Not just any  road trip, but one coming in the face of dire warnings from Hurricane Ike. You might escape on Friday, but he'll catch you and blow you off the road on Saturday and               drown you on Sunday.

At the usual 7:00 AM departure date, Matilda and Sophie met up in Rockwall and got away at a little before 9:00. It takes awhile for the girls to freshen up.

As planned, I-30 was endured to New Boston, then the pair ventured north into Arkansas. The back roads of Arkansas had the usual picturesque moments, but the group made it to its destination - the Rock Cafe in Waldron, Ark. The food is average, but they love us and we're just an added element to their conversations for the next month. For example, Sophie had a tire deflating - so a customer said just go across the street, drive into the side door and tell Eddie to help. And we did and he did - without cost.

Once Sophie had relaxed her pride, Matilda thought that she should get more attention. She started spraying oil, which was initially diagnosed as an overfill problem. The group stopped and started periodically to review the problem and assessment of what would fix it. Later it worsened and it was discovered the oil filler cap was gone. Boyles will testify under oath that it was on at the first stop. (Anyway, Chuck H. stopped it up with a rag (later supplemented with a beer can as a cap), being it was a marginal problem.

Regardless, the journey up was marvelous. cool weather, slightly overcast, twisty roads and small historical towns. Not a flaw. An item of note in Arkansas was that nearly every gas station had a line of 5 or 6 cars per pump, waiting for gas in nearly every town - every station. Some operators were raising the price every few minutes, while some stayed in line. ( The atty. general of Arkansas issued an order limiting the increases by a certain percentage). And not all did this gouging - Citco and Pilot were noticeably flagrant, The Arkansans were convinced that they were in the path of the aftermath of the Hurricane and a shortage would result.

Arrival was about 5:00 PM. So the girls and their passengers timely arrived and were warmly welcomed for their efforts and fortitude. The Friday night parking lot party with free Bar B Que (and fixins), beer and wine was its usual success. Due to one of those rare rain squalls, it was called short (after everyone had eaten, even with seconds ) and the group retracted to the hotel. The squall soon ended but the party was dormant - so how about tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Saturday, Chuck looked after the maintenance of Matilda, and Bill and Judi resolved various electrical problems, that wouldn't go away. Directional lights that won't go out with the key removed, much less when turned off.

Sophie won't start, but with the help of an MG owner, we shorted from the battery to the Distributor and it worked. Need a new resistor is the verdict. Another example that this is a car group, who know their cars, not just an exhibition group..

It's Showtime!

Although attendance was down due to the weather, some 110 cars and bikes showed up, including 5 Morgans, the same as the Healeys and three more than MG TDs and XKEs. (Ed. note - If everyone within 200 miles can't make it due to distance and or car condition that is disturbing,) It would have been one more Morgan but Frank and Linda McClain insisted that since they had driven up from Texas on Wednesday in driving rain, they were going to return home on Saturday in driving rain.

What happened on Saturday? As the weather fluctuated, so did the percentage of cars - some with hoods up/down/up - whatever. Or driven to the event - or not - If to enter or withdraw but all in all, the display went smoothly, the silent auction functioned, the hot dogs and hamburgers were dispensed. A smoothly run show and over $19,000 was awarded to the ALS group. So our show cars again contributed to a worthy cause. That's what a non-profit organization should be doing.

Due to the threatening weather, the event finale was moved to the hotel, rather than the showground pavilion, as in the past. That way there were tables for each group, such as the Morgans, and plentius food, due to the decreased attendance.

At the event there was a featured speaker, as always, this one being Mike Cook, an executive with Triumph, Jaguar, MG etc. Very informative. This was followed by awards, with the lovely Sophie taking 2d place in the Morgan class, upstaged by a pastel '98 +8, and Matilda given the hard luck award for her efforts in carrying on.

After the event the British Motoring Club of Arkansas (BMCA) out of Little Rock opened their usual hospitality room. Open to all entrants, with contributions voluntary. They are another great Arkansas organization. We are talking of joining up with BMCA and NW British Iron for some joint travel events in lower SW Arkansas or SE Oklahoma. We seem to be all regular folks and drivers.

Next morning, Sunday. The weather was in the upper 60s, with wisps of clouds and a strong north wind to elevate our MPG and send us home. To avoid any possible aftermath of the storms, the duo headed for the Oklahoma Hills of the Indian Nation (to quote from an old ballad). Things were without incident until the lunch stop at Clayton, Okla. (a regular stop). Judy's rock diner had folded and we had to back track a few blocks to the Bulldog Cafe.

After lunch, a stop was made to air up Sophie's tire. And then, we were encountered by a roving reporter from the local newspaper, She wanted complete histories and took myriad photos of these two unique autos. This resulted in some delay, but these experiences are what make road trips so special.

Pulled into Dallas at 6:30 in broad daylight, waiting to start planning the next trip. And yes, the evacuees' homes were intact.