TEXMOG XX9

TEXMOOG - the Centenary edition. Fourteen Morganeers made it down from the North. The Oklahoma Lindseys, the Murphys, the Fleners, the Van Dykes, the Moores, the Glovers and the Boyles. A decent representation. Although I have no accurate count, there were about 50 participants and 20 Morgans.

We left around 10:30 from our meeting place in Alvarado. This was the Murphy, Flener, Van Dyke and Boyles caravan. First stop - Hico - for lunch. Then an auto mechanical problem. A Morgan? Of course not. This time the Murphy trailer behaved itself, but the tow vehicle gave up. Bad alternator was the diagnosis, but no replacement in Hico. So the rest of the group pressed on. Traci and Roy charged up the battery, bought a backup battery and headed for Lampassas to seek out a replacement alternator.

There they met up with the Lindseys and an Auto Zone. Soon Ken installed the new alternator and the two groups headed south.

Meanwhile the Flener, Van Dyke and Boyles group proceeded into Wimberley. The usual MOG MOG late afternoon noggin was in session with beer, wine and nibbles. Then at 7:00, everyone split to a nearby German/Mexican restaurant. The north Texas group got there first, so were served with dispatch. The MOG MOG group had over a two hour wait, I understand. As we left the restaurant, the Murphy/Lindsey entourage arrived. But all got fed eventually.

Saturday morning was the Judkins Centenary Rally and Trivia Quiz. We all assembled about 9:30 and soon started our journey across the countryside looking for answers to clues. There was a mid-rally break at Albert, a hamlet with a population of 5 (which is for sale), with a nice bar, dance pavilion and rest rooms. Very welcome. The rally ended up about 1:00 in Johnson City, where a panorama photo opportunity was staged. Then over to the Hill Country Cupboard restaurant for your choice of several entrees. The Morgans, parked along the highway in front, caused quite a stir and great interest.

There were no planned events for the afternoon (a welcome respite), which gave each the opportunity to explore the sites and activities that were available and of your personal interest. Again a late afternoon noggin was set up just prior to the formal dinner that evening.

The dinner featured a fine Italian buffet followed by several speakers on assorted subjects. These included Kim Freeman on HFS Morgan anecdotes, followed by Boyles on historical Morgan milestones since World War II. Then Duncan Charlton on the thirty-five year history of the +8 and climaxed by Traci Murphy's reminiscences of her life in a Morgan family. The rally awards were announced, with Duncan and Lee Charlton taking first and Frank and Linda McClain awarded last. You gotta give Frank credit, as he received the same award last year when he was paired up with Boyles. He had planned to shadow Boyles this year, and did until Bill and Judi maneuvered an escape.

But wait, there's more! Sunday morning the registrants were invited to a brunch at the Chamberlain fabulous hilltop villa. What a brunch - what a view - what hospitality! Darrel Van Dyke entertained the troops with a recitation of his adventures in getting the propane engine in his 4/4 replaced by Bill Fink with the V6 Solstice engine.

Around noon good-byes were said and the return trip to home commenced. The trip was uneventful, under 70 degree sunny skies. A pleasant end to a delightful weekend (Note: The two noggins, Saturday lunch, the banquet and Sunday brunch were all included in the registration price - along with a lovely commemorative Centenary picture frame to each registrant. Now how did they do this?)

Thank you MOG MOG. You did a great job and it was a most enjoyable weekend.