed white
Mustang. John had the "Double Nickel Express" in his "Decade of
Cruising" spot. Bob & Marge had the '41 Buick parked just where they
like it. I spotted Darrell's Ford but didn't see him. Mike & Mark had
the Super Stock Plymouth and the "Vette near the top of Block 1. Emil in
his "Fat Fendered Ford" was at the top of the Block. Shane had his '57
Chevy parked next to him.
The meal at "Flippers" was great as was the service
provided to us by Jane, Thank You. It didn't rain and a few more
Cruisers made their way in Ron H stopped by to say hello. Many of the
"Second Shift" diners made their way into "Flippers". Lee was now at the
"Gate" when we made our way back to the cars. Gary and Kathy joined him
on the corner to eat dinner. Charlie was chatting with Emil as we
rounded the corner onto "Trophy Row". By now many more of the "Die
Hards" and regulars were in place. "Still Kickin'" was setting up in the
main stage. Ken & Charlene had their '68 Camaro in it's place of honor.
Dave had his black Mustang convertible in it's carport. Doug & Trish
were in the two GM's that were on the cover last week. Mark was out but
his T-Bucket was in it's box until it decided to stop raining. Bob
arrived in his '36 Humpback Ford, "Bo" stayed home tonight. Doc &
Suzanne brought out the Charger. Once again it was a night of friendship
and fun. Chuck Hundley stopped by to say hello, it was a pleasure to
finally meet him. Roberta was set up inside the "General Store" tonight.
Jim & Craig, "The
Dukes" were at their new corner. The "British Invasion" stopped by
along with another HAM from Spring Hill, Florida. Wayne, VE3ECZ/W4 and
his wife Donna. Ted, KE4TTE, friend of the Cruise made it out after we ate,
who
did manage to embarrass Shane a bit tonight, ask Shane for details. It
worked out OK though. Well, it seems I am getting a little long winded
so I will just say, the rest of the night was spent with these old
friends and new ones that we met tonight in our "Home Town", Old Town.
Nikki stopped by with the
"Flag Winners" just after 8:20. The "Cruiser of the Month",
Ken Paparella at the wheel of
the '68 Camaro RS, Charlene making sure their pet Gorilla didn't jump
out the window, would be led to
Block 4, that becomes the staging
area at this time, by Bratt, Lee & Dave. Followed by the rest of the cars
from the top 3 blocks. Chris, filling in for Mike Singer, that had been playing
the usual mix
of nostalgic music and jingles, got word
that we were ready to Cruise, he then gave the safety announcements,
played what sounded like the "Dukes" version of the
National Anthem,
"Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the
897th running of this tradition.
Osceola's finest and Allan would escort the '68 Camaro followed by the rest of the 105 cars, rolling up the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", delighting,
what turned out to be a very large crowd of spectators,
"Rain or Shine" every Saturday night of the year, there is nothing quite like it for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from
the sidewalks and boulevards.
Tonight we would come back for "Part 2", Mike &
Kristen, on this their 25th Saturday Night in a row, won a Flag, 1st one and needed to come back for the closing festivities
to pick up the prizes associated with it. Tony was to be presented with
his "Cruiser of the Month" jacket, provided by the A&W, Out of the World
Embroidery and Valvoline. Allan had a special birthday surprise for Joe
Rodhouse. Chris, down from the "Blue Room", had hung a Piñata from
a nearly wire, Mesha blindfolded him he eventually broke it open and the
kids all got some candy. Allan gave his high energy interactive
performance and had all the staff sign off after the presentations.
Thank you Old Town for letting us, the
curators of this "Rolling Display of Automotive History", the cars that
are the "Stars", to be their guests this evening. Thank you to the Old
Town Merchants Association and the Sponsors of this event, "Valvoline",
the "A&W", "Tags With Class", "Wound and Around", & "Flippers" just to
name a few. Thank you to Joe, Gary, Lee, Bratt, Dave, Ron, Nikki, Miguel
and Ben along with the entire
Cruise Staff and our fellow Cruisers for making this our 249th consecutive Saturday a fun and
safe one. Mike Singer, we miss you, get well soon.
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