STERLING BRITISH MOTORING SOCIETY -- April 22, 2004

Spring has sprung, and our cars are out and about like so many bees from the hive. Well, anyway, it’s a lot warmer, and the Sterling British Motoring Society, in recognition of this happy turn of events, has inaugurated the year with the first two of many drives and tours.

The first drive of the season took place on Saturday, March 20, to Moyer’s Restaurant and Winery in Southern Ohio. Although it is always a bit chancy to schedule something for mid-March in this part of the country, we have thus far avoided really severe weather, and this was no exception. Rain and thunderstorms were predicted, along with strong gusty winds and substantially above-average temperatures. We did encounter sufficient light rain about halfway down the pike to justify putting the top up, but the weather improved markedly as the day passed. Blue sky was apparent from the restaurant windows as we sampled wine, consumed more food than was prudent (or was it the other way around?), and watched the river traffic. The fact that some some cloudiness had returned by the time of our departure did not prevent several brave souls from once again stowing their tops enroute home in hopes of avoiding the onset of rain; yours truly traversed the 75 miles between Moyer’s and Mt. Sterling without a drop of rain, and in comparative warmth — for a British car, that is. All in all, an excellent trip, enjoyed by Ollie McCormick in his Bentley, Mike and Michael Razor in their MGA, the Rowes in their MGB, Paul Dolloff and Angela in his Sprite, the Bennett's in a Miata (substituting for their MG), the Howells in their Fiat (!!?), the Mortons in their truck (the Triumph still requiring a bit of springtime preparation), the Fegenbushes in their Mazda sedan (the Spitfire not being ready for prime time), and your editor in his MGB. A fine inauguration to the driving season, blemished only by the fact that Susan and Gene Wills were unable to be with us because of his recent surgery; these folks have historically organized this trip, and, although Ollie McCormick did a fine job planning the route, keeping in contact with the restaurant, and shepherding the flock along, we will look forward to the Wills being with us next year.

Our next trip occurred on Saturday, April 17, this being a "Bluegrass and Bourbon" trek organized by Carryl and Ed Howell. On this occasion, the weather cooperated magnificently, with temperatures in the 80's, sunshine, and light winds. That gift, coupled with the beautiful horse farms, made this a trip which will be long remembered. A small group met in Mt. Sterling and met the larger contingent on the South side of Lexington; all in all, there were 27 folks in 15 cars. There, the Howells provided detailed and creative instructions on the drive to come; indeed, your editor was so impressed with this effort that those instructions now form a part of his larger "British Car Library and No Longer Operating Electrical Parts Shelf." Seriously, the brochure was carefully crafted, and it is my opinion that this trip should form an annual event with few, if any, route variations. Like fine wine, it will only improve with age. Beginning on Man O’ War Drive (what else), the trip meandered past historic Keeneland Racetrack, legendary Calumet Farm, the Headley-Whitney Museum, Pisgah Church, a covered bridge, and a flour mill. Ironically and humorously, in the midst of the horse farm grandeur, we were also treated to a drive by a foul farm, boasting hundreds of ducks, geese, chickens, and other poultry of every description. Thus fueled with visions of fried chicken and Peking Duck, we ventured into picturesque Midway, Kentucky where we lunched at Darlin’ Jean’s, shopped a bit, and celebrated the fact that everyone had completed the 57 mile first leg without breakdowns or serious route variations. The group then continued through an even more spectacular visage of Kentucky thoroughbred farms, to an optional tour at the historical Woodford Reserve Distillery, and, eventually, back to Lexington at Graeter’s Ice Cream Parlor for a well-deserved punctuation to the day. Truly, one of the outstanding trips in the storied SBMS annals, and definitely one deserving of placement in the pantheon of British Treks. Again, the Howells have set a high bar, indeed, for future trip planners.

Speaking of future trips, remember that our monthly journeys will resume in May with trips to Blue Licks Battlefield, in June to Buffalo Trace and Shelbyville, in July to the Daniel Boone National Forest, in August with a rally, in September with an overnight trip to Cumberland Falls, in October to Keeneland Race Track, and in November to Bardstown for a Maker’s Mark Distillery tour.

Through all this excitement, we continue to meet on the first Tuesday of each month, at 6:00 PM, generally at Old Silo Golf Course in Mt. Sterling.

Our little group has grown large, thanks to the hard work of our organizers and far-sighted initial leadership, but primarily to the camaraderie of our membership. The annual dues of $20 per year are far too cheap for the trips, our annual Bash, mechanical assistance and high degree of technical know-how, and the most convivial group to be found. The bottom line is that you need to join if you have the slightest interest in British vehicles, and live anywhere in Central or Eastern Kentucky. So there.