Jack
Reynolds likes to quote an the adage that goes, "Even a broken
clock is right twice a day," but the weather forecast wasn't even
half right for the drive hosted by the Triumph Marque on November 22.
The forecaster had said the temperature would hit 50 degrees, but the
mercury didn't get much above the 40 mark. So, what promised to be
a leisurely search for pleasant driving roads became the BSCC's First
Annual Polar Bear Run.
The twelve hardy (fool-hardy?) BSCC members gathered beneath the statue
of Ramses I in front of the Pyramid were bundled in coats, gloves,
scarves, sweaters, hats, and hoods struggling for warmth in the face of
a biting wind and sunless sky. Still, Jimmy & Linda Dawson
were determined to show the mettle of Triumph lovers - the top was down
on their TR-6! The stalwart Triumph drivers were joined by Jaguars
driven by Steve Pratt, and Charles & MaryAnne Coleman; Jim Hofer in
his beautiful A/H 3000; Charlie & Carol Gemeinhardt in their MGB;
Bill & Marian Cravens in their Mini; and Sharon & Jim Duke in
their MGB. In short, twelve souls and seven LBCs.
We headed south on Riverside Drive to cross the Mississippi on the
old bridge' and left I-55 onto Broadway in West Memphis.
Continuing west, we then took Hwy 147 south from Lehi, Arkansas, then
Hwy 50 west near Chatfield, AR. We followed 50 through Widener to
Madison where we gained Hwy 70 west into Forest City. At Forest
City we took Hwy 284 - Crowley's Ridge Road - along a winding path north
along the crest of Crowley's Ridge - the lone geologic relief to the
flatness of the Delta.
The Indian Creek State Park beckoned so we stopped at the Park's Visitor
Center to get warm and hear a short interactive presentation on the
Trail of Tears' and the role of the historic Military Road' in that
historic blot on our national character.
The Dawson's surrendered to sanity and the chill of growing evening by
raising the top on their TR-6 on departing the Park, and we discovered
the generator on Jim Hofer's Healey wasn't living up to the beauty of
the car. Still things went well as we wandered on north to Wynne,
then east on Hwy 64 to Crawfordsville. Jim's headlights had about
the strength of a couple of fireflies, but we considered that to be
about normal for original Lucas lamps.
We found Uncle John's Restaurant at Crawfordsville, and piled in to find
a large table already set for us. And, we found their furnace
wasn't working so the restaurant had a decided chilly air - especially
the metal chairs - WHOO, that was exciting!
What kind of food comes to mind when you think of a restaurant named
"Uncle John's"? Burgers? Barbeque? Catfish?
How about Italian? Yep, Italian. And good home made
Italian food - at quite reasonable prices, too. Manicotti, Pasta,
Spaghetti, Ravioli, etc. Maybe it was the bracing cold of the
afternoon, but everyone seemed to have a hearty appetite and savored
their meal.
The Healey electrical system had about given up the ghost when we left
Uncle John's, and a quick boost from Steve Pratt's XJ-S was needed to
give it life. A gas stop up the road proved a good idea because
the Healey's battery just wasn't supplying enough juice to keep all six
cylinders firing steadily. So Jim made a quick decision - leave the
Healey there, run home for a fresh battery, and then finish the trip in
the company of Bill & Marian Cravens while the rest of us headed on
home. Fortunately, there is only about 30 miles from
Crawfordsville to Melody Lane, so the journey would only add about an
hour to our last driving adventure of 2008.
Though it may have been chilly, and ended on a bit of a sour note, the
Triumph Marque event was great fun and a welcome opportunity to unlimber
our British Iron once more before winter shut the door more firmly.
And, we had a chance to add a new entry to our list of favorite
restaurants - but we hope they get their heating system going soon!
One more thing about Uncle John's - be sure to see the delightful mural
painted on the north wall of their back' room - a real surprise
for a seemingly unsophisticated little small town restaurant.
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