Thursday, 30 people awoke to a foggy morning as we began assembling at Remington’s for a 7:30 departure to BG. Shortly after being on the road, the clouds parted and it was a beautiful day for a road trip for the 16 cars.  With just 2 pit stops and 1 stop for lunch at Lambert’s in Sikeston, we arrived at the Super 8 around 5:30.  Immediately upon arrival Dave H and Chuck R had to start cleaning and polishing.  Joe P was glad we were off the road so he would not have to worry about any more “pit” stops.  Thanks Joe for bringing up the rear on our trip (or as Betty S put it, being the “t-p”).  You did an excellent job of keeping our caravan together.   

That night several gathered under the Super 8 portico for nightcaps and good conversation . . . true to form- our group just kind of moved in and took over!  Betty & Darrel S joined us late due to “messing around” . . . we wondered . . . what that meant exactly??

Friday morning we awoke to a peaceful sunny day but were alarmed to hear about all the tornadic activity that was taking place in the Spfd area . . . phone calls to loved ones and neighbors put everyone’s mind at ease.  Various activities were planned and . . . yes, more Dave and Chuck cleaning and polishing . . . By 12 noon, most folks had visited the newly built NCM Café for lunch and spent time in the new NCM store.  By 1:00, our tour began in the newly constructed conference room with a brief film on corvette history in the movie theater and interesting trivia question and answer time on video screens.  While on tour, the clouds moved in and the rain came down, messing up our photo op with our cars in front of the newly constructed building of the museum.  So, we all jumped in our cars after the rain subsided and drove to the Chaney Dairy Barn on the outskirts of town to enjoy some homemade ice cream.  That evening, we were back at NCM, meeting in the conference center for dinner and drinks, which left some of us asking, “Where’s the beef”?  In spite of that, a good time was had by all.  Later, back at the hotel, to our dismay, we found ourselves being infiltrated by a large group with 4 wheel drive trucks & trailers for the weekend tractor pulls. Oh well, this won’t damper our spirits, we all gathered again out front under the canopy for drinks, conversation and much laughter.  This time, David and Karen B were late. .  Left us all wondering . . . again.    

Saturday morning we awoke to overcast skies but no rain.  Oh well, car polishing again anyway. . . Dave?   We departed the NCM at 9:00 and were led by Marty as our road guide to the Ft Knox/ Patton museum some 90 miles away, cruising around Mammoth Cave National Park on a beautiful scenic tour.  As we entered Ft Knox, from a distance we could see the Ft Knox gold depository (no tours allowed here unfortunately & definitely no souvenirs).  The historic Patton museum proved to be interesting and informative to everyone . . . we could have spent another hour there looking at stuff but we needed to head for the Whistle Stop Café in historic Glendale, KY for lunch- we were famished.  The food was great and worth every penny and everyone chowed down.  Afterward, we came outside to sunny beautiful weather and shopping was on the agenda for all the ladies (good thing after having to look at all those war tanks, right girls)?  Speaking of tanks, it was interesting to learn how the tank got it’s name- In WW I, when the tank was invented, they had to disguise it somehow while transporting it, so it was made to look like a water tank- when they traveled through a checkpoint, the guard asked them what they were transporting, and they said “a tank”- and the name stuck . . .  Just a little bit of trivia. 

After arriving back to BG, it was washing and polishing again . . . Dave!   After a bath at the local car wash, Dwight W says he had never seen Mike S ‘99 so clean.  Well, we had to get the cars ready, because as it turns out, the NCM was holding their first-of-the-season “cruise in” that evening and they invited us to participate . . . lots of vintage models of cars were there with music and fun.   Again, Sat. night we were back out front again for more laughter, tales and conversation- some were too tired to join in, it had been a very long day.

Sunday morning we had to say our goodbye’s to old as well as new friends.  A few caravanned home to Springfield but most went their separate ways.

Mike and I would like to again thank everyone who made the trip.  To our old friends, it was wonderful to spend time with you again and to the folks who we just got to know; it was such a pleasure for us.  There were lasting memories created by all!  

We're on our way... Bowling Green or Bust!

Rick, did you REALLY eat the WHOLE THING?????

Crossing the Mighty Mississippi

Our evenings were spent "bonding" out front

under the hotel portico.  All we needed

was a fire pit!

Our "very own" Ben Whitacre's 1966 Vette on display at the NCM.

Off to the Dairy Barn for homemade ice cream ~ yum!

On our way to the Patton Museum ~ Pieces of the Berlin Wall! 

FASCINATING PLACE!!!

A quick shot of Ft. Knox, then on to the Whistle Stop for lunch.

OMG, it was wonderful!