We were running a little late, waiting for the rain and sleet to stop. There was no sense in waiting for it to warm up because it wasn’t going to do that. The temperature peaked at midnight somewhere around 48 degrees and has been falling ever since. Emil, KJ4GNH reported that as soon as he got parked at Old Town he had to brush the show from his car. O.K. so it wasn't much but it was there. Tonight would be another first for Old Town a Saturday Nite “Snow Cruise”. Lee was waiting at the gate in his dally driver, out of the wind. Dave would be inside the cruise office, but he did come out to register us, we were the 4th car to head for “Trophy Row”. Even Allan was warmly situated in his car at the “Turn”. The only other cars I saw parked were Darrell’s ‘66 LTD and John’s Chevelle in Block 2 and Emil’s ‘48 Ford in a spot he likes to call his own in Block4. Charlie and Emil were off somewhere getting Breakfast so it was just Linda & I in Block 4. T Rod, KT4ROD would check in over the radio on his way to work and say that he too, had enough of the Cold weather and was hoping the more seasonal variety would return. All of this Arctic weather is courtesy of an “Alberta Clipper”. This morning it was 4 degrees warmer in Juneau Alaska and only 3 degrees warmer than Manchester England and it was night time there. Graham, G4HFG was surprised to hear that when he checked in over the OTARC Repeater.

Dave’s heater under the carport was being used by the “Red Line Rodders’ that were in town, with out cruisers and John who brought out his car. Yes, there were some folks in Shorts and T-Shirts. Hopeful vacationers from colder climates. However they were in search for some warmer clothing as they didn’t pack anything for WINTER. “They” say this is an 11 year cycle but I guess the last time it cycled it didn’t affect cruising too much. The weather has a lot to do with who comes out in their cars. It also affects the health of some of us and battling colds or what ever is very hard to do at these temperatures. The Show Must Go On, that is what some of the Cruisers say, we have travelers that come to see our cars and spend the day in our “Home Town”. We do not want to disappoint them, even a few cars is better than none at all. There was a family from Bolton near Manchester, England, that brought over their grandfather just too see the cars for the first time, he was a little disappointed with the numbers but was impressed that we were even out to play on such a cold day. We assured him that nothing stops the Saturday Nite Cruise.

On our first walk up “Trophy Row” we confirmed that there was only 4 cars, it was strange to see all of the open spots. The spectator crowd was asking about the cars. Nikki was wrapped up in her pink blanket. It wouldn’t be long before Dave’s heater was brought out and fired up under the carport.

After being back at the car for a little while, we decided to head up to eat a little early so we could be out of the cold, Emil would join us. On our way up Bob M would arrive in his ‘40 Buick. We would dine inside, Angie would serve us. While we were there John would arrive for work and we would also visit with Gina. Joe Z was the next to arrive for the Cruise in his Camaro. Mark would be in his Nova close behind him and Dave D would bring out a ‘64 Chevy. Soon after our food came Derrick would arrive in his ‘64 Corvette followed by a yellow Nova. Then a late 30’s LaSalle would be seen arriving. Dick & Gert would be next in their ‘36 Ford with John and Sandy right behind them in their ‘55 Chevy. They would all make it up to Flippers before we were done. Shane would arrive in his ‘57 Chevy as we were headed back to the cars. It was hard to recognize most of the Cruisers, Charlie would join us off and on during the evening, he would go home and check on Carole who is recovering from surgery and come back. Dale would arrive as we passed by the Cruise office on the way back to Block 4.

Mike, N4HHA would call to say that he was on his way out in the ‘64 Corvair, I am not sure how he got away from work but we are glad he was coming out. Fred form Michigan arrived in his ‘61 Corvair as We were warming ourselves under the carport, he would join us in Block 4.

After Mike, N4HHA arrived in his ’63 Corvair convertible that was then all of the occupants that would grace Block 4 for the evening. Linda & I would walk him up towards restaurant Corner, Fred was somewhere up there eating. We would stop by the “Old Town Leather” and Out of this World Embroidery” on our way back to the car. Once Fred & Mike would make it back, Craig would be visiting with us for a while and Charlie would make it back again. It was time to head to the General Store and get out of the wind for a while, there were several tourists in there checking things out and of course we had to pick up some candy, not cold beer tonight. An Espresso machine might have been in order for the evening. We would spend the rest of the night in normal fashion, talking cars radio and COLD. Graham would check back in for a final car count and we would all just try to stay warm for the next few hours. I know, just why do we do this? Well, the world knows we cruise every Saturday night and we just want to be sure there are at least a few cars for them to see no matter the weather conditions. Tropical Storms, Hurricanes, and now Snow. We’re here.

 Nikki and Allan would stop by with the flag winners list and a flag for us, just after 8:00, they would award the flag prizes when they dropped off the flags and every one that didn’t get a flag went home with a door prize, the Cruise Staff would direct Derrick Wood in his '64 Corvette, January 2010 Cruiser of the Month, who was then followed by the rest of the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up, Dave would bring them to Block 4 that becomes the staging area for Old Town's signature event. The rest of the cars from the top 3 Blocks would join in behind them. The "Blue Room" was on auto pilot all day, playing a mix of nostalgic music, radio "Jingles" . Allan would take the controls just before Cruise time and give the safety announcements, play the National Anthem, Wolfman Jack then proclaimed "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise" for tonight's running of this tradition. The Cruisers made their way to the "Bricks" of "Deac Hundley Avenue", Allan announced the Flag Winners as the rest of the 30 cars in cruise formation cruised past, delighting a chilly crowd of cheering spectators along both sides of the Avenue. "Rain or Shine" or even Snow, every Saturday night of the year, there is nothing quite like it for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from the sidewalks and boulevards.

Thank you Old Town for letting us, the curators of this "Rolling Display of Automotive History", the cars that are the "Stars", to be their guests this evening. Thank you to the Old Town Merchants Association and the Sponsors of this event, "Valvoline", the "General Store", the "A&W",  "Out of this World Embroidery", "Wound 'N Around", Pepsi, Roberts Brothers, the Pearl Factory, the Gold Hut, the "Tropical Breeze", Kool Kats, Tex Mex Express & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to Allan, Ron, Gary,  Lee, Dave, Esther, Vic, Nikki, CJ, Mesha, Chrisanne, Deputy Asa and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making our Saturday in "Town" a fun and safe one.

There wouldn't be a part II for this evening, we would all head for home once we made the top of the Cruise route, the staff was right behind us.
 

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See you all "Out There"