2018 MOGSouth Spring Meet – Report from the Field

Contrary to common belief, at least by those in Florida

that the world is flat . . .

it isn’t.

It really is somewhat hilly or rolling with green trees and farmer’s fields, accentuated by sporadic bands of colors (e.g.  the reds, pinks, whites and yellows) provided by the blooming wildflowers along the roadway.

The weather was clear and in the 70s. Cloudless skies and no humidity!

Absolutely glorious and with the top down on the Morgan .  .  . darn near perfection!  This is why we have this car!!

Good thing it was such a pretty drive because it was a long way for us from Florida.  It took us a good two days.

Most of the Florida contingent, of those attending the 2018 MOGSouth Spring Meet in Franklin Tennessee, were scattered across Florida so a convoy both days was problematic.  We decided to all proceed from home on our own and meet up at a designated rendezvous point en route.  We chose Columbus Georgia / Phenix City Alabama as that rendezvous point.  (Other Floridians had planned to join us but life got in the way.)   That begs the question.  “Is there life outside of Morgan??”

We eventually had three in our group. Tom and Kathy Coryn in their wonderful 2005 Aero 8, Mark and Andrea Braunstein in the newly acquired 2005 Roadster, and Peter McManemy in his lovely 1998 ‘gun metal gray’ Plus 8.  (Other folks from Florida charted their own paths to Franklin.)  Upon arrival to Columbus, we cleaned up, then met in the bar and then headed to dinner together.  Day one was long but enjoyable, until things shifted left.

Andrea’s Dad who is in Memory Care, near where we live, took a fall and had to be hospitalized.  This necessitated that Andrea rent a car in Columbus and head back to Orlando to assist her father.  As it turns out, he is diabetic and the fall was likely due to a blood sugar drop.  Her Dad is 93 years old and can’t really fend for himself so Andrea’s presence back in Orlando was necessary.  I, on the other hand, was deemed useless and should go on to Franklin.

So on the second day of travel to Franklin, Andrea headed to Orlando and I motored on with the MOGSouth convoy to Franklin.  Again pretty roads, lovely weather and the top down.

We stopped for lunch in Guntersville Alabama.  As we travelled through Guntersville something seemed odd.   Bits and pieces looked vaguely familiar.  I couldn’t remember being there until I passed a place where I got Propane and remembered the green 1985 Propane Plus 8 I rescued a few years back.  This car was being pursued by several MOGSouth members but in the end it was rejected by all.  So I bought it.

This car was converted to gasoline and eventually sold to my good friend Richard Ihns.  As I understand it, he is now knee deep is a full restoration of the car in Clayton Georgia.   When we came out from lunch there were folks looking at our cars and remarked they had just ‘texted’ a friend who used to own a green Propane Plus 8.  Small World.

We arrived in Franklin Tennessee to a hotel full of Morgans and Morgan folks. Folks we haven’t seen in a good while, e.g. John and Carolyn Wade, Cynthia Speetjens, Ron and Libby Davis and many more.  A great turnout!   There were 4/4s, Plus 4s, Roadsters, Plus 8s, Aero 8s and even a new Three Wheeler (M3W) in the parking lot.   There was some concern that Franklin TN was too far west  and we wouldn’t have anyone attend?  Well, attendance was not a problem!  Most of us found dinner at the adjacent sports bar, Jonathons.   It was nice but very loud.

The Nashville Predators Hockey Team was playing in the early rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and they were on all the silly TV screens and the place was full of local fans.  Yes, very loud.  We went back to the hospitality suite as soon as we could.  Who’d of thought of the MOGSouth gaggle as quiet??

We couldn’t stay up too late as the plan for Saturday had us all participating in the local Cars and Coffee.  And, it started way too early.  We got there and parked. Quite a crowd and the Morgans made a big impression on the local Nashville British Car Club.  Good thing McDonalds was right there.   We brought the cars, but it was the Coffee.

After a bit we gathered up the Morgans and the MOGSouth crew and motored on.  Franklin is just lovely.  We were told that those that supposedly live in Nashville (e.g. the big Country Music stars, etc.) most likely really live in Franklin.  Understandable, simply gorgeous.  We passed Tim McGraw and Faith Hills’ estate, now for sale . . . any interest???  Then found our way to Mike Wolfe’s warehouse (Mike is the star of The American Pickers on TV’s History Channel) and saw a few items Mike had featured on the show.  Quite a bit of rusty stuff but still interesting.

Then it was lunch.  A choice off the chalk board, and then another run to more sites.  The afternoon offered the Lane Auto Museum, local shopping or a nap. I opted for the nap as I had been battling the pollen or the start of a cold or some such.  Very good choice.  Felt much better afterwards.

We then drove to dinner at a wonder Italian restaurant, a local favorite and they were ready for us, with a long expansive table along the window.  Wonderful!  Then back to the hotel for more hospitality room.

Unfortunately the weekend ended on Sunday with Breakfast and goodbyes at the hotel. The traveling trio from Florida was down to two, with Peter opting to find his own route to meet up with friends along the way home.  Tom Coryn and I drove back and again the weather was lovely and, of course, the top was down.  We found a hotel after a good day’s drive and went to bed early.  It was good to wind down after such a great weekend.   Then came Monday.

Again great roads and short diversion to  Wakulla Springs.   That’s a pretty place and offers lots of opportunities for future Morgan outings.

Then I was home.  It was good to be home, however I somehow wished I was still out and about.   The 2018 MOGSouth Spring Meet was one not to have missed and I really didn’t want it to end.  I had my newly acquired 2005 Roadster and I think I finally bonded with all the foreign switchology and new fangled gadgets.

Driving a Morgan over these roads, in this weather, was the what and why of these cars.  Seeing MOGSouth friends is always great and this meet brought out some we haven’t seen for a while.

If you were there, you know what I mean.  If not, I’m sorry and you should be too.

See you all in in the Fall!!

Cheers,
Mark