my 2011 Gathering reflection....

I went without a car....again. I took all 3 of my kids, Yana 11, John-Aaron 9 and Alex 7. We drove down wed afternoon got checked in to our room visited a little and got ready to start the treatment, that is the royalty treatment. We cruised to the Doolin House for a great salad and brickoven pizza. Tony Hahn's daughter Allison and son in law Chuck own the Doolin House, a bed and breakfast, and they treated us like.. like ... like family. I don't know who paid but we weren't aloud to take up donations per Tony. I would like to say "Thank you" to Allison & Chuck for all 4 times you catered us this week, AMAZING!

Thur we cruised out to a family run orchard for some homemade apple and peach fruit pies, drinks, fresh fruit from the orchard and some quailty together time. After that we headed down the road another mile or so to the Mill Springs civil war museum and battle grounds. It was very enteresting in itself but the gentleman that gave us the tour and showed us how the events took place that day was GOOOOOOOD! He was really passionate about it and brought it to life. After that we cruised back to the hotel just long enough to get together to head out for dinner. Members of the Somernites Cruise put on a hamburger and hot dog meal for us complete with sides and drinks for free, did I mention treated like royalty? After that we went down the road for the autocross event, also hosted by the Somernites Cruise guys. They set up the course, which they started by having a street sweeper come in and clean the whole course and then about noon that day started setting up the cones for the course. Now this was their first time doing this and they spent their own time researching and coming up with this course and how it should operate. IT WAS A BLAST!!! and I didn't even have a car there. Many people took my kids for rides, in fact many people took many of the kids for rides and they all loved it. Page Phillips took Mom and Dads Mazda out there and kept improving until she took 3 kids with her and with them urging her to do better she slid through a couple cones. Page improved 10 seconds between pass 1 and 2 but bettered that in the end. Russ, John, Terry, Tony all had 4" front wheels and they were driving like they thought they were in Watkins Glen for a road race. Smirks car(red and black comet) with Chris Hahn at the wheel took top honors. I would like to give another BIG THANK YOU to the Sonernites Guys for treating us to dinner and fun beyond expectations, you all are first class!!!

Fri started off with some drizzle and clouds but and that delayed us for a short time, Dang the way everything else had been going I figured the Hahns controlled the weather also, maybe you can work on that for next year Tony and Terry.Just as well though it gave Jack and Steve time to change Jacks starter as it went out just as we were supposed to be leaving. we made it to Cumberland Falls and had a great time walking the paths and seeing the sites and learning about the falls history. Kids got ice cream and then it was time to head back. But Dale was almost out of gas, it still makes me smile, Dale almost out of gas. Anyone that knows Dale knows he is about as cautious as they come so we, actually Jim allen, who I was riding with, followed to make sure Dale made it to get gas. Dale check your guage. We got back in time for the kids to swim some and the grown ups got to relax and get ready for dinner. Back to the Doolin House where we were treated pork loin and chicken breast and some great sides.We did pay for this meal and it was worth every penny but this is the only main meal we had to pay for the entire event, can you say unbelievable! This time we ate inside the dining area, and in the library, and in the meeting room and outside, heck we ate everywhere. Great food and great company! Then it was back to the hotel for the club meeting. I would tell you about the meeting but you have to be in the club.

Sat we headed to the park for show day. The convoy on the highway quite impressive and fun. When we got there President Ruth had fun and games for the kids and people were socializing and cleaning their cars and just enjoying life. The tourism board supplied lunch, free, of sandwhichs, pasta made by the Doolin House(I think) watermelon, etc...... Again Chuck and Allison hosted the food. I got drug into one of the kids games of how many marshmellows can you stuff in your mouth after the kids talked John into it. John got 15 in there but he couldn't close his lips and I have the pics to prove it. I got 14 and was going for 15 when I touched off the gage reflex and all 14 of them and maybe some lunch came out in a hurry. The kids thought it was great and I'm glad I could amuse them. I saw Ellen teaching Lynn how to clean her grill and Thomas wiping down his new car, my old one. We had some great door prizes, enough that every one had 3 rounds of winnings. I won the best one of all, at least to me, a floor jack, thank you Smirk and Sherry. I know its not about the car count but we had 24 cars this year, which I thought was great seeing how I didn't bring one, but hey 2 of my old or ex cars were there. After the show day we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner down by the lake. Barry from Bowling Green, Ky cooked up some smoked pulled pork, agian with sides and drinks served by him and Allison. If you didn't get enough to eat during this event I don't know what you were doing, I thought I was going to pop. Excellent food Barry, Thank you!

Everyday was finshed with socializing out in the parking lot, our host hotel was very gracious to put up with us even though we didn't get out of control we treated it like we owned it taking over the main entrance every night with folding chairs and groups of people. My kids had a great time with the other kids and adults alike. I would like to give a couple shouts out there to Page for putting up with Alex latching onto you and you treating him so well, Chris, April and Kaseson (spell) for treating Alex to good day, to Russ, Ron, Terry, Page, John and anyone else who gave our kids rides in the autocross, I'm sure they won't forget it soon. Don Grahm pointed out something that is very true when he said, "where else could you take your kids someplace with people you only see once a year and have the trust that they will be safe"? I think of you all as family and I am grateful that in this family my kids get to experience this close knit group. Thank you to all those I got to ride with and to the people that took my kids with them for the cruises and I know they enjoyed that as well. To the Hahns and your families for helping you put on one the best shows to date that I have attended. To Ruth for doing a great job with the president position, organization and getting our kids involved, Ruth you are doing a great job, don't sweat the small stuff, let others help, we are here for you. to all who had to drive many miles to get there, I hope you can relate to the great time I'm writing about here and it was worth it. To the many new faces, I feel very lucky to have met you! To all my old friends, I feel blessed to have seen you again. And to end this all I feel it only fitting to use this photo I have titled "The End" for you Ruth, lets do it again next year.

 

That's awsome and hilarous!
:Handshake

 

Awesome, I'm sitting here thinking of the fun you had... Thanks for sharing

 

Nice write-up. I wish I could have made it.

 

That's a great summary Ward. The only things you left out were the motel cookies.

 

We had a great time! Was top knotch couldn't think of a better way to spend my vacation. Can't wait till next year!

 

very well said. I agree completely.

 

As I sit here reading all that took place I envy those that were able to participate in this event. It is just terrific that a bunch of people, some that have never met besides words on a screen can get together and have a great time.

Kudos to those that worked so hard to have a place to stay, food to eat and fun for everyone to have. And to those of you that have posted about the event thank you as well from those of us not being able to attend at least we get to share some of the excitement this way.

I vow to attend next year, gonna start saving my pennies now

 

Very well said Ward. But I think Ruth is going to have some words for you!
Heard that the hotel went through 30 boxes of cookies while we were there.

We battled a gas leak. Tony Hahn called his buddy at the Ford Dealer who dug through the parts department and found us a sending unit gasket then gave it to us free of charge. Big thanks! even though it didn't cure the problem. Didn't stop us from driving the car the remainder of the weekend.

We had an fantastic time and I am almost ready to do it again. I think I got less than 20 hours total sleep the 4 nights we were in Somerset. And that is not even considering the small amount of sleep I got prior to the event. Had to have Thomas drive for about 50 miles in Illinois so I could get a power nap to finish the trip home. This was his first time towing a trailer and I suppose he did great. My son Joshua had a blast and is looking forward to next year. I was amazed at all the kids having a great time and the sign language that was learned.

Have to admit that Alex signing that it was time for us to leave Ward's house Tuesday night was priceless

 

Mike you won't regret it. Even if you fly in for the event it is well worth it. Our car sat on the trailer until Thursday night. Gave us the opportunity to ride along in some great cars.

 

Thomas pulling a trailer and Page driving in the Autocross. Wow, it doesn't seem that long ago that they were in the kids' games & coloring book contest!

 

Tell me about it, now I have a 12 year old picking my Maverick as his when I die.

 

Talk about priceless. That one by Joshua (at the pizza meal) was a classic.

 

I gotta jump in here and say that Shannon asked me if the Comet is still going to him in my will lol.

 

I would like to hear this one, Joshua say's some crazy stuff.