STERLING BRITISH MOTORING SOCIETY -- October 19, 2003

Your editor is abjectly sorry that the last several newsletters have not been produced. In fact, your editor is a generally sorry person, but that is another story for another day.

The truth is that summertime does not lend itself to sitting around thinking up newsletters. Rather, blue skies and balmy temperatures are there to be enjoyed, preferably in British cars. At least, that's the excuse of the day.

The Club has been busy during the past few months. First, we have held a meeting or three at Old Silo Golf Course, with at least one cook-out to celebrate the season. Attendance has been excellent, as always. Second, various members have traveled here and there to attend shows in Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and sundry other places. Because of various unworthy conflicts, the undersigned could not participate in the Louisville and Indianapolis events, but the word is that both were fine times. Perhaps next year....

A first-hand report is, however, possible as to the show. As is always the case, there were many cars, more than a few vendors, and a fine representation by the Sterling bunch. We enjoyed our now-traditional group picnic on the grounds, and everyone made it up and back without serious incident.

Third, the Morton's once again hosted their fish fry. This is a truly outstanding party, and we thank Danny and Debbie for going to all of this trouble. The fish was wonderful, as were the margaritas and home made ice cream. The day was a fine one, and the back-yard tent kept us all in the shade. A short tour of the greater Mt. Sterling Metropolitan area was icing on the cake.

Fourth, we endured our annual Trek to Natural Bridge State Park and the Red River Gorge. Mike Razor was our on-the-spot reporter and sends this dispatch:

"What started out to be a wet gloomy day ended up being a great outing. Thanks to Catesby Woodford and Paul Dolloff for arranging and bird dogging what ended up being a really good drive up to Natural Bridge. I woke up and said to myself "Nah, no drive today" and then the phone rang. It was Paul saying that the ride was on and to meet at 11AM.

Got to the Penney's parking lot and it had quit raining. There was a great crowd. If I recall there were six British cars, all with their tops up and several others showed in there regular cars, with the windows closed. In an offer of support Ed Howell did ride with the windows cracked a little but the heater stayed on.

We departed and as soon as we entered Clay City it began to pour. That is when I thought it was a good time to explain to Sallie that the side curtains were back at the garage but not to worry as long as we kept moving we would stay dry. While sitting at the only stop light in Clay City, I tried to explain to Sallie how much room the side curtains took up in the trunk and as long as we kept moving....

Anyway, as we cleared Clay City it stopped raining. The cell phone rang and we told the Will's that it was not raining and to come on. As soon as we hung up it really started to pour. By the time we reached the Bridge the weather had dried up and we sat down to a really nice buffet. I counted 25 in our party, to include two very young potential members at Catesby¹s table.

When we left the Bridge the weather had turned perfect. Since our daughter Jessica had a house full of company we thought it more prudent to take a shorter route home and did not make the drive through the gorge. Hopefully, somebody else can fill the club in on those details. I do know that the drive home was great, real Brit weather, not to hot, not too dry or wet. Thanks again to Paul and Catesby for putting a great drive together."

Had your editor truly foreseen the level of precipitation which awaited us, the trip would have been canceled. Of course, by then folks were winging (well, driving) their way in from various and sundry locations and would have been disappointed. Besides, the National Weather Service continued to assure us that all would be well, and we all believe whatever our government tells us, of course. Anyway, as Mike reports, most of us were able to remove our tops at Natural Bridge, causing widespread consternation among other visitors; we then enjoyed the rest of the route through the Gorge on the famous Nada Tunnel Road.

Many thanks to all of you who participated. This trip raises our final subject: The Club has decided to plan and drive a route once each month in the warm weather months. The current thinking is that this would occur on a Saturday, rain or shine, beginning in March with our annual Moyers Winery run, and continuing for as long as decent meteorological conditions prevail.

As discussed, members are to arrive at our November meeting with destinations in mind. Generally, those proposing specific destinations will be asked to plan the route and any stops along the way. The drives will not take the place of our regular monthly meetings, but will offer an opportunity each month to stretch the legs of our cars.

Remember that our group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 PM. The current venue is Old Silo Golf Course in Mt. Sterling, but the location does tend to change from time to time. Call Mike Razor at 859-498-8615 for up-to-the-minute details and bulletins.

(This article is also published in The British Marque Car Club News)