While most people throughout the U.S. were in malls and shopping centers, standing in lines, wrestling for that last sales item and generally frustrating themselves, a few of us were out and about in our Little British Cars enjoying the day. We had a great turnout with 17 people driving 9 MGs and one modern Mini Cooper. Not sure how the Cooper snuck in, but hey, we are the Marque of Friendship, so we will let anyone join us. Before leaving, we even had a great conversation with the proud owner of a classic Pontiac.

Meeting up at Buc-ee's in Katy

We gathered at the Katy Buc-ee’s, filling ourselves with coffee & kolaches and our cars with pure-gas. Then we headed out onto a series of twisting, meandering country roads.

Kicking the tires before departure

Out of town visitors joining us for the drive

(Can't believe Bob let his son-in-law drive his baby)

Our 58-mile route took us through Brookshire, out past San Felipe de Austin State Park, turning south towards Simonton, into Fulshear and finally into Richmond where we ended the Trip at Bob’s Taco Station. This area is still wonderfully rural with lots of great driving, allowing for mostly unfettered 50 to 60 mile per hour driving on well-maintained roads. There are only a few small towns, requiring minimal stop and go traffic.

The gang's all here

The sights along the way were very much Texas – Longhorn cattle, horses, beautiful ranches and one very large roadkill (a wild boar) that made for an extra chicane in the roadway. Oh yeah, and let’s not forget the house that was being moved and looked like something out of the Wizard of Oz.

Auntie Em, Auntie Em...

A very special shout out to the world famous Bob, of Bob’s Taco Station. He arranged for special parking in the front of his restaurant and reserved seating inside. We had great food, fun and laughter sharing stories and discussing potential future drives.

No better place to end a drive than Bob's Taco Station in Richmond, TX

I am happy to report that the weather held with moderate temperatures, clouds, and only a couple very light sprinkles in the morning. As we came out of Bob’s Taco, the clouds cleared, the sun came out and we had excellent top down driving weather. I am also happy to report that no one qualified for next year’s Broken Crankshaft Award. The cars ran flawlessly.

Drivers and navigators were: Roger & Kaye Sykes, Ron Redding, Dwight & Candy Dawson, Mike & Stephanie Woodward, Jim Early, Bob & Stephen Chalker (Bob’s son), David & Taylor Smit, Kim Chalker & Bob Loomis (Kim’s dad) Dave & Linda Renner and Gordon Bard.