ROAD TRIP TWO – EPILOGUE

Epilogue?  Epic Log!! Participation was down but enthusiasm was up. Meeting at Exit 70 on I-30 in Rockwall were  (1) the Fleners – on time and early in their +4 (2) Judi Boyles in the 4/4 four seater ‘Sophie’ and (3) Bill Boyles in the +4+ ‘Swan’. Later “scheduled” to join them was Darrel Van Dyke as he reviewed the planned route and calculated how to join up. Tentatively 4 Morgans, with a fifth member, Joe Speetjens to join us in Blytheville from his home in Mississippi. He had been with us in New Orleans (Road Trip One) and several past events, the Southern Pub Crawl, Motrah in Wisconsin, etc.

Realizing that in early June, heat would be a factor, each car was equipped with its own ice chest and plenty of liquids. Judi had even fashioned driver’s side seat covers for the Boyles’ Morgans out of cheap beach towels. The reduction in heat was astonishing, when compare to that radiating from the uncovered passenger seats.

In an attempt to stay ahead of the heat, the three car contingent of Boyles and Flener headed north along the back roads for Oklahoma, stopping for lunch at Ruby’s Café in Wister, OK.  We had still no word or sign from Darrel. By mid-afternoon, we were winding through the rural roads of Arkansas towards our projected overnight destination of Conway. However, Conway was reached a little earlier than expected, so it was decided to add a few more miles to our first day’s journey.

Due to road construction, some would say the travelers got off course, which of course never happens on our road trips. We may have redirected our route a few times, but we were always on course. Then it was on to Beebe and then to Searcy for our newly selected overnight destination. By this time Darrel had made phone contact and should reach Searcy at about the same time, although by a considerably varied route from that traversed by the Boyles and Fleners. So it was overnight in Searcy.

The next day was a relatively short run up through Jonesboro and into Blytheville, our final destination. We all managed to get separated for a while in Jonesboro as each “redirected their route” in divergent ways. Anyway, it was into Blytheville in early afternoon, unpack, rest and then to the registration/hospitality room at 5:30. At about 7:00 it was time for a police escorted parade of several hundred cars and cycles to the Aeroplex, the location of tomorrow’s show and celebration. And, as the honored marque, the Morgans were placed at the front of the procession. Upon arrival at the showgrounds, it was easy to see this was not a routine charity car show. There were vendors’ tents being set up everywhere, both for merchandise and food, as well as services. And a large sound stage. A radio broadcast booth. And more.

Saturday, it was back to the showgrounds for the show itself – Cars & Cycles Against cancer. The British cars had a special area which was provided with a large tent and chairs on a recently mowed lawn. Only 4 Morgans were on display, as the Flener Morgan had developed various ailments, primarily a deceased generator. They would depart for Texas by rental car and then return later in the week to retrieve the Morgan. The Morgans on display, which represented one example from the 60s, 70s 80s and 90s, were soon joined by various other British cars upon arrival of the Memphis British Car Club.

There were probably some six or seven hundred cars and cycles on display, both domestic and foreign, and mostly street rods and hot rods, a really diversified exhibition of motoring memorabilia. Mostly post WW II. Of course the vendors were doing a thriving business, particularly the various food concessions – mostly church, scout and other charitable groups. There were bands and vocalists entertaining from the sound stage all day, raffles for cash being conducted, door prizes being awarded and the continuous radio broadcast. Quite a show! A real carnival atmosphere. Due to the uncommon heat, free bottles of water were being dispensed by the organizers throughout the day. While all this was going on, the Sports car Club of America was conducting a regional ProSolo Autocross event out on the runways. There were shuttle services both to the SCCA event and into town for shopping. The complete package.

Awards were presented individually by the MC as you drove your vehicle past the sound stage and were introduced to the crowd. Of the Texas contingent, the Boyles’ +4+ received the “Best Morgan” award and Judi was presented with the prestigious Doug Nelson memorial ‘Never Give Up Working On Your British Car” award.

Just as we returned to the hotel, clouds gathered, gale winds blew and a violent sandstorm hit the area. Anything loose was being blown around the parking lot, while we desperately tried to get the cars moved to a sheltered area and covered as best we could. But no rain. It would require a lot of cleaning up the next day.

Van Dyke elected to get an early start and left for Texas immediately after the show, with Speetjens going to Mississippi the first thing Sunday morning. So, just like on Road Trip One from New Orleans, the Boyles were left to fend for themselves alone together on the return trip to Dallas. Still, this time they did have two cars in case one faltered. Judi had devised a new  scenic route back, different from the one used on the forward trip. She found some neat new roads to remember should we be this way again. The overnight stay was in Broken Bow, OK, where they could watch the Mavericks win the NBA title on the motel TV. Finally, the next day it was back home to Dallas, some 1300 miles round trip, with no mechanical incidents. Morgan reliability. There was an incident of Judi having to quickly decelerate in order to avoid colliding with a large deer that leaped across the roadway immediately in front of her. But this is just part of another memorable ROAD TRIP.