UPDATE: The TMGR has posted photos from the event. To see and download the photos go to www.imagemaker.cc. Once there Click on "Cars" button and scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the event. Once the page opens click on the words "Dave Nelson Photos".
The Fall Gathering of the Faithful (GoF) was held November 3-6th in Clifton Texas and it was a wild affair. No, not that kind of wild, it was held at the Texas Safari Exotic Animal Ranch. The Houston MG Car Club was well represented by the Bowers, Carpenters, Chalkers, Crows, Hardys, Schrodis, Sessions and Roger Sykes. One of the highlights of the weekend was seeing Steve Sessions MGB back on the road after a thorough restoration.
By the way, did you know that Clifton has been officially recognized by the Texas Legislature as the Norwegian capital of Texas. Clifton and the surrounding area was settled by Norwegian immigrants in the mid-19th century. To this day they are proudly Norwegian and the town has more than its share of trolls to prove it.
Knowing that we were in town one of the local's put their pride and joys on display along the roadside. If you are looking for a new addition to your stable it looks like at least one of them is for sale.
The weekend began with a wine and cheese party held at Valley Mills Vineyards on Thursday evening. Attendance was great and everyone was happy to be back together again.
Each morning Kim and I had breakfast at a wonderful cafe and soda fountain in town. The food was great and the company even better.
Friday was the busiest days we have experienced at a GoF. It began with a road rally on the beautiful country roads between Clifton and Glen Rose. These towns sit near where Texas transitions from the green climate of the southeast to the more arid in central Texas. As the route meandered we moved back and forth between the different environments. Along the route we passed St. Olaf Kirke church, or more commonly known as the Rock Church. It is located just outside of Cranfills Gap a community often referred to as Norse. The church was built in 1886 and served the local Lutheran community.
The rally ended in Glen Rose before noon allowing us to spend some time walking around the town and enjoying lunch. There was a second rally planned for the afternoon but Kim and I took a more direct route home so that we could spend more time exploring the Rock Church and I would be back to Clifton in time to attend the tech session on carburetors.
One more fun fact, just outside of Glen Rose they discovered dinosaur tracks. Although we did not have time this trip, I hope we will get back to Dinosaur Valley State Park to see the tracks for ourselves.
Following the tech session, the ladies attended the 1st (and hopefully annual) ladies tea at the Bosque Arts Museum. Peggy Schrodi was co-organizer of the event and by all accounts it was a tremendous success. While Kim enjoyed the tea, I spent time cleaning the many bugs off the front of the car getting it ready for the car show the next day.
Next up was a pizza party held in an old western town on the ranch. Well maybe it wasn't so old and probably nota real town but it made for a great venue. Getting to the town allowed us to drive across the ranch's property and to get up close and friendly with the many exotic animals on site. We had fun meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends.
Saturday began with the car show, there was a funkana in the afternoon and it ended with the traditional awards banquet. Once again Houston was well represented claiming several awards:
- Roger Sykes, Octagon of Honor with his 1974 MGB GT
- Glen & Fran Carpenter, Vintage class 1st place with their 1934 PA
- Bill & Sally Bowers, Special class 1st place,1974 MGB GT V6 conversion
- Bob & Kim Chalker, MGB Chrome Bumper, 4th place, 1972 MGB.
In addition Peggy Schrodi was given special recognition for her outstanding work in organizing the ladies tea. Scot and Trish Hardy won the funkana and Kim and I were pleasantly surprised to learn that we won the morning road rally. I have always said that Kim is one of the world's best navigators!
If you haven't attended a GoF you really should make a point to do so soon. MG is known as the marque of friendship, the Gof's make an exclamation point on this statement.
