A Tale of Fog, Sun and Impromptu Fun

"Crap! I drove all the way back from Baltimore in the wee hours for this," was my first thought as I peered, bleary-eyed, from the kitchen window. The post-St Paddy's Sunday dawn was breaking foggy and cold. And I was a little disappointed. Please allow me to explain.

The previous evening I attended my great niece's Sweet Sixteen birthday party in Baltimore. Ainsley Grace is a wonder of a child, born on St. Patrick's Day -- let me think -- yes, sixteen years ago. Clearly, public schools have honed my math skills to a needle-like point.

After the party, I decided to drive back home rather than staying with relatives in Maryland. This would allow me to participate in an impromptu "Breakfast Run" that was planned for Sunday morning. The weather forecast indicated that it was going to be very sunny and warm. Perfect!

Getting out of Baltimore was like a surreal slalom course. Picture an autocross course, except instead of pylons, the Canton streets were filled with drunken St. Paddy's Day revelers. I had luck (and sobriety) on my side as I dodged drunken pedestrians and roving bands of frat "Bros". I think they may have been speaking Gaelic. Nah, it was just slurred English. Too bad I was leaving town...it looked like a lot of fun! Travel tip: If you ever plan to party on Boston Street in Baltimore on St Patrick's Day wear your Wellingtons.

But I digress...this is about the Breakfast Run. Where was I? Oh, yes. Sunday morning looked bleak. Nothing like the promised "sunny and warm". Oh, well, the MGB needed a brisk "test thrashing" since I'd finished rebuilding the front-end and some other bits and bobs over the winter so I was going, weather-be-da**ed!

At the meeting point, the group took shape. Four MGA's, me in my MGB, and one club member in a "normal" car. Though I had a B, the MGA drivers decided to let me go along anyway. Very generous of you guys, I appreciated it.

Breakfast included a hilarious session of "Here's a Stupid Thing I've Done," which involves sharing dumb things you've done while repairing your vehicle. Out of respect for the other participants, I will not share details. Nor will I share mine!


A Rose Between Four Thorns at Breakfast

After breakfast in Wind Gap, it was still cold and foggy. Three of the MGA's and I decided to take a quick ride up over Blue Mountain to a winery a few miles away on the north side of the ridge. As we crested the ridge I saw the driver in the lead car point skyward. Sun! The north side of the ridge was completely devoid of fog. It was like another world. Awesome! The temperature seemed to rise about 20 degrees in one minute. Moral of the story: Always go to the winery. That's where the sun is.


On The Sunny Side -- The Group Says "Hi" to Marybeth


Even El Presidente' Gets Carded


Wildlife on The Banks of The Winery Pond

We had a quick wine tasting and enjoyed the sun a bit. The group split up and I drove home the long way, twisting through the wooded back roads on the sunny side of the Blue Mountain ridge. It was a great way to open the "driving season" with good camaraderie and an opportunity for me to throw the B around for the first time since my major suspension refurb.

Repeat after me...C'mon Spring!