A Friendly Drive
On this weekend day following the Thanksgiving holiday, I'm looking out my window at a snow-blanketed landscape. It is eerily quiet as the snow continues to fall and the moment gives way to a thought of, what am I going to do today? Ordinarily I would be a modern-day nomad wandering the sinuous asphalt trails radiating out into the world. On this day, however, snow means I'm house-bound. My mental gymnastics eventually recall the good time I had just a couple weeks earlier on the club's drive to Washington.
The morning started out cool as we gathered at the commuter lot near Highway 94. This drive was popular with the club members with 3 drive groups gathering for a total of 30 Porsches and about 50 members. We gather for the safety briefing and agree to the civility requirements that will assure we arrive unscathed at our destination.
We break the huddle and quickly empty the parking lot. Heading down Highway 94, and once again I find myself as sweep, but for group 2 this time. I'm on the lookout for someone needing assistance in my group. Moreover, I contemplate the view ahead of me. Does your imagination need some help? Check out the pictures my wife Sheila took!
After 14 miles we hang a right on Femme Osage Creek Rd. These back roads present some hazards like a narrow bridge that offers passage for one direction or the other. This slowed us down to a momentary stop, but offered a safe opportunity for some adjustments in the cabin. I find myself looking down at the road while paused and contemplate its origin. I'm certain the asphalt ribbon was a horse trail over a hundred years ago. After all, this is Daniel Boone territory. We just drove by his house! What would he be thinking of us right now?
As the road weaves through the open farmland, I have my first opportunity to see far ahead. I see the Porsches ahead of me get smaller and smaller in the distance and eventually appear as just a colored dot scooting across the horizon. We total 32 miles traveled to arrive at Mount Pleasant Winery. There we took the opportunity to pick up another bottle of blackberry wine. Maybe unconventional, but I follow some advice I picked up in Napa Valley years ago: "Life is short, drink what you like!"
Meandering back to Highway 94, and then Highway 47 and another 14 miles takes us all the way to Washington. We all find a parking space along Front Street and walk towards Oak Street to find ... the Oak and Front Kitchen & Bar! So inspired. The club filled the restaurant and we were able to find a seat at the bar next to another new member. This was his first event! I enjoyed talking with him about his serendipitous Cayman purchase. It so happened that his partner needed a car, and what do you know, there was a Cayman there too! They walked away from the dealer with both cars!
Every event I have been to in my short tenure I've sat next to a stranger and departed with a new friend. I think I have about twelve-hundred of you to still meet. With lunch behind us and new acquaintances made, we take Highway 100 home. I can't wait for winter to melt into spring and our next adventure to forge new friendships.