Another Saturday, we were readying for the weekly trek to our nearby “Home Town”. Today we would be meeting up with some of our friends from out of the country. Graham, W4HFG Carole & Edith were still in town from Oldham, Mark & Yvonne Ashman vacationing and representing the UK’s National Association of Street Clubs would also be in Town along with several hundred of our cruising friends and a few thousand friends we were about to make. Regular readers of my chronicles understand that this event never gets boring. Yes, it might be the same people and cars week in and week out, even some of the spectator crowd is the same. For some spending the day at Old Town is like being back in that small town they grew up in or visited in their youth. The average age of the Cruiser is well over 50 but there are many younger people getting involved with this great hobby. It is this “Home Town” atmosphere that attracts them as well, to them it is like watching reruns of the Andy Griffith Show. To our visitors from overseas it is the best time they could have, regardless of the cost. A real piece of Americana. This is why they come back, why we as cruisers get to know them and look forward to their return. Some come back several times a year others may be only once a year or every other year but they come back. Is it the cars? The People? Or the Place? It is all of them. All are critical elements to the success of what we do and that is hang out in a parking lot with our friends and their cars. We all know it is the bragging rights to the car we are driving. We need somewhere to do that. The whole world knows we do that every week and have been doing do for nearly 2 decades!

OK on to the day, we would arrive at our regular time. Emil, KJ4GNH would be in a spot he likes to call his own. There are signs that the cooler weather is upon us. Richard F would bring out one of his many Model A’s. Steve Mc, K4SKM would also be in one of his on this, his birthday. Cheryl would even venture out and take him to dinner. T Rod, KT4ROD would come out to join us for dinner.

Early arrivals to Block 4 would include Dan Z in his latest Hot Rod. Dave & Nancy in the ‘55 T-Bird. Tom & Bunny in her ‘68 Fairlane, Dave in his ‘63 Avanti and Bruce KD4KXE in his Cobra. Linda & I would take our first walk up to the top of Trophy Row after Bill & Doris’ visit. It was filling up nicely. There wasn’t any rain in the forecast so it wasn’t stopping the locals from coming out. The spectator crowd was even starting to build early. Bob B would have his ‘71 Z-28 in a place he likes to call his own, the Chevelle was on it’s way to the UK, now he can concentrate on the ‘64. Mark had the “Beast” next to him. Nick & Fran were on their way back from their daughters wedding. Most of the “Redline Rodders” were in place. Karen and the kids were behind the stairs as usual. Bob would have his ‘63 Corvair near the top of Block 1. Steve would have his ‘68 GTX across from him along with a bunch of other Mopars.

The early afternoon was spent back by the car in Block 4. There were a few more cars that would join us before 4. T Rod, KT4ROD would arrive with some coax cable for the OTARC “Tower” project.

We would head for “Flippers” a little before 4:00, Graham was in route for the meeting and dinner. Ted, KE4TTE was also on the radio but he didn't join us tonight. Gina, KE4VNV his better half would be meeting him later. On our walk up we spotted Dave D in his ’57 Mint Julep ’57 Chevy and Warren would have a vintage T-Bird under the carport, Lynn would be out in the ’49 Ford Pickup and the crowd under the stairs was growing with Nilda & Pablo along with Lori, the Amigos were in place and John & Angel had their VW near the top of Block 1. While we dinned the cars kept rolling in. Don M brought out the Acadia Tara was just behind him in the Mopar. “Bo” in his Corvair, John R in his Mustang. Doc & Cara in the “Tater Truck” would make their way down the bricks. John would take good care of our table of 10 as usual. We spotted Joe & Kay over at the Tex Mex along with a slew of other “Early Birds”. I think even Bill & Doris dinned on the South Western menu.

On our walk back to the cars we would all take a different route, Linda would escort Carole & Edith to many of the shops, Graham, T Rod & I would visit with the newest arrivals on the way back down, Nick & Fran had arrived in their ‘32 Ford. Mike who’s ‘65 GTO was in the “Looney Bin” was chatting with “Big John” and Mark R. Cris & Larry were nearby in their VW and even Butch & Steph would join them. We would then gather up the 4 spools of cable and head to the “Blue Room”. Emil joined in with us at the bottom of the stairs and headed up to pass the cable along to Mike Singer. The “Queen of Doo Wop” was visiting with him as was Cara. This cable will be used to improve the wireless microphones for Old Town Radio.

Once we got back to the car, the place was really busy now. Tom and Lori would bring out both of their Mopars, Big Jim & Norma were seen in their ‘57 Chevy, Tom & Chris were in their Camaro and Tony & Donna would arrive in their Mustang. Mark Ashman and company would have arrived by now and I would walk all of the cars with him, he wanted to award a “2009 Old Town Tour” trophy. Yvonne would stay and visit with all in our area of Block 4. Gina joined in by now.