MAY 24, 2004 – Sometimes it rains; sometimes it pours; other times it doesn’t do anything at all. Did an El Niño pass through in April or something? Ha! We should have lots of “May flowers” with all the rain.

This year, our “campgrounds” at Mac J's Mud Fence Farm was all that… well … more than adequately watered. We talked about postponing or canceling, but Mac put a lot into preparing for the arrival of our rowdy bunch. So, we opted to at least show up and see what we could make of it. At worst, we would have a fun day up around the garages. Plus, if folks were brave enough to want to camp, Mac could pull them out with his tractor.

A few of us met at the Exxon Tiger Mart before motoring up the road to Hickory Wythe to rendezvous with some more members. There, I surrendered the lead position to Ron S., since he knew the way, and I was, after all, driving my truck. I wish that I had been driving Verty, but for logistical reasons, it was my truck “Ar-ty.”

We all arrived safely, then parked in the practice arena. Wow. What a cushion! I wager that the horses enjoy their workouts on it. In no time, we had set up canopies, tables, grills, coolers and were heavy into Vdubbing… or whatever you call it … telling stories, checking out Mac’s really cool stuff, being entertained by our canine friends, flying kites, watching the kids perform their Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, Jr impersonations on go-karts, and (heaven forbid!) daytime launches with the POTATO CANONS.

One of my (and lots of other folks’) favorite Mac gems has to be his “new” 1952 Porsche Pre-A Cabriolet. Except for a coat of paint it is all original. What’s more, it is #19 of only 119 “interim” Cabriolets ever built. And… it was originally purchased at the Hoffman dealership in New York (remember our Trivia?). If I would have had my red jacket, I could have done an overweight, too tall, James Dean photo op’. And then, there was that much “newer” red 1962 (?) Porsche. Ow! And I love that old “’48 Ford look alike” Volvo, too! Who wouldn’t?

The Weather: We could not have asked for a much better day; really breezy, just a few clouds. It was too bad that the fields were so wet from previous rains. Then, there was the matter of that big storm out of Arkansas, heading our way towards evening. You don’t want to be out in an open field, or under a tree, or ANYWHERE outside, during a thunderstorm! Though I was packed for camping, I decided just make a day/evening trip of it.

We changed the schedule of the hot dog roast we had planned for late Saturday night. We grilled burgers, hot dogs and bratwurst for late afternoon lunch, complimented by potluck items; lots of cold drinks. M-mm-mm!

We had more fun times, before Bobby B. displayed his culinary skills. He grilled the supper steaks to go with baked potatoes (all provided, thanks to Mac Jones… he supplied all the drinks too!).

It seemed like there were 40 or 50 people their. But it was probably more like 25-30. It was a QUALITY group, though.

Though Richard Green & I called it a day around 8 PM, 3 brave (?) souls decided to stay and camp in the side yard parking area for the night. LaRue H. & Mark C., both in their busses, and Mark H. in…. a TENT!  LaRue did a little “interest” story on their adventure and it is provided in this edition too.