TEXMOG 2008, a report

28 years ago, MMCC (TEXMOG) started a traditional annual Morgan meet for all Morgan owners. The next year, the Gulf Coast area members (later organized as MOG MOG) hosted the event - and the two area clubs alternated thereafter until 2008.

In 2008, Sarah and Hal Sheads of HOTMOG (Heart of Texas MOG) took up the cudgel along with Duncan Charlton and Bob Chamberlain, and hosted the 28th addition. It was a very welcome variation. So now, I guess, the meet is on a three club rotation, with MOGMOG serving as hosts in 2009, the Morgan Centenary.

A seven vehicle caravan from north Texas (and Oklahoma) headed south to Lakeway, Texas, Friday afternoon. Due to traffic and a lackadaisical schedule, the troupe arrived about 6:30, just as the evening noggin was ending. All the HOTOG and MOGMOG folks were still gathered however, so all enjoyed a reacquaintance of friends. It seems that most of the people adjourned next door to a Mexican restaurant for dinner.

Saturday morning, everyone was pushed out to a nearby scenic bluff in order to arrange the obligatory group picture. This was then followed by a two hour rally along the many twisty, hilly and scenic backroads of the Texas Hill Country, to the Pedernales Falls State Park. There, Sarah and Hal had arranged for a great spread of sandwiches, potato salad, cole slaw, desert and beverages for the group.

Following this, the Morgans (18 at last count) were arranged for an additional photo op, and to commence the afternoon portion of the rally tour. Again the roads were challenging and perfect for Morgans, and everyone got back in time for the commencement of the Saturday edition of the afternoon Noggins.

Then Sarah and Hal had arranged for an extravagant Italian dinner at nearby Roccos, where everyone feasted through the various courses. It was a great opportunity to interact with the members of the other clubs, but your author's table was all TEXMOG. Bad tact.

The meal was superb and afterwards all retreated to the hotel. Your scribe went to bed, but others stayed up much later, I suspect, even with no late night auction.

Sunday, get ready for the Bob Chamberlain Funkhana. I'm not sure that Bob was ready, but it did get 'Organized". First - ring a fanbelt over a cone - 3 tries - 3 misses. Next, a parallel park exercise - piece of cake. Then a back-in to a garage experience - no problem. Finally a slalom to the finish (all while balancing a cup of water on your bonnet without any spilling).

Then the second part - keeping a rope elevated as you drove around a central point, both forward, then in reverse, then at speed. All performed admirably. Actually it was great fun and all enjoyed it.

Now it was time to pack up and head for home. Sarah and Hal had some other activities available, but we left it to the locals. The north Texas group started their return caravan with five vehicles. By Lampasses, some 50 miles away, we were down to two - the Boyles 4/4 and the Murphy trailered +4. The Harris' disappeared, the Lindseys, and Drehers dropped off to pursue other adventures.

After a hearty meal at the Dairy Queen in Hamilton, where at 3:00 PM on Sunday there were no vacant booths, The town center.

The return trip was enjoyable with beautiful views, but with heavy traffic, even on a relatively back

road. Then at Cleburne, almost home, an explosion. The trailer had blown a tire, We were aware that

it was losing air, but had inflated it both in Lampasses and Hamilton. With the help of Carl, who had

now caught us, the tire was changed and all proceeded home (I think), The bad luck trailer (see

reports of previous trips) is the one Carl and Bill are taking to Hilton Head Island, SC. See report in

the December MOGLOG.